- ABOUT
- CONTACT
- FAQ
- REVIEWS
- GIVE A GIFT OF CFT!
-
Join the Club!
free things to do in New York City
| < | April 2026 |
> | ||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||
Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, April 30, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
April 30, 2026. Free shows, concerts, movies, tours are New York (NYC) best kept secret! New York City never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment whether it's day or night, weekday or weekend, summer or winter, spring or fall, January or June, May or September. If you are looking for inexpensive things to do and where to go in Manhattan today, tonight, tomorrow, or any other time, or any other day of any week - you came to the right place: just click on any day on the calendar dispayed on the every page of our site and you will see how many events you can attend in Manhattan free of charge on that very day.
New York's cultural scene is at its busiest in October and March (and the same goes for free events, free things to do), but other months of the year still offer incredible amount of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away! So if you looking for something to do in April or November, December or February, you will find tons of free things to do, free events to go to. (In June, July and August lots of those free events take place outdoors, of course).
So do not wot till tomorrow, start using these unique New York City opportunities today, April 30, 2026!
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, April 30, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
Free things to do, free events that take place in the City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (April 30, 2026) or on any other day of the year don't miss those free-of-charge opportunities that only New York provides! You can find lots of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
Join the Club!
The quality and quantity of
free events,
free things to do
that happen in New York City
every day of the year
is truly amazing.
So don't miss the opportunities
that only New York provides:
stop wondering what to do;
start taking advantage of
free events to go to,
free things to do in NYC
today!
The quality and quantity of
free events,
free things to do
that happen in New York City
every day of the year
is truly amazing.
So don't miss the opportunities
that only New York provides:
stop wondering what to do;
start taking advantage of
free events to go to,
free things to do in NYC
today!
Let New York City surprise, stimulate, entertain and excite you! Read More
Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides:
- free concerts in NYC
- free movies in NYC
- free jazz in NYC
- free poetry readings in NYC
- free tours/hikes in NYC
- free city walks in NYC
- free Yoga /Tai Chi in NYC
- fairs and parades in NYC
- free theater in NYC
- free tickets to concerts, theater and dance performances in NYC
'New York is abuzz with so much culture that they're giving it away.' (The New York Times article about Club Free Time).
70 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Thursday, April 30, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Open Studios | Identity Images and Self Portraiture
View a new suite of archival pigment prints by Alex Israel, featuring iterations from his ongoing Self Portrait series. Each work is paired with a custom, artist-designed frame, emphasizing image-making as both subject and presentation. Exploring themes of identity, perception, and constructed persona, the exhibition highlights Israel’s distinctive approach to portraiture through repetition, variation, and visual branding.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
10:00 am
Free
Free
Other | Larger-than-Life Interactive Book Immersive Art Installation
The Unbannable Library comes to the park as a vibrant public art installation celebrating the freedom to read. Created through collaborations between community groups, high schools, and artist/writer teams, these unique larger-than-life interactive books draw attention to the voices and stories most often subject to censorship. Visitors are invited to turn the giant pages, encounter new works of art and writing, and reflect on the importance of intellectual freedom in our libraries and communities.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
10:00 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn How To Play Mah-Jongg
Mah-Jongg is a four-person tile game of skill, strategy, and luck! Learn the rules and mechanics of American Mah-Jongg. Attend a two hour group lesson with instructor Susan Richards. Sets and a few cards provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own cards.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
10:00 am
Free
Free
Performance | Live Mural-Painting Celebrating Resilient Spirit of Artists
ArtLords, together with the vibrant New York City community, lead a powerful live mural-painting event celebrating freedom of expression and the transformative power of art. This public artwork will unfold in real time as artists and community members come together to create a mural titled “Walls of Freedom: Art Against Silence.” The mural will reflect the resilient spirit of artists who continue to speak truth through creativity, even in the face of censorship, conflict, and repression.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
10:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | New York City Hall Guided Tour
One of the oldest continuously used city halls in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, New York's City Hall is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, the building was an early expression of the City's cosmopolitanism. City Hall is a designated New York City landmark, and its rotunda is also a designated interior landmark. Note: When registering, choose the "Individual Tour" option.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
10:00 am
Free
Free
Birdwatching | Spot Central Park's Springtime Migrators (Warblers, Orioles, Thrushes) with an Expert
Enjoy a special spring birding experience, led by expert birder Alan Drogin, and see how many (of over 280 species of birds that have been documented in Central Park) you can spot. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, this program will introduce you to the basics of bird identification, including how to recognize birds by shape, behavior, and sound. Spot some of the spring migrators, such as colorful warblers, orioles, and thrushes, and explore the natural wonders hidden in the heart of the city!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
11:00 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome
This juggling class is ideal for a quick lesson, an extended practice session, or just enjoy watching jugglers put their skills to the test. They're a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons.
