free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 04/09/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on April 9, 2026?

23 free events take place on Thursday, April 9 in New York City. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides! Exciting, high quality, unique and off the beaten path free events and free things to do take place in New York today, tonight, tomorrow and each day of the year, any time of the day: whether it's a weekday or a weekend, day or night, morning or evening or afternoon, December or July, April or November! These events will take your breath away!

New York City (NYC) never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment. Check out April 9 and see for yourself. Summer or Winter, Spring or Fall! Just click on any day of the calendar above and you'll find most inspiring and entertaining free events to go to and free things to do on each day of April . Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!

Some events take place all year long: same day of the week, same time there are there for you to take advantage of. One of the oldest free weekly events in Manhattan is Dixieland Jazz with the Gotham Jazzmen, which happen at noon every Tuesday. Another example of an event that you can attend all year round on weekdays is Federal Reserve Bank Tour, which takes place every week day at 1 pm (but advanced reservations are required). You can take at least 13 free tours every day of the year, except the New Year Day, July 4th, and the Christmas Day. If you are classical music afficionado, you can spend whole day in New York going from one free classical concert to another. If you love theater, then New York gives you an option to attend plays and musicals free of charge, or at deep discount. You just need to have information about it. And we are here to make that information available to you.
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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!

23 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Sketching After Hours: Draw Among the Masterpieces
More Editor's Picks for 04/09/26
        

Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Trombone Performance


Trombonist Jesper Juul Windahl--Head of the brass department at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen--imparts the skills and techniques for trombone mastery via distance learning.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free
Concerts, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Trombone Performance

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
Workshops, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Learn How To Play Mah-Jongg

Talk | Explore the Relationship between Generative AI & Healthcare (In Person AND Online!)


This talk will explore how generative AI has developed and continues to evolve, with particular attention to its impact on health care—a domain where it inspires hope in some and fear in many others. About the Speaker: Since 2009, Dr. Humayun “Hank” Chaudhry has served as the President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which co-manages the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and represents the nation’s 69 state and territorial medical and osteopathic licensing boards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Talks, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Explore the Relationship between Generative AI & Healthcare (In Person AND Online!)

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, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Afternoon Bach

Film | All the King's Men (1949): Classic Political Drama Film


This Best Picture is based on Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the rise and fall of a Southern politician who starts out as an honest corruption fighter only to degenerate into a ruthless, unethical demagogue. Broderick Crawford won a Best Actor Oscar as the office holder and Mercedes McCambridge got the nod as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of his shrewd secretary. Director: Robert Rossen Cast: Broderick Crawford, Joanne Dru, John Ireland, John Derek
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Films, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, All the King's Men (1949): Classic Political Drama Film

Classical Music | High German Baroque Ensemble Works by J.S. Bach, Handel, & Telemann (In Person AND Online!)


Enemble BREVE hosts an exploration of sparkling and elegant music composed by three of the most important and brilliant musical geniuses of the High German Baroque — J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, and G.P. Telemann. Each of these composers wrote beautifully and in quite varied styles for this particular instrumental combination. This music includes elements of French and Italian styles giving an international flavor mix to the native German Baroque.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:15 pm
Free
Concerts, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, High German Baroque Ensemble Works by J.S. Bach, Handel, & Telemann (In Person AND Online!)

Film | Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (1993): Romantic Comedy Adaptation with Star-Studded Cast


In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding. Director: Kenneth Branagh Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale
   New York City, NY; NYC
4:00 pm
Free
Films, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (1993): Romantic Comedy Adaptation with Star-Studded Cast

Talk | Designer & CEO Discusses His Career in Retail Experience Design


Hear from Tom Philipson, the visionary founder and CEO of YourStudio, is an internationally celebrated leader in retail experience design and strategy, renowned for setting new standards of innovation at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human experience. Over the past 16 years, Tom has risen from a self-taught designer to a transformative force in global design, driving the success of industry giants like Nike, Google, Snap, and Netflix through his vision and leadership.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Talks, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Designer & CEO Discusses His Career in Retail Experience Design

Museums | Photography:The Power of the Image.


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
5:00 pm
$5, tickets required
Museumss, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Photography:The Power of the Image.

Workshop | Sketching After Hours: Draw Among the Masterpieces


Enjoy the galleries and sketch at your own pace during this in-person program. All art supplies are provided, and attendees can draw independently in select galleries. This after-hours event offers a special chance to connect with the art in a peaceful, reflective environment. Whether you're an experienced artist or trying a pencil for the first time, see the collections in a new light.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free
Workshops, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Sketching After Hours: Draw Among the Masterpieces

Book Discussion | Author & Translator Discuss Their New Novel, Sakura


Attend a conversation with author Kanako Nishi and translator Allison Markin Powell to celebrate Sakura, a heartwarming tale about familial love. The discussion will be moderated by Asha Lemmie and followed by a signing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Author & Translator Discuss Their New Novel,&nbsp;Sakura

Lecture | Explore the Life of Artist/Author/Songwriter Romare Bearden


For this talk, you'll get a look into the life of Romare Bearden(1911-1988), who was an American artist, author, and songwriter. He also produced cartoons, oils, and collages. Joining the army on the European front during World War II, he returned to Paris after the war to study art history at the Sorbonne on the GI Bill. In the 60s, he pulled away from abstract art and took up figurative collage work. Bearden was a well-read man and vitally aware of social problems in the USA. His images compare Black rural life in the South, where he was born, to urban life in the North, where he lived.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
$5, RSVP required
Lectures, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Explore the Life of Artist/Author/Songwriter Romare Bearden

