17 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Hip Hop tour, Thanksgiving parade, holiday fun
This list is curated by Charlotte on the Cheap, where you’ll find even more free and cheap things to do every day, and detailed by Denise Casalez.
Friday, Nov. 17
Location: 3701 N Davidson St Suite #203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
If you love Danny DeVito and want to find a way to celebrate his birthday in Charlotte, now is your chance. Divine Barrel Brewing is throwing a birthday bash for the actor and wants you to celebrate with a costume contest, music, prizes and more.
Piedmont Town Center Tree Lighting
Location: 4725 Piedmont Row Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Are you looking to get into the Christmas spirit with your family or friends? Visit the Piedmont Town Center, where there’s going to be a tree lighting along with hot cocoa, face painting and more.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Location: 2905 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 11-7 p.m.
Cost: Free, but RSVP
Celebrate hip hop’s 50th anniversary with The Hip Hop Museum, which tours around the United States to tell the story of the sounds that cultivated an era of culture and music. This touring exhibit will feature early hip hop artifacts and shine a light on the cultural and economic accomplishments that the music impacted.
Birkdale on Ice/The Lighting of Birkdale Village
Location: Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: Starts at 2:15 p.m.
Cost: $18 per person, $14 for children 12 years or younger
Tis’ the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice. For the second year, Birkdale Village will have an ice skating rink that opens during The Lighting of Birkdale Village. Come out and enjoy a day full of holiday music, holiday performances and more.
Location: 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Time: 9-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Mint Hill Historical Society invites you to shop at its holiday craft show, Christmas in the Village, where there’s going to be hand-crafted, homemade and one-of-a-kind treasures from local businesses.
Location: 1536 Tom Steven Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Time: 10-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Visit the Catawba Cultural Center for the Yap Ye Iswa “Day of the Catawba” festival. The event will celebrate the Catawba heritage and culture with drumming, traditional dances and more.
Location: 10500 Centrum Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134
Time: 11-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Super G Market Pineville for its first annual Global Culture Fest for an unforgettable celebration of diversity and unity. This festival will feature an atmosphere filled with music, dance, art and delicious international cuisine. There will also be performances and interactive exhibits.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Location: Hugh Torance House & Store, 8231 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: Old Huntersville Jail, 301 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 11-5 p.m.
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for students ages 5-18, $5 for children under 5.
Spend your Sunday celebrating Huntersville’s 150th birthday by visiting three of the town’s most historic sites. From the town’s oldest municipal building to historical buildings dating back to the 18th century, Historic Huntersville Day brings a variety of history lessons and fun activities.
Location: Ballantyne Country Club, 11120 Ballantyne Country Club Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $10 donation
Want to include your furry friend in your Christmas photos? The Ballantyne Country Club is hosting Santa Paws, where you can bring your pet and get a picture with Santa Claus for a $10 donation. Make sure to dress your animal bestie up in a festive bow tie, collar or sweater.
Monday, Nov. 20
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
Location: 700 W C St, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free but reservations encouraged
Get into the festive spirit of the holidays at Kannapolis’ Village Park for the Kannapolis Celebration of Lights. The event includes activities such as seeing Santa and roasting s’mores around the firepit, plus a train ride and carousel ($2 per person).
Tuesday, Nov. 21
Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC Tree Lighting Festival
Location: Bank of America Stadium, 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free, but mobile tickets required
The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC are hosting their annual Tree Lighting Festival on the corner of Mint and Graham streets outside Bank of America Stadium. The tree lighting features a 50-foot-tall tree, which will be illuminated with 50,000 string lights. There will also be fun activities including free hot cocoa, a fleece-making station and guest appearances.
Location: 215 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: Starts at 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Mooresville for its 79th annual Christmas Parade. This year, there will be a special grand entrance with flashing lights and sirens, followed by fantastic floats, marching bands, an appearance from The Grinch and Santa, and more.
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Location: Uptown Charlotte, South Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (Near The Green and Levine Museum)
Time: Starts at 5:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Your pre-turkey plans with your family or friends are set: Head over to the annual 77th Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade. With dance groups, marching bands, lights, floats and more, there is going to be something for everyone to enjoy.
Thanksgiving Eve Party at Pinhouse
Location: 2306 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Want to party before Thanksgiving? Pinhouse is hosting a Thanksgiving Eve Party with a free s’mores buffet, pumpkin pie shots, half off wine and music bingo.
Opening night of Light the Knights
Location: 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for general admission
Enjoy the holiday season with the Charlotte Knights and Truist Field with the opening night of Light the Knights, featuring Christmas décor and lights. Walk through the stadium watching a light show featuring areas such as Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and Santa’s Workshop. There’s also going to be a market where you can start your holiday shopping or go snow tubing and ice skating.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Dine-in on Thanksgiving without reservations
Location: Multiple
Time: Thanksgiving Day
Cost: Varies
Maybe your Thanksgiving plans fell through last minute. Or your turkey met its end in an untimely kitchen accident. Or perhaps you just didn’t get in gear to arrange holiday plans in advance. Things happen — but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options for eating a good meal in the Charlotte area. Check out this CharlotteFive Thanksgiving guide for holiday eating options.
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 for 15 people max
Once you’re done with your big turkey dinner, relax by going through the Speedway Christmas holiday lights show at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event features more than 5 million lights along a four-mile course, plus attractions like a new walking trail, photos with Santa and more.
Visit Charlotte on the Cheap for an expanded list of things to do in Charlotte every day. You’ll find festivals, kids’ activities, date night ideas, art, trivia and much more. You can sign up for a daily email that will keep you in the loop.
