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, February 17, 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
February 17, 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, February 17, 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, February 17, 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 (February 17, 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).
Editor's Picks
31 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Tuesday, February 17, 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 | Adult Zumba
Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn how to Play Indigenous Games from the Americas
Games play an essential role in Native community life. In this interactive program, Museum Educators introduce traditional Indigenous games from across the Americas. Participants will learn the cultural significance of each game and how to play them. The program is active, hands-on, and welcoming to all ages.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
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
Performance | Ice Skating Dance Showcase in Midtown
Enjoy a lunchtime performances that bring contemporary choreography to an outdoor ice setting. Featuring solo and duet works by acclaimed skaters and choreographers, the programs transform the ice into a stage for expressive, site-responsive movement.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): Animated Superhero Blockbuster with All-Star Cast
Teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities. Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Symposium | Love Letter to Theatrical Collaboration
A symposium and reception celebrating theatrical collaboration, featuring panels with Ira Weitzman, Cooper Howell, Jonathan Kalb, Rhiannon Ling, and Yoni Oppenheim. Highlights include a live performance by Pace University musical‑theatre students and a streamed recording for remote audiences.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Modern Choral Works in a Historic Venue
Choral intertwine from LaGuardia High School, with organist Jameson Knable, performs a series of Modern pieces. Program: Rosephanye Powell (1962-) To sit and dream Wilbur Belton Oh give thanks Andre Thomas (1952-) Rockin Jerusalem Moses Hogan (1957-2003) Only what you do for Christ will last Moses Hogan (1957-2003) Go down Moses James Hall (1971-) Sovereign Kevin Levar (1977-) Safety
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:45 pm
Free
Free
Film | Family Movie: Shrek (2001) -- Animated Fantasy Comedy with Mike Myers
A tyrannical lord exiles fairytale creatures to a swamp inhabited by a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest in order to get his land back. A pesky talking donkey tags along. Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow Mike Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker. His accolades include seven MTV Movie & TV Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2002, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2017, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for "his extensive and acclaimed body of comedic work as an actor, writer, and producer". Mike Myers attained recognition during his six seasons as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1989 to 1995, which won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. He subsequently earned praise and numerous accolades for playing the title roles in the Wayne's World (1992-1993), Austin Powers (1997-2002), and Shrek (2001-present) franchises, the last of which is the second highest-grossing animated film franchise
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Mah Jongg & More
A dedicated group of adult American Mah Jongg enthusiasts for friendly and informal games, or try your hand at other card and board games. Make friends and catch up with neighbors. Sets, cards, and games provided, or bring your own.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Flute Performance
Joanna G’froerer, Principal Flute with Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra, imparts skills and techniques for flute mastery.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | The Surfer (2024): Psychological Thriller with Nicolas Cage
In this psychological thriller, a man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals whose mantra is "don't live here, don't surf here." Humiliated and angry, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point. Director: Lorcan Finnegan Cast: Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell Nicolas Cage is an American actor and film producer. Born into the Coppola family, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Gallery Talk | The Journey of a Renaissance Masterpiece
Explore the modern history of the Mantuan Roundel with museum experts, tracing its rediscovery and acquisition. The talk highlights how scholarship, connoisseurship, and collecting practices shape the life of a Renaissance work of art, offering new insights and behind-the-scenes stories.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Club | Discussion of Beloved by Toni Morrison
Discuss the classic novel Beloved by Toni Morrison. Synopsis: Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. Sethe has too many memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. And Sethe’s new home is haunted by the ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Scholar Discusses Ancient Monuments in Ottoman Greece
