free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 01/01/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

January 1, 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 1, 2026!

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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 1, 2026!

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Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.

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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 1, 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!

Join the Club!

Go!
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!

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Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!

Join the Club!

Go!
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
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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).

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Design Museum and Sculpture Garden
free events nyc American History and Artifact Collections
free events nyc Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum
free events nyc Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum
free events nyc Explore Local Paths and Parks
free events nyc Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Park
All Editor's Picks ...
        

8 free  things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Thursday, January 1, 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
Workshops, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, Central Park Running&nbsp;Session (All Levels Welcome)

Screening | The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the Stranger Things Finale in Theaters


Attend a special promotional fan screening of Stranger Things 5: The Finale. Set in the fall of 1987, Hawkins bears the scars of the opened Rifts as the party unites to track down Vecna, now vanished without a trace. With the town under military quarantine and the search for Eleven intensifying, familiar dread settles in as the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches. The final battle looms, demanding that every member of the party stand together one last time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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Go!
10:00 am
Free
Screenings, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the&nbsp;Stranger Things&nbsp;Finale in Theaters

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
Concerts, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, Afternoon Bach

Screening | The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the Stranger Things Finale in Theaters


Attend a special promotional fan screening of Stranger Things 5: The Finale. Set in the fall of 1987, Hawkins bears the scars of the opened Rifts as the party unites to track down Vecna, now vanished without a trace. With the town under military quarantine and the search for Eleven intensifying, familiar dread settles in as the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches. The final battle looms, demanding that every member of the party stand together one last time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
1:30 pm
Free
Screenings, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the&nbsp;Stranger Things&nbsp;Finale in Theaters

Screening | The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the Stranger Things Finale in Theaters


Attend a special promotional fan screening of Stranger Things 5: The Finale. Set in the fall of 1987, Hawkins bears the scars of the opened Rifts as the party unites to track down Vecna, now vanished without a trace. With the town under military quarantine and the search for Eleven intensifying, familiar dread settles in as the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches. The final battle looms, demanding that every member of the party stand together one last time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:00 pm
Free
Screenings, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the&nbsp;Stranger Things&nbsp;Finale in Theaters
8:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Go!
Performances, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, Re-Imagined Holiday Classic for All Ages

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!
Go!
8:00 pm
Free
Comedy Clubs, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, Standup Show

Screening | The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the Stranger Things Finale in Theaters


Attend a special promotional fan screening of Stranger Things 5: The Finale. Set in the fall of 1987, Hawkins bears the scars of the opened Rifts as the party unites to track down Vecna, now vanished without a trace. With the town under military quarantine and the search for Eleven intensifying, familiar dread settles in as the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches. The final battle looms, demanding that every member of the party stand together one last time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
8:30 pm
Free
Screenings, January 01, 2026, 01/01/2026, The Last Battle in Hawkins: Watch the&nbsp;Stranger Things&nbsp;Finale in Theaters
Join the Club!
Go!
Complimentary Tickets

to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)

Concert | Acclaimed Singers Perform Spirituals, Opera Selections by Verdi and More

Regular Price: $25
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Music by One of The Most-Performed Living Classical Composers at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $40
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Play | High-Stakes Fantasy Drama

Regular Price: $20
CFT Member Price: $0.00