free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 05/23/26
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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 23, 2026?

14 free events take place on Saturday, May 23 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 23 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 Saturday, May 23, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Workshop | Get in Shape: Dance Fitness Class for All Ages


Colorful outfits encouraged at this creative workout that fuses dance and aerobics! 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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11:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Get in Shape: Dance Fitness Class for All Ages

Museums | Jewish History: Centuries of Art


As one of the largest collections of art in Jewish culture globally, the venue features an extensive array of historical Jewish artifacts as well as modern and contemporary art.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Jewish History: Centuries of Art

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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11:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Party | Play New Games & Make New Friends


Play your favorite contemporary board games! Featured games include but are not limited to Chameleon, Wavelength, Avalon, Parade, Splendor, Century Spice Road, Mountain Goats, No Thanks, Codenames, Werewords, Spyfall, Azul, Letter Jam, Dixit, In Kahootz, and Captain Sonar. A new game will be selected each week.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Partys, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Play New Games & Make New Friends

Film | Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Romantic Comedy-Drama with Bradley Cooper & Jennifer Lawrence


After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious woman with problems of her own. Director: David O. Russell Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Anupam Kher, Chris Tucker Bradley Cooper is an actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and three Grammy Awards. In addition, he has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. Cooper appeared on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list three times and on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015. His films have grossed $13 billion worldwide, and he has been placed in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actors four times. Jennifer Lawrence is an American actress. She is known for starring in both action film franchises and independent dramas, and her films have grossed over $6 billion worldwide. The world's highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016, she appeared in Time's 100 most influential people in the world list in 2013 and the Forbes Celebrity 100 list from 2013 to 2016.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Films, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Romantic Comedy-Drama with Bradley Cooper & Jennifer Lawrence

Jazz | Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)


This jam session is open to all musicians. Come and play or just listen to some jazzy tunes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Tour | Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More


Join these guided tours every Friday and Saturday at 2 PM to explore a museum's history, special collections, and landmarked spaces. Led by educators, the tours last 45-60 minutes and provide an engaging introduction to the artworks and archives on view.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Tours, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Lincoln Center-Featured Musicians Perform Contemporary Works for Violin & Piano


Miranda Cuckson, violin, and Matt Mitchell, piano. Program: Rene Hirschfeld (1965-) Tanz des Nöck for solo violin Matt Mitchell (1975-) soft dioramas, committal Canela Palacios (1979-) Bison bison for violin and piano Steven Mackey (1956-) Repeated Notes for solo violin Anthony Davis (1951-) Violin Sonata
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Music on the Water: Lincoln Center-Featured Musicians Perform Contemporary Works for Violin & Piano

Party | Roller Rink Party with Live DJ


Get ready to roll into the excitement at an outdoor skate circle. With live DJs spinning the tunes, is as much fun to watch as it is to join! Whether you're a seasoned skater or just starting out, bring your own skates and get ready to groove with roller dancing. All skill levels are welcome. This is a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for all ages. Children under 14 must wear helmets for safety.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:45 pm
Free
Partys, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Roller Rink Party with Live DJ

Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)


Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)

Opera | Handel’s Tolomeo Reimagined as a One-Hour Baroque Opera Distillation


Watch a condensed version of works by George Frideric Handel for voices and ensemble in this site-specific adaptation of Baroque opera. This one-hour reimagining of Handel’s Tolomeo (1728) compresses the original opera into a sequence of arias centered on love, jealousy, betrayal, and exile. The production emphasizes emotional intensity and narrative clarity while retaining the ornamental vocal language of Baroque style. Performed across multiple outdoor and indoor sites in New York City, the work reframes early 18th-century opera as a mobile, accessible performance form in contemporary public space.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Handel&rsquo;s Tolomeo Reimagined as a One-Hour Baroque Opera Distillation

Dancing | Club-Inspired Electrifying Operatic Exploration of Identity & Genre


Drawing from the rich history of the New York queer club scene, the Downtown dance legend DJ Lina Bradford collides worlds with internationally acclaimed operatic countertenors Kangmin Justin Kim and Anthony Roth Costanzo for Diva Factory, an electrifying exploration of identity and genre, with direction by Teddy Bergman (KPOP on Broadway). One part concert, one part ritual, and entirely a dance party, Diva Factory dismantles the boundaries of genre and brings the exalted voices of opera and American house music directly to the people's dance floor. Embracing both the electric pulse of the clubs and the heights of the ivory tower, DJ Lina creates an unforgettable fusion of house music and opera. Come out and sing and dance! Ages 13+. There are two ways to access this event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Dancings, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Club-Inspired Electrifying Operatic Exploration of Identity & Genre

Dance Lesson | Salsa Saturdays with Beginner Latin Dance Class and DJ Gagou


DJ Gagou performs a high-energy set of salsa, merengue, and bachata for a weekly social dance night at Chelsea Baila Social Club. The evening begins with a beginner-friendly Latin dance lesson at 8 pm, followed by an open social dance floor featuring Latin rhythms designed for all experience levels. No prior dance experience is required, participants are invited to join, learn, and dance throughout the night.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Dance Lessons, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Salsa Saturdays with Beginner Latin Dance Class and DJ Gagou

Play | Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet: Broadway & Film Actors in a Timeless Tale of Starcrossed Lovers


Never was there a story of more woe, or more romance, than the Bard’s timeless tale of two young lovers from warring families. As the Montagues and Capulets are torn apart by ideology and simmering violence spills into the streets of the border town of Verona, Romeo and Juliet dare to defy a world determined to keep them apart. In this bold new staging, the play unfolds in English, but Romeo and Juliet speak to one another in Spanish, a language reserved only for their shared world. Don’t miss this thrilling new production, essential viewing for lovers of Shakespeare, theater, and the enduring power of love itself. Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Saheem Ali Cast: Ra'Mya Latiah Aikens, Sergio Mauritz Ang (TV: Crutch, Law & Order: SVU), Daniel Bravo Hernández (Broadway: Romeo + Juliet), Reece dos Santos, Caleb Joshua Eberhardt (Broadway: An Enemy of the People, Choir Boy), Glenn Fleshler (Broadway: Good Night, and Good Luck, Death of a Salesman, Arcadia, Guys and Dolls, Spring Awakening; Film: Joker, A Most Violent Year; TV: Billions, Barry, True Detective, Boardwalk Empire), Francis Jue (Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and Obie Awards for Yellow Face)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Plays, May 23, 2026, 05/23/2026, Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet: Broadway & Film Actors in a Timeless Tale of Starcrossed Lovers
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Concert | Motown Hits Performed A Cappella

Regular Price: $30
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | 5-Star, One-of-a-Kind High-Energy Show!

Regular Price: $69
CFT Member Price: $0.00