free things to do in New York City
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Are you looking for literary events like book readings, book signings, poetry readings? Then you came to the right place. Start using these unique New York City opportunities today!
Are you looking for literary events like book readings, book signings, poetry readings? Then you came to the right place. Start using these unique New York City opportunities today!
Join the Club!
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!
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!
26 free poetry readings, book signings, author readings in New York City (NYC) Tue, 11/18/2025 - and on...
Not a day goes by in New York City (NYC) without a free poetry reading or a book signing or a book reading by a famous or not yet famous author. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!
Poetry Reading | Indigenous Poem Readings for Native American Heritage Month
Mingle with fellow poetry enthusiasts as attendees unpack the layered meanings of poetry through an informal group discussion. This session's readings are selected from Poetry Magazine, Academy of American Poets, and Poetry Foundation. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, this event will feature poems by Native, Indigenous, and First Nations poets that orbit varied experiences of belonging, identity, and colonial legacies. Please note that contemporary poetry deals frankly with contemporary issues and all works discussed are artistic expressions selected for an adult audience.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
2:30 pm
Free
2:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Expert Shares Her New Book about Russian Politics, Caring Like a State
Hear from sociology and political science scholar Inna Leykin on her new book, Caring Like a State: The Politics of Russia's Demographic Crisis. Caring Like a State analyzes the professional world of demographers, non-state actors, and the subjective experiences of ordinary Russian citizens to explore how their reciprocal relations have shaped the dominant understanding of population issues and their remedies.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Poets Share Their Interpretations of "Multi-Genre" Works
Enjoy a conversation with poets Fatimah Asghar and Mahogany L. Browne about writing across genre and performance as a discipline. Moderated by Camonghne Felix.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Learn about the New Russ & Daughters Cookbook with the Authors
Enjoy a conversation with 4th generation Russ & Daughters co-owners Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ about their book Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing with fellow writer Joshua David Stein. From the legendary New York destination for Jewish appetizing comes a beautiful and inspiring cookbook that encompasses history, tradition, and absolutely delicious food.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Book Launch: Lyla Lee Shares Her New YA Book, The Cuffing Game
Enjoy a conversation between authors Lyla Lee (I'll Be the One, Flip the Script) and Amélie Wen Zhao (The Scorpion and the Night Blossom) for the launch of Lee's new book, The Cuffing Game. This book is a fun YA K-drama remix of Pride and Prejudice—if Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett were a college-run reality TV dating show. Attendees can also pre-order a signed copy of the book at the link provided.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Film Critic Shares Her New Book, Scream with Me
Enjoy a reading and discussion by professor and film critic Eleanor Johnson on her newest book, Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism. Scream with Me is compelling, intelligent, and timely exploration of the horror genre from one of Columbia University’s most popular professors, shedding light on how classic horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Shining expose and critique issues of reproductive control, domestic violence, and patriarchal oppression. Scream with Me weaves these iconic films into the fabric of American feminism, revealing that true horror often lies not in the supernatural, but in the familiar confines of the home, exposing the deep-seated fears and realities of women’s lives.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 18
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Reading | Book Launch: Liberation Stories (with Special Guests)
Enjoy the book launch and celebration for Liberation Stories: Building Narrative Power for 21st Century Social Movements, with special guests Shanelle Matthews, Deva Woodly, Trevor Smith, and more. As right-wing movements attack Americans' books, bodies, and democracy, the power of narrative has never been more critical. Liberation Stories is a vital new resource, bringing together today's foremost progressive communicators, organizers, and artists to share how e can build the world we one - one story at a time.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Nov 20
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Award-Winning New Yorker Writer Shares Her Poetry & Short Stories
Fiction and poetry writer Andrew Cohen will share some of her works, including her forthcoming poetry collection, Sugar, which will be released early next year. Andrea Cohen's poems and stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Threepenny Review, The New York Review of Books, etc. Her other books include The Sorrow Apartments, Everything, Nightshade, Unfathoming, and several more titles. Cohen's awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, Glimmer Train's Short Fiction Award, and several fellowships at MacDowell. Over the years, she has taught at The University of Iowa, Emerson College, UMASS-Boston, Boston University, The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and Merrimack College, where she was the founding director of the Writers' House. She directs the Blacksmith House Poetry Series in Cambridge, MA, and teaches at Boston University.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Nov 20
7:30 pm
Free
7:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Writers in English and Spanish Share Their Works (with Translation) + Book Signing
NYU’s Creative Writing MFA programs in English and Spanish host a joint event featuring students and alums reading their work in any genre (in the language(s) chosen by the author*), alongside a headlining author. Tonight's headliner is poet and novelist John Manuel Arias (Where There Was Fire). The reading will be followed by a reception/signing, with books for sale. *In the case of the texts not in English, a translation by a partner will also be read.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Nov 20
7:30 pm
Free
7:30 pm
Free
Open Mic | Poetry, Music, and Comedy Showcase (Online!)
