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, January 15, 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 City (NYC), 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
January 15, 2026. Free shows, free concerts, free movies, free tours, free readings, worshops, lectures, etc. are New York's best kept secret! Learn all about it and do not miss the unique opportunities that only New York provides: NYC 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 start using these unique New York City opportunities today, January 15, 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, January 15, 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 New York City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (January 15, 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 City (NYC), 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 unique 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).
43 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Thursday, January 15, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Workshop | Central Park Running Session (All Levels Welcome)
If you prefer not to run alone or are looking to improve your running performance, you can run with a club! Open to runners of all levels. Weekly changed routes through the park. Coaches, training, running company and inspiration!
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 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
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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
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Film | Oklahoma! (1955): Classic Musical Film
In Oklahoma, several farmers, cowboys and a traveling salesman compete for the romantic favors of various local ladies. Director: Fred Zinnemann Cast: Gordon MacRae, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson, Charlotte Greenwood, Eddie Albert, James Whitmore
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Open Studios | Poetry & Voices Inspired by the Louvre
This week-long sonic installation brings together recorded poems by writers from around the world, each responding to the Louvre as a palace, a museum, and a cultural symbol. Featuring voices in multiple languages, the project presents an immersive listening experience that reflects on art, history, and shared humanity.
New York City, NY; NYC
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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
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12:20 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Learn about Capturing Action through a Camera Lens with Sports Photographer
Hear from Sony Artisan of Imagery Jean Fruth, for whom the story of sports extends far beyond the field of play, where passion meets purpose. The technical side of capturing the action only scratches the surface, as it’s the stories behind the athletes, the cultures they embrace and the worldly issues bubbling under the surface that create the foundation of the body of work Jean has produced. And at the heart of it all is the longterm project. It is the crowning achievement for many artists—a tribute to dedication, preparation and a burning passion to uncover every corner of an untold story. For Jean, her longterm projects focused on women’s sports have cemented her legacy as not just one of the most highly regarded sports photographers, but also a filmmaker, author and storyteller for the ages. Join her as she guides you through her process to completing longterm projects and gives us an inside look at her latest work.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Music Exploring Light & Shade (In Person AND Online!)
Conceived as a musical hymn to Apollo, the ancient Greek god of music and light, this program explores the notion of light and shade (chiaroscuro) translated to sound. Through sharp contrasts, rhapsodic vs. rhythmic dances, lamentation vs. celebration, and inner monologue vs. lively dialogue, the ensemble (Ben Katz, harpsichord, Dani Zanuttini-Frank, theorbo, Amanda Beranek, Baroque harp, and Jackie Hager and Nathan Francisco, violoncellos) searches out a magical middle ground, where time stops for a moment and ancient flames flicker once more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:15 pm
Free
Free
Film | F1: The Movie (2025): Sports Drama with Brad Pitt
In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone. Director: Joseph Kosinski Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem Brad Pitt is an American actor and film producer who has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globes, and a Primetime Emmy. As a public figure, Pitt has been cited as one of the most powerful and influential people in the American entertainment industry.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | Apple Bottom: Comedy
When a humble neighbor, Andrea, and a high-strung influencer, Belinda, arrive as patients for their post- BBL recovery, Apple Bottom Spa struggles to keep both women afloat. Written by Karina Billini.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Discover the Colors of Korea
Curator Eleanor Hyun dives into the vibrant traditions and stories behind Korean artworks, offering fresh perspectives and hidden details. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Hear from an Acclaimed Wildlife Photographer Speak about Her Craft
Acclaimed wildlife photographer and conservationist Melissa Groo leads attendees on an inspiring journey through her career. Melissa will share the story of how she moved from a beginner to a leading voice in wildlife conservation. You’ll learn how she became a professional photographer, hear about the exciting assignments she's worked on for major magazines, and discover how her love for taking pictures turned into crucial conservation advocacy. She'll also explain her commitment to ethical photography and show off some of her favorite camera gear. Come get inspired by Melissa's story and see how your photography can make a real difference in the world.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
4:00 pm
Regular: $84
Member: $0
Regular: $84
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Opening Reception | Next Up: Ripples: Multi-Artist Show Exploring Personal Histories and Collective Memories