All skill levels welcome. Equipment is provided.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Afternoon Bach
Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:20 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn To Write Poetry with Award-Winning Writers
Poetry writing workshop with some of the best, award-winning poets across NYC. Participants will learn about/from relevant works, engage in discussion, write, and share their work. They will also learn a brief history of the Nuyorican, and if relevant/possible, life as a professional artist/poet. Workshop leaders: Karl Iglesias and Elisabeth Velasquesz.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Piano in the Park: Ragtime with Protege of Eubie Blake & His Band
Come on down and swing along to the best ragtime, stride, and jazz the Big Apple has to offer. At this performance, Terry Waldo plays lively music. "Mr. Waldo is worth the price of a ticket." - The New York Times Ragtime expert & stride pianist, Terry Waldo is the protege of the late Eubie Blake. He has produced over 40 albums and written the definitive book on ragtime, This Is Ragtime. His 26-part radio series with the same title, produced for National Public Radio, fueled the 1970's ragtime revival. He may currently be heard on his new podcast, This Is Ragtime. Terry Waldo's Gotham City Band will be performing at this event!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Chamber Works by Ravel & Brahms (In Person AND Online!)
Artists in the Graduate Center’s D.M.A. Program perform in chamber ensembles. Program: Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Duo for Viola and Cello Johann Brahms (1833-1897) Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
1:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | 18th-Cenury New England Ensemble Works (In Person AND Online!)
Ruckus ensemble presents this unique American repertoire of 18th-century hymns in historically-informed style including a rare presentation of the New England viol.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
1:15 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Berlioz, Rossini, Richard Strauss, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Fangzhen Wang, mezzo-soprano. Program: Tuoga Wulan Father’s Grassland, Mother’s River Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) from Les nuits d’été, Op. 7 Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Zueignung, Op. 10, No. 1 Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) O pallida che un giorno mi guardasti from L’Amico Fritz Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) La Regata Veneziana Zihang Sun Adrift Again on Paths Once Taken Lin Chia Ching (1934-) By the Waterside Zhou Liu Chìlè Song
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
3:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Janacek, Beethoven, & Chopin (In Person AND Online!)
