free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 08/01/25
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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 August 1, 2025?

28 free events take place on Friday, August 1 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 August 1 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 August . 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!

28 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, August 1, 2025

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Piano in the Park: jazz pianist, who performed with Rita Moreno, Liza Minelli, and on Broadway
free events nyc Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum
free events nyc Dance Merengue Tipico with Live Music from Nelly Swing
More Editor's Picks for 08/01/25
        

Concert | Maroon 5 LIVE, GRAMMY-Winning Pop-Rock Performed Outdoors


Household pop-rock band Maroon-5 lights up the stage at this morning performance. Producing hits for over 20 years now, 3x Grammy winner Maroon 5 is responsible for songs like "She Will Be Loved," "This Love," "Misery," "Moves Like Jagger," "Sugar," "Girls Like You," and many more chart-topping songs. Fans on the General Admission line will be admitted if space permits. It's advised that you arrive early to join the line. Generally, concerts happen rain or shine. Check-in for those with fan passes is at 5:15 a.m. The start time is approximate. Photo ID required for entry.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 am
Free
Concerts, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Maroon 5 LIVE, GRAMMY-Winning Pop-Rock Performed Outdoors

Workshop | Outdoor Tai Chi for All Ages


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures. An ideal choice for participants of all ages.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Workshops, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Outdoor Tai Chi for All Ages

Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum


Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum explores the enormous impact of posters on society and culture, and how they have been adapted to contemporary use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it offers a space for inquiry for all those interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, intending to enhance design literacy among the general public. Special Programming Includes: live printing demo with gallery artist guided tours
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum

Workshop | Zumba Class for All-Levels


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, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Zumba Class for All-Levels

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, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Asian Art and Culture Museum

Museums | Design Museum and Sculpture Garden


The museum was designed and created in 1980's by one of the twentieth century's most important landscape architects and designers. It serves to preserve the legacy of the artist by showcasing his creations: sculptures, furniture pieces, lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Design Museum and Sculpture Garden

Workshop | Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome


This juggling class is ideal for a quick lesson, an extended practice session, or just enjoy watching jugglers put their skills to the test. They’re a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons. All skill levels welcome. Equipment is provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Workshops, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Museums | Tiffany Glass and Other Exhibitions


The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, art, and culture of its area with a permanent collection of 10,000 items. One of the exhibitions includes famous Tiffany's leaded glass objects and a valuable insight into the development of the inuctry in the US at the turn of the 20th century.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Tiffany Glass and Other Exhibitions

Jazz | Piano in the Park: jazz pianist, who performed with Rita Moreno, Liza Minelli, and on Broadway


Russ Kassoff, an accomplished jazz pianist, regularly performs at trio and solo jazz concerts, clubs, festivals, etc. He performs as well for the legendary Rita Moreno's heartfelt autobiographical shows and Liza Minelli's acclaimed national tour. He has played a number of shows on Broadway, including Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Cats, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:30 pm
Free
Concerts, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Piano in the Park: jazz pianist, who performed with Rita Moreno, Liza Minelli, and on Broadway

Film | Anora (2024): Sean Baker's Oscar-Winning Romantic Comedy-Drama


Anora, a young woman from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Director: Sean Baker Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian Sean Baker is a director, writer, editor, and producer of independent narrative feature films, often about the lives of marginalized people. Baker has since directed seven feature films: Take Out (2004), Prince of Broadway (2008), Starlet (2012), Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017), Red Rocket (2021), and Anora (2024). For Anora, he received the Palme d'Or and, alongside his wife Samantha Quan, the British Academy Film Award for Best Casting, before proceeding to win, for Anora, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing at the 97th Academy Awards. He is the first person to individually win four Oscars for the same film in a single ceremony.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Films, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Anora (2024): Sean Baker's Oscar-Winning Romantic Comedy-Drama

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, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends

Dance Performance | Contemporary & Hip-Hop Choreography


Experience a young ensemble showcasing cutting-edge contemporary and hip-hop dance. Celebrating 30 years of amplifying young voices, the company presents original choreography created and performed by its dancers, alongside repertory from the award-winning guest company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Experience bold, innovative movement that captures the energy and creativity of NYC's next generation of dance artists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Dance Performances, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Contemporary & Hip-Hop Choreography

Tour | Inside the Exhibit: Talk With Museum Experts


Celebrate 100 years since the historic acquisition of George Grey Barnard's medieval collection with an in-depth conversation led by Museum curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars. This expert-led program offers fresh insights, untold stories, and a closer look at remarkable works of art. Bring your questions for an engaging discussion that illuminates the legacy of this influential sculptor and collector. Note: Space is limited; first come, first served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Tours, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Inside the Exhibit: Talk With Museum Experts

Museums | A Night of Live Music, Drinks & 5,000 Years of Art


Enjoy a stylish evening of art, live music, and engaging talks every Friday and Saturday night. From 5-9 PM, sip on drink specials, sample light fare, and take in the museum's vast collection spanning millennia. Grab a friend, a partner, or come solo--this after-hours experience offers something for everyone.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, A Night of Live Music, Drinks & 5,000 Years of Art

Dance Lesson | All Ages Dance Workshop: Ballet


This event is a dance workshop featuring a demonstration led by Dance Theatre of Harlem company members. The session will focus on the rudiments of ballet study, followed by an interactive choreographic exploration.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Dance Lessons, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, All Ages Dance Workshop: Ballet

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, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, 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, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, 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
5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum

Discussion | National Book Foundation Panel Celebrates Debut Authors


This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 program, which honors debut fiction writers whose work promises to leave a lasting impression on the literary landscape. To celebrate, this event offers a discussion featuring past honorees—Angela Flournoy (The Turner House, 2015 5 Under 35 Honoree), Raven Leilani (Luster, 2020 5 Under 35 Honoree), and Kirstin Valdez Quade (Night at the Fiestas, 2014 5 Under 35 Honoree)—where they reveal the authors and books that most inspired them, and what it means to build a literary career and community in New York. The discussion will be moderated by Natalie Green, Director of Programs & Partnerships at the National Book Foundation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Discussions, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, National Book Foundation Panel Celebrates Debut Authors

Party | Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)


Curious about a board game or looking to try something new? The Games Hosts will be teaching how to play a wide range of fun board games. Many come to play the social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Partys, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)

Discussion | Experts Talk on the Intersection of Arts & Healing (In Person AND Online!)


How can the arts be leveraged to influence policy, health systems, and social movements? Leading artists, researchers, and lived experience experts join a conversation exploring the intersection of arts and healing. This conversation will be curated and moderated by Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Assoc. Professor and Director of the NYU Steinhardt Graduate Program in Drama Therapy, Chair of the NYU Creative Arts Therapies Consortium, Co-Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and co-founder of Healing Arts NYC, a city-wide arts and health network. Dr. Sajnani is an advocate for the arts as a global health resource and leads an international network of researchers dedicated to measurably improving lives through the arts and arts therapies. Panelists: AZA Allsop Mai Lê Hô David Leventhal Constantina Theofanopoulou Seating is first-come first-served. Just show up!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Discussions, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Experts Talk on the Intersection of Arts & Healing (In Person AND Online!)

Dancing | Dance Merengue Tipico with Live Music from Nelly Swing


The Dominican Republic-born vocalist and instrumentalist Nelly Francisca Torres, also known as Nelly Swing, is one of the most exciting and in-demand voices in contemporary merengue tipico music. Her career took off when saxophonist Leo Jazz formed a group featuring Nelly as the lead accordionist, naming it Nelly Swing "La Rompeola," due to her signature hip-rolling dance moves. Nelly achieved international recognition with the viral hit "Como el Perro Bebe Agua," which garnered millions of views across social media platforms and expanded her reach throughout the United States and South America. Arrive early to learn some basic merengue tipico steps to keep up with the band! DJ set at 6:30 pm Dance lesson at 7:00 pm Live music at 7:30 pm There are two ways to access this free 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
6:30 pm
Free
Dancings, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Dance Merengue Tipico with Live Music from Nelly Swing

