free things to do in New York City
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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 February 18, 2026?
21 free events take place on Wednesday, February 18 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 February 18 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 February . 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.
Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on February 18, 2026?
21 free events take place on Wednesday, February 18 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 February 18 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 February . 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.
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!
21 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, February 18, 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
Museums | New York City: History, Architecture, Social Movements, Cultural Diversity
This museum holds over 1,5 million artifacts, including photographs, paintings, decorative arts, costumes, and documents that tell the story of New York's development and its inhabitants. Explore the galleries and discover the rich history and vibrant culture of New York City!
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Wednesday at a Unique Art Museum
Candid, genuine, and unexpected, this is New York City's only museum dedicated to folk & self-taught artists. The Museum celebrates the creativity of individuals whose singular talents have been refined largely through personal experience rather than formal artistic training. The museum's collection includes more than seven thousand works of art from four centuries and nearly every continent--from compelling portraits and dazzling quilts to powerful works by living artists in a variety of mediums. From critically acclaimed exhibitions and publications to inspiring educational programs and robust community outreach, the museum's mission is to be the leading forum shaping the understanding and appreciation of folk and self-taught art across time and place.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Free
Tour | Historical House of The Distinguished American President of the Early 20th Century
This historic site honors the early life of a renowned American figure. The restored brownstone reflects late 19th-century architecture and offers insights into the family's daily life. Learn about various exhibits and artifacts that showcase the cultural and historical context of the era, providing a glimpse into the formative years of this visionary leader-to-be. This guided tour is first-come, first-served. It may reach capacity before your desired tour time, so please be sure to arrive early. Tour duration: 45 minutes. This tour takes place at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | If Fashion is of Interest to You...
Best known for its innovation and award-winning exhibitions, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the eighteenth century to the present.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
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
Workshop | Adult Chorus Session Open to All
Directed by Church Street School of Music, the Downtown Beats adult chorus is open to all who love to sing! Learn contemporary and classic songs and perform at community events throughout the year.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Live Jazz Standards
Relax to the sounds of classic jazz as guitarist Bill Wurtzel and guests perform timeless standards from the American Songbook. This lively midweek set offers a perfect musical break, blending smooth melodies and swing in an intimate setting.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Weekly Outdoor Bagpipe Tribute: Honoring 9/11 Lives and Legacies
A moving weekly bagpipe tribute honors those who lost their lives on 9/11, as well as individuals affected by the lasting health impacts of that day. The tribute begins with a performance near a symbolic column preserved from the site, followed by a second performance in a nearby outdoor space.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Afternoon in a Magnificent Small Museum
Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, this museum is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Workshop | Draw the Human Figure
Challenge your artistic skills by drawing the human figure. Each week a model will strike short and long poses for participants to draw. Artists/ educators will offer constructive suggestions and critique. Materials provided, and artists are encouraged to bring their own favorite media.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Gallery Talk | Learn How a Historic Mansion Turned into a Museum
Join a museum educator for a brief gallery talk tracing how a Gilded Age mansion was transformed into a world-class art museum.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Bird Photographer Discusses His Craft
This talk follows bird photographer Isaac Grant on safari, where photographing mammals becomes a natural extension of photographing birds. Skills such as patience, reading animal behavior, working with light, and precise timing are just as vital when capturing birds as they are when photographing Africa’s iconic mammals. Through images and stories from the field, Isaac Grant explores the shared techniques and challenges of photographing wings and giants alike, showing how a bird photographer’s eye adapts seamlessly to the full diversity of African wildlife.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Experts Explore Political Expression in Academia
Professor Philip Swan of Hunter College will be joined by Laura Beltz, Director of Policy Reform and Ryne Weiss, Director of Research, at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) as well as Manhattan Institute Fellows John Ketcham and Renu Mukherjee in a discussion exploring ways academia can represent the diverse political views of our larger society while also honoring the academic freedom of faculty and students. The speakers from FIRE will provide information on recent free speech challenges, will discuss where Hunter ranks on the issue of free speech, and suggest policies that can help us navigate this volatile environment with our principles of fairness intact. The speakers from the Manhattan Institute and City Journal will share insights from the new City Journal College Rankings, a project that provides students and families with information on how different universities value free speech, ideological diversity, classroom experience, and other factors often excluded from traditional college ranking systems, such as U.S. News & World Report.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Quiet Reading Meet Up
Bring a book or check one out of the library to read to yourself for one hour. After that, spend an hour socializing with those around you!