Jennifer Chrysantha, piano. Program: Leos Janacek (1854-1928) In The Mists Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109 Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
3:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Enchanted April (1991): Historical Drama
When married British women Rose Arbuthnot and Lottie Wilkins decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester, a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher, an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience. Director: Mike Newell Cast: Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Polly Walker, Joan Plowright, Alfred Molina, Michael Kitchen, Jim Broadbent
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
4:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Afternoon of Beethoven String Quartets
Juilliard string musicians. All Beethoven (1770-1827) Program: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2 String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat Major, Op. 74, "Harp" String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
4:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Thursday Evenings at a Living Memorial Museum
Explore a museum dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, Jewish life, and education. View expansive galleries, survivor testimonies, and tens of thousands of artifacts. The museum also offers a theater, a genealogy center, an outdoor memorial, and a cafe.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
4:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Club | Read & Discuss Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima
Enjoy a group discussion covering the historical novel Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima. Synopsis: The novel is set in the early years of the Taishō period with the reign of the Emperor Taishō, and is about the relationship between Kiyoaki Matsugae, the son of a rising up and coming rich family, and Satoko Ayakura, the daughter of an aristocratic family fallen on hard times.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
4:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Beats, Bites & Good Vibes
Get ready for the ultimate in-person hangout! Experience a global mix of music from Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, Cuba, and the U.S., featuring Martín Vejarano & Magia Gaitera, Gamelan Yowana Sari, Michael Cedric Smith, Max Pollak Group, and Gato Loco.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:00 pm
Free
Free
Birdwatching | Evening Birding Tour
Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call the park home during migratory season, with guided tours led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow. The park is a hotspot for avian visitors and birders alike. Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will's-widow!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Three Artists Investigaing Myth, Material, and Memory in Contemporary Art
Three concurrent exhibitions explore themes of mythology, material reuse, and emotional resilience through drawing, collage, and mixed media. Marilyn Banner’s work presents expressive drawings of animal-like guardians and ritual forms, blending mythic imagery with reflections on contemporary turbulence and protection. Mary Alice Orito transforms discarded materials into intimate collages, reflecting on waste, memory, and reconstruction. Tania Kravath features works centered on the female form, ancestry, and healing, honoring perseverance and the emotional threads that sustain human connection.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Three Floors. Hundreds of Images. One Unforgettable Way to See
This museum is the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. It was founded in 1974 to champion "concerned photography"--socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world. Through its exhibitions, education programs, community outreach, and public programs, the museum offers an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:00 pm
$5, tickets required
$5, tickets required
Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Beethoven, Bellini, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Zhongjiancheng Deng, tenor. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) Sei Ariette da Camera Huang Ruo (1976-) The Monkey King Zaiyu Lu (1943-) Bridge Zaiyu Lu (1943-) Home Zaiyu Lu (1943-) Longing
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Buxtehede & More
Organist Avi Stein will transport audiences into the musical milieu from which Johann Sebastian Bach emerged. As a member of a distinguished family of composers and instrumentalists, Bach was keenly aware of his place in the lineage, and his vast collection of manuscripts — by relatives, predecessors, and contemporaries — reveals that wide repertoire of inspiration. Along with soprano soloist Elisse Albian and musicians from the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Stein will perform intensely passionate pieces from two of Bach’s influential 17th-century predecessors: Dieterich Buxtehude (Trio Sonata in A Minor and Herr, wenn ich nur Dich hab) and Christoph Bernhard (Aus der Tieffen).
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Respighi & More (In Person AND Online!)
Siyumeng Wang, piano. Program: Earl Wild (1915-2010) From 7 Virtuoso Etudes after George Gershwin Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) Keyboard Sonata in G Major, K. 427 Marc-André Hamelin (1961-) Etude No. 6 in D Minor "Esercizio per pianoforte, Omaggio a Domenico Scarlatti" Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) Six Pieces for Piano Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) Piano Sonata in B-flat Minor, No. 1 Op. 74
