free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 05/14/26
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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 14, 2026?

14 free events take place on Thursday, May 14 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 14 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!

14 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, May 14, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Workshop | Learn How To Play Mah-Jongg


Mah-Jongg is a four-person tile game of skill, strategy, and luck! Learn the rules and mechanics of American Mah-Jongg. Attend a two hour group lesson with instructor Susan Richards. Sets and a few cards provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own cards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Learn How To Play Mah-Jongg

Discussion | Learn about the Impact of AI on Truth & Society


Hear from Steven Rosenbaum, the executive director of the Sustainable Media Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring the impact of AI and social media on truth and society. Steve and his panel will discuss and explore; how truth is being blurred and how the ways we love, work, learn, remember, and create are changing. In their hunger for clarity, robots are erasing Truth's messy, beautiful middle, replacing it with something designed to serve soulless AI, not the humans who built it. Rosenbaum's book, The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality, will be available for sale after the presentation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free
Discussions, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Learn about the Impact of AI on Truth & Society

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 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, 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 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Afternoon Bach

Film | Last Train from Gun Hill (1959): Technicolor Western 


A marshal's wife is murdered, and evidence links the crime to his old friend, who is now a wealthy cattle baron. When the baron discovers the murderer was his own son, he gathers his men to corner and shoot down the vengeful Marshal. Director: John Sturges Cast: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Films, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Last Train from Gun Hill (1959): Technicolor Western&nbsp;

Classical Music | Shortened Adaption of Handel's Opera, Tolomeo (In Person AND Online!)


Opera Essentia (Alaysha Fox, soprano, Jeffrey Mandelbaum, countertenor, Hans Tashjian, bass, and Rebecca Pechefsky, harpsichord, Edson Scheid, violin, and Serafim Smigelskiy, cello) hosts a preview of "Lost in Cyprus", the company's new distillation of Handel's Tolomeo.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:15 pm
Free
Concerts, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Shortened Adaption of Handel's Opera, Tolomeo (In Person AND Online!)

Birdwatching | Evening Birding Tour


Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call the park home during migratory season, with guided tours led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow. The 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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5:00 pm
Free
Birdwatchings, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Evening Birding Tour

Book Discussion | Book Launch--Kit Kemp: Design Stories (+ Signing)


Enjoy a conversation with author and global interior design icon, Kit Kemp, to celebrate the launch of her newest book, Kit Kemp: Design Stories, a stunning collection of interiors that reflect personality, revolutionize contemporary design, and break free from the ordinary. She will be in conversation with Jacqueline Terrebonne, editor-in-chief of Galerie magazine, followed by a signing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Book Launch--Kit Kemp: Design Stories&nbsp;(+ Signing)

Festival | Latin Music & Dance Celebration: Cuban Salsa Dance Instruction & Live Music


This Latin Festival brings Cuban salsa to the park, with the help of two-time Grammy award nominee Jose "Pepito" Gomez and 2025 Grammy award winner Cesar Orozco. Festival Schedule: 6pm-6:30pm: Dance instruction 6:45pm-8pm: Live dance music by Jose "Pepito" Gomez and La Royal Orquesta 8:00pm-8:30pm: Dance instruction 8:45pm-10pm: Live dance music by Cesar Orozco and SonAhead featuring Ariacne Trujillo, Gina D'Soto, and Ivan Llanes
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Festivals, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Latin Music & Dance Celebration: Cuban Salsa Dance Instruction & Live Music

Movie in a Park | Blow Out (1981): Neo-Noir Mystery Thriller with John Travolta, Directed by Brian De Palma


A movie sound recordist accidentally captures evidence of a political assassination. Set during the Bicentennial, this tense thriller explores the high cost of pursuing the truth. Director: Brian De Palma Cast: John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz Brian De Palma is a filmmaker with a career spanning over 50 years. He is best known for work in the suspense, crime, and psychological thriller genres. De Palma was a leading member of the New Hollywood generation. 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. Followed by a post-screening discussion exploring the film’s themes and cultural context.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Movie in a Parks, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Blow Out (1981):&nbsp;Neo-Noir Mystery Thriller with John Travolta, Directed by&nbsp;Brian De Palma

Book Discussion | Bonnie Friedman Shares Her First Novel, Don't Stop (In Person AND Online!)


Bonnie Friedman explores ambition, desire, and the dangerous pursuit of self-knowledge in her first novel, Don't Stop, which she'll discuss at this event with award-winning writer Dawn Raffel. Set in Brooklyn and Manhattan at the turn of the millennium, Don’t Stop is a bold, immersive debut that explores what happens when a woman dares to want more—of the world, of her body, of herself. Bonnie Friedman delivers a novel of transgression, transformation, and unapologetic longing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussions, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Bonnie Friedman Shares Her First Novel, Don't Stop (In Person AND Online!)

Jazz | Guggenheim Fellow Pianist Takes the Stage


Helen Sung, piano, performs jazz and classical works. Helen has performed and toured with leading artists including Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Regina Carter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the Mingus Big Band. She is Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University and visiting faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her work also explores the intersection of jazz and neuroscience through collaborations with Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. A Steinway Artist, Helen Sung "plays with crisp swing and elegant invention," according to The New York Times.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Guggenheim Fellow Pianist Takes the Stage

Concert | Urban Ballads by New Yorkers


Experience a monthly showcase featuring original songwriters from New York City. Curated and hosted by renowned Irish songwriter Niall Connolly, this series has been a warm space for both emerging and established artists. Past performers include Lana Del Rey, Anais Mitchell, Lucius, Mundy, Mick Flannery, and Susan O'Neill. This month's performance features Irish alt-country artist, Podge Lane. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Urban Ballads by New Yorkers

Comedy Club | Standup Show


Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Comedy Clubs, May 14, 2026, 05/14/2026, Standup Show
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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