21 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Holiday markets, Small Business Saturday, Nutcracker
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. 24
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 10-7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Spend your holiday shopping with VTGCLT at its Pop! market this weekend. Join vendors and shoppers at a Camp North End storefront and browse vintage and handmade items from 90+ different brands. The event takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 7. Starting Dec. 8, it will be open daily until Dec. 23
Kannapolis 2023 Holiday Market
Location: 401 Laureate Wy., Kannapolis, NC 28081
Time: 10-6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Visit Kannapolis for the city’s Holiday Market. Running from Friday to Sunday, this holiday event features local vendors and artists who will have plenty of goodies to choose from, including stocking stuffers and one-of-a-kind gift items.
Christmas Market at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Location: 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Time: 11-9 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Experience Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s festive Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) this holiday season. Wander through 140 vendors, warm up with cozy fire pits and enjoy mesmerizing lights, festive music and traditional huts. You can also try a variety of food and holiday drinks including hot cocoa. Don’t miss this German-style holiday tradition.
1st anniversary celebration at Neoteric Brewing
Location: 14220 Oakhill Park Ln, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 12-10 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Mark your calendar because Neoteric Brewing is celebrating its first anniversary with a full weekend of fun. Check out live music from Heidi Sidelinker, Edan Aldridge and more, eat from food trucks all-day, enter raffles to win prizes and check out special beer releases like the Winterful Life.
Saturday, Nov. 25
North Carolina Christmas Extravaganza at Cabarrus Arena
Location: 4751 State Hwy 49, Concord, NC 28025
Time: 11-5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry, $7 for parking
Get ready for a fun holiday experience at the North Carolina Christmas Extravaganza. This shopping extravaganza features swag bags, small business shopping and a special guest from the North Pole.
Small Business Saturday Thrift Market
Location: 1110 Morningside Dr Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 11-5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Come by to Thrift Pony parking lot for a chance to shop small and secondhand businesses. This day of thrifting and fun will include more than 25 women’s and men’s clothing vendors, local artists, food trucks and more.
Matthews Ballet and Dance: ‘The Nutcracker’
Location: 100 E McDowell St, Matthews, NC 28105
Time: Performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Cost: $7
In the mood to watch a festive holiday performance? Matthews Ballet and Dance is presenting “The Nutcracker,” a holiday classic. More performances of the ballet take place through Dec. 3, as well.
Sunday, Nov. 26
Location: 2452 Park Rd Unit D, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Cost: $14
Looking for a fun family activity? PlantHouse-Charlotte is hosting a festive workshop, where you’ll learn how to create a unique terrarium full of air plants, decor and winter/holiday figurines.
Front Porch Fest at Protagonist LoSo
Location: 227 Southside Dr Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Time: 11-4 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Head to Front Porch Fest at Protagonist LoSo for the final time this year. During the event, you can shop for local goods or just enjoy a craft beer on tap.
Location: 1919 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 11-5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Plaza Midwood’s little pop-up is back this winter season, bringing offerings merry and bright. Explore Charlotte’s talented artisans and check out unique, handmade treasures that could make the perfect gifts. Food and coffee will be available for sale on site.
Monday, Nov. 27
Belmont Christmas Tree Lighting
Location: 115 N Main St, Belmont, NC 28012
Time: Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
If you’re on the hunt for a tree lighting to attend, look no further. The Belmont Christmas Tree Lighting is happening at City Hall, so grab a cup of hot cocoa to take with you and check out this festive experience.
Trivia Night at Protoganist LoSo
Location: 227 Southside Dr Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Time: Starts at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Test your knowledge at Protagonist LoSo’s Trivia Night, where you’ll experience a fun night of games and see if you have the knowledge to win. It’s free to play, and you have multiple chances to win prizes.
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Queen City Ringers’ first concert at Sharon Towers
Location: 5100 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Time: Starts at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Are you looking for more ways to get in the holiday spirit? The Queen City Ringers, Charlotte’s own handbell ensemble, is having its first holiday appearance — “Christmas Bells Are Ringing — at Sharon Towers.
Gluten Freedom – A night of gluten-free pizza and beer
Location: 2217 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 12-11 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Experience a night of total Gluten Freedom at Monday Night Garden Co.’s 100% gluten-free service. You’ll enjoy gluten-free pizza and beer, providing a stress-free night for friends and family who suffer from gluten intolerance. Reserve your pie in advance.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Student discount at Independent Picture House
Location: 4237 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC 28213
Time: Showtimes
Cost: Buy one ticket, get one free
Watch films on a budget at Independent Picture House. Students can get a discount at the theater to catch up on their film knowledge and experience a taste of the local film scene.
Location: 4250 Main St #109, Harrisburg, NC 28075
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Looking for a way to bring your furry friend to happy hour? Join Percent Tap House on the 1st, 3rd, and occasional 5th Wednesday of each month for dog socializing, local vendors and a great atmosphere.
Wine Tasting Wednesday at Sip City
Location: 917 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, $5 wine glasses and 20% off bottles to go
Join Sip City as they share the facts behind the different wines offered there. Each week, a representative from a different winery shows up from 6-9 p.m. to educate staff and customers on the tastes and the stories that make the wines unique and special. While you’re there, enjoy select $5 wines by the glass and 20% off bottles to go.
Black Women Behind the Lens: Panel and Analysis
Location: 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Join the kickoff to Black Women Cinema Week with a collective reflection on the impact of Black women behind the lens in history, juxtaposed and complemented by the work of contemporary and local Black women directors, cinematographers and photographers. This program will be led by a panel of award-winning Black women in film and photography, including Kameishia Wooten, Rebekah Ofori, Claudia Owusu and others.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Location: 6697 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212
Time: starts at 4:45 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Get festive with MorRA’s Winter Social, plus a sculpture lighting. With so much goodness going around like free hot chocolate and donuts, kids’ holiday crafts and cold drinks from Edge City Brewery, you won’t want to miss this day of fun.
Location: 119 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate Christmas in Davidson, lasting over three days filled with magical holiday family fun. An annual tradition since 1988, this experience brings in about 30,000 people by having local shops, a Giving Tree Village, Santa and story time 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.
