Memorial Day celebrations, ceremonies and deals in Charlotte, 2024

What’s there to do Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte? A lot! Memorial Day in Charlotte will feature events celebrating the beginning of summer, as well as events to honor our fallen military personnel. You can jump right to the list of Memorial Day ceremonies.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 27, 2024, and Memorial Day Weekend starts Friday, May 24.

We are also sharing 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 Weekend, 2024.

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Memorial Day Weekend 2024 Events

Memorial Day Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center

Photo courtesy of U.S. National Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center’s Memorial Day Celebration is back! It will take place Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, 2024, with the main celebration being Sunday. The festival includes a trail race, yoga and live music. On Sunday, a new event, the Watermelon Wrangle, will take place. Admission is free, and parking is $12. Regular prices apply to the activities at the Whitewater Center like rafting, climbing and zip-lining, and competitions require fees as well.

Carowinds

Carowinds is thanking U.S. military members and veterans on Memorial Day weekend by granting them free admission to the park, as well as discount tickets for their guests.

From May 24 to 27, 2024, all military members can receive a free ticket to Carowinds, valid for a single day. Check out the details of Carowinds’ Military Days here.

Discovery Place Science

May 25 to 27, 2024, is the first of Discovery Place’s Military Appreciation Weekends of the year. Active military personnel and USAA members can each get up to four free admission tickets, plus four free tickets to a documentary film or planetarium show in the Accenture IMAX Dome Theatre.

World War II Living History Day

Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 106 E Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC, is presenting a World War II Living History Day on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about U.S. Military involvement during the European Theater of Operations. The main focus of this living history event will focus on the Airborne Operations (Parachute Infantry Regiment) during World War II.

Memorial Day at Museum of the Waxhaws

Museum of the Waxhaws, 8215 Waxhaw Hwy, Waxhaw, North Carolina, will have special Memorial Day activities on Monday, May 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be displays from several wars, as well as a Memorial Day crafts for kids. Admission is $10. $8 for seniors, and free (on Memorial Day) for all military members and all kids.

Memorial Day at Independence Harley-Davidson

Independence Harley-Davidson, at 9205 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC, is hosting a Memorial Day event on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 12 to 3 p.m. Sign the Wall of Remembrance, write letter and send care packages to troops, and meet the Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte. There will be free burgers, hot dogs and drinks. Live music by Love Bug Junkie. A special collection will be taken for the Independence Fund.

Hendrick Homecoming

Hendrick Motorsports is hosting Hendrick Homecoming on May 24 and 25, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. It will take place at Hendrick Motorsports, 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s free to attend and includes autograph sessions, giveaways, food trucks, displays and more.

Big Mecklenburg County Fair

This is the first weekend of Big Mecklenburg County Fair, which is taking place at Park Expo & Conference Center from May 24 to June 2, 2024. Enjoy rides, games, entertainment and fair food! Get half price tickets at Walgreens or online. On Monday, show military ID and get free admission.

Outdoor concerts

Check out a very big list of outdoor concerts taking place all over the Charlotte region! Most on the list are free to attend.

Swim and Splash

Many area pools and spraygrounds open this weekend! Check out the details of the places to swim in the Charlotte area, including lakes and a quarry!

Free Cheeseburgers from Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic

Once again, Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic is offering a free lunch on Memorial Day. This is the continuation of a tradition started more than 40 years ago by Keith Clinic. On Monday, May 27, 2024, starting at 11 a.m., at Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic, 4016 Triangle Drive in West Charlotte will be giving away meals. Each person present will receive a lunch bag with a “Nearly World Famous Double-Bacon Cheeseburger, along with sides. While supplies last.

Free Flags from Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is once again giving out one million free flags. The first 240 people at each participating store on Saturday, May 25, 2024, will receive a free flag. No purchase required. These are 8″x12″ stick flags, suitable for placing on a grave, field, or garden as a tribute to a fallen serviceman or servicewomen.

Drive-In Movie

Two drive-in theaters in our area has been operating this spring: Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle and Belmont Drive-In in Belmont. However, Belmont Drive-In is temporarily closed, due to storm damage.

Hiking

Please check out our huge list of 50+ hikes and walks in and near Charlotte. You’ll find plenty of interesting hikes on greenways and nature preserves right in Charlotte, as well as hikes to spectacular waterfalls, mountain views and more, just a short drive away.

Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts

Some of these deals are for everyone and some are specifically for military veterans or personnel.

Chick-fil-A: Free nuggets or Chick-n-Strips May 20 to 25. Valid only through Chick-fil-A app. One per person per account. Participating locations only.

Bonefish Grill: Vets are honored every day at Bonefish Grill. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.

Krispy Kreme: Buy any dozen doughnuts or 16-count Minis at regular price and get a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $3.84. Offers is good at participating shops from May 24 to 27, 2024.

Hickory Tavern: Bring a veteran or active-duty service member to Hickory Tavern on Monday, May 27, 2024, and they will get a free meal of equal or lesser value to yours. Dine-in only. Announced on Facebook.

Marco’s Pizza: Marco’s Mega Meal Deal includes a large 1-topping pizza, Cheezybread and Cinnasquares for just $19.99, using the code MEGAMEAL.

Olive Garden: If you take the whole family to Olive Garden, enjoy an extra take-home entrée for just $6. Pick up enough extra meals to enjoy over the holiday weekend. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

Outback Steakhouse: Vets are honored every day at Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.

These are some of the businesses that had deals or freebies last year, so we’ll be on the lookout.

Memorial Day Ceremonies

Huntersville Memorial Day Ceremony

The Town of Huntersville is holding its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC. Enjoy pre-ceremony patriotic music at 10:45 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m.

Indian Trail Memorial Day Ceremony

The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Indian Trail Town Hall, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail.

Kings Mountain Memorial Day Ceremony

The City of Kings Mountain is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Mountain Rest Cemetery, 111 S Dilling Street, Kings Mountain, NC.

Waxhaw Memorial Day Ceremony

The Town of Waxhaw is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Military Wall of Honor, 109 E North Main Street, Waxhaw, NC.

Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park

McEwen Funeral Service is hosts a Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park. Sharon Memorial Park is at 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC. The ceremony will take place on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m.

Memorial Day program in Cornelius

The Town of Cornelius and Legion Post 86’s Memorial Day program will take place Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC.

Kannapolis Memorial Day Ceremony

The City of Kannapolis’ Memorial Day Ceremony will take place Monday, May 27, 2024, at 12 p.m., at Veterans Park, 119 N. Main Street, 2023.

Fort Mill Memorial Day Ceremony

The Town of Fort Mill, South Carolina, is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony at Unity Cemetery, 303 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina, on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Gethsemane Cemetery

A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, 1504 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC, on Monday, May 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Matthews

The Town of Matthews is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Matthews Veterans Memorial Park, which is within Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC. Before the ceremony, the Matthews Concert Band will perform at 10:30 a.m.