Free things to do this weekend in and around Charlotte

Charlotte's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, January 16, 2026 to Sunday, January 18, 2026

Scroll down for full, detailed list of free weekend activities.

• SCNP: Friday Fire and S'mores (drop-in) – 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Friday, January 16, 2026, 10:30am to 12:00pm
• Unplugged at the Loft - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center – East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Friday, January 16, 2026, See website for details
• SCNP: MLK Trash Clean Up @ Cordelia Park – 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00am to Noon
• SCNP: Super Mario Geocaching – 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
• Game On! Preteen Gaming Saturday - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center – East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade - City of Charlotte, NC – Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9:30 am
• Topsy-Turvy Cinderella - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center – East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 17 - Sunday, January 18, 2026, See website for details