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Activist Shares His New Book about Political Prisoner Jimmy Lai, The Troublemaker (In Person AND Online!)
Learn about the extraordinary story of businessman, democracy activist, and political prisoner Jimmy Lai. Mark Clifford’s new book is “a sympathetic and inspiring biography” (The Wall Street Journal) of billionaire businessman Jimmy Lai, a leading Hong Kong democracy activist who became China’s most famous political prisoner. Lai escaped China at 12 and worked in Hong Kong factories, eventually owning one and becoming a global leader in “fast fashion.” After Tiananmen Square, he entered the media industry with Next and Apple Daily, publications critical of the Chinese Communist Party, eventually meeting with American officials about human rights and free speech; since 2020 he has been in solitary confinement in China. Clifford, a writer who is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, speaks about Lai’s extraordinary story with Evan Osnos, a staff writer at The New Yorker.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Artists Discuss Citywide On the Flip Side Exhibition
This talk explores On the Flip Side, a citywide exhibition that transforms JCDecaux bus shelters across New York City, Chicago, and Boston into sites for intimate photographic encounters. In this event, each of the artists will reflect on what it means for deeply personal images—rooted in family, heritage, gender identity, material value, and aspiration—to appear in spaces typically reserved for advertising, and how public circulation reshapes their meaning. Moderated by Public Art Fund Assistant Curator Jenée-Daria Strand, the talk centers on the practices of Kennedi Carter, Lougè Delcy, Camila Falquez, Ruby Okoro, Dana Scruggs, and Juan Veloz—artists whose commercial work defines our contemporary moment, capturing celebrities for global platforms. Meanwhile, their fine art practices–often seen in museums and galleries–foreground tenderness and interiority, with ties to contemporary and historic cultural narratives. The discussion will examine how these photographers navigate the boundary between commercial and fine art production, and how On the Flip Side “flips” expectations by foregrounding their personal visions within the cityscape of New York, Boston and Chicago.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Food Studies Expert Marion Nestle Shares Her New Book, What To Eat Now
Author Marion Nestle is the co-founder of NYU's pioneering food studies program, as well as the author of important nutrition bestsellers such as Food Politics and Safe Food. In What to Eat Now, she takes the reader--aisle by aisle--through the American supermarket. Using wit and common sense, she establishes the basics of good nutrition, food safety, and ethical and sustainable eating, and gives readers a close-up look at the web of interests that food has to navigate before it gets to your shopping basket. Chef Jose Andres calls Nestle "an inspiration", while Nik Sharma (The Flavor Equation) says this latest book "should be required reading for anyone who eats."
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Gershwin & Radical Viennese Composers
Conductor and pianist Levi Hammer bridges Gershwin and Viennese modernism in a solo piano concert exploring American jazz roots and radical composers with the Second Viennese School: Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern, the Austrian pioneers of musical modernism. The program brings American popular idioms into dialogue with the radical innovations that emerged from early 20th-century Vienna, revealing unexpected resonances across style, geography, and tradition. More than a historical exploration, the evening also serves as a musical autobiography of Levi Hammer, uniting his American roots with his ongoing European artistic journey. At the piano, Hammer creates a bridge between worlds. Between jazz-inflected American soundscapes and the rigorous, expressive language shaped in Vienna.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Award-Winning Author Shares Her New Young Adult Novel, Goodbye and Everything After
Mae Coyiuto discusses her new young adult book, Goodbye and Everything After, with Shannon C.F. Rogers. A teen girl comes face-to-face with the ghost of her recently deceased dad when she ignores a strict Filipino superstition in this contemporary YA novel that tackles grief, family tension, and first love.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Black History Month Short Film Festival
Celebrate the work of past, present, and future generations of Black Cinema at NYU. This Black History Month Short Film Festival will feature short films from NYU Film students & alum. Light refreshments will be provided. Door Prizes & Giveaways!
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
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Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Performance | Multi-Award Winners Give Insights into Careers of Iconic Artists
Regular Price: $80CFT Member Price: $0.00
Classical Music | "Profoundly Moving" Journey through Song with Grammy-Winning Musicians
Regular Price: $50CFT Member Price: $0.00
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