On the Cheap

Moms get free admission to the garden 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. In addition, the first 250 moms each day will receive a free potted plant. Every hour, on the hour, starting at 10 a.m., artist Bob Yost will offer Tiffany-style stained glass demonstrations, and artist Pat Groome will demonstrate mosaic art. Art pieces will also be available for sale.

The Mint Hill Highland Games celebrate all things Scottish. The festivities include live music, a torchlight ceremony, border collie demonstration, athletic competitions for both kids and adults, falcons, dancing, an exhibition rugby game and much more.

Enjoy a wide variety of art along Little Sugar Creek Greenway, as well as live music at the Metropolitan and close-up magic acts at the Fountain Amphitheatre on Little Sugar Creek. From 8-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Festival After Dark will offer more music on the JazzArts Music Stage

Saturday and Sunday are the last two days for kids to get their picture taken with the Bass Pro Shops Easter Bunny. Parents receive a free 4-by-6-inch photo. There will also be crafts and Easter Egg hunts. See the website for the complete schedule.

Admission to the movies at this faith-based, family-friendly film festival is free.

Admission to both Mint Museum locations are free every Tuesday after 5 p.m. This Tuesday, Mint Museum Uptown and the Art Institute of Charlotte present a special event on the exhibit "Surrealism and Beyond," which runs through May 13.

Start out at UNC Charlotte's McMillan Greenhouse, then enjoy an informative tour through UNCC's Botanical Gardens. You'll learn to appreciate a Southern garden in winter. Afterward, browse the greenhouse, where winter plants are for sale.

Alpacas

1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Charlotte Country Day's Hance Fine Arts Center, 1440 Carmel Road. 704-943-4500

These activities are a few of the free events you'll find at CharlotteOnTheCheap.com: