Charlotte on the Cheap logo

Charlotte On The Cheap

Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap and you'll never miss a thing!

There are a lot of outdoor events planned for today. There's also a lot of rain in the forecast. Please make sure to check with the organizers of events to see if there are any changes. Cancellations might not be reflected here.

In This Issue...

13 things to do on Friday the 13th in Charlotte — spooky stories, tattoo deals, graveyard visits, more
Depositphotos

Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. 2022 has just one Friday the 13th, in May.

There are a several origin stories that suggest why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but here in Charlotte we feel lucky to have SpookyCLT. All year long...

Read the whole entry»

Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this weekend

This list includes things to do in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas, this weekend, from Friday to Sunday.

You’ll find festivals, live music and dance, kids’ activities, organized hikes, seasonal activities, learning opportunities and so much more.

We focus on free and cheap events, but, of course, the definition of...

Read the whole entry»

14 places near Charlotte to pick your own strawberries (plus, more U-pick farms for more produce)

Nothing beats freshly picked produce, and it can be fun to do it yourself. An outing to a U-pick farm can be a great tradition for kids.

We keep a list, year-round, of farms where you can pick your own produce, and that list is below. Please scroll down to see it.

Photo: Depositphotos

You might also be interested in this list of farmers...

Read the whole entry»

Big discounts on Carowinds tickets, including two days for $77 (total) — waterpark is opening soon!
Photo courtesy of Carowinds

Save money at Carowinds with these exclusive discounts!

Carowinds has opened for the season. Carolina Harbor (the water park) will be open on select days starting May 27th, 2022.

The discount tickets will save you a LOT. When you compare prices, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. When you buy an...

Read the whole entry»

Fried Fest, and more, at Devil’s Logic Brewing
Photo used with permission of Devil’s Logic Brewing

Devil’s Logic Brewing, at 1426 E 4th Street, features a taproom, kitchen, event space and outdoor patio space. There’s parking on the 1st level in the parking deck across the street.

Devil’s Logic Brewing’s products include craft beer, wine, cider, kombucha,...

Read the whole entry»

Drive-in movies near Charlotte — what to see this weekend

There are three drive-in theaters fairly close to Charlotte, and they are a great source of affordable family entertainment.

Hound’s Drive-In, in Kings Mountain, and Badin Road Drive-In, in Albemarle, are both operating. Sunset Drive-In, in Shelby, is not open for the season yet.

In addition to those three, there are often pop-up...

Read the whole entry»

An Evening of Waltzes — free harp concert with Beste Toparlak May 13
Photo: depositphotos

Charlotte Harps, the Charlotte chapter of the American Harp Society, is a non-profit organization made up of professional and semi-professional harpists, harp instructors, students and just people who love the harp.

The organization presents concerts, masterclasses, guest artist recitals and more.

On Friday, March 13th,...

Read the whole entry»

Decades Party: 90s night at 4001 Yancey (and more)


Brewers at 4001 Yancey is a group of like-minded brewers from Victory Beer Co. & Southern Tier Brewing Co. The taproom features well-known varieties, as well as exciting new offerings designed for the local market. There is also a full-service kitchen and dining spaces.

Keep an eye on Brewers at 4001 Yancey’s Facebook page for...

Read the whole entry»

Jiggy with the Piggy Festival in Kannapolis (Friday’s concert canceled due to weather)


Jiggy with the Piggy Festival is a longstanding favorite in Kannapolis and returns Saturday, May 14th, 2022. It features music, a BBQ competition, rides, arts and crafts, a kids zone and more.

Please note that the Sammy Kershaw concert, which was planned for Friday, May 13th, as well as the other festivities on Friday, have been postponed...

Read the whole entry»

Meck Dec Day celebrations in 2022, including a return to Trade & Tryon


May 20th, 2022, marks the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which preceded the signing of the more famous Declaration by more than a year.

Influential Charlotte (then called Charlottetown) men declared themselves “free and independent” of the British crown. The declaration was read on...