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | "Consistently Invigorating" Singer-Songwriter Natalie Tenenbaum
Composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter Natalie Tenenbaum starts a special five-week residency. Each week, Tenenbaum will guide audiences on a sonic journey, traveling fluidly between classical, jazz, pop, and experimental soundscapes. Natalie Tenenbaum has premiered works worldwide, collaborated with artists including Lang Lang, Pentatonix, and David Byrne, and created arrangements for Broadway's Mean Girls. Her recent albums--Duos/Solos and Standard Repertoire Vol. 1--reimagine everything from Bach to Stravinsky through her post-classical lens. Tenenbaum's performances have been praised by The New York Times as "sparkling... consistently invigorating," and her boundary-crossing approach is sure to make each evening of this residency a thrilling opportunity to hear familiar music in a wholly new way.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | L'Inferno (1911): Italian Silent Film Based on Dante's The Divine Comedy (First-Ever Full-Length Italian Film)
Italy's first full-length feature film, loosely adapted from Inferno, the first canticle of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. It chronicles Dante's travel through the Circles of Hell, guided by the poet Virgil. Directors: Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, Giuseppe De Liguoro Cast: Salvatore Papa, Arturo Pirovano, Giuseppe de Liguoro, Augusto Milla
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | On the Road with Duke Ellington (1974): Documentary on Jazz Icon (+ Discussion)
Filmed just six years before Duke Ellington's passing and at the height of his creative power, the documentary film On the Road with Duke Ellington offers a rare and intimate portrait of one of America's most influential artists. The film captures Ellington not only as a legendary composer and bandleader but as a working artist on tour, revealing his wit, discipline, generosity, and deep connection to his musicians and audiences. Director: Robert Drew Following the screening, audiences are invited to a post-film discussion featuring Duke Ellington's granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington--director, choreographer, performer, and founder of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts. Drawing from her personal family history and distinguished career, Ellington will share unique perspectives on the film and her grandfather's artistic legacy. Jazz historian, author, and educator Dr. David Schroeder, will speak with Ellington, and provide historical context and guide a conversation on Ellington's lasting impact and continued relevance today.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Ambassadors & Policy Experts Discuss Colombia's Political Future
Hear experts on Colombia's current challenges and the potential scenarios ahead of May's first-round presidential vote. Colombians head to the polls on May 31 in a highly polarized race to succeed President Gustavo Petro. Will the country follow the rightward shift reshaping politics throughout much of today's Latin America--or will its political left hold onto the Casa de Narino for a second consecutive term? The outcome carries dramatically different implications for Colombia's economy, security, relationship with the Donald Trump administration, regional alliances, and more. Speakers:
Jose Antonio Ocampo, Co-Director of the Economic and Political Development Concentration, Columbia University SIPA; former Colombian Minister of Finance and Public Credit (1996-1997, 2022-2023) and member of Colombia's Central Bank Board of Directors
Juan Esteban Orduz, Columnist, El Pais; former Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Colombia in the U.S.
Maria Paula Carvajal, Head of Latin America, Sovereign Credit Management, Citigroup
Brian Winter, Vice President of Policy, AS/COA; Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly (moderator)
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Climate Stories on Screen: Reimaging the Future
A special screening of award-winning climate-inspired films, followed by a live Q&A with the artists behind them.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Dancing | Dance Instruction & Live Music in the Park: West Coast Swing
West coast swing dance instruction and party in the park, with live Motown, funk, and R&B music. 6pm: West coast swing instruction 7pm: Live dance music with L*A*W and The Planet 12 Movement Most fans know L*A*W as the singer/rapper/dancer/producer & multi-instrumentalist in Funk Legend George Clinton's 420 Funk Mob & Enema Squad in the legendary P-Funk camp, but millions have seen him on national television back singing & dancing behind the late legendary Amy Winehouse as well as being her opening act for her sold-out shows in New York City with his own red-hot 9-piece musically diverse, high energy band, The Planet 12 Movement. Being the grandson of Blues/Soul legend The Late Sam "Bluzman" Taylor & coming from one of the most famous families in music history, this Brooklyn hood boy from the Crown Heights section has been known to make Motown, Hip-Hop, Funk-Rock, R&B/Soul elements work with embracing Pop, Jazz, Latin, House/EDM Music & even Country music exist under one roof while at the same time balancing the commercial element but still staying true to his underground roots.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Exploring Perception and Subjectivity Through Sculpture, Painting, and Works on Paper
A presentation featuring new works including monumental bronze busts, abstract sculptural landscapes, and paintings and works on paper. Dreamlike and fragmented, the works unfold like suspended thoughts, creating an immersive environment that explores perception and subjectivity.
