Events in Charlotte, NC: Don’t Miss a Thing
Looking for fun, kid-friendly events in Charlotte, NC? We’ve got them! Our Kidding Around Charlotte Events Page is where you’ll find fun family events in Charlotte, NC, any day, this weekend, and beyond! If you want to feature your event, contact us about advertising opportunities.
✨Our Calendar Includes:
- Theatre shows and sports
- Seasonal and holiday events
- Events for all ages
- Weekend events near Charlotte
- Family-friendly festivals
We do our best to keep details accurate, but always check the event’s website for current pricing, times, and weather-related updates. Details may change!
Lowe’s DIY-U Kids’ Workshops are free, monthly, in-store building events for ages 4+. Sessions run 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on select Saturdays and require advance registration.
Learn more about how to register here> The Next Lowe’s Kids Workshop is Right Here: FREE! (2026)
Dates:
1/17/26
2/21/26
3/21/26
4/18/26
5/16/26
6/13/26
7/11/26
7/25/26
8/15/26
9/12/26
10/17/26
11/14/26
12/12/26
Guests will enjoy:
Unique holiday shopping from local vendors and small businesses
International food and festive treats
Live performances and cultural exhibits
A fun-filled Kids Zone featuring games, bounce houses, face painting, and more
Young entrepreneur booths showcasing the creativity of our scholars
Community activities for all ages
More than just a holiday market, this event is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, support local businesses, and invest in enriching experiences for Socrates Academy students and families.
Socrates Academy
3909 Weddington Rd
Matthews, NC 28105
Your whole family can enjoy stories, songs and movement activities that build early literacy. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way, Charlotte, NC 28214
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Families with young children
See the story of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart come to life on stage. It’s a good pick for a family outing at ImaginOn.
📍 Location: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte at ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
👉 Read more
Head to JC Penney for their monthly FREE Kids Zone craft!
Find Your Location! Local options include: Carolina Mall Concord, NC Pineville, NC
Join us each month at the Innovation Barn for our free community Saturday Swap! Bring in a clean, working item that fits the month’s theme, and take home something new-to-you, completely free. It’s a fun, simple way to keep usable items out of the landfill, support a culture of sharing, and connect with your community. Come swap, explore, and give great stuff a second life!
January: Books & Blankets
Trade a favorite book or cozy blanket and pick up something new-to-you.
February: Clothing
Bring clean, wearable clothing and refresh your style sustainably with a free find.
March: Seeds & Plants
Exchange healthy plants or labeled seeds and grow something new this spring.
(April is our Second Chance Sample Give Away Event on 4/25 so we won’t host a swap this month).
May: Outdoor & Sports Gear
Swap usable outdoor or sports equipment and gear up for new summer adventures without buying new.
June: Toys & Kids’ Books
Bring gently used toys or kids’ books and discover fresh favorites to take home.
July 18: Kitchen & Cookware Swap
With mid-summer grilling and garden harvests, swap small appliances, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and utensils.
August 29: Back to School Book Swap
Welcome fall by trading stories and taking home a cozy read.
September 19: Home Décor Swap
Trade artwork, throw pillows, lamps, and small furnishings to give your home a new look without spending a dime.
October 17: Costume Swap
Keep costumes and accessories out of landfills and let families get creative with mix-and-match pieces.
November 14: Winter Wear Swap
Clean out your closet and spread the cozy—swap or donate winter coats, scarves, gloves, and blankets.
December 5: Puzzle & Game Swap
Swap gently used puzzles and games to share fun and connection throughout the season.
Boost your reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a volunteer therapy dog named Dumpling.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Kids
Every child has a story, and this Saturday series helps kids write theirs. It is one of five Saturdays of dreaming big, with a publisher’s party planned for December 19 once the books are printed.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Sugar Creek Library, 4045 North Tryon Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Kids
Bring Catawba history to life by creating your own Catawba-inspired pottery. Join Family Folktales for storytelling and activities around local legends and history. Develop a deeper appreciation for our county and those that have called it home. This a family program intended for ages 7 and up.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2986 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Ages 7+
Haven Charlotte is a free, student-organized coding and game jam event for teens ages 13–18! Join us at UNC Charlotte for a fun, creative experience where you can build games, create projects, collaborate with other young developers, and explore your passion for technology. Whether you’re an experienced coder or just getting started, everyone is welcome to learn new skills, bring their ideas to life, and connect with other teens who love creating!
