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 January 31, 2026?
30 free events take place on Saturday, January 31 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 January 31 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 January . 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 January 31, 2026?
30 free events take place on Saturday, January 31 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 January 31 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 January . 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!
30 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, January 31, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
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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8:00 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Community Park 5K Run with New York Road Runners
New york Road Runners host a 5K community-led run,open to runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. Evidence of Inwood Hill Park’s formation exists as caves, valleys, and ridges left as the result of shifting glaciers. Evidence of its uninhabited state afterward remains as its forest and salt marsh (the last natural one in Manhattan), and evidence of its use by Native Americans continues to be discovered. Most of the park was largely untouched by wars and development. The park features a hiking trail and the Hudson River Bike Trail, and is one of the best places in NYC to spot a bald eagle. It also includes athletic fields, playgrounds, dog runs, and a barbecue area. The course is three loops on hilly trails and walkways through woods and along a salt marsh.
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:45 am
Free
Free
Park Walk | Explore Local Paths and Parks
Get moving and connect with others in this morning walking program. Explore local paths and parks while enjoying the benefits of a physically active lifestyle.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Party | Quiet Reading Meetup
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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10:15 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Bilingual Drawing Class Exploring UFOs and the Paranormal
This in-person drawing workshop, led by artist Ada Pilar Cruz and presented in Spanish and English, invites participants to create work inspired by the gallery's latest exhibition. All art materials will be provided, and the program is open to all experience levels.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Jewish History: Centuries of Art
As one of the largest collections of art in Jewish culture globally, the venue features an extensive array of historical Jewish artifacts as well as modern and contemporary art.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Park Walk | Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Park
Hear the story behind New York City's park in the sky: an insider's perspective on the park's history, design, and landscape. Note: Spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | A Little Princess (1995): Family Fantasy Drama from Alfonso Cuaron
A young girl must rely on her wits and imagination when she is separated from her soldier father and sent to a strict boarding school. Director: Alfonso Cuaron Cast: Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Liesel Matthews Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron is a well-decorated screenwriter, director, editor, cinematographer, and producer. His achievements include four Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and seven BAFTA Awards.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Sketch Session in an Art Gallery
Participate in a program that responds to works from the exhibition Lotty Rosenfeld: Disobedient Spaces. With a focus on line, participants will be invited to produce gesture drawings inspired by the exhibition's video works. This program is geared toward adults. No previous drawing experience is needed and all materials will be provided. Feel free to join as many sessions as you wish.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Hamilton (2020): Musical Historical Drama Film (Broadway Stage Recording) with Lin-Manuel Miranda
Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now. Director: Thomas Kail Cast: Daveed Diggs, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a songwriter, actor, filmmaker, and librettist who created the Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton, and the soundtracks for the animated films Moana, Vivo, and Encanto. He has received numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, three Tony Awards, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Emmy Awards, and five Grammy Awards, along with nominations for two Academy Awards. He received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2018.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | His Girl Friday (1940): Classic Screwball Comedy with Cary Grant
A newspaper editor goes to extraordinary lengths to keep his best reporter (who is also his ex-wife) from remarrying in a desperate attempt to win her back. Director: Howard Hawks Cast: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Gene Lockhart A well-known figure of Classic Hollywood, Cary Grant was nominated twice for the Academy Award, received an Academy Honorary Award, and received the Kennedy Center Honors. In 1999, Grant was named the second greatest male star of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | The Night of the Following Day (1969): Technicolor Crime Film with Marlon Brando
Two men kidnap a girl off the streets, take her to a beach house owned by a drug-addicted stewardess, and hold her for ransom. Director: Hubert Cornfield Cast: Marlon Brando, Richard Boone, Rita Moreno, Pamela Franklin Marlon Brando was considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, one Cannes Film Festival Award, and three British Academy Film Awards. Brando is credited with being one of the first actors to bring the Stanislavski system of acting, and method acting, to mainstream audiences.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Play | A Legal Drama on Journalism, Belief, and the Cost of Truth
When the value of truth is called into question, who pays the price? Inspired by true events, Retraction is a fast-moving legal drama that follows a journalist whose explosive expose ignites national attention and doubt. As inconsistencies surface, the play examines belief, responsibility, and the irreversible consequences of getting it wrong. The cast includes Renata Friedman (The Patient), Rachel Resheff (Fish in the Dark), Charlie Webb (Parade), Nathaniel Stampley (The Color Purple), Shannon Dorsey (Fairview at Woolly Mammoth), Carson McCalley (The Inheritance), Eliana Rowe (Twelfth Night at STNJ), and Bella Serrano (When Elvis...).
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
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
Free
Author Reading | Artist & Filmmaker Cecilia Vicuña Shares from Her Book, Sabor a mi
Experience a reading by the noted poet, artist, activist, and filmmaker Cecilia Vicuña. She will read from her book Sabor a mi, and offer her reflections on her work in the early seventies in Chile and meeting Lotty Rosenfeld in the late seventies. Cecilia Vicuña is a poet, artist, activist and filmmaker whose work addresses pressing concerns of the modern world, including ecological destruction, human rights, and cultural homogenization.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Guided Museum Walk: Explore Art, History, and Collections, which feature Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and more.