Lecture | Political Theorist Discusses Capitalism & Nature


In this talk, political theorist and writer Alyssa Battistoni explores capitalism’s persistent failure to value nature, arguing that the key question is not the moral issue of why some kinds of nature shouldn’t be commodified, but the economic puzzle of why they haven’t been. Capitalism consistently fails to place value on vital aspects of the nonhuman world, whether carbon emissions or entire ecosystems.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Lectures, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Political Theorist Discusses Capitalism & Nature

Book Discussion | Writer & Cultural Critic Discuss New Book, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America


Author Jeff Chang and cultural critic Bakari Kitwana to discuss Chang’s new publication Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America. This conversation will be followed by a book signing, where copies will be available for purchase. As the best-known martial artist and one of the most celebrated action stars ever, Bruce Lee is a global icon. He symbolizes swagger, strength, and the unbeatable spirit of the underdog. But in more than fifty years since his untimely death at age thirty-two, the legend has eclipsed the real man. During his lifetime, Bruce fought to be seen—from Hong Kong to Hollywood, Asian tenements to American ghettos, the lonely garret to the international screen.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Writer & Cultural Critic Discuss New Book,&nbsp;Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America

Book Discussion | Art Critic & Tech Writer Discuss New Book, The Society of the Screen


Attend a discussion between Martha Schwendener and Alexander R. Galloway on Schwendener's newly published book: The Society of the Screen: Vilém Flusser’s Radical Prescience. There will be a short presentation and a discussion, followed by a Q+A session.  Martha Schwendener, Ph.D., is an art critic for The New York Times and a visiting professor at New York University.  Alexander R. Galloway is a writer and computer programmer working on issues in philosophy, technology, and theories of mediation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Art Critic & Tech Writer Discuss New Book, The Society of the Screen

Discussion | Writers & Scientist Discuss the Art & Science of Memory


Playwright and Alan Kanzer Writer-in-Residence Sarah Ruhl — author of Eurydice, Demeter in the City, Passion Play, etc.—and Columbia neuroscientist Daphna Shohamy discuss the art and science of memory. Moderated by Professor of the Arts and Dean Emerita Carol Becker.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Discussions, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Writers & Scientist Discuss the Art & Science of Memory

Book Discussion | Book Launch: American Han by Pushcart Prize Winning Author


Pushcart Prize winning author Lisa Lee shares her debut novel, American Han. Both deeply serious and absurdly funny, American Han is a story about striving and assimilation, difficult love, and family fidelity. A searing and probing portrait that challenges assumptions about the immigrant experience, Lisa Lee’s debut introduces a powerful new voice on the literary landscape.  
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Book Launch:&nbsp;American Han&nbsp;by Pushcart Prize Winning Author

Museums | Contemporary Art, Open Doors: Thursday Nights at NYC's Leading Museum


Contemporary art is a vital social force that advances questioning, learning, and working towards a better society. This weekly program offers an accessible 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
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Contemporary Art, Open Doors: Thursday Nights at NYC's Leading Museum

Play | Men on Boats: Adventure Drama


Ten explorers. Four boats. On Grand Canyon. Men on Boats is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. Written by Jaclyn Backhaus. Directed by Ka-Ling Cheung. Cast: Claudia Mayo, Elena Hollenbeak, Emma Lyndell, Holiday Raimond Jones, Janiya Woodard, Luna Murphy, Raina Taylor, Sanaa Sweeting, Viwe Sikali, Aurelia Weber Wiggins, Amanda Acevedo, Madison Elliot, Kari Ergmann, Val Cruz
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Plays, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Men on Boats: Adventure Drama

Performance | Passages: Music & Dramatic Performance on Shifting Landscapes


Passages is a new collaborative work featuring Juilliard musicians and actors, conceived by playwright Ethan Luk and pianist Derek Wang. Fusing nature-inspired music by Schumann, Ives, and Crumb with original dramatic text written for the occasion, Passages unfolds in three chapters, setting a coming-of-age narrative against a series of shifting landscapes. 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
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7:30 pm
Free
Performances, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Passages: Music & Dramatic Performance on Shifting Landscapes

Master Class | Carnegie Hall-Featured Pianist Shares the Ins & Outs of Great Piano Performance


Pianist Yoojung Kim--a Steinway Artist and member of the Artist Faculty in Piano Studies has performed widely with major orchestras and at prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, the Konzerthaus, Seoul Arts Center, the National Gallery of Art, and Carnegie Hall--imparts skills and techniques for piano mastery.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Carnegie Hall-Featured Pianist Shares the Ins & Outs of Great Piano Performance

Master Class | Opera Workshop Performance


Experience an opera workshop performance with Manhattan School of Music's opera musicians--directed by Gordon Ostrowski.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Opera Workshop Performance

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
Comedy Clubs, April 09, 2026, 04/09/2026, Standup Show
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Concert | Multi-Grammy Nominee and The Great American Songbook

Regular Price: $67
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Concert | Spirituals, Broadway Tunes and More at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $65
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | 5-Star, One-of-a-Kind High-Energy Show!

Regular Price: $69
CFT Member Price: $0.00