The 14 artists in the exhibition Next Up: Ripples explore the porous boundaries between personal histories and collective memories by way of drawing, painting, printmaking, and photography. Distilling the patterns from nature, home, and childhood, the works on view find comfort in the past while evaluating the structures that aim to organize or contain these moments. While such arbitrary edges may provide emotions and histories with a sense of scale and shape, they cannot fully contain the expansiveness of nature and human life. At its best, generalization offers helpful labels for identification and community, but it can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes by those seeking to justify harsh judgment or ignorance. These artists evaluate the role of boundaries in their own lives, questioning the human inclination to delineate thresholds rather than build bridges to cross them. Through acts of imagination, thoughtful study, and playful depictions, the works on view represent shared pursuits of a more empathetic world.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | American Realist Landscapes and Memory
This exhibition presents a cohesive body of recent landscapes by American realist William Beckman, bringing together eighteen works shaped by memory, place, and the terrain of his youth. Created over the past six years, the paintings reflect a lifetime of looking and tell a quietly resonant American story.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Thursday Evening Exploring the Photography Museum
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
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5:00 pm
$5, tickets required
$5, tickets required
Concert | "Cozy Pop" Artist aron! Takes the Stage
aron! brings his signature sound, nestled at the crossroads of vintage jazz and modern indie pop, to the stage. Coining the term “cozy pop,” aron! crafts timeless modern classics that center on the unchanging experiences of being human. Inspired by old-school romantics, his songs explore love, heartbreak, and connection with warmth and sincerity. As aron! puts it, “People are going through the same things now as they were back then. Heartbreak is heartbreak, and love is love.” Join us for an intimate evening of music that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Stardust Memories (1980): Comedy-Drama
Deliberately invoking Fellini’s 8½, a filmmaker looks back on his attempts to deal with celebrity, fandom, the ups-and-downs of his own creative impulses, and his difficult relationships with women. Director: Woody Allen Cast: Woody Allen, Charlotte Rampling, Jessica Harper, Marie-Christine Barrault, Tony Roberts
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Art Experts Discuss How Archiving Is Changing
What forms (physical or virtual) should inventories and archives take, and how do you deal with the emotional resistance to addressing the prospect of a personal archive? In this panel discussion, we will talk about this as well as the practical issues: the physical storage; photographic and computer skills needed to manage virtual archiving; allotting time at any stage of life to pause production long enough to record it; and securing the help to execute this work.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Art Exploring Consciousness and the Intangible
This group exhibition examines art as a means of engaging with consciousness, spirituality, and non-material ways of understanding reality. Responding to shifting scientific and philosophical paradigms, the works on view consider consciousness not merely a byproduct of matter but a generative force shaping experience and meaning.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Gallery Talk | Art Exploring Indigenous Design and Kené
This discussion brings together artist Sara Flores and curator Manuela Moscoso to discuss Flores’s practice and the Shipibo tradition of kené, the intricate design system central to her culture’s cosmovision. Flores, a leading contemporary Indigenous artist, works across painting and textiles to explore memory, knowledge systems, and Amazonian worldviews. The program offers insight into her process and the cultural foundations that shape her work.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Lyrical Paintings on Love, Anxiety, and Redemption
John Bradford’s latest paintings explore vast space, air, and light as a counterpoint to contemporary anxiety and inner longing. Through layered surfaces and shifting visual tensions, the works reflect on love, cultural memory, and the possibility of harmony.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Multimedia, Multi-Artist Exhibition on Sensory Overload: Only a God Can Save Us
BFA Visual and Critical Studies presents Only A God Can Save Us, an exhibition of multi-media work curated by BFA Visual and Critical Studies student Dylan Smith and featuring the work of faculty member Joey Gonnella, Nicholas Sanchez, Chloe Lesser, and Sam Stewart. What role does appropriated imagery play in a world of sensory overload? In response to this question, four artists from Generation Z currently working with reappropriated imagery will exhibit works critically engaging with the contemporary image and its role, expounding upon the longstanding tradition of appropriation within contemporary art through the utilization of a distinctly poetic approach to tonality. Rather than seeking reflexive distance or an ironic gaze, the works showcased demonstrate a uniquely vulnerable and, at times, spiritual approach to the art of the found image.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | New Works Exploring Science, Systems, and Humor
This solo exhibition features new works by Mark Dion, whose practice explores and challenges the structures of science, education, and cultural institutions. Using found objects, sculpture, and works on paper, Dion employs the visual language of museums, field guides, and instructional diagrams, only to undermine their authority with humor and ambiguity. The exhibition includes drawings of animals that mimic educational illustrations, blending familiar images with elusive or unstable meanings. Striking a balance between wit and critique, Dion’s work questions how systems of knowledge are built and whether their promised logic and truth still apply today.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Paintings on Canvas: Swimmers, Surfers, and Stories
Drawing from everyday life in Ghana, personal memories, and local landscapes, Gideon Appah’s works blend reality and imagination, exploring identity, freedom, and form. Highlights include compositions from his Swimmers and Surfers series, featuring figures in motion, coastal architecture, and newly introduced vertical portraits.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Photographer Shares His New Book, Inside the Moment
Enjoy a conversation with photographer Joseph A. Rosen to celebrate his new book, Inside the Moment: Iconic Blues, Soul, Jazz, Rock, and R&B Images and History, an illustrated look at one of music history's most memorable and vibrant eras. He will be in conversation with Steve Berkowitz, followed by a signing.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Talk on Women’s History Walking Tours (Online!)