📍 Location: UNC Charlotte
Address: 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223
Babies and toddlers deserve to rave it up! This daytime dance party serves up a remix of their favorite music, sensory fun and kid-friendly snacks.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Sugar Creek Library, 4045 North Tryon Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: 0-5
Slip into your favorite pajamas for a cozy evening of sweet treats and bedtime stories. Each month brings a special snack, gentle stories and classic tales to wind down the day.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: South Boulevard Library, 4429 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Families
Join us on the Raptor Trail for Homeschool Days, a unique opportunity for homeschool families, groups, and co-ops to experience our incredible birds of prey and enjoy special discounted pricing! For the 2026-2027 school year, Homeschool Days will take place on August 18, September 18, November 18, February 18, and March 30.
Ticket Options:
- Private Program Ticket: $14
- This ticket includes admission to the Raptor Trail as well as a spot in our 10:30 AM Private Program. This program lasts about an hour and gives learners of all ages a unique look at raptors using the help of our avian ambassadors.
- Purchasing Private Program Tickets online in advance is required.
- General Admission Ticket: $12
- This ticket includes discounted admission for homeschoolers to the Raptor Trail during Homeschool Days. Entry to the private program is not included.
- No advance sales. Tickets must be purchased on-site.
Explore science, technology, engineering and math with fun hands-on activities and experiments on the third Wednesday of the month. Space is limited to 10 participants and no registration is required.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: 9-14
Preteens ages 9-12 can combine creative writing, crafting and art to make handmade greeting cards that thank the special people in their lives.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: 9-12
★ FeaturedGet ready to dance! DJ Raphi brings his high-energy Hype Tour USA 2.0 to The Underground in Charlotte for an all-ages dance party packed with crowd-pleasing beats. It’s a general admission, standing-room-only show, so wear comfy shoes and come ready to move.
When: Thursday, November 19, 2026. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., show starts at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Underground, Charlotte, NC
Ages: All ages welcome
GIVEAWAY: Enter to win tickets here
Tickets: General admission only, with a limit of 8 tickets per order. Prices go up on the day of the show, so buy early. Service fees apply at all points of purchase.
Accessibility: Guests needing accessible accommodations should purchase a general admission ticket and will be accommodated at the venue.
Dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
Free book reading/entertainment for kiddos and coffee for the caretakers.
1219 Thomas Ave, Charlotte 28205
980-875-7828
Explore the natural world through stories and exciting activities! Listen to a fun story about nature and then get hands on with a game, craft, or maybe even a live animal encounter! Registration and adult participation required.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Quest Nature Center at Latta Nature Preserve, 6345 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Ages 3-6
Combining early childhood education with outdoor exploration, preschool explorers will discover the wonders of the Nature Preserve with an experienced Naturalist. Activities may include crafts, games, stories, animal encounters, outdoor exploration and more!
🎟️ Cost: $6.00 (Mecklenburg County resident); $7.00 (non-resident)
📍 Location: McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC
👉 Register here
🧒 Ages: Ages 4-6
Teens can craft thank-you cards and make gift baskets for the therapy dogs of the Paws to Read program, and create art to thank Hearts United for Good for their snack donations.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Teens
Bring the family to Zsambeky & Associates for a fun-filled holiday event! Meet Santa and The Grinch and enjoy free photos taken by a professional photographer.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Zsambeky & Associates, 220 Branchview Dr SE, Concord, NC 28025
👉 Read more
FREE spectator admission, NO show registration or fees! From 8-11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone will be transformed as car owners and enthusiasts gather to celebrate their shared passion for cars and showcase their prized classics, customs and hot rods. Start your weekend with us!
We invite families with children, teens, adults, and seniors who have sensory processing needs to come to the Museum before it opens to the general public to explore our exhibits and experience a special planetarium shows! We are highlighting the wonderful mammals we have in the Piedmont region with specimens to touch and see up close. The Museum will have light and sound reduction, fewer guests and a social narrative will be provided ahead of the date.
Pre-registration Required. To register, email scheduler@chmuseums.org by Noon on Nov. 20.
“Don’t miss the next recycling class for kids at the Innovation Barn! Kids ages 6–14 will learn how to Recycle Right in Mecklenburg County. This engaging class includes exciting games, creative activities like making a badge from recycled materials, and a chance to explore interactive exhibits—all while learning the 7 Rs of sustainability.”
FREE EVENT hosted by Envision Charlotte at the Innovation Barn. Advance registration is required, and it is recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes early to get checked in.
Confirm details, find out more, and register on the EventBrite page.
Cryptid: an animal or creature that some say does not exist. What do you think? Explore the truth through fun, hands-on activities.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Sugar Creek Library, 4045 North Tryon Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Kids