free things to do in New York City
Free events for Sunday, 07/12/26
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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 July 12, 2026?

20 free events take place on Sunday, July 12 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 July 12 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 July . 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!

20 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Sunday, July 12, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Music on the Water: Works by Mozart & Schubert for Violin & Piano
free events nyc Skakespeare's Othello: Tragedy of Betrayal
More Editor's Picks for 07/12/26
        

Workshop | Tai Chi in the Park


Silvana Pizzuti leads a session to learn and practice Tai Chi, a slow-moving martial art with health benefits for all fitness levels. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 am
Free
Workshops, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Tai Chi in the Park

Tour | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Brooklyn Bridge, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial


This complimentary shuttle loops through more than 30 locations across Lower Manhattan, covering major sites from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Financial District and the World Trade Center area. Busses arrive about every 15 minutes throughout the day. Riders can board or exit at any marked stop, with unlimited trips at no cost. Dayly service.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Tours, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Brooklyn Bridge, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial

Museums | Sunday Fun at an Iconic Art Museum


Enjoy a full day of art and inspiration on the second Sunday of every month! Explore exhibitions, join family-friendly artmaking activities inspired by works on view, listen to storytimes presented by The New York Public Library, take part in guided tours, and soak in stunning city views.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Museumss, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Sunday Fun at an Iconic Art Museum

Park Walk | Women's Walk in the Park


This group brings together women from all walks of life to bond, exercise, and embrace the beauty of their surroundings. Hundreds of women of all different ages and backgrounds meet to simply go for a walk in Central Park. About 80% of the women show up alone, so feel free to give it a try! Walk locations sometimes change, so make sure to check the group's Instagram page @citygirlswhowalk stories the day before and on Sunday to confirm the meet/walk spot. You are welcome to bring your leashed dog.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Park Walks, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Women's Walk in the Park

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, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Jazz | Blues-Infused Global Grooves


Enjoy a performance from cross-cultural music collective Casa Mantequilla. The ensemble features artists from America, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Congo, and beyond, performing songs in multiple languages with inspiration from across the globe. The world can sing together, no matter the tune! Everybody is welcome in the Casa to experience the melodies, instrumentation, and songwriting found in soukous, afrobeat, highlife, makossa, rumba, reggae, cumbia, Southern blues or modern jazz.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Blues-Infused Global Grooves

Jazz | Let the Music Play in the Park: Local Jazz Artists


Berta Indeed presents a community jazz concert featuring an array of local musicians and vocalists. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Let the Music Play in the Park: Local Jazz Artists

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Works by Mozart & Schubert for Violin & Piano


Mark Peskanov, violin, and Olga Vinokur, piano. Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Sonata in G Major, K. 301 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 378 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Fantasy in C major for violin and piano, Op. posth. 159, D 934
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Music on the Water: Works by Mozart & Schubert for Violin & Piano

Play | Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew: Romantic Comedy in the Park


To win Bianca, someone must first wed her formidable sister Kate--whose wit cuts deep and whose temper runs deeper. But one man is up for the challenge. Who's going to be tamed...Kate or Petruchio? Set on the lawn in the afternoon sun, this performance digs into the play's charged themes with humor, invention, and a sense of adventure. Expect sharp banter, bold reinterpretation, and the thrill of live theatre unfolding against the backdrop of the city. Perfect for families, Shakespeare fans, and park-goers alike, this summertime tradition invites audiences to gather, laugh, and engage with a classic story in a fresh new light. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Philip Emeott. Cast: Emily Ann Banks, Katy Castaldi, Nikolas Elrifi, Ryan Holmes, Thane Madsen, Miriam Muriithi, Tom Paolino, George Pappas, Anthony Simone, Tarantino Smith, Jack Sochet, and Vanessa Wendt
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Plays, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew: Romantic Comedy in the Park

Performance | A Pot of Broth: Farcical One-Act Play by W.B. Yeats


We imagine a poor cottage in the west of Ireland. A tramp enters and searches for food, talking to himself. In come the voices of a bickering husband and wife and a squawking chicken. When they enter to discuss the dinner that must be provided for the priest that evening, their gullibility creates the ironic conclusion to this version of the stone soup motif. Written by W.B. Yeats. Directed by Alison Armstrong.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Performances, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, A Pot of Broth: Farcical One-Act Play by W.B. Yeats

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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3:00 pm
Free
Tours, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Historical House of The Distinguished American President of the Early 20th Century

Discussion | Panel Exploring Creativity & Art As Activism (with Guerilla Girls)


This conversation gathers the legendary Guerrilla Girls, whose groundbreaking interventions have reshaped discourse in the visual arts, with award-winning artist and writer Coco Fusco, whose interdisciplinary work interrogates identities imposed upon the body along racial, gendered, and colonial lines. This panel invites audiences to consider how creativity functions as activism, how collectivity amplifies impact, and how new cultural paradigms are forged by those willing to disrupt the norm. In a cultural landscape that continues to marginalize women and underrepresented voices, what does it mean to make noise — and be heard? 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Discussions, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Panel Exploring Creativity & Art As Activism (with Guerilla Girls)