This talk features co-author Jana Mader discussing Walk Her Way, New York City, a collection of curated walking tours highlighting women’s history across New York neighborhoods. The program explores how the book traces landmarks, events, and stories that reveal women’s lasting impact on the city’s development.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | The Final Dye-Transfer Prints: William Eggleston’s Last Works in Color
This exhibition presents the final dye-transfer photographs ever produced from images by William Eggleston, a pioneer of color photography. First embraced by Eggleston in the 1970s, the dye-transfer process is known for its rich saturation and precise tonal range. These works represent the last significant body of photographs created using this analog technique, offering a rare chance to see Eggleston's images as he originally envisioned them.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Urban Sculptures Made from Found Objects
This exhibition presents sculptures by Eva Robarts made from materials gathered from the city's streets, including bike frames, mop poles, and other discarded objects. Working outside a traditional studio model, Robarts collects urban detritus during long walks, treating the city itself as a collaborator in her process. Marked by rust, chipped paint, and visible wear, the works transform cast-off materials into sculptural forms that reflect the energy, history, and infrastructure of the urban environment.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Vivid Landscapes and Portraits of the American West
This solo exhibition presents new paintings by British artist Billy Childish, whose work is known for its directness and expressive energy. The exhibition features landscapes and portraits depicting scenes from the western United States, including California’s Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree, and Lake Tahoe. Childish’s vivid, immediate style brings a raw and personal perspective to these American settings. Note: A poetry reading with the artist will begin at 7 PM.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | An Autumn's Tale (1987): Romantic Drama
In An Autumn's Tale, a young woman from Hong Kong travels to New York to join her boyfriend, only to be heartbroken when she discovers he is unfaithful. Depressed, she then develops an unexpected connection with her street-smart distant cousin, who helps her navigate life in 1980's New York City. Free popcorn will be served, and a discussion will follow the screenings.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
6:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Book Discussion | Author Edward McPherson Shares His New Book, Look Out
Author Edward McPherson sits down with fellow author Robert Sullivan to discuss his latest book, Look Out: The Delight and Danger of Taking the Long View. Look Out is an exploration of long-distance mapping, aerial photography, and top-down and far-ranging perspectives—from pre–Civil War America to our vexed modern times of drone warfare, hyper-surveillance at home and abroad, and quarantine and protest. Blending history, reporting, personal experience, and accounts of activists, programmers, spies, astronauts, artists, inventors, and dreamers, Edward McPherson reveals that to see is to control—and the stakes are high for everyone.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Club | Luddite Book Club: Hum by Helen Phillips
This Offline Book Club is a space for in-person conversation about the role technology plays in our world. Each month highlights a different book on the topic of technology’s impact on people's individual lives as well as society as a whole, followed by an open discussion to share recent experiences and observations. Hum: A Novel by Helen Phillips (2024) One of NYPL's Best Books of 2024. After losing her job to artificial intelligence, May takes her family on a three-night respite to the Botanical Garden, a rare green refuge, where her children come under threat, and she is forced to trust a robot to save them.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Party | Vinyl Album Release: 3 Lieder fur Marie Nejar (+ Live Performance & Panel Discussion)
Attend the vinyl release of 3 Lieder fur Marie Nejar, performed by Ahya Simone - concept and production by James Gregory Atkinson. This release event will feature a panel discussion with James Gregory Atkinson, Ahya Simone, and Alexander Ghedi Weheliye. 3 Lieder fur Marie Nejar investigates music as a space of memory. Artist James Gregory Atkinson's work addresses the absence of Afro-German experiences within established narratives. Marie Nejar, born in 1930 in Muhlheim an der Ruhr, began performing as Leila Negra in the early 1950s. Her life and music were shaped by the racial exclusions of Nazi Germany and their continuities in post-war Germany.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
7:00 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Reading | Open Mic StorySLAM on UFOs and the Unknown with The Moth
This open mic StorySLAM hosted by The Moth invites participants to share true, personal stories about UFOs, paranormal experiences, and the unknown. Attendees selected at random will take the stage to tell their stories without notes, while others are welcome to listen.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
tickets are donation-based...
tickets are donation-based...
8:00 pm
Regular: $42
Member: $0
Regular: $42
Member: $0
Join the Club!
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
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
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
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
8:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
8:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Jazz | Jazz, Soul, and Spirituals with Award-Winning Singer and Band
Regular Price: $29CFT Member Price: $0.00
Concert | Met Opera Singers Perform Spirituals, Opera Selections and More
Regular Price: $25CFT Member Price: $0.00
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