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free things to do in New York City
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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, March 16, 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
March 16, 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, March 16, 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, March 16, 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 (March 16, 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).
Editor's Picks
32 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Monday, March 16, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Workshop | Start the Day with Morning Meditation
Start your day by balancing your mind, body, and spirit during instructor guided meditation. This renowned practice lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Chess Open Play
Make your move at a chess event featuring strategy, fun, and friendly competition for players of all ages and skill levels. Explore the game through open play. Grab a friend or co-worker and play the game on our giant indoor chess board underneath the palm trees. Whether you're making your first move or mastering your endgame, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Exploring Art, History, and Global Cultures in a Landmark Museum
Spend time exploring a world-renowned collection spanning centuries of art, design, and cultural history. From ancient artifacts to iconic masterpieces, these galleries invite slow looking, discovery, and reflection across works that connect global traditions, artistic innovation, and human stories. Note: Some galleries are closed for installation.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
Tour | NYC Famous Park Tour
Discover how Bryant Park Corporation successfully transformed "Needle Park" of the 1970s into Manhattan's Town Square of today. The guides are loaded with expertise on the park's rich history, award-winning design, distinct amenities, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Tours will continue as scheduled in light rain, but will be cancelled in heavy rain or inclement weather. Bring an umbrella if needed!
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Party | Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup
Are you a knitter? Do you like to crochet? Maybe you like a different type of fiber art? Whichever it is, bring your supplies and lose yourself in the meditative world of creating art with fiber. Invite your friends, or make new connections there. This is a meet-up, not a class.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Cleo From 5 to 7 (1962): French New Wave Drama Film
Selfish pop singer Cleo has two hours to wait until the results ofher biopsy come back. After an ominous tarot card reading, she visits her friends, all of whom fail to give her the emotional support she needs. Wandering around Paris, she finally finds comfort talking with a soldier in a park. On leave from the Algerian War, his troubles put hers in perspective. As they talk and walk, Cleo comes to terms with her selfishness, finding peace before the results come back. Director: Agnes Varda Cast: Corinne Marchand, Antoine Bourseiller, Dominique Davray, Dorothee Blank, Michel Legrand
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Walk and Creative Writing Session
This walk and writing session is led by Author and Poet Jon Curley. Participants will be encouraged to use observations as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Debussy, Puccini, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Albertina Ferrucci, Soprano. Program: Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936) Nana de Sevilla Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) "Polo" from Siete canciones populares espanolas Agustin Lara (1897-1970) Granada Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Ariettes Oubliees Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) "Care compagne...Come per me sereno, Sovra il sen la man mi posa" from La Sonnambula Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) "Quel guardo il Cavaliere" from Don Pasquale Carlos Gardel (1890-1935) Volver Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Siempre se vuelve a Buenos Aires Alma Mahler (1879-1964) "Sonar hasta enloquecer" from Dracula
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | Signaling: Humanity’s Reach and the Cosmic Unknown
Dylan Guerra’s Signaling follows the creation of the Arecibo Message in Puerto Rico as scientists attempt to communicate with life beyond Earth. This new work considers humanity’s desire to connect across the cosmos and the personal and scientific ambitions behind the message. Written by: Dylan Guerra Directed by: Estefanía Fadul
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Lecture | Scholar Discusses the "Theater of Perversity" in Art & Activism
CLAGS Scholar-in-Residence Kassandra Sparks will give a presentation on how fantasies of prostitution are staged in transactional BDSM sessions, and how sex workers mobilize these fantasies in their art and activism. Kassandra will draw on her ethnographic research on the BDSM sex economy in New York City as well her archival research on the history of New York dominatrixes.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries
The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, influence, and importance of design in everyday life. Housed in a historic mansion, the museum features a diverse collection of design objects, including decorative arts, architecture, graphic design, textiles, and industrial design.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | Carrie (1952): Classic Drama Film Starring Laurence Olivier
Based on Theodore Dreiser's novel Sister Carrie. A young girl from a provincial town learns the bitter realities of the big city, and the unexpected twists of men, money, and finally, love. Director: William Wyler Cast: Laurence Olivier, Jennifer Jones, Miriam Hopkins Laurence Olivier was an English actor and director who dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. For his on-screen work, he received two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, five Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. The National Theatre's largest auditorium is named in his honor, and he is commemorated in the Laurence Olivier Awards, given annually by the Society of London Theatre.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Poulenc, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Lin Fan, Bass-Baritone. Program: Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 12 Songs, Op. 21 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 6 Songs, Op. 26 Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Chansons gaillardes Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) Morike-Lieder Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Pace non trovo from Tre sonetti di Petrarca Chen Tianhe (1911-1955) Shanzhong Huang Zi (1904-1938) Sixiang
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Diverse Cello Works (In Person AND Online!)
