free things to do in New York City
Free events for Tuesday, 05/19/26
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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 19, 2026?

16 free events take place on Tuesday, May 19 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 19 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!

16 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Tuesday, May 19, 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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, 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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, 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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Zumba Workout

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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Film | Volcano (1997): Disaster Film Starring Tommy Lee Jones


Follow an effort to divert the path of a dangerous lava flow through the streets of Los Angeles following the formation of a volcano at the La Brea Tar Pits. Director: Mick Jackson Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffmann, Don Cheadle, Jacqueline Kim, Keith David, John Corbett, Michael Rispoli, John Carroll Lynch Tommy Lee Jones is an American actor whose earned an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Films, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Volcano (1997): Disaster Film Starring Tommy Lee Jones

Film | Regretting You (2025): Romantic Drama


Centers on the strained relationship between young mother Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Clara, exacerbated by Morgan's husband Chris's tragic death, forcing them to navigate life's challenges together. Director: Josh Boone Cast: Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, Mason Thames
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Films, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Regretting You (2025): Romantic Drama

Book Club | Discuss Normal People by Sally Rooney


Enjoy a discussion on Sally Rooney's Normal People, a story of mutual fascination, friendship, and love. It takes the audience from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find that they can’t.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Book Clubs, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Discuss&nbsp;Normal People&nbsp;by Sally Rooney

Film | Once (2007): Romantic Musical Drama


A street musician meets an immigrant in Dublin, and together they record an album that tells their love story. Director: John Carney Cast: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Films, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Once (2007): Romantic Musical Drama

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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Celebrate Louis Armstrong's Legacy with American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble

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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Book Discussion | Photographer Shares His New Book, Birds of Mexico City (+ Signing)


Enjoy a conversation with photographer Pieter Henket to celebrate his new book, Birds of Mexico City, a collection of beautiful portraits of young people in Mexico City, interweaving themes of gender, sexuality, heritage, and self-expression. He will be in conversation with Justin Gaspar, followed by a signing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Photographer Shares His New Book,&nbsp;Birds of Mexico City&nbsp;(+ Signing)

Discussion | Artists Explore How They Created the Acclaimed Semmelweis Opera & Album


Hear the inside story of the opera and new album on the story of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. Composer Raymond J. Lustig, album co-producer Maximilien Hein, and stage director Martin Boross will present selections from the album. The internationally acclaimed choral opera Semmelweis, based on the story of one of medicine's greatest visionaries, was first unveiled in a 2017 concert performance at the NAC, launching a major production and tour in Europe. This April, the ethereal music of Semmelweis returns in a boldly re-conceived studio album on the Sono Luminus label, to be released on CD, vinyl, all streaming platforms, and in immersive atmos surround format. Composer Raymond J. Lustig, album co-producer Maximilien Hein, stage director Martin Boross, and other project artists will present selections from the album, and discuss its path to development, from original idea to the grand stage to the final masters, with Q&A to follow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Discussions, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Artists Explore How They Created the Acclaimed Semmelweis Opera & Album

Classical Music | BBC-Featured Piano Duo Performs Austrian & Czech Masterworks


Experience the expressive power of piano four hands as the Gugg Piano Duo - newly named to BBC Radio 3's prestigious New Generation Artists cohort for 2026-2028 - presents a richly colored program spanning Austrian and Czech masterworks to vibrant American modernism. At the center of the evening stands Schubert's monumental Grand Duo Sonata, a four-movement work whose symphonic breadth and luminous melodies push the piano beyond chamber music into orchestral territory. A contrasting turn follows with Dvorak's second Slavonic Dance, compact yet emotionally charged, moving from introspective E minor to a radiant E major. Smetana's The Moldau then unfolds in flowing lines and vivid imagery, tracing the famous river from its sources through the Czech landscape to Prague. The program concludes with John Corigliano's Gazebo Dances, a spirited suite inspired by the lightness and elegance of outdoor band concerts. Together, these works showcase the piano's extraordinary range of color, texture, intimacy, and grandeur. Program: Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Grand Duo Sonata Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) Second Slavonic Dance Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) The Moldau John Corigliano (1938-) Gazebo Dances
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free
Concerts, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, BBC-Featured Piano Duo Performs Austrian & Czech Masterworks

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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, 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 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Origami Group Meet-Up

Reading | Hedda: A Contemporary Reimagining of Power and Identity


Franky D. Gonzalez, a finalist in its New Visions play development program, presents his new play, Hedda. Inspired by Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler and set in a contemporary Dallas suburb, the play follows the unraveling of a carefully constructed life as past relationships resurface. Through tensions around race, ambition, gender, and institutional power, the work offers a sharp exploration of respectability and its personal costs.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Readings, May 19, 2026, 05/19/2026, Hedda: A Contemporary Reimagining of Power and Identity
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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