July starts off with a bang, but even after the fireworks end, there’s plenty to do and celebrate in Charlotte, North Carolina!
Read on for a list of some of the top events in the Charlotte area in July.
We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.
July Highlights in Charlotte
4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations
Fireworks and 4th of July celebrations in Charlotte
Date: Many on July 4, but some are on other dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Big list of fireworks, parades, street festivals and more. The list includes an interactive map.
Summer Movie Programs
Weekday Summer Movie Programs
Date: Various weekdays
Time: Usually in the morning
Place: Several theaters
Cost: Price ranges from $1 to $3
Features: Six movie theaters and chains offer a summer family matinee program with low-priced tickets. It’s a great way to cool off during these hot days.
Cook Out Summer Shootout
Cook Out Summer Shootout
Date: Tuesdays in July (Also, Monday, July 1)
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 1555 Concord Pkway S., Concord, NC
Cost: $10 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. There are several nights were you can get a discount or free admission in some cases. On most night you can get $2 off with a canned food donation.
Features: Watch racing’s future stars battle in Legend Cars and Bandoleros on the front-stretch quarter-mile.
Free Water Ski Show with Carolina Show Ski Team
Carolina Show Ski Team Water Ski Show
Date: Every Friday through August 9, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Windjammer Park, 8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch the team perform flips, trio acts and human pyramids. Parking is limited, so please plan to get to the park by 6 p.m. Food trucks are often on site.
2nd Friday Street Festival: America’s Birthday BBQ Bash
Old Town Cornelius’ 2nd Friday Street Festival
Date: Friday, July 12, 2024
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, craft breweries, more.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concert Series
Date: Many dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: Charlotte’s huge calendar of outdoor concerts continue! Our expansive list can be perused by area or date.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Many dates
Time: Usually at dusk
Place: Many locations
Cost: Free
Features: The summer of free outdoor movies continues! Check out our day by day list for movies at parks, breweries, shopping centers, churches and more. Many movies are for the whole family. There are often special features, like free retro video games, too.
Dancing with Gottaswing Charlotte
Five Buck Friday Swing Dancing
Date: July 5 and 19, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: First United Methodist Church Charlotte, 501 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $5 for the social dance. An extra $5 for a lesson
Features: Gottaswing Charlotte offers swing-era jazz dances like Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston and more. No experience required.
Museums on Us
Bank of America’s “Museums on Us”
Date: The first weekend of the month — July 6 and 7, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Cutlure, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown
Cost: Free for Bank of America or Merrill card holders
Features: If you have a Bank of America or Merrill credit or debit card, you can get into any of the above museums for free the first weekend of the month. Special exhibits might not be included in the free admission.
Activities at Mecklenburg County Nature Centers
Events at Mecklenburg County Nature Centers and Preserves
Date: Many dates
Time: Many times
Place: The nature centers are in Huntersville, Mint Hill and Charlotte
Cost: Most events are free
Features: Animal encounters, guided hikes, craft activities, nature studies and more. Lots of activities for kids. Most events require registration.
Super Saturdays at ImaginOn
Super Saturdays at ImaginOn
Date: July 6, July 13, July 27, 2024 (Also, August 10)
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: On select Saturdays, bring the kids to a fun show at ImaginOn. Intended for ages PreK and older. No reservations. Seating is first come, first served.
“Pay What You Can” to Matthews Playhouse’s “Young Frankenstein”
“Pay What You Can Night” at Matthews Playhouse’s “Young Frankenstein”
Date: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Matthews Community Center, 100 E McDowell Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Pay what you can. Suggested $10 donation.
Features: Recommended for ages 13+. A portion of donations will benefit Timeout Youth.
CLT Edge Fest
CLT Edge Fest
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2024
Time: 3 to 9 p.m.
Place: NoDa Brewing, 150 32nd Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live painting, music, dance, yoga, drum circle, fashion show art vendors, more.
Pageland Watermelon Festival
Pageland Watermelon Festival
Date: July 18 to 20, 2024
Time: Starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Saturday
Place: Downtown Pageland, South Carolina
Cost: Admission is free, but there’s a cost for rides and some activities.
Features: Live music, rodeo, parade, seed spitting contest, rides, more.
Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week
Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week
Date: July 19 to 28, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Many restaurants
Cost: Prix fixe dinners for $30 to $50, depending on the restaurant.
Features: This twice-a-year event is a popular time to try new restaurants. Reservations are recommended.
Hot Glass Alley Open Demo
Hot Glass Alley’s Open Demo
Date: Friday, July 19, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch an incredible piece of glass art be created, from start to finish.
RiverFest
RiverFest
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, 1400 E Catawba Street, Belmont, NC
Cost: Free (some activities might have a cost)
Features: Music, kayaking, bounce house, educational activities, food trucks, craft beer, more. Benefits Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.
Fire Party at Haylo Healing Arts Lounge
9th Annual Fire Party at Haylo Healing Arts Lounge
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. to midnight
Place: Haylo Healing Art Lounge, 1111 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but donations go to Cohoba and their Healing Collective
Features: Fire performers, interactive art, drumming, spoken word, photography, DJ, ritual burn
5th Annual Charlotte Peruvian Festival
Charlotte Peruvian Festival
Date: Sunday, July 28, 2024
Time: 12 to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $10 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; $25 after 4 p.m.; Free for kids under 10
Features: Live music, folkloric dances of Peru, crafts by artisans, delicious food, entertainment for kids and more.
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