Jazz | GRAMMY-Nominated Big Band Brings Explosive Sound to the Park


Led by visionary pianist and composer Orrin Evans, the Grammy Award-nominated Captain Black Big Band delivers big-band jazz with bold energy and fearless creativity. With its explosive sound and improvisational fire, the ensemble transforms hard-swinging grooves, bluesy soul, and avant-garde edges into a thrilling, unpredictable ride. With Evans at the helm, expect a powerhouse performance that pushes boundaries and lights up the stage at this performance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, GRAMMY-Nominated Big Band Brings Explosive Sound to the Park

Museums | Japanese Art and Culture


The gallery showcases both traditional and contemporary Japanese art, including amine designs and theatrical production elements that evolved in the 17th century.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Museumss, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Japanese Art and Culture

Play | Shakespeare Under the Stars: A Midsummer Night’s Dream


Experience the magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream like never before, under the open sky and on the pavement. From July 17 to August 2, catch free performances every Thursday through Saturday at 7:00 PM as Shakespeare’s beloved comedy unfolds in a refreshingly untraditional setting. Mischief, romance, and moonlit mayhem await in this playful take on the classic tale, brought to life with energy, humor, and street-level charm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Plays, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Shakespeare Under the Stars: A Midsummer Night&rsquo;s Dream

Comedy Club | HBO, Netflix, Disney+, & Amazon -Featured Comedian, Danielle Perez, Presents Her New Special


Danielle Perez, Los Angeles-based comedian, writer, and actor, and the 2021 Just for Laughs “New Face”, takes the stage for a one-night-only comedy special. Perez has appeared in Gloria Calderon Kellett’s With Love (Amazon), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), Special (Netflix), Russian Doll (Netflix), and Diary of a Future President (Disney+). She has also starred in feature films: Swipe Right, Plan B, Dicks: The Musical, and most recently Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Be on the look out for her next new series, currently in development, which she is writing, starring, and producing with A24. There are two ways to access this free event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon for all. Or, become a Member and get a Fast Track pass for priority entry all summer long.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Comedy Clubs, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, HBO, Netflix, Disney+, & Amazon -Featured Comedian,&nbsp;Danielle Perez, Presents Her New Special

Party | Brooklyn Art Collective Papi Juice Throws Nightlife Celebration


Celebrating queer and trans people of color, Papi Juice creates spaces where art, music, and community collide — vibrant, joyful, and unapologetically alive. Since forming in 2013, Papi Juice — the Brooklyn-based art collective founded by Adam Rhodes, Oscar Nñ, and Mohammed Fayaz — has been changing the face of nightlife in New York and beyond with their fabled DJ sets and all-night dance parties. Seating opens 30 minutes before showtime and is available on the grass or benches. Accessible seating is available. Please inform staff upon arrival if accommodations are needed.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 pm
Free
Partys, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Brooklyn Art Collective Papi Juice Throws Nightlife Celebration

Dancing | Silent Disco: DJ Bembona


It's time to turn up the volume and get down on the dance floor! This silent disco takes place at NYC's largest outdoor dance floor underneath our ten-foot disco ball. Experience music and DJs from around the world, spinning live, straight to your high-fidelity headphones, distributed free on-site. This event's featured guest is Brooklyn-born/Puerto Rican-Panamanian DJ Bembona. Bembona's musical practice is rooted in spirituality and healing with an emphasis on celebrating, empowering, and unifying the Black Diaspora. There are two ways to access this free event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 pm
Free
Dancings, August 01, 2025, 08/01/2025, Silent Disco: DJ Bembona
Complimentary Tickets

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

Musical | Musical Comedy: Love, Family, Dreams..

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Musical | Comedy Musical with Infectious Dance

Regular Price: $69.99
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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