Blurring the boundaries between material, time, and form, the exhibition brings together pieces that evoke both the ancient and the otherworldly, shaping elusive and universal experiences.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Historian Shares Her New Book, Egypt's Mediterranean
Zoe Griffith (Assistant Professor of History at Baruch College and the MA program in Middle Eastern Studies at the Graduate Center) will discuss her new manuscript, Egypt's Mediterranean, with Alan Mikhail (professor of history at Yale University, whose work centers on the history of the Ottoman Empire). In Egypt's Mediterranean, Zoe Griffith weaves together archival traces of fortune, family, statecraft, and crisis in Egyptian port cities to offer a new history of eighteenth-century Egypt and Muslim merchants in the Ottoman eastern Mediterranean. Ottoman Muslim merchants mediated the empire's access to Egyptian wealth, while Egyptian ports mediated geographic distance and economic scales between the province's agricultural landscape, its Red Sea connections, its hegemonic capital city, and its position within the wider Ottoman realm. As the eighteenth century wore on, Ottoman bureaucrats’ efforts to control merchants’ capital, mobility, and allegiance on the Egyptian coast drove transformations in the state itself. Drawing on Arabic, Turkish, and French archives, Egypt's Mediterranean offers an interconnected story of imperial realignment and social change on the eve of modernity.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | How Household Practices Sustained Jewish Culture (Online!)
Dr. Aranoff explores how Jewish cultural elements have been preserved over thousands of years, across different continents, upheavals, and exile. She suggests that the key to Jewish cultural survival lies in daily household life. Learn how everyday practices have helped sustain Jewish memory, identity, and culture over time. This talk highlights the spiritual and cultural importance of routine household activities, which are often overlooked in common narratives. It encourages reflection on how care, attention, and domestic work are passed down through generations.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, registration required
pay-what-you-wish, registration required
Book Discussion | Learn about Design Agency R/GA's Origins & Legacy (+ Book Signing)
Founder and Chairman Emeritus of R/GA, Bob Greenburg, joins Chair & Global Chief Creative Officer, Tiffany Rolfe, in conversation with designer, author, and educator, Debbie Millman, to celebrate the new book, R/GA By Design: Revolutionizing Film, the Internet, Social and Beyond, which is an in-depth look at R/GA's origins, history, and most influential productions. The conversation will be followed by a signing.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Military Transformation and the Legacy of Operation Neptune’s Spear
In this conversation, Admiral William H. McRaven and Lieutenant Colonel Brian Kitching reflect on the U.S. military’s transformation after 9/11. The discussion explores the evolution of Special Forces, lessons learned from service, and the legacy of Operation Neptune’s Spear.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | NYT Bestselling Author of Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl Strayed, Explores Her Craft & Career
Hear from Cheryl Strayed, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film. Her bestselling collection of Dear Sugar columns, Tiny Beautiful Things, was adapted for a Hulu television show and as a play that continues to be staged in theaters nationwide. Strayed's other books are the critically acclaimed novel, Torch, and the bestselling collection, Brave Enough, which brings together more than one hundred of her inspiring quotes. Her books have sold more than 5 million copies around the world and have been translated into 40 languages. Her award-winning essays and short stories have been published in The Best American Essays, New York Times, Washington Post Magazine, Vogue, and elsewhere. Strayed has also made two hit podcasts, Dear Sugars, which she co-hosted with Steve Almond, and Sugar Calling.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Radical Print: Latin American Avant-Garde in Focus
Celebrate Artes Visuales: The Latin American Avant-Garde in Print, featuring essays and interviews. The evening includes remarks honoring Carla Stellweg and reflections on the magazine’s role in building an international community of experimental artists. The publication and related exhibition explore the broad, interdisciplinary practices that defined a groundbreaking era in Latin American art.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Scholar Shares Her New Book, The Ocean on Fire: Pacific Stories from Nuclear Survivors and Climate Activists