Read the whole entry»

Memorial Day celebrations and ceremonies in Charlotte, 2022

Memorial Day 2022 in Charlotte will feature events celebrating the beginning of summer, as well as events to commemorate our fallen military personnel.

We will also share information on Memorial Day freebies and discounts when they’re announced. And we also have a schedule below of everything on our event calendar for Memorial Day...

Read the whole entry»

5 Food Truck Fridays this week — where to find 20+ of your favorite food trucks


Food Truck season is in full swing in Charlotte!

Somehow food just seems to taste better when it comes from a truck. It can’t be explained. It’s even better when there are lots of trucks to choose from.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor...

Read the whole entry»

Amélie’s Artifacts Sale — take home chandeliers, tables, art, decor and more

When Amélie’s French Bakery and Cafe moved from its original location of 2424 N. Davidson Street to its new digs at 136 E. 36th Street, did you wonder what they did with the art and decor at the original spot?

We did! And now we know. They’re having an artifact sale.

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

On Saturday, May 14th, and Sunday,...

Read the whole entry»

Visit Tasting Rooms, Earn Cool Swag with $10 Cheers! Trail Passport

One of North Carolina’s newest craft beverage experiences is the Cheers! Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville. And one of the neatest ways to explore the trail is via the Cheers! Trail Passport.


The passport serves as a guide to 24 tasting rooms along the state’s only trail that features beer, wine, cider and mead. The...

Read the whole entry»

Friday the 13th Storytelling and Open Mic at Petty Thieves Brewing Co.(and more)

Petty Thieves Brewing Co., at 413 Dalton Avenue, Charlotte, creates craft beers, fueled by passion and imagination.

They also host many events, which you can find on their Facebook page.

Check out a huge calendar of events at Charlotte breweries.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Read the whole entry»

Big discounts for Halsey, Five Finger Death Punch, Flip Circus, and more…

Don’t pay full price for concerts if you don’t have to! We will update this page as frequently as we can, but there will still be times when you events on this page have sold out, or the discount is no longer available, or the event is over.

We also include tickets for sports events, when there’s a discount.

Please note...

Read the whole entry»

U.S. National Whitewater Center Memorial Day Celebration: band schedule announced

The U.S. National Whitewater Center’s annual Memorial Day celebration takes place Saturday, May 28th, and Sunday, May 29th, 2022.

It includes a trail race, yoga, and live music. The festival concludes with fireworks on Sunday night.

It’s free to attend the celebration, but there’s a charge for participating in races or...

Read the whole entry»

Harrisburg’s Rockin’ the Burg Outdoor Concerts May 14

Rockin’ the Burg Community Concert Series is a free, family-friendly outdoor concert series that takes place at Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg.

The concerts take place the second Saturday in May, June, August, September and October in 2022, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for...

Read the whole entry»

Free family day on Levine Museum of the New South’s final day at their current location May 15

Levine Museum of the New South is ending its time at 200 E 7th Street. Its final day there is May 15th, 2022.

The museum is hosting a free family day on May 15th, 2022, from 12 to 5 p.m.

Here’s some of what’s going on:

  • Visit the exhibits
  • Take photos
  • Sign the wall of memories
  • Enjoy performances
  • Face painting
  • Storytelling
  • More
...

Read the whole entry»

Kaleidoscope Fest in Waxhaw May 14

The Town of Waxhaw presents Kaleidoscope Fest on Saturday, May 14th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check out this big list of spring festivals in the Charlotte area!

This festival is Waxhaw’s annual spring festival of the arts. It features a gift market, performances, food and more.

This is a free event in Downtown Waxhaw.

The event...

Read the whole entry»

River Jam at U.S. National Whitewater Center — here’s the whole schedule

Photo: Mace Publishing LLC

The U.S. National Whitewater River Center’s popular River Jams are free concerts take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in the warm months.

They take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May to September, 2022.

The music will go from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The schedule might be a...

Read the whole entry»

Camden Commons turns South End’s main street into an outdoor living room April 24

Camden Road, in the South End, will be transformed into an outdoor living room on select Saturdays this spring.

