Midland, NC
Homeschool
Site of the first documented gold find in the U.S.; underground mine tours, exhibits, and seasonal gold panning. Free admission.
Good to know: Gold panning is seasonal and has a small fee.
Free fun
Free family events in Charlotte
Great family days don't have to cost a thing. Here are 61 free spots and events around Charlotte — from splash pads and nature preserves to holiday parades.
Free this weekend · Nov. 13–15, 2026Family Things to Do in Charlotte This Weekend (Nov. 13–15, 2026)Free tree lightings in Kannapolis, the Renaissance Festival's free-kids weekend, Fiesta Friday, the Southern Christmas Show and more.
Pineville, NC
HomeschoolBirthplace of the 11th president with reconstructed log buildings, a visitor center and free guided tours.
Charlotte, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree self-guided tour through the life of Billy Graham, starting with a talking-cow animatronic in a barn-shaped building.
Dallas, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree museum in historic Dallas, NC with local history exhibits and a carriage collection.
Lancaster, SC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree galleries on Catawba Nation history and pottery — great for NC/SC history units.
Blacksburg, SC (west of Gastonia), SC
HomeschoolRevolutionary War battlefield with a free visitor center, film and a 1.5-mile paved battlefield trail.
Huntersville / Lake Norman, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree hands-on energy science center at McGuire Nuclear Station on Lake Norman, with a nature trail. Walk-ins Tue–Thu 12–3 pm; groups by appointment.
Charlotte, NC
HomeschoolFree gardens and greenhouse with rainforest plants, orchids and carnivorous plants.
Charlotte, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolKids' and teen library uptown with free storytimes, puppet shows, and a stop-motion studio.
Throughout Mecklenburg, NC
Rainy dayHomeschool20+ branches with free storytimes, STEM programs and homeschool resources.
Gastonia & Gaston County, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree kids' programs, storytimes and maker activities across Gaston County branches.
Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, NC
Rainy dayHomeschoolFree storytimes and family programs at branches across Cabarrus County.
Charlotte, NC
PlaygroundsHomeschoolRainy dayIndoor nature center, easy trails, and a unique fenced nature playground; frequent free family programs.
Charlotte (Steele Creek), NC
HomeschoolPlaygroundsNature center on Lake Wylie with live animal exhibits, trails, playground and weekly animal meet-and-greets.
Huntersville, NC
HomeschoolRainy day1,460-acre preserve on Mountain Island Lake; Quest nature center has a big aquarium and interactive exhibits, plus trails, horseback riding and paddling.
Freedom Park
FreeCharlotte, NC
PlaygroundsCharlotte's beloved central park: large playground, lake, ducks, trails and a Play 60 NFL playground.
Charlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsUptown park with skyline views, a seasonal sprayground and Truist Field next door.
First Ward Park
FreeCharlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsUptown park beside ImaginOn and Discovery Place with a splash pad and playground.
Charlotte, NC
Paved greenway linking uptown, Freedom Park and beyond — great for bikes and scooters.
Charlotte, NC
Paved trail alongside the light rail through South End with public art and murals.
Charlotte, NC
HomeschoolStroll a colorful Victorian neighborhood uptown with Fourth Ward Park at its heart.
Kings Mountain / Gastonia, NC
HomeschoolHiking with big views from Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle, plus a lake for fishing and paddling. Free entry.
Lineberger Park
FreeGastonia, NC
WaterPlaygroundsSeasonalBig city park with a splash pad, playgrounds, occasional train rides, and holiday lights in December.
Rankin Lake Park
FreeGastonia, NC
PlaygroundsCity of Gastonia lakeside park with walking trails, fishing and a playground.
Belmont, NC
PlaygroundsTreehouse-themed playground on the Catawba River with wide paved paths and a public dock with bench swings.
Tuckaseege Park
FreeMount Holly, NC
PlaygroundsRiverside park on the Catawba River with a playground and walking trails.
Village Park
FreeKannapolis, NC
PlaygroundsWaterSeasonalShady park with a playground, seasonal splash pad, paved trail, a $1.50 Venetian carousel and a small train.
Good to know: Carousel and train rides cost a small fee.