Anaïs Maurer, Assistant Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Rutgers University, discusses her new book, The Ocean on Fire: Pacific Stories from Nuclear Survivors and Climate Activists. In The Ocean on Fire, Maurer analyzes the Pacific literature that incriminates the environmental racism behind radioactive skies and rising seas. Maurer identifies strategies of resistance uniting the region by analyzing an extensive multilingual archive of decolonial Pacific art in French, Spanish, English, Tahitian, and Uvean, ranging from literature to songs and paintings. She shows how Pacific nuclear survivors’ stories reveal an alternative vision of the apocalypse: instead of promoting individualism and survivalism, they advocate mutual assistance, cultural resilience, South-South transnational solidarities, and Indigenous women’s leadership. Drawing upon their experience resisting both nuclear colonialism and carbon imperialism, Pacific storytellers offer compelling narratives to nurture the land and each other in times of global environmental collapse.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Short Film Showcase + Q&A with the Filmmaker
Enjoy a screening of internationally acclaimed filmmaker and artist Sharlene Bamboat's short films. Organizers will be showing the films Video Home System and 25 Years Swayed Between Our Teeth. A Q&A will follow the screenings. Sharlene Bamboat is a Tiohtia:ke/Montreal-based artist working primarily in non-fiction moving image. Her practice explores histories of colonialism, globalization, pop-culture, and desire through poetics, abstraction, and collaboration.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | The Evolution of Abstract Paintings Over Time
A survey exhibition of large-scale abstract paintings spanning four decades, highlighting a practice defined by experimentation with color, scale, and composition. The works trace a continuous reinvention of approach, from fluid interactions of line and color to expansive fields of acrylic. Emphasizing both freedom and restraint, the exhibition brings together paintings that explore gesture, form, and surface, revealing the evolution of abstraction through bold color relationships and shifting techniques.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Two Exhibitions Analyzing Memories and Material Presence in Paintings
Sophie von Hellermann presents a new body of paintings that explore intimate creative pairings drawn from literature, art history, and imagined encounters. Through fluid, dreamlike compositions, she examines relationships shaped by alignment, influence, and synchronicity, using her signature layered brushwork on unprimed canvas.
Gedi Sibony presents an exhibition of spare sculptural and painterly works built from remnants and discarded materials. His practice transforms everyday cast-offs into quiet, evocative forms, in which stacked structures and subtle color interventions activate space, absence, and perception.
Together, the two exhibitions reflect parallel approaches to material, memory, and narrative, one through lyrical figuration and imagined relationships, the other through reduction, residue, and spatial attention.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Dance Performance | Water-Inspired Performance on the Plaza
Juilliard dance performers present Merce Cunningham’s Pond Way, inspired by the movement of water and skipping stones.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Lecture | Author & Historian Shares Her Research on German Role in the American Revolution
Author and historian Dr. Friederike Baer shares her groundbreaking insights into Britain's war against American independence, told from the perspective of the thousands of German soldiers that were hired by Britain in its war against the American rebels. Collectively known as Hessians, the men and accompanying civilians, including hundreds of women and children, spent extended periods of time in locations as dispersed and varied as Canada in the north and West Florida in the south. In this presentation, Friederike Baer highlights key experiences of these individuals drawn into a war on a distant continent against a people who had done them no harm, and she examines how their presence and actions left a lasting imprint on the story of America, an influence still felt 250 years later.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Bestselling Author Ruth Reichl Shares Her New Novel, The Paris Novel
Hear from bestselling writer Ruth Reichl—the former editor of Gourmet and New York Times restaurant critic, as she introduces her new novel, which is “nothing less than an absolute enchantment” (Nigella Lawson). When Stella’s mother dies, she leaves her daughter an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris”. In the City of Light, Stella is forced out of her narrow New York comfort zone and into luxurious new French adventures. As the weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella finds herself living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers an overwhelming passion for French cuisine. A “feast for the senses” (Oprah Daily), Reichl’s novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Bestselling Authors Dive into the Archives of Popular Writers from the Past
