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free things to do in New York City
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!
33 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Tuesday, April 28, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Workshop | Learn & Practice the Chinese Martial Art of Tai Chi in a Park
Practice this traditional system of health and self-defense, derived from the philosphy of Taoism. Tai Chi was designed to develop the optimum degree of harmony between body and mind, as well as between the individual and the natural order of the universe. Classes are led by teachers and students who train nearby at CK Chu Tai Chi under the direction of Master Hyland Harris. Classes are rain or shine. All levels are welcome, and no equipment is necessary.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Cardio & Strength Workout (All Levels Welcome)
Instructor Natalie Hahn leads ae 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!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Open Studios | Systems Measurement and Sound: Sculpture, Drawing, and Conceptual Practice
This exhibition brings together works by various artists, exploring systems of measurement, control, and structure across sculpture and drawing. Referencing mathematical forms, spatial frameworks, and musical composition, the exhibition examines how personal and social systems shape perception and experience. A complementary sound program highlights each artist’s engagement with auditory elements, extending the exhibition’s focus on performance and sensory interaction.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Discussion | Collective Power: Art & Climate in Conversation
Join artists for an intimate salon exploring vision, resilience, and community action through creative practice. Engage in discussions on current climate-focused works, participate in an audience Q&A, and reflect on the connections among art, environmental justice, and the future we can shape together.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, reservation required...
free, reservation required...
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Violin Performance
Carol Lieberman--multi-faceted violinist, chamber musician, concerto soloist, concertmistress, recording artist, educator, and lecturer--imparts her skills and techniques for masterful violin playing.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:20 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Piano in the Park: Ragtime with Protege of Eubie Blake
Come on down and swing along to the best ragtime, stride, and jazz the Big Apple has to offer. At this performance, Terry Waldo plays lively music. "Mr. Waldo is worth the price of a ticket." - The New York Times Ragtime expert & stride pianist, Terry Waldo is the protege of the late Eubie Blake. He has produced over 40 albums and written the definitive book on ragtime, This Is Ragtime. His 26-part radio series with the same title, produced for National Public Radio, fueled the 1970's ragtime revival. He may currently be heard on his new podcast, This Is Ragtime.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | They Live (1988): Sci-Fi Action Horror