Join a weekly online showcase featuring poems, songs, and comedy. Performers can sign up for a 4-minute spot by reserving one of 20 Artist-RSVP tickets, available starting Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET. If all spots are filled, performers may join the “good-luck round” at the end of the session. Audience members are welcome to watch live via Zoom.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Nov 20
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Open Mic | Hear from Emerging Writers or Perform Your Own Work
Hear original work by local, emerging writers of all genres, or share some of your own pieces! All performers welcome! Hosted by novelist Ed Lin. Sign ups start from 7:30PM. 5-minute time slots.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Nov 21
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Open Mic | Afternoon of Showcasing Creativity: Artists, Poets, Musicians, & More
Enjoy an afternoon of creativity and talent as local artists, poets, musicians, and performers and more take the stage. Whether you want to showcase your own skills or simply enjoy the show, this is the place to be. Let your voice be heard and your talent shine in a welcoming and supportive environment. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow creatives and entertain a friendly audience. See you there! This event will include an open call for performers on a first come, first serve basis as time permits. Participants can share their original work in a time to be announced based off total amount of performers. Space and seating is limited; show up on time!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Nov 22
1:30 pm
Free
1:30 pm
Free
Open Mic | An Evening of Prose, Poetry & Performance in the East Village
Writers and word lovers gather for this open literary salon, where each month features a new theme. Share or listen to original works of prose, poetry, memoir, or song in a supportive, creative space. Performers have five minutes to present, and all are welcome to attend. Please visit the website for more information on performing your work.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Nov 25
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Open Mic | Poetry, Music, and Comedy Showcase (Online!)
Join a weekly online showcase featuring poems, songs, and comedy. Performers can sign up for a 4-minute spot by reserving one of 20 Artist-RSVP tickets, available starting Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET. If all spots are filled, performers may join the “good-luck round” at the end of the session. Audience members are welcome to watch live via Zoom.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Nov 27
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Final Friday Slam Competition (Online!)
Join poets from across the Nuyorican community for a high-energy online slam hosted by Paul con Queso and Matthew Marroquín. Competing poets include winners of recent Bowery Slams and specially curated performers, plus one lucky audience member drawn from a live lottery spot. The winner takes home $100 and advances to the annual Grand Slam.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Nov 28
9:30 pm
Free
9:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Public Scholar Shares His New Book on Climate Change, The Weather Report
Acclaimed public scholar Andrew Ross discusses his new book, The Weather Report: A Journey Through Unsettled Climates, which features groundbreaking reporting on climate change and the horizons of a just future from Palestine, UAE, Arizona, and China. In his travels during 2023-2024, Ross criss-crossed the world, visiting Ramallah (Palestine), Dubai (UAE), Phoenix (USA), and Shanghai (China)—some of the landscapes most disturbed by human activity, whether through active warfare or massive development projects. But rather than offering another eco-polemic or recalling for us the dread prognostications of Malthus in the 19th century or Ehrlich in the 20th, The Weather Report is a clear-eyed and essentially optimistic book that proposes a pragmatic, just, and urgent new common ground reestablishing scalable projects of mutual aid and care as a new, essential center for our economic, ecological, and social well-being.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Dec 2
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Reading | Launch Party & Anniversary Celebration: The Fashion Studies Journal
Experience a launch of the new issue of the Fashion Studies Journal and a celebration of the program's 15-year anniversary. The Fashion Studies Journal started as a student publication within the MA Fashion Studies to then grow into an incisive independent voice in the growing field of Fashion Studies. Current students of the MA Fashion Studies program have edited a special anniversary edition of the journal called Reflections. The evening will start with an introduction by editor in chief and co-founder of the Fashion Studies Journal, Laura Snelgrove. Refreshments will be served.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Dec 3
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Book Signing | Holiday Book Fair (with Authors Including Jennifer Egan)
Experience a holiday fête with our favorite authors signing the gift books of the season. Meet a dazzling set of artists, designers, and writers, bring home signed editions to collect and give, enjoy Prosecco and Italian sweets, and toast a new year as a quintessential New York bookstore. Authors present include: Jeffrey Banks, Nate Berkus,Jennifer Egan, Kim Hastreiter, Dasha Tolstikon, Larry Warsh, and many more! Shop the Holiday Fair and receive a raffle ticket with every purchase for a chance to win a one-year Fiction or Nonfiction subscription! Book purchase required to enter signing line.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Dec 3