Frank Liske Park
FreeConcord, NC
PlaygroundsLarge Cabarrus County park with playgrounds, ballfields, a lake and walking trails.
Jetton Park
FreeCornelius, NC
PlaygroundsLake Norman peninsula park with paved trails, playground and lake views.
Cornelius, NC
PlaygroundsWaterLake Norman park with a small beach, playground and fishing pier.
Pineville, NC
PlaygroundsWaterLakeside park with a large splash pad and three playgrounds.
Stumptown Park
FreeMatthews, NC
PlaygroundsSeasonalDowntown Matthews park with a playground, summer concerts and community festivals.
Mint Hill, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFully fenced splash pad with toddler and big-kid zones, turf surfacing and inclusive play elements.
Glencairn Garden
FreeRock Hill, SC
SeasonalFree 11-acre garden with azaleas, fountains and a pond — stunning in spring.
Rock Hill, SC
Paved Catawba River trails and nearby parks at Riverwalk.
Pineville, NC
Rainy dayPlaygroundsFree indoor kids' play area inside the mall — handy on rainy days.
Concord Mills
FreeConcord, NC
Rainy dayHuge outlet mall home to SEA LIFE, Dave & Buster's and more — easy rainy-day walking.
Multiple locations, NC
Rainy dayFree hands-on build projects for kids on the first Saturday of the month.
York County, SC, SC
SeasonalAcres of sunflowers in bloom each late June/early July — free photo-op.
Charlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Charlotte (Dilworth), NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Charlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Charlotte (NoDa), NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Charlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Charlotte, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cornelius, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree Mecklenburg County splash pad with a playground nearby; open daily roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Huntersville, NC
WaterPlaygroundsPopular fully fenced free splash pad next to a playground and covered picnic area.
Concord, NC
WaterFree downtown Concord splash pad near shops and restaurants.
Kannapolis, NC
WaterFree splash pad beside the ballpark in downtown Kannapolis.
Dallas, NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree splash pad with ballfields, dog park and historic village nearby.
Stanley, NC
WaterFree splash pad with hopscotch and a spraying tree.
Gastonia, NC
WaterFree City of Gastonia splash pad in the Highland community.
Charlotte (Ballantyne), NC
WaterPlaygroundsFree shopping-center playground and splash pad — easy combo with lunch.
Good to know: Splash pad listed as temporarily closed due to city water regulations; playground open.
Hall Family Farm
FreeLancaster, SC
SeasonalHomeschoolAward-winning family farm (USA TODAY 10Best #9 corn maze 2026). Fall: 7-acre puzzle corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, goat walk ropes course, gem mine and play areas. Spring: u-pick strawberries. Homeschool days and field trips.
No admission; pumpkins ~$0.70/lb, large maze ~$12–13, hayride ~$4.49; strawberries ~$3.99/lb
Good to know: Fall 2026 season ran Sept 18 – Nov 1; strawberries return spring 2027.
Dallas, NC
SeasonalFourth-generation farm with 100+ varieties of pumpkins and gourds, tire mountains and slides. Admission always free.
Charlotte, NC
SeasonalCentury-old east Charlotte farm (Rocky River Rd) with a free-admission pumpkin patch, barnyard animals and $5 weekend hayrides.
McAdenville, NC
SeasonalWhole town lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights — free to drive or walk.
Good to know: 2026: Dec 1–26, 5:30–10 pm. Arrive early.
Kannapolis, NC
SeasonalFree holiday lights in Village Park with the carousel and train running, plus tree lighting and fireworks on opening night.
Belmont, NC
SeasonalDecorated Christmas trees fill Stowe Park all December — free.
Charlotte, NC
SeasonalCharlotte's big uptown holiday parade on Tryon Street with floats, bands and balloons — free to watch (reserved seats sold separately).
Good to know: 2026: Wednesday, Nov 25 at 5:30 pm.
Matthews Alive
FreeMatthews, NC
SeasonalLabor Day weekend community festival in downtown Matthews with rides, music and a parade.
See also free activities, this weekend's guide and where kids eat free. Filter free activities by town and season
Hours, prices and seasonal dates change often — always check the official website before you go. Info last reviewed November 2026.