free things to do in New York City
Free events for Tuesday, 05/12/26
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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 May 12, 2026?

15 free events take place on Tuesday, May 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 May 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 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!

15 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Tuesday, May 12, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Workshop | Cardio & Strength Workout (All Levels Welcome)


Instructor Natalie Hahn leads 45 minutes of bodyweight exercises, combining cardio and strength for a full-body workout. This class is high-energy with programming options for all levels!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Cardio & Strength Workout (All Levels Welcome)

Birdwatching | Morning Birding in the Park with NYC Audubon


Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call New York home during migratory season with guided tours by NYC Audubon, led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow. This park is a hotspot for avian visitors and birders alike. Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will’s-widow!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 am
Free
Birdwatchings, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Morning&nbsp;Birding in the Park&nbsp;with NYC Audubon

Workshop | Zumba Workout


Enthusiastic instruction and easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography working on balance, coordination, and range of motion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Workshops, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Zumba Workout

Discussion | Collective Power: Art & Climate in Conversation


Join artists for an intimate salon exploring vision, resilience, and community action through creative practice. Engage in discussions on current climate-focused works, participate in an audience Q&A, and reflect on the connections among art, environmental justice, and the future we can shape together.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Discussions, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Collective Power: Art & Climate in Conversation

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 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

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
Concerts, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Afternoon Bach

Film | Face/Off (1997): Aci-Fi Action Thriller with John Travolta & Nicolas Cage


To foil a terrorist plot, an FBI agent assumes the identity of the criminal who murdered his son via facial transplant surgery, but the crook wakes up prematurely and vows revenge. Mayhem ensues. Director: John Woo Cast: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, Alessandro Nivola John Travolta is an American actor whose accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a BAFTA Award. Nicolas Cage is an American actor and film producer. Born into the Coppola family, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Films, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Face/Off (1997): Aci-Fi Action Thriller with John Travolta & Nicolas Cage

Film | Is This Thing On? (2025): Comedy-Drama with Star-Studded Cast


As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene. Meanwhile, his wife Tess confronts sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting and identities. Director: Bradley Cooper Cast: Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Bradley Cooper
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Films, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Is This Thing On? (2025): Comedy-Drama with Star-Studded Cast

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
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5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble Performs Afrocubanismo Music Outdoors

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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5:30 pm
Free
Workshops, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Opening Reception | Sculptural Reliefs & Animal Bronzes Exploring Interspecies Connection


Blending humor, curiosity, and commentary, the works reflect an artist’s fascination with the boundaries between humans and the nonhuman world. Using painted foam panels and sculptures, the exhibition features animal figures with personality and presence. Drawing from theatrical composition and an intuitive approach, the works balance lightness with deeper themes of empathy, perception, and coexistence.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Opening Receptions, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Sculptural Reliefs & Animal Bronzes Exploring Interspecies Connection

Lecture | Anthropologist & Dancer Discusses Dance as a Facet of Social Life


The recent groundbreaking exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York "Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor" was curated by Dr. Derrick Leon Washington, an anthropologist and dancer, who will speak at this event. Building on this and his earlier exhibition "Rhythm and Power: Salsa in New York," he will examine social dance as a vital force in social life. Through examples ranging from lindy hop and salsa to hip hop and hustle, Dr. Washington shows how dance floors have functioned as spaces of creativity, community, and social meaning. Combining research, archival images, music, and movement analysis, the presentation reveals how social dancing reflects history, possibility, and collective defiance. This presentation invites the audience to look beyond performance and consider social dance as a cultural language that continues to shape how people gather, communicate, and imagine defiant joy.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free
Lectures, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Anthropologist & Dancer Discusses Dance as a Facet of Social Life

Workshop | Dance Aerobics Class: Low Stakes & All Fun


Find your inner dancer and get your body moving with pure joy at this cathartic dance aerobics class! Low stakes, all fun, and open to all levels. Space 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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6:30 pm
Free
Workshops, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Dance Aerobics Class: Low Stakes & All Fun

Workshop | Origami Group Meet-Up


This event is for people to come together and share in the beautiful art of Origami--an ancient art of folding various mediums, most commonly paper. The word comes from the combination of the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). Other materials often folded are fabric, wire mesh, sheet metal, tissue, thin plastic, cardboard, and straws.This group meets to teach each other new models and share paper, books, and tips. This meeting is free and open to all level of folders from beginner to advanced. There will be free paper available to share. You may choose to bring your own paper and books and just show up and fold! If you have models you would like to learn, or teach, let the organizers know, and they will try our best to accommodate.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Workshops, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Origami Group Meet-Up

Concert | Renaissance Wind Instruments & Early Music Traditions


Experience the rich sounds of the Medieval and Renaissance eras through a vibrant performance by a renowned early music ensemble. Featuring historically inspired instruments, including shawms, sackbuts, lutes, recorders, and percussion, the program brings to life both rustic folk traditions and refined courtly music.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 12, 2026, 05/12/2026, Renaissance Wind Instruments & Early Music Traditions
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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