Alessia Zambon, of the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines discusses her project, "Western travelers, local emissaries and ancient monuments in Ottoman Greece (1784–1834)." Her research focuses on the explorations and acquisitions of antiquities by western travelers and local emissaries in Southern Italy, the Ottoman Empire and Greece in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and on the history of collections in Europe.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Brokeback Mountain (2005): Neo-Western Romantic Drama with Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal
A ranch hand and rodeo cowboy meet on a ranch in Wyoming. Their relationship becomes complicated as they get married and start their own families. Director: Ang Lee Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid Heath Ledger was an Australian actor. Over the course of his career, Ledger was in 20 films in a variety of genres. He also produced and directed music videos. For his role in Brokeback Mountain, he received nominations for the BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe Award, and the Academy Award for Best Actor, becoming the eighth-youngest nominee in the category at that time. A few months before his death, he had finished filming his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight; the performance brought him praise and popularity, and numerous posthumous awards, including the Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and a Critics' Choice Award, all for Best Supporting Actor. Jake Gyllenhaal is an American actor. For his role in Brokeback Mountain, he won a BAFTA Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. Gyllenhaal has performed on stage on the West End and Broadway, receiving a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Aside from acting, he is vocal about political and social issues.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:45 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Interdisciplinary Artst Shares His New Book about Contemporary Art
Margot Bouman in conversation with Isaiah Winters about her new book, Sampling and Site-Specific Practice in Contemporary Art. Samples take many forms: quotations of other cultural works; replicas of other objects; reenactments of works by other artists; or fragments that are quite literally cut or removed from other works of art, design, or media. This discussion will excavate the shared frameworks of meaning that underpin the multifaceted, multidimensional and medium-fluid works that result.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:15 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Learn about Antisemitism & Video Games
Hear a fascinating discussion by Jewish Studies scholar Joshua Lambert on his research on antisemitism and violence in online games. For almost half a century, popular, commercial video games have made it the player's task to kill Nazis. Why did Jewish characters not appear as victims, Allied soldiers, or resistance fighters in such games throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and why did they begin appearing in those roles, suddenly, in the mid-2010s? It was only after Quentin Tarantino's film Inglourious Basterds (2009) that commercial game developers began to include Jews and Jewishness prominently in their Nazi-killing simulators. Examining entries in the Wolfenstein series, and touching briefly on Call of Duty: WWII, this talk demonstrates Tarantino's singular and not necessarily salutary influence on video games, and explains one unsettling way that Jewishness figures in the most popular contemporary cultural medium.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Sonata by Schubert
Nabeel Hayek, piano, performs an important sonata. Program: Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Major, Op. 53, D. 850, “Gasteiner”
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Liszt, Mozart, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Brielle Dulce Perez, piano, performs three pieces by composers from the Classical through Modern musical periods. Program: Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) Trois Morceaux Pour Piano Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Reminiscences de Norma, S.394 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) (arr. Ignaz Lachner) Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K.503
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Author & Journalist Svetlana Satchkova Shares Her New Novel, The Undead
Experience a book talk by Svetlana Satchkova about her new novel, The Undead: A Novel of Modern Russia. Svetlana Satchkova is a Russian-born journalist and novelist who immigrated to the United States in 2016. She covers culture and politics, with bylines in the Rumpus, Newsweek, LARB, the Independent, and others. In this darkly funny and emotionally resonant novel of contemporary Russia, a young filmmaker unexpectedly finds herself targeted by an authoritarian regime—despite her best efforts to stay out of politics. The Undead is a layered and sharply observant portrait of an artist caught in the machinery of state power, and the choices one faces in a system where even indifference can be dangerous. When Maya, a young Russian filmmaker, makes a low-budget horror movie, it seems like a promising start to her indie film career. But her jokey lo-fi picture soon attracts the attention of the autocratic state, and Maya is swept into a nightmarish system where logic breaks down, and no one is safe.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Intimate Guitar Set Blending Brazilian Music and Jazz