Camden Commons, presented by Lowe’s, will feature two blocks of Camden Road, between Tremont and East/West Boulevard.

Photo by Kyo H Nam for the Center City Partners

It will be closed to traffic and open for fun and...

Read the whole entry»

Pet Palooza


The Humane Society of Charlotte will hold its annual Pet Palooza on Saturday, May 14th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The fundraiser walk and community festival takes place at the new Human Society of Charlotte’s Animal Resource Center, at 1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte.

The festival features live music, food trucks, pet-loving vendors,...

Read the whole entry»

Vibes and Vino Cookout Edition at Dupp & Swat May 15

Spend your Sunday afternoon at Vibes and Vino Cookout Edition on May 15th, 2022. It is taking place at Dupp & Swat, at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event is free to attend — just pay for your food and drink.

DJ DiSean Lamar will be setting the mood with hip hop, R&B, pop, Reggaetón...

Read the whole entry»

Myers Park Summer Series — free chamber music concerts at Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Myers Park Summer Series is a free chamber music series at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, in May and June, 2022.

The six concerts take place at 7 p.m.:

Charlotte Piano Trio 3rd Anniversary Concert
Monday, May 16th, 2022
The Charlotte Piano Trio will revisit the first piece it ever performed three years...

Read the whole entry»

BeachFest Matthews May 13-14
Image: Depositphotos

“Go to the beach” on the cheap by attending BeachFest Matthews on Friday, May 13th, and Saturday, May 14th, 2022. The festival takes place in and around Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade Street, Matthews.

  • Friday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Check out this big list of spring festivals in the...

Read the whole entry»

Lenny Boy Brewing Co.: free fitness class, live music, comedy, more…
Image use with permission by Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Lenny Boy Brewing Co., at 3000 South Tryon Street, is known for its organic kombucha, as well as gluten free wild ales, gluten-reduced beer, sours, and traditional ales & lagers.

Follow Lenny Boy on Facebook to see all of their upcoming events.

Check out a huge calendar of events at...

Read the whole entry»

Art Day at Gaston County Museum, including Soap Bubble Circus

Gaston County Museum, at 131 West Main Street, Dallas, is presenting Art Day on May 14th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming kids’ events in Charlotte!

This is a FREE event for the whole family. This celebration of the arts will feature hands-on activities and...

Read the whole entry»

Upcoming events at Wooden Robot Brewery and The Chamber by Wooden Robot: music, trivia, market, breakdancing, more…

Wooden Robot Brewery is an urban farmhouse craft brewery with two locations:

  • The Brewery, 1440 South Tryon Street, Suite 110, 980-819-7875 (South End)
  • The Chamber, 416 E 36th Street, 980-938-6200 (NoDa, steps from the 36th Street Station Light Rail stop)

Check out a huge calendar of events at Charlotte breweries.


They often take part in...

Read the whole entry»

Gardens in Bloom at Historic Rosedale May 15 — take your graduation pictures here!
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Historic Rosedale, at 3427 N. Tryon Street, has been part of Charlotte’s history since 1815, when the house was completed by Archibald Frew, a tax collector and postmaster for the town of Charlotte.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally...

Read the whole entry»

Tickets on sale NOW for WBT SkyShow — Charlotte’s 4th of July fireworks celebration

Learn about all the 4th of July fireworks and celebrations in the Charlotte area.

SkyShow is returning to Charlotte for 2022! This 4th of July fireworks show will take place in Truist Field, after a baseball game featuring Team USA Baseball.


The game starts at 6:05 p.m. on July 4th, 2022, and fireworks will follow. This is the largest...

Read the whole entry»

Free lunchtime walking tours at Camp North End
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Every Wednesday and Friday at 12 p.m., there’s a free walking tour at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte.

The tours are currently scheduled through July 1st, 2022, but they regularly get extended.

To attend, you need to RSVP on Eventbrite.

Camp North End is one of the largest adaptive reuse...

Read the whole entry»