19 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Fall crawl, Halloween fun, Party in the Park
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, Oct. 27
Location: 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg, NC 28075
Time: 4:30-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Put on your best costume and go trick-or-treating with families at Harrisburg Park. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy free games, inflatables, candy, costume contests and photo opportunities. Food trucks and vendors will be on site.
SCAREA 51 – An Otherworldly Experience
Location: 209 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Cost: $10-20
Want to take an out-of-this-world experience? Join SCAREA 51 for a night of fun and out-of-this-world adventure. There’s going to be art, music, art, tech and more. Costumes are required, so make sure to show all out when you come.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Location: Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Cost: Under $20
Get your costume on and come out for a hootin’ good time at Owl-O-Ween, a spooktacular event at the Carolina Raptor Center that combines the enchantment of owls with the thrill of Halloween. Owl-O-Ween is perfect for families looking to add a touch of wildlife wonder to their Halloween festivities, with featured activities including costume contests, a trick-or-treat trail and educational tables.
Location: 2100 Wilhelmina Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s a tradition that on the last Saturday in October, little ghosts and goblins will be marching through Plaza Midwood on their way to candy, games and fun at Midwood Park. The 17th annual Fall Crawl begins with a kids costume parade through the neighborhood to The Vine for a trunk-or-treat event and landing in Midwood Park, where they’ll have music, food, beer for adults, games, bounce houses, merchants and more.
NoDa Brewing’s 12th Anniversary Party
Location: 150 W 32nd St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 12-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
NoDa Brewing Company is turning 12 and wants you there to celebrate. This anniversary bash is going to have it all, including limited beer releases, live music all day, brewery tours, food trucks and a comedy show.
Location: Meet at N. Tryon St. and E. 11th St.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come walk with a couple of ghouls, witches and monsters at the first Charlotte Monster Walk this Saturday. Bring your kids or your fur babies, and make sure to wear a festive costume.
Halloween Treat Trail and Movie
Location: 11536 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 5:30-10 p.m.
Cost: Free for residents, $3 for non-residents
Join the Halloween Treat Trail and Movie event, where people dress up in their favorite silly or spooky costumes to collect candy from local businesses along the trail. Young monsters, fairies, witches and other Halloween enthusiasts can also enjoy a variety of activities, games and a spook-tacular photo area. Returning this year will be a tractor-pulled hayride running 5:30-7:30 p.m., as well as a showing of the movie “Hocus Pocus” at dusk.
[READ NEXT: The best NC destinations to admire fall foliage. When and where to go in 2023.]
Sunday, Oct. 29
Location: Hugh Torrance House & Store, 8231 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join a fun-filled afternoon at the Hugh Torance House and Store for its Fall Open House & Spirit Day, featuring historic crafts, games, activities and more that are perfect for 4- to 10-year-olds. Learn the origin stories behind Halloween traditions and enjoy the nature and history of the site. Costumes are encouraged, so make sure you dress up.
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate the opening of the installation Buscando la Sirena by artist Jackie Milad with free museum admission, food trucks and live music from the Mike Strauss Band. In honor of Emotional Wellness Month, three local artists will also be onsite, offering mindful painting exercises.
Matthews Playhouse Haunted Trail
Location: 100 E McDowell St, Matthews, NC 28105
Time: 5:30-10 p.m.
Cost: $10
Bring your friends and family and have a spooky outdoor experience at Matthews Playhouse. Along with its fifth annual haunted trail, Matthews Playhouse is also presenting a trunk-or-treat experience, food trucks, a bounce house and more.
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall Lighting
Location: 2017 Greenway Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: Starts at 6:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come by and see the 19th annual Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. The giant display of dozens of carved pumpkins has become a much-loved tradition, not just for Elizabeth residents, but for many others in the community.
Location: Crafty Beer Guys, 114 S Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring your pups to Crafty Beer Guys’ second annual Doggie Costume Contest.
Expect cute fur babies galore, The Chili Man Hot Dog food cart, the Yappy Hour doggy treat food truck and Newday Veterinary Care on premise with puppy swag. There will also be hand-crafted fur baby scarfs for sale.
Monday, Oct. 30
Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Location: 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join a special Halloween night at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s for free photos and a free candy hunt throughout the store.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Halloween Candy Crawl at Cabarrus Brewing Company and Gibson Mill Market
Location: 329 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Looking for a fun and safe place to bring the kids for trick-or-treating this year? Bring the family to Cabarrus Brewing Company for treats for the kids and the adults. You can also bring all that candy you were planning on giving out at home and give it out at the brewery instead. Then head up to the Gibson Mill Market to see what they have in store.
Location: 300 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $20 or more
Head over to Morehead Haunted Tavern for its last spooky day of the season. This 13-day indoor space is decorated for photos, plus eating and drinking, with a frightful Halloween twist. There will be over the top décor and spooky cocktails. Just be aware because there will be ghosts and goblins roaming around, plus a DJ mixing until in the AM.
Live music at the Golden Owl Tavern
Location: 9041 Robert D. Snyder Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend your Halloween night with Golden Owl Tavern, enjoying tunes from Vince Rivers. Just right next to UNC Charlotte’s campus, this University City restaurant offers live music with local artists every week with an outdoor patio. Grab some food like a margherita flatbread or cocktails like a Gold Rush or Southern Heat.
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Location: Starlight on 22nd, 422 E 22nd St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend your Wednesday night at Starlight on 22nd for a variety open mic presented by Apostate. Sip on one of its signature cocktails like the Starlight Spritz or Galactica and enjoy your night with this open mic event.
Thursday, Nov. 2
Members’ Show at The Light Factory
Location: 700 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
If you’re looking for a nice date idea or just love arts in general, head over to the Members’ Show at The Light Factory. There will be an eventful exhibition highlighting people’s art and talent.
Bluegrass Jam Night at Birdsong Brewing
Location: 1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy live bluegrass tunes from the Charlotte Folk Society at Birdsong Brewing. This is the perfect time to relax and hang with friends after work or if you’re in the mood to listen to bluegrass music.
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.