An acclaimed guitarist returns with an intimate set that weaves together Brazilian classics, jazz standards, and original compositions. This performance marks his debut in the concert series after a widely praised appearance last season. Enjoy a free drink at this hour-long weeknight concert, then mingle with the musicians and fellow attendees after the show. Note: Doors open at 5:30 PM, music at 6 PM.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Korean Lunar New Year Cooking Class (Beginners Welcome)
Celebrate Lunar New Year, Seollal, through one of Korea’s most meaningful traditions—food. Led by Korean cooking instructor Jiyoung Park, the workshop features tteokguk (rice cake soup) and kimchi mandu (dumplings), dishes traditionally enjoyed on Seollal to welcome the New Year with wishes for renewal, longevity, and good fortune. Participants will learn how to prepare these comforting dishes while discovering the cultural stories and values behind Korean New Year food traditions. Jiyoung’s teaching philosophy is inspired by Dure, a traditional Korean system of collective labor practiced in farming villages. Rooted in the idea of sharing the burden, Dure emphasizes cooperation, mutual support, and community. In this workshop, participants will cook side by side—sharing tasks, learning collaboratively, and experiencing Korean food culture through the spirit of togetherness that defines both Seollal and Korean culinary traditions.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Multi-Artist Fine Arts Exhibition
Enjoy the BFA Fine Arts Spring 2026 Exhibition, showcasing the work of the program's students.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Animalia (2023): French-Moroccan Sci-Fi Film
Itto, a young woman from a modest rural background, is slowly adapting to the Moroccan privileged codes of her husband’s family. But when supernatural events put the country in a state of emergency, Itto finds herself separated from her husband and new family. Alone, pregnant, and looking for her way back, she finds emancipation. Director: Sofia Alaoui Cast: Oumaïma Barid, Mehdi Dehbi, Fouad Oughaou In French, Arabic, and Berber with English subtitles.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Performance | Comedy, Music & Open Stage Variety Night
Enjoy an evening featuring a rotating lineup of comedians, storytellers, and musicians, followed by an open stage where anyone can perform. The program welcomes a wide range of acts and creative formats.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Learn about the Life of Influential Civil Rights Leader Rev. James Lawson Jr. (In Person AND Online!)
Explore the life of one of the most influential yet unheralded heroes of the civil rights era, Rev. James Lawson Jr. Emily Yellin, Lawson's memoir collaborator, and his son, John Lawson, discuss his legacy. Nonviolent is a personal portrait of a principal architect of the civil rights era. Rev. James Lawson Jr. spent his life fighting racial and economic injustice. A peer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he taught and organized nonviolent direct action, guiding generations of civil rights activists. Drawing on decades of activism--from studying independence movements abroad to serving prison time for refusing the Korean War draft--Nonviolent illuminates the life of a man who fought oppression and advanced equality, dignity, and liberty.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Scholars Discuss New Book Civility Unbound: Contesting a Democratic Value
This conversation brings together contributors to Civility Unbound to examine how civility operates across culture, identity, media, and the arts. Drawing on perspectives from scholarship, journalism, and creative practice, the discussion will explore civility’s dual role in public life—how it can foster democratic dialogue while also, at times, limit challenges to injustice. The program features Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University; Kwame Anthony Appiah, University Professor of Philosophy and Law at NYU; and Catharine Stimpson, University Professor and Dean Emerita at NYU, moderated by Eric Klinenberg, Helen Gould Shepard Professor of Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at NYU.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
7:30 pm
Regular: $60
Member: $0
Regular: $60
Member: $0
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Classical Music | Cello Works by Haydn, Janacek, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Noah Chen, cello, performs a series of pieces by Romantic and Modern composers. Program: Leos Janacek (1854-1928) Pohadka Eugene Ysaye (1858-1931) Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 28 Gunther Schuller (1925-2015) Fantasy for Violoncello Solo, Op. 19 Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Cello Concerto in B-flat Major
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
10:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Discussion | Award-Winning Cultural Critics Discuss the Legacy of a Classic Book
Regular Price: $65CFT Member Price: $0.00
Classical Music | Orchestral Masterpieces by Haydn and more
Regular Price: $50.00CFT Member Price: $0.00
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