free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 04/17/26
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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 17, 2026?

23 free events take place on Friday, April 17 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 17 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 Friday, April 17, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Workshop | Morning Tai Chi


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Morning Tai Chi

Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum


Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum examines the significant influence of posters on society and culture, and how they are adapted for modern use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it offers a space for inquiry for anyone interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the goal of enhancing design literacy among the general public. Works explore: mass communication and persuasion the intersection of art and commerce control of the public domain
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum

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
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Adult Zumba

Museums | Asian Art and Culture Museum


The museum features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional and contemporary pieces from various Asian cultures. 2 pm: guided tour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Asian Art and Culture Museum

Workshop | Mat Pilates (Beginners Welcome!)


Sweet Water Dance & Yoga leads a session of mat pilates, a strengthening and lengthening exercise that focuses on conditioning your core muscles while also training your arms and legs. This class incorporates key Pilates principles such as postural alignment, breathing, strength, controlled movement, and flexibility. This class is perfect for beginners but intermediate and advanced movers will also benefit. Bring your own mat.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Mat Pilates (Beginners Welcome!)

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 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Afternoon Bach

Film | The Crucible (1996): Historical Drama Film with Daniel Day-Lewis & Winona Ryder


A Salem resident attempts to frame her ex-lover's wife for being a witch in the middle of the 1692 witchcraft trials. Director: Nicholas Hytner Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen, Bruce Davison Daniel Day-Lewis is an English actor often described as one of the preeminent actors of his generation. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned over four decades, including three Academy Awards for Best Actor, making him the first and only actor to have three wins in that category. Winona Ryder is an American actress. Originally playing quirky roles, she rose to prominence for her more diverse performances in various genres in the 1990s. She has received many accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for a Grammy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Academy Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Films, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, The Crucible (1996): Historical Drama Film with Daniel Day-Lewis & Winona Ryder

Workshop | Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends


Freeform crafting and conversation! Bring your own project or choose something from the collection to work on. The organizers have materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, and paper crafts. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends

Film | Theeb (2014): Jordanian Period Drama Film


In 1916, Theeb lives with his Bedouin tribe in a remote part of the Ottoman Empire. When his older brother has to escort a British officer across the desert, Theeb tags along for the adventure. Director: Naji Abu Nowar Cast: Jacir Eid, Hassan Mutlag, Hussein Salameh, Jack Fox, Marji Audeh In Arabic with English subtitles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Films, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Theeb (2014): Jordanian Period Drama Film

Jazz | Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)


This jam session is open to all musicians. Come and play or just listen to some jazzy tunes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Workshop | Play Chess


Sharpen your mind, meet new people, and enjoy this timeless game. Chess sets and timers are provided. Adults only.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Play Chess

Museums | American History and Artifact Collections


Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. Last admission is at 7 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, American History and Artifact Collections

Museums | Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum


This museum is an assemblage of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints inside a historic building. Registration opens 7 days in advance & does sell out.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum

Museums | Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum


Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more! Throughout the night, there will be a few "15-minute tours," highlighting different parts of the collection.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum

Museums | Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum


This special, all-ages evening celebrates the art and the city. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, and see a film in the theaters. Museum stores and cafe will be open, too, so you can grab a bite, get drinks, or shop for unique design objects. Free for New York State residents but must be reserved in advance (up to two adults), and are subject to availability and proof of residency. Tickets are released one week in advance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Museumss, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum

Workshop | Poetry Themed Zine-Making


Library staff and Booklyn educators lead a workshop to make your own zine for National Poetry Month! Materials are provided to create your own handmade booklets, commonly known as zines. This Zine Jam will have a poetry theme. Zines are accessible tools for literacy, storytelling, and community connection. Zine Jams are workshops led by Booklyn, Inc. educators. With visual, tactile, and writing prompts, anyone can make a zine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Workshops, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Poetry Themed Zine-Making

Screening | 16mm Hidden Gems


This event pairs a 16mm feature film from the Cinema Studies Archive with lo-fi gems, oddball curiosities, and pre-internet obscurities.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Screenings, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, 16mm Hidden Gems

Concert | Open Session: Traditional Irish Music


Enjoy vibrant evenings filled with traditional Irish music. There is a slow session for beginners from 6 pm to 8 pm, followed by a traditional session for experienced players from 8 pm to 11 pm Audience members are encouraged to join the music at any time. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Open Session: Traditional Irish Music

Opening Reception | Works of Iranian-French Photojournalist Reza Deghati


Enjoy an exhibition highlighting the works of Iranian-French photojournalist Reza Deghati.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Opening Receptions, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Works of Iranian-French Photojournalist Reza Deghati

Discussion | Art Talk with Francisco Costa


Francisco Costa, in conversation with Marc Karimzadeh, explores his illustrious career.  Francisco Costa has been honored with awards for his work from the FIT Alumni Association, Parsons The New School for Design, and the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. In 2006, and again in 2008, the CFDA named him the Womenswear Designer of the Year. Costa assumed the role of Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection after working directly with Calvin Klein and other top design houses including Gucci, Balmain Couture, and Oscar de la Renta.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Discussions, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Art Talk with&nbsp;Francisco Costa

Book Discussion | Magician/Author Shares Her New Book on Historical Magician, Madame Adelaide Herrmann


Magician and author Margaret B. Steele brings magician Madame Adelaide Herrmann's story to life in multi-media homage featuring rare images from the Billy Rose Theatre Division, a video tour of Adelaide Herrmann's New York, and a performance of Adelaide Herrmann's signature magic effects with live musical accompaniment and sound effects. The presentation will conclude with a Q & A, after which Margaret will sign copies of her new book, Queen of Magic: The Wondrous, Unstoppable Adelaide Herrmann.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, Magician/Author Shares Her New Book on Historical Magician, Madame Adelaide Herrmann

Classical Music | World Premiere of Boundless: Contemporary Soundscape  with Acclaimed Musicians


Experience the one-night-only world premiere and album release of Min Xiao-Fen and Julian Kytasty's Boundless, a spellbinding musical creation where Eastern musical worlds converge. In Boundless, Xiao-Fen, an internationally acclaimed performer of the lute-like Chinese pipa, and Kytasty, a master of the Ukrainian zither-like bandura, join forces for an evening that defies classifications of border and era. In the spirit of the avant-garde improviser Derek Bailey, the string duo will mingle their respective instruments' venerable traditions to form a fresh and daring contemporary soundscape. Xiao-Fen’s composition “Xi Xi, Cuo Cuo (Wash and Rub)” reimagines the untold story of Chinese immigrants' relocation to the Mississippi Delta, while Kytasty’s “Travel Music” brings to life the journey of a rare bandura from Ukraine to Shanghai to Buenos Aires before finding its permanent home in New York City. Together, these two trailblazing musicians chart a luminous odyssey across personal histories, rich culture, and human connection. 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
Concerts, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, World Premiere of Boundless:&nbsp;Contemporary Soundscape&nbsp; with Acclaimed Musicians

Screening | 3 Bad Men (1926): Silent Western with Live Ensemble Score


Experience a live-to-picture performance of John Ford's 1926 silent western, 3 Bad Men. The film sets its narrative against a fictionalized Dakota land rush, where three outlaws find unexpected redemption when they protect a young woman seeking a new life on the frontier. This presentation features the world premiere of an original orchestral score. Director: John Ford Cast: George O'Brien, Olive Borden
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free
Screenings, April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026, 3 Bad Men (1926): Silent Western with Live Ensemble Score
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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