Kuan Yu Huang, cello. Program: Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023) Lullaby Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) Cello Sonata in G Major, G.15 Josef Suk (1874-1935) Ballade, Op. 3 Antonín Kraft (1749-1820) Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op.4
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Explore Memorial Museum and Reconnect with History
Reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed our city and nation in the wake of 9/11. This is a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice. This museum honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, recognizes the courage of those who survived, and salutes those who risked their lives to help others.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Journalist Shares New Book on Democracy, Censorship, & Mass Surveillance: The Information State
Discover how the state uses censorship, mass surveillance, and algorithmic manipulation to shape your perceptions. Author Jacob Siegel in conversation with RBI's director (a) Eli Karetny. We're often told that disinformation is everywhere and that it's endangering our democracy. But what if the war on disinformation itself is really just a weapon to squash any and all legitimate dissent? The Information State is an incisive examination of how we reached the point where anything that contradicts the dominant narrative can be labeled dangerous disinformation. Tablet contributor Jacob Siegel charts how the technological infrastructure built to make society safer and more rational has steadily replaced democratic freedoms with systems of digital control. Commercial Internet applications now double as military-grade surveillance and influence tools. Government tech partnerships established after 2001 in response to the global war on terror took on a life of their own and now target Americans.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn & Practice Chess with an Expert
Learn to play chess or develop your strategies with chess expert Tamar Chanadiri from the Marshall Chess Club. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, as each one builds on the previous. Bring a friend or join on your own--all levels and ages are welcome! Chess sets are provided but you're welcome to bring your own. From 6-7 PM Tamar will provide instruction for beginner-level players. From 7-8 PM there will be open play for all levels.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn To Play Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)
This is a workshop/jam to introduce musicians to traditional Scottish dance tunes. You will learn some tunes traditionally played for Scottish dances as well as some airs. If you don’t know a reel from a strathspey or jig or waltz, you will, by the end of the workshop! Listeners are also welcome. Musicians should be intermediate level and up, although advanced beginners are also welcome. Absolute beginners are welcome to listen! Please bring acoustic instruments only - no amplification. For example: strings (fiddle, viola, cello, bass, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, etc.), winds (recorders, flutes, clarinets, whistles, etc.), percussion, accordion, concertina, etc. For adults 18+
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Short Film Showcase: Animated & Experimental
Explore the fascinating intersection of sight and sound in this program of short animated and experimental films that showcase innovative uses of music. From abstract visual poetry to vibrant representational narratives, these selections place musical composition as a vital partner of visual style and expression. The screening includes iconic works such as Norman McLaren's hand-painted Be Gone Dull Care, the fluid, live-action abstractions of Liquid Jazz by Joseph Kramer, the dazzling electronic abstraction of Mary Ellen Bute's Spook Sport and Abstronic, the lyrical jazz-inspired Harlem Wednesday by Faith and John Hubley, the pre-MTV irony of Braverman's Condensed Cream of Beatles, and Kenneth Anger's Kustom Kar Kommandos.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Dance Lesson | Workshop Rooted in Zora Neale Hurston's Ideas on Ritual Movement, Folktales, & Work Songs (Beginners Welcome!)
Enjoy a dance workshop that explores theater, somatic practices, and ritual dance, rooted in Zora Neale Hurston’s sacred tools of ritual movement, folktales, and work songs. The session includes:
Guided warm-up connecting breath, rhythm, and embodied wisdom
Story sharing and communal reflection on Hurston’s work
Experiencing excerpts of original songs and movement from Birl-Torres and Zora Project collaborators
No professional dance experience is necessary!