Festival | Art, Music, & Community Celebration Centering Latine Women (6 Concerts, Expert-Led Discussions, Masterclasses, & More)


Ruidosa (“to make noise,” or “to roar” in the Spanish female form) is an international music festival, platform, and community that celebrates female identifying voices. Ruidosa Fest features six concerts, an expert-led panel, a masterclass, and a book fair—each of which centers Latine women in music and the shared drive to create, innovate, and define your own way forward. The lineup spans genre and nation—from Lila Downs’ multilingual blend of Indigenous Mexican and American contemporary sounds, to Colombian synth pop from Elsa y Elmar, and a performance from Chilean poet, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and Ruidosa founder Francisca Valenzuela. Other performers include Chilean artist Rubio, blending ambient electronic pop with immersive vocals; a powerful solo vocal performance by singer songwriter Edna Vazquez; local vocalist, composer, and producer duendita; and drag icon Pabllo Vittar’s CLUB VITTAR taking over the dancefloor. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Festivals, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Art, Music, & Community Celebration Centering Latine Women (6 Concerts, Expert-Led Discussions, Masterclasses, & More)

Master Class | Latin GRAMMY-Winning Artist Breaks Down Rhythm, Timbre, & Arrangement in Music Production


In this masterclass, From Cultural Memory to Sound: Identity in Music Production, producer, composer, and Latin GRAMMY–winning artist Ella Bric explores how cultural identity and personal memory shape the sonic language of music production. Drawing from her experience blending Afro-Venezuelan rhythmic traditions with jazz, contemporary production, and cinematic storytelling, she will unpack how rhythm, timbre, and arrangement can function as vessels of cultural memory. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Latin GRAMMY-Winning Artist Breaks Down Rhythm, Timbre, & Arrangement in Music Production

Museums | Premier Collections of Modern and Contemporary Art


Discover a vast collection of art from a diverse range of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Russia, France, Spain, Japan, India, United States and more. Tickets for Pay-What-You-Wish hours are available online only and released at 10 am the morning of the event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
$1 min pay-what-you-wish,...
Museumss, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Premier Collections of Modern and Contemporary Art

Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution


The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, influence, and importance of design in everyday life. Housed in a historic mansion, the museum features a diverse collection of design objects, including decorative arts, architecture, graphic design, textiles, and industrial design.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Museumss, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution

Jazz | The Music of Wynton Marsalis Live: Influential Modern Jazz


An intergenerational all-star ensemble traces the evolution of Wynton Marsalis's small-group sound, from the fire and precision of Black Codes (From the Underground) to the lyrical maturity of The Magic Hour. Featuring Xavier Anderson, Nicole Glover, Orrin Evans, and Ben Wolfe, this band brings together powerhouse improvisers to explore some of the most influential music in modern jazz. The result is an evening of deep swing, fearless interplay, and compositions that helped define a generation. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, The Music of Wynton Marsalis Live: Influential Modern Jazz

Dancing | Coachella-Featured Drag Artist & More Take Over the Dancefloor


A performance by Latin GRAMMY-nominated singer and drag artist Pabllo Vittar with CLUB VITTAR, a high-energy set of global pop and dance music. The Brazilian icon is currently preparing to release her seventh album and has collaborated with Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, and Major Lazer, among other global superstars. Vittar has strutted across many international stages: in 2022, she became the first drag queen to perform at Coachella; in 2024, she performed with Madonna at her Copacabana show in Brazil. Joining Vittar is Chilean-born trans icon Dominga and NYC techno queen Volvox for a pulsating DJ/live hybrid set. Finally, DJ and model Armana Khan lights up the stage! Lineup: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Dominga & Volvox 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm: PABLLO VITTAR 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm: Armana Khan 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Dancings, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Coachella-Featured Drag Artist & More Take Over the Dancefloor

Tour | Manhattanhenge Art Deco Architecture Tour


Guides lead a walking tours focusing on iconic buildings in the area, focusing on Art Deco architecture. This tour coincides with Manhattanhenge, when the sunset lines up perfectly with the city's street grid. It will end at a location ideal for Manhattanhenge viewing!
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free
Tours, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Manhattanhenge Art Deco Architecture Tour

Play | Skakespeare's Othello: Tragedy of Betrayal


Shakespeare's searing tragedy of love, jealousy, power, and betrayal. Set in Venice and Cyprus, Othello follows the Moorish military commander Othello as he is manipulated by his ensign, Iago, into suspecting his wife Desdemona of infidelity. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Carl Cofield.
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:30 pm
Free
Plays, July 12, 2026, 07/12/2026, Skakespeare's Othello: Tragedy of Betrayal
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Performance | "Epic" True Story with Broadway Actor

Regular Price: $69
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Theater | Storytelling at its Best from Far Away

Regular Price: $51
CFT Member Price: $0.00