7 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Done Adulting Day, fitness games, open mic.
This list is curated by Charlotte on the Cheap, where you’ll find even more free and cheap things to do every day.
Friday, July 7
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2986 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC 28215
Cost: $5 for Mecklenburg County Residents and $6 for non-residents
Celebrate National Be a Kid Again Day! Make crafts, play with bubbles, play games and cap it all off with a bonfire. Snacks will be provided. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Saturday, July 8
Food Truck and Movie Night at The Green at Prosperity Village
Location: The Green at Prosperity Village, 5334 Docia Crossing, Charlotte, NC 28269
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy dinner from one of the five food trucks that will be on site, and then, when it gets dark, watch “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” Bring a chair or blanket.
Sunday, July 9
Location: Pearl Street Park, 1200 Baxter Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: Free
Queen City Fitness Games holds a free “gamified” workout every Sunday at the outdoor gym at Pearl Street Park. The rain location is the covered pavilion at the park. This strength and conditioning class is unique because it includes a game element to the workout to promote friendly competition and distract the body and mind with something fun.
Monday, July 10
Location: The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
This popular, long-running open mic features both musicians and comedians. Performers are limited to two songs (originals preferred) or 10 minutes maximum. The doors open at 7 p.m., signups are at 7:15 p.m., and showtime is at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 11
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Location: Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054
Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
The second Tuesday of every month, the Schiele offers free admission. Please note that there are no planetarium shows at this time, because of HVAC issues, but there will be free astronomy pop-up activities. Make sure to reserve tickets online.
Wednesday, July 12
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Both locations of Mint Museum are free to visit on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tonight, Mint Museum Randolph is hosting Wild Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A representative of Stevens Creek Nature Center will bring an animal for kids to meet, and there will also be nature-themed art experiences and a self-guided scavenger hunt throughout the museum. The animal encounter will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 13
Location: Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2350 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
This concert, featuring electric guitarist Bridgeon, is presented by Dear Soul Music Co., and sponsored by ASC Culture Blocks. Seniors can register for a free lunch by emailing carl.brown@mecklenburgcountync.gov.
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.
This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