This interdisciplinary panel brings together writers who draw from the archive to recover, illuminate, and memorialize writers who came before them. With Victoria Chang, whose poetry collection With My Back to the World engages with the work of painter Agnes Martin; Jazmina Barrera, whose novel The Queen of Swords (tr. Christina MacSweeney), explores the life of Mexican writer Elena Garro; and Robin Coste Lewis, author of Archive of Desire: A Poem in Four Parts for C. P. Cavafy. Moderated by Kate Zambreno (Animal Stories), this conversation will take attendees deep into the archives to understand its reach and power.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Discover Italian Internet Culture with Popular Meme Creators
Through a selection of their most representative memes, Italian meme creators (@crudeliamemon, @filosofiacoatta, and @vaberagaA) will reflect on the reconfiguration of creativity in the digital age and explore how contemporary languages offer tools to interpret Italian society, politics, and generational experiences. Their practices are increasingly intersected with those of writers, visual artists, stand-up comedians, and cultural commentators. This event brings together three leading Italian meme creators (@crudeliamemon, @filosofiacoatta, and @vaberagaa) to present and discuss their work within and beyond this evolving media landscape.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Buxtehede & More
Organist Avi Stein will transport audiences into the musical milieu from which Johann Sebastian Bach emerged. As a member of a distinguished family of composers and instrumentalists, Bach was keenly aware of his place in the lineage, and his vast collection of manuscripts — by relatives, predecessors, and contemporaries — reveals that wide repertoire of inspiration. Along with soprano soloist Elisse Albian and musicians from the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Stein will perform intensely passionate pieces from two of Bach’s influential 17th-century predecessors: Dieterich Buxtehude (Trio Sonata in A Minor and Herr, wenn ich nur Dich hab) and Christoph Bernhard (Aus der Tieffen).
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Screening | The Iron Road and Tongue Behind Teeth: Migration Memory and Narrative Film With Q&A
This program features two works by Ira Eduardovna that reconstruct personal and collective histories of migration through staged reenactment and narrative filmmaking.
The Iron Road (2021) revisits a traumatic train journey marking her family’s emigration from Soviet Uzbekistan, using actors and constructed imagery to explore memory shaped by loss and displacement.
Tongue Behind Teeth (2025) follows a young Bukharian immigrant in 1990s Israel as she navigates ambition, identity, and social mobility, revealing the personal cost of assimilation and survival.
Across both works, Eduardovna examines how autobiography, performance, and historical rupture intersect to question the reliability of memory and the possibility of healing through reconstruction.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
7:00 pm
Regular: $63.50
Member: $0
Regular: $63.50
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Discussion | Community Discussion on Zadie Smith's Essay, "Joy"
This event is a facilitated, participatory discussion that invites everyone to read a short excerpt closely, think out loud, and listen to one another. The group will be looking at Zadie Smith's essay, "Joy," which asks asks: what kinds of experiences feel reasonable in adult life—and which ones don’t? In it, Smith reflects on the strange difference between pleasure and joy. Pleasure fits easily into daily life. Joy is harder to manage. It can be surprising, excessive, or even disruptive. That small distinction opens a larger question about the kinds of experiences modern life seems to reward—and the ones it quietly pushes aside. No preparation required—the text will be read together during the program. Guidelines for the conversation are below.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Japanese Classical Music Performed by Hogaku and Gagaku Ensemble
Discover the rich sounds of East Asia's oldest musical traditions at this special concert, showcasing the diverse styles of Japanese Gagaku and Hogaku ensembles.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Prize-Winning English Novelist Celebrates Her New Book, The Palm House
Attend a reading and conversation with Gwendoline Riley to celebrate the release of The Palm House. She will be joined in conversation by Andrew Martin. Book Synopsis: From the author of My Phantoms and First Love, a droll and quietly evocative novel about work, friendship, family, and the path—so often muddled—toward finding one’s place in life. A novel of enduring friendships and small mercies, The Palm House offers us Gwendoline Riley’s trademark keen observation and wit, and leaves us with a sense of possibility.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Thursday Night at One of NYC's Leading Museums
