16 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Easter Bunny visits, Party in the Park + art
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, March 22
Art After Dark: Southern Digital
Location: Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is celebrating the first anniversary of its digital art studio MODA (Mecca of Digital Arts) and invites you to join the party. Learn about Black excellence in arts and culture at this free, four-hour event.
Location: Cabarrus Brewing Company, 329 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
If you’re looking to enjoy a movie outdoors, you’re in luck. Cabarrus Brewing Company is hosting a free outdoor movie series from March to December. This week, watch “Shrek” on the big screen and play retro games before the movie starts.
Saturday, March 23
Location: VisArt Video, 3104 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated.
Break out your leg warmers and go back in time for VHS Fitness Potluck at VisArt Video. Every Saturday, VisArt Video hosts a fitness class from its collection of fitness tapes with instructors such as Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons and more.
Hop to Midtown: Free Easter Bunny Pictures
Location: Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Hop To Midtown for a day full of family fun like free pictures with the Easter Bunny, face-painting, a live DJ and more. You can also check out restaurants and retailers offering special deals, such as 15% off at Teriyaki Madness.
Gaston MAX (Multicultural Arts Xperience)
Location: Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 107 N South St, Gastonia, NC 28052
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head over to Gaston MAX for a day full of art, music, dancing and more. The event also features cultural foods and activities.
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate Spanish culture with Olé España at Camp North End. There will be a live performance by Vadim Kolpakov Group, a paella cooking demonstration, delicious sangria and Spanish wine selections.
Location: Wilhelm Park, 19018 Smith Cir, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free for Cornelius residents, $3 for non-residents
Hop on over to Wilhelm Park in Cornelius for Hop Into Spring, an afternoon filled with family fun. Activities include meeting the Easter Bunny, face painting, live music and more.
Location: President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134
Time: 2:30-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Check out local artists and learn about the history of the land, people and meanings of the President James K. Polk State Historic Site. You can expect spoken word performances, live painting performances and live music.
Editor’s note: The Mooresville Day Festival originally scheduled for Saturday, March 23 has been moved to April 27 due to the weather forecast.
Sunday, March 24
Location: 135 Woodlawn School Loop, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: 12-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
STEAMfest, North Carolina’s largest STEM and Arts festival, is being hosted at Woodlawn School. You can expect an opportunity to look into the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and more.
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head over to Party in The Park at Mint Museum Randolph, where you can enjoy an afternoon filled with live music, food trucks, cash bar plus live artist demos that focus on themes of identity and culture.
Monday, March 25
Location: Bass Pro Shop, 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Location: Cabela’s, 1000 Cabelas Dr, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Time: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Get free Easter Bunny pictures at your nearest Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s stores. Reserve your spot and get the chance to meet the Easter Bunny.
Tuesday, March 26
Tabletop Game Night at Beer Lab
Location: Ghostface Brewing, 215 S Broad St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free entry, 10% off on food
Relax at Ghostface Brewing’s Beer Lab for its Tabletop Game Night, hosted every Tuesday. You can use the brewery’s games or bring your own, and you can also enjoy 10% off on food.
Location: Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Want to learn how to dance salsa but don’t know where to start? You can give it a try at Berewick Recreation Center, which is offering a free salsa line dance class. It’s open to people of all ages of adults and experience.
Wednesday, March 27
Location: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy a puppet show for children at ImaginOn, where the show features songs and movements.
Location: Free Range Brewing, 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 8-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
If you’re a fan of “Survivor,” then head on over to Free Range Brewing, where you can join your fellow reality TV lovers every Wednesday for Season 46 showings on the big screen. You can also enjoy drink specials and food truck bites.
Thursday, March 28
Colorscape: A Kaleidoscope of Creativity
Location: Queen City Grounds, 644 N Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Colorscape at Queen City Grounds for an event that celebrates creativity of all forms. From live music to artist talks, you can immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of creativity and the experience of an art gallery.
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 March 20, 2024 at 10:10 AM with the headline "16 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Easter Bunny visits, Party in the Park + art."
