free things to do in New York City
Free events for Monday, 05/18/26
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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 18, 2026?

14 free events take place on Monday, May 18 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 18 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 Monday, May 18, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, 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 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup

Classical Music | Choral Pieces by J.S. Bach & More in a Beautiful Cathedral


Marywood University Chamber Singers. Program: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Komm, Jesu, Komm Levente Gyöngyösi (1975-) Te Lucis Ante Terminum Paweł Łukaszewski (1968-) Crucem tuam, adoramus Ivo Antognini (1963-) Canticum Novum Owain Park (1993-) Phos Hilaron Jan Hellberg Go Down, Moses Moses Hogan (1957-2003) We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace Carol Barnett (1949-) My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:45 pm
Free
Concerts, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Choral Pieces by J.S. Bach & More in a Beautiful Cathedral

Party | Community Plant Trade-Off


Meet other plant enthusiasts for a free plant swap. Share tips, advice, and plants in this community event Tips for success: Please bring only pest-free plants. If your plants are in containers, please be sure they are in containers that you are ready to give away or exchange. Rooted cuttings may be brought in a sealed plastic bag wrapped in a moist paper towel.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Partys, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Community Plant Trade-Off

Jazz | Celebrate Louis Armstrong's Legacy with American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble


The American Symphony Orchestra performs a musician-curated program of Louis Armstrong music, curated by longtime American Symphony Orchestra member Louis Bruno. The ASO Jazz Ensemble honors Louis Armstrong by performing a selection of his lesser-recorded works, including "Cool Cart Blues," "Don't Forget to Mess Around," "Hear Me Talkin' to Ya," "If We Never Meet Again," and "New Orleans Stomp." Featuring Alphonso Horne (trumpet), Zoe Obadia (saxophone and clarinet), Ron Wilkins (trombone and vocals), Steve Benson (guitar), Louis Bruno (bass), and Kory Grossman (drums).
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Celebrate Louis Armstrong's Legacy with American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble

Staged Reading | Harry Houdini and the Great Beyond: Historical Drama


At this event, playwright Donald Olson debuts a new full-length play, based on real-life events and characters, in which Houdini hires a young private investigator to help him root out fake mediums and spiritualists who have come to haunt America following the end of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. The investigator encounters a world of deceit and trickery whose characters play upon those who are grief-stricken. When Houdini and the investigator set their sights on the most infamous medium of the era, they both face life-threatening consequences. Written by Donald Olson. Harry Houdini and the Great Beyond is a compelling, original play about the interplay between magic, illusion, power, and the mystery of love. Many of Olson’s plays have had their first run at the NAC, before going on to national tours
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Staged Readings, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Harry Houdini and the Great Beyond: Historical&nbsp;Drama

Classical Music | Haitian Flag Day Celebration with String Chamber Music


Celebrate Haitian Flag Day with an inspiring program of string chamber music honoring Haitian history, culture, and resilience. This performance highlights works by Haitian and Haitian-American composers, blending folk traditions with classical forms to tell stories of identity, migration, and collective strength.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Haitian Flag Day Celebration with String Chamber Music

Dance Performance | Poetry-Inspired Contemporary Dance Program


Experience contemporary dance as you've never seen it before through a performance with the Feledi Dance Group from Hungary! This unique performance, entitled Splinters, was inspired by the poetry volume of the same title by János Pilinszky.  Director-choreographer: János Feledi Dancers: Korina Spala, Brigitta Tóth, János Feledi Actor: Zsolt Trill / National Theatre Piano: Mariann Tóth
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Dance Performances, May 18, 2026, 05/18/2026, Poetry-Inspired Contemporary Dance Program
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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