This weekly program offers an opportunity to explore groundbreaking exhibitions by emerging and established artists from around the globe. Engage with current artistic dialogues and help expand the definition of art.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Play | UNSUPERVISED AND UNRULY: Comedy on Adolescence & Mental Health
"Welcome to Kinesthetic Youth Solutions (K.Y.S. for short), a spiritually enlightened, emotionally immersive camp for young women - and Derrick. Using kinesiotherapy, tactile art therapy, and, most importantly, puppet play, our methodology hopes to help these children achieve total internal awareness and balance. Over the course of our two-week program, six children and three teenage counselors will experience the highs and lows of adolescence. Will these teens and tweens learn to work through their issues with themselves and each other, or succumb to their demons and destroy each other?" Devised by: Dune Streeter, Iona McKidd, Isabella Graziadei, Lebron Kenney, Mckenna Flekman, Pinhsien Chen, Sadie Redmond, Sariya Sealey, and Tess Johnstadt. Director: Ana Margineanu Cast: Dune Streeter, Iona Mckidd, Isabella Graziadei, Lebron Kenney, McKenna Flekman, Pinhsien Chen, Sadie Redmond, Sariya Sealey, Tess Johnstadt
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Performance | Autobiographical Exploration & Performance
Experience the transformative world of Devised Theater, a project sparking a journey of autobiographical exploration and performance, revealing the power of personal narratives. Led by Ana Margineanu, students collaboratively develop a full-length script that serves as the foundation for a mainstage production, learning experientially how to build a project from the ground up, from the first idea, through collaboration and engagement, to a fully realized production.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Emerging Latine Artists Perform Diverse Works: From Contemporary to Neo-Classical
This event showcases some of the most compelling Latine artists working at the intersection of contemporary, experimental, and neo-classical music. This boundary-defying concert presents bold new pieces that celebrate the richness and complexity of Latine cultures, and highlights artists whose work expands the narrative of what Latine music can be, honoring diverse musical traditions while exploring new sonic futures. There are two ways to access this event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Cello Pieces by Hindemith, Felix Mendelssohn, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Yin Vanny Hu, cello. Program: Anton Webern (1883-1945) Two Pieces for Cello and Piano Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013) Trois Strophes Sur Le Nom de Sacher Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano, Op. 8 Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Cello Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 58
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Cello Works by Robert Schumann, Schubert, & Others (In Person AND Online!)
I Cheng Liu, cello. Program: Max Bruch (1838-1920) Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 Robert Schumann (1810-1856) (arr. I Cheng Edison Liu) Dichterliebe (A Poet's Love) Op. 48 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) (arr. I Cheng Edison Liu) Nacht und Träume (Night and Dreams) D. 827
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
8:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Concert | Orchestral Rendition of Broadway's On the Town
The NYU Broadway Orchestra, led by Ted Sperling and John Miller, performs On the Town in collaboration with students from the Program in Vocal Performance.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Open Mic | Poetry, Music, and Comedy Showcase (Online!)
Join a weekly online showcase featuring poems, songs, and comedy. Performers can sign up for a 4-minute spot by reserving one of 20 Artist-RSVP tickets, available starting Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET. If all spots are filled, performers may join the “good-luck round” at the end of the session. Audience members are welcome to watch live via Zoom.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
8:00 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
Regular: $30
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Comedy Club | Standup Show
Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
8:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
9:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | Highly-Acclaimed Orchestra Performs Tchaikovsky & More
Regular Price: $55CFT Member Price: $0.00
Today's Events
All 1143 Events
Events This Week
Events This Weekend
Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
All events are free unless otherwise stated. All programs subject to change. Please confirm before going.Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
© Copyright Club Free Time. All rights reserved.