7+ free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: live wrestling, VegFest, Bard at the Barn
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, Sept. 29
Live Wrestling Show at Lenny Boy Brewing
Location: 3000 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Watch a live wrestling show with Friday Night Fights at Lenny Boy Brewing, where there will be sweaty fights and maybe even a few tears. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7.
Summoning Circle Fall Dance Party at Goodyear Arts
Location: 301 Camp Rd #200, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Goodyear Arts at its Summoning Circle Fall Dance Party. This free dance party offers ambient music from 6-7 p.m., and then dance/synth/punk from 7 p.m. to onward. Expect performances from local artists and drinks available from Free Range Bar CLT.
Saturday, Sept. 30
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Costume Shop Sale
Location: 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Prices range from $1
Looking to get ready for Halloween or working on adding the “wow” factor to your personal wardrobe? Head over to The Children’s Theatre’s annual costume sale, where hundreds of pieces will be available, from fantasy to modern dress and everything in between. This includes hats, masks, accessories and full costume pieces. There will be onsite volunteers and staff to aid you to help you plan the perfect costume or outfit.
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 12-8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate VegFest by supporting vegan and vegan-friendly businesses in Charlotte. It’s a celebration of healthy, sustainable eating that explores the benefits of vegan living. This free event features food trucks, local vendors, live music, prizes and more.
Sunday, Oct. 1
Location: 8300 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Bard at the Barn is back with “As You Like It,” a free, family-friendly production running Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 15. Bring chairs, a picnic and the whole family for these performances held at The Barn in the McAlpines Center.
Monday, Oct. 2
Open Mic Comedy at Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Cotswold
Location: 282 S Sharon Amity Rd Suite 335, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend your Monday night at Open Mic Comedy Mondays at Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Cotswold Village. This is a family-friendly event, put on by Big Pop Productions.
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Location: 9110 Kings Parade Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $5
Spend the spooky season watching retro horror flicks on the big screen for a screaming deal — $5. Two movies a night will be shown seven days a week. Watch classics like “Ghostbusters” or “American Psycho.”
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Location: Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Take a seat for theater troupe XOXO, Charlotte’s masters-of-the-absurd, as they present “When We Were Young the Moon Was a Living Star,” a multimedia response to Lonesco’s “The Chairs.” The performance that’s part of Wednesday Night Live starts at 7:30 p.m., and a cash bar will be offered.
Thursday, Oct. 5
Location: SAS Cupcakes Blakeney, 9941 Rea Rd C, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
“Yer a wizard, Harry” — SAS Cupcakes is celebrating a Harry Potter theme with a spooky twist where flavors are inspired by magical spells, potions and more. This event features photo booths, costume contests and prizes. All Hufflepuffs, Slytherins, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws are welcome!
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.
