free things to do in New York City
Free events for Monday, 05/11/26
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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 May 11, 2026?

13 free events take place on Monday, May 11 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 May 11 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 May . 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!

13 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, May 11, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Birdwatching | Family Birdwatching Outing


What birds live in your backyard? Learn the basics of bird watching in this fun outing for beginners, hobbyists, and lifelong birders alike. Together, the group will explore NYC parks, and see what makes this spot a hang-out for resident urban birds and marvelous migrators! Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free
Birdwatchings, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Family Birdwatching Outing

Workshop | Start the Day with Morning Meditation


Start your day by balancing your mind, body, and spirit during instructor guided meditation. This renowned practice lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free
Workshops, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Start the Day with Morning Meditation

Workshop | Open Play Pickleball for All Ages


Enjoy casual, drop‑in pickleball at the park. An exciting fusion of badminton and tennis, pickleball has exploded in popularity. Open play encourages rotating games, social fun, and friendly competition for players of all skill levels. First‑come, first‑served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Open Play Pickleball for All Ages

Tour | Tour of Gracie Mansion, Home of New York's Mayors


In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie built a country house overlooking a bend in the East River, five miles north of the then-New York City limits. Little did he know that, more than 200 years later, his home would serve as the official residence of the First Family of New York City - a place where history is made, not merely recorded. As a historic house museum run by the Parks Department, sitting on 11 acres of grounds now known as Carl Schurz Park, Gracie Mansion has served as the home of 11 mayors, beginning with Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia in 1942. Each tour is one hour, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session with an assigned docent.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
$10
Tours, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Tour of Gracie Mansion, Home of New York's Mayors

Workshop | Walk and Creative Writing Session


This walk and writing session is led by Author and Poet Jon Curley. Participants will be encouraged to use observations as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Workshops, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Walk and Creative Writing Session

Tour | Explore a NYC Park


Discover how Bryant Park Corporation successfully transformed "Needle Park" of the 1970s into Manhattan's Town Square of today. The guides are loaded with expertise on the park's rich history, award-winning design, distinct amenities, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Tours will continue as scheduled in light rain, but will be cancelled in heavy rain or inclement weather. Bring an umbrella if needed!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Tours, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Explore a NYC Park

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, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Party | Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup


Are you a knitter? Do you like to crochet? Maybe you like a different type of fiber art? Whichever it is, bring your supplies and lose yourself in the meditative world of creating art with fiber. Invite your friends, or make new connections there. This is a meet-up, not a class.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Partys, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup

Concert | American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble Performs Afrocubanismo Music Outdoors


The American Symphony Orchestra performs a musician-curated program of Afrocubanismo: African music and modernity in Cuba, curated by percussionist-composer Javier Diaz -- whose studio credits include Steven Spielberg's West Side Story and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights. Afrocubanismo explores Cuban music as a synthesis of many different musical influences: a combination of Spanish, French, Central African, West African, North American, and many other national musics. Cuban music emerges as a unique vernacular musical idiom that appears larger than the sum of its components.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble Performs Afrocubanismo Music Outdoors

Workshop | Learn To Play Traditional Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)


This event is a workshop/jam to introduce musicians to traditional Scottish dance tunes. You will learn some tunes traditionally played for Scottish dances as well as some airs. If you don’t know a reel from a strathspey or jig or waltz, you will, by the end of the workshop! Listeners are also welcome. For adults 18+ | Musicians advanced beginner and up
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Workshops, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Learn To Play Traditional Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)

Book Discussion | Discover the Life & Art of Photographer André Kertész at This Book Launch


Enjoy a special evening celebrating an influential artist, André Kertész, and his remarkable new biography. Widely regarded as a visionary of modern photography, Hungarian-born Kertész left an indelible mark on the visual language of the 20th century. Acclaimed American biographer Patricia Albers brings Kertész’s life and artistic journey into focus in her new book, Everything Is Photograph: A Life of André Kertész. This important publication offers fresh insight into the photographer’s inner world, creative vision, and enduring influence. The program will feature an approx. 45-minute conversation and presentation with author Patricia Albers and György Németh, Visiting Scholar at Quinnipiac University. Together, they will explore the fascinating circumstances behind the creation of the biography, as well as the life, work, and artistic legacy of Kertész. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, offering the audience a unique opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. The evening will conclude with a book signing by the author.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussions, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Discover the Life & Art of Photographer&nbsp;Andr&eacute; Kert&eacute;sz at This Book Launch

Dance Performance | Dance Works-in-Progress


A high visibility low-tech forum for experimentation, emerging ideas, and works-in-progress held in the Fall and Spring seasons. Artists are selected by a rotating committee of peer artists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Dance Performances, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Dance Works-in-Progress

Talk | Photographer Coreen Simpson Shares Her Artistic Journey


Hear from Coreen Simpson, a photographer who has never waited for permission to create the images she believed the world needed to see. In 1978, while working at the Studio Museum in Harlem, she famously convinced Toni Morrison to sit for an “official portrait,” capturing the author with a steady gaze and a cigarette poised in her hand—an image that embodies Morrison’s power and Simpson’s instinct for revealing the soul of her subjects. Join us for an evening with the pioneering photographer as she reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, resilience, and fearless creativity—from photographing icons like James Baldwin, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Muhammad Ali to building her celebrated Black Cameo jewelry line. Through images and stories, Simpson will share how following what she calls “the blood beats” led to a singular artistic journey.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Talks, May 11, 2026, 05/11/2026, Photographer&nbsp;Coreen Simpson Shares Her Artistic Journey
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Performance | Piercing, Tender, and Hopeful Story

Regular Price: $59
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Highly-Acclaimed Orchestra Performs Tchaikovsky & More

Regular Price: $55
CFT Member Price: $0.00