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Celebrate the Release of "A Suspenseful Page-Turner," Canticle
"A suspenseful page-turner that is also rigorously researched and utterly convincing—a true gem of historical fiction.”—Bruce Holsinger Janet Rich Edwards celebrates and discusses her new book, Canticle: a masterful debut novel following a spirited young woman’s explorations of faith, agency, and love in thirteenth-century Bruges. Janet will be joined in conversation by Kate Manning (My Notorious Life, Whitegirl, and Gilded Mountain). Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Janet will also sign copies of her book. Books will be available for purchase at the event. The cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards your purchase. The talk will be followed by a book signing. Books signed must be purchased from the bookstore.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Dec 4
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Author Reading | National Book Critics Circle Award-Winner George Dyer Shares His Nonfiction Writing (+ Signing)
A reading by Geoff Dyer in conversation with Hari Kunzru, followed by a reception/signing, with books for sale. Geoff Dyer is the award-winning author of many books, including Homework, The Last Days of Roger Federer, Out of Sheer Rage, Yoga for People Who Can’t Be Bothered to Do It, Zona, See/Saw, and the essay collection Otherwise Known as the Human Condition (winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism). Hari Kunzru is the author of seven novels, Blue Ruin, Red Pill, White Tears, Gods Without Men, My Revolutions, Transmission, and The Impressionist. He is a regular contributor to The New York Review of Books and writes the “Easy Chair” column for Harper’s Magazine. He is an Honorary Fellow of Wadham College Oxford, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and has been a Cullman Fellow at the New York Public Library, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a Fellow of the American Academy in Berlin. He teaches in the Creative Writing Program at New York University and is the host of the podcast Into the Zone.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Dec 4
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author & Crafter Discusses Her New Book, With Her Hands, & Make Holiday Ornaments
"A sweeping investigation of the role of textile work in women’s lives... women’s history." -Kirkus Reviews Celebrate Nicole Nehrig's new book, With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories, and make felt ornaments to gift a loved one or to hang on your own tree-- led by the author herself! Nicole Nehrig is a clinical and research psychologist and a passionate knitter and textile crafter living in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology. The talk will be followed by a book signing. Books signed at the bookstore events must be purchased from this bookstore. Tickets include craft supplies. Books will be available for purchase at the event. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards your purchase.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sun, Dec 14
1:30 pm
$5, tickets required
1:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Reading | New Books by Theatre Artsists with Discussion (In Person AND Online!)
Celebrate new publications by theatre artists Karen Malpede and Penny Arcade: Malpede's Last Radiance and 4 by Malpede plus an Intervention, as well as Arcade's Bad Reputation. The evening will feature readings from both of Malpede's books, and a reading from Arcade's book with filmmaker Steve Zehentner. Followed by a panel with the authors and Marvin Carlson, moderated by Frank Hentschker.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Dec 15
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Holiday Poetry Discussion
Attend with fellow poetry enthusiasts to unpack the layered meanings of poetry through an informal group discussion. This December, celebrate the season with heartwarming poems about gathering, holidays, and community. Please note that contemporary poetry deals frankly with contemporary issues and all works discussed are artistic expressions selected for an adult audience.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Dec 16
2:30 pm
Free
2:30 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Local Poets Take the Stage
Live poetry curated by local poet and playwright Galinsky, with "Five Minute Features" from a dozen poets of all styles.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Dec 18
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Poetry Open Mic: Share Your Work or Listen to Emerging Writers
Participants can share their original work for up to five minutes. Space is limited to 15 readers; show up on time to get a slot!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Dec 19
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Open Mic | Share Your Poetry & Listen to Others
Sign ups start from 7:30PM. 5-minute time slots. All performers welcome! Hosted by Ed Lin
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Dec 19
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
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