Join these guided tours every Friday and Saturday at 2 PM to explore a museum's history, special collections, and landmarked spaces. Led by educators, the tours last 45-60 minutes and provide an engaging introduction to the artworks and archives on view. The museum features works of Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Popular Vocal Music: Broadway Songs & More
Experience a voice festival featuring Bloomingdale School of Music's voice faculty, students, and special guest artists. Bloomingdale voice students and the guest artist will perform songs from the Broadway and popular music repertoire. Schedule: 2:30-4:30pm: Masterclass 5:30-7:00pm: Student Performances
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free
Free
Author Reading | The Story of A Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Spanish Empire
Join acclaimed author and journalist Julian Sancton for a talk marking the release of his latest book, Neptune’s Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire. Sancton discusses the true story of the San José, a Spanish galleon that sank off the coast of Colombia carrying vast amounts of gold and silver, and the decades-long effort to locate the wreck. The event includes readings from the book, a presentation with photographs, and a moderated discussion. A book signing follows, with copies available for purchase.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Choral Works by Brahms & More
From traditional spirituals and Brahms classics, to settings of classic poems by extraordinary contemporary composers - enjoy an afternoon with a Classical Chorus as members perform magnificent vocal music! Program: Randall Thompson (1899-1984) Frostiana 5. "A Girl's Garden" Johann Brahms (1833-1897) "Waldesnacht" (arr. Geoffrey Edwards) Randall Thompson (1899-1984) Frostiana 3. "Come In" Elaine Hagenberg (1979-) As The Rain Hides the Stars Sarah Quartel (1982-) All the way Home Matt Carlson (1991-) The Little Creek
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Le Carrefour (2021): Short Documentary (+ Filmmaker Q&A)
Enjoy a screening of the short documentary film, The Intersection/ Le Carrefour, followed by Q&A with director Jessamine Irwin, moderated by Yann Gaboriau. Le Carrefour is a powerful documentary film about friendship, language, and community. It was filmed in Maine and focuses on the friendship between Cecile, a Franco-American, and Tresor, a new immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo. DIrector: Jessamine Irwin
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Jazz Performance
Learn from drummer, percussionist, and composer Elé Salif Howell, who "creates with inspirations from his immersive cultural experiences."
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | On Images in Motion and Transformation
Artists Rosalind Nashashibi and Lucy Skaer join writer and filmmaker Moyra Davey for a conversation on film, photography, and the shifting life of images. Working collaboratively since 2005, Nashashibi and Skaer are known for films that take existing artworks as points of departure. Davey’s multidisciplinary practice spans photography, film, and writing, with work presented internationally. The event includes a reception followed by the conversation.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Weekend Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue
Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Game Night: Learn To Play 2 New Party Games
Experience an evening of fast, friendly boardgames: Smug Owls and Person Do Thing! Person Do Thing is the game where you describe a target word but you can only use a few simple words (like Person, Do and Thing). Smug Owls is a race to craft answers to never-before-seen riddles created by a magic deck. It's a winner of the Origins Award for best party game and is Mensa Mind Games Recommended. Each game takes 30 seconds to learn, so come meet new friends, enjoy a drink, and learn some fun new games. Both games will be for sale at the event!
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
$5, tickets required
$5, tickets required
Performance | Live Work & Art Responding to Short Stories
Kick off 2026 with a celebration of songwriter, composer, and bandleader Chris Rael's debut collection of short stories. Artists and musicians will present new works inspired by the book, spanning live music, film, and visual art. Performances respond to Rael's stories, which explore themes of identity, memory, social tension, and personal reckoning through imaginative and lyrical narratives.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Party | A Book-Lovers' Festival in a Gorgeous Historic Building
Curl up with a good book--or a few hundred!--at the ultimate winter reading festival. Reading Rhythms and The New York Public Library are teaming up to transform this building into an after-hours winter wonderland. Explore five floors of the library as you've never seen them before, with reading lounges, live music, themed activities, and much more! Special access includes:
Live musical performances
Relaxing reading lounge
Arts and crafts inspired by winter reads
Writing workshops and prompts
Free non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and fun surprises (While supplies last)
Custom reading recommendations from librarians
Mingle with fellow readers, or relax with quiet reading time at the cozy lounge corner. 18+
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Latin-Alternative Sounds with TheKoiWay (Folk, Funk, Soul, & Hip-Hop)
TheKoiWay brings their powerful Latin-Alternative sound to the stage. Led by Chilean musician and producer Victor Vildosola, this New York City-based project blends Andean folk, funk, soul, hip-hop, and cinematic soundscapes into an immersive live experience where music, visuals, and storytelling collide. Formed by an international collective of artists, TheKoiWay's performances explore migration, resilience, and cultural identity through original songs in Spanish and English. Ancestral rhythms meet urban grooves, creating a sound that feels both deeply intimate and expansively global. Inspired by the legend of the koi fish that swims upstream to become a dragon, TheKoiWay channels perseverance and creative evolution--a sonic journey across borders, generations, and inner worlds.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Personal Finance Guidance with Economics PhD
Attend a financial literacy workshop with economics PhD Chitra Marti for straightforward guidance on your personal finances.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Multifaceted Music with Miriam Elhajli
Improviser, vocalist, record label founder, and scholar Miriam Elhajli makes nuanced work that's influenced equally by her Venezuelan and Moroccan heritage, the history of traditional South American farming techniques, and her musicological research at The Association for Cultural Equity. The result is multifaceted and thoughtful with sounds that borrow from Appalachian country tunes, agitprop spoken word, Argentinian zamba, and much more. Elhajli's eclectic style and "haunting voice" (The New York Times) will be on full display. 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
Free
Classical Music | Viola Works by J.S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Violist Yangyang Liang performs a series of pieces by composers from various musical periods. Program: Eric Coates (1886-1957) First Meeting (Souvenir) J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major BWV 1012 York Bowen (1884-1961) Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 18 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) (arr. Eugenia Goldman) Andante Cantabile
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free
Free
Join the Club!
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 | Large Chorus Performs Gospel and More at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $40CFT Member Price: $0.00
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