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Lecture | Egyptologist Discusses the Discovery of King Tut's Tomb
Enjoy an engaging talk with Egyptologist, Dr. Bob Brier, about one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. Tutankhamun's tomb is one of the most famous archaeological finds of all time. The story concerning its discovery and treasures has been well documented. Less known, however, are the political dramas that surrounded the actual excavation. In this lecture, presented in collaboration with the American Research Center in Egypt/New York and its National Headquarters, world-renowned Egyptologist and Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University, Dr. Bob Brier, discusses Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, and subsequently focuses on Pierre Lacau. The French Director General of the Service of Antiquities was instrumental in preserving the opulent burial remains in Egypt, except for the artifacts that were surreptitiously removed. Recently uncovered information shed additional light on the critical role Lacau played. But was he a hero or villain?
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Psychoanalyst Discusses Freud's Ideas & Gender Conconforming Childhood
Enjoy a talk with writer and psychoanalyst M. E. O’Brien on the role of fantasies among trans and gender non-conforming children of belonging elsewhere as a form of what Freud called “the family romance.” Using material from trans first-person accounts with a focus on the experimental memoir of trans activist Cecilia Gentili, the essay explores the use of family romance fantasies in trans children reconciling their emergent experiences of gender with conflicting social expectations. The family romance offers a way of theorizing the subject’s encounters with the symbolic order as articulated in questions of gender difference and biological origins.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | The Wonder: Midwestern Familial Ghost Story
The Wonder is inspired by the first documented case of spiritual possession in America. Mary Roff's unearthly illness turns her family and the town of Watseka, Illinois, upside down, that is, until Lurancy Vennum follows in her footsteps. The Wonder is a journey of hope, loss, undying familial love, and healing beyond the bounds of this world. Also, it's a ghost story. An American Midwest Gothic ghost story for mothers and daughters. Written by Maggie Lou Rader. Directed by Christa Scott-Reed.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
7:00 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Dance Performance | Dance Works-in-Progress
A high visibility low-tech forum for experimentation, emerging ideas, and works-in-progress held in the Fall and Spring seasons. Artists are selected by a rotating committee of peer artists.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Poetry Reading | Martin Agee Shares Debut Poetry Collection, Not a Violin
Enjoy a reading and celebration for recent release of Not a Violin with the author, Martin Agee. Marcia Butler, author most recently of Dear Virginia, Wait for Me, will join as conversant. From the horizon of a childhood Kansas prairie to the intimate space between his chin and violin, to Carnegie Hall and a Broadway show pit amidst Mahler and Sondheim, Agee plumbs the human condition with wisdom and empathy. His poems are lyrical and assured and funny and heartbreaking, all at once, making this marvelous collection a joy to read.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Drawing from a Distance: Light, Space & Sculpture (Online!)
Examine fixed-perspective films that feature spaces where light shifts and nature actively interacts with sculpture. Learn introductory drawing techniques and settle into a flow as you create a long sketch. Reflect on drawings and discuss the integration between art, space, and time. No previous experience required. Materials Needed: Pencils, an eraser, and paper.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Journalist Shares Her New Book, Carole King: She Made the Earth Move
This presentation features a book talk by journalist and author Jane Eisner on Carole King: She Made the Earth Move, in which she traces the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of pop icon Carole King, exploring her unique contribution to American music.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Beethoven, Fauré, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Yihe Wang, Baritone. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Cinq Mélodies de Venise, Op. 58 Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Three Songs, Op. 45 Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Morgen! Op. 27 No. 4
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Cello Works by Robert Schumann, Cesar Franck, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Angela Rose Padula, cello and Philip Thompson, cello. Program: Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129 Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) Sonata for Solo Cello in B Minor, Op. 8 Cesar Franck (1822-1890) (arr. Jules Delsart) Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
9:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Concert | Multi-Grammy Nominee and The Great American Songbook
Regular Price: $67CFT Member Price: $0.00
Concert | Spirituals, Broadway Tunes and More at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $65CFT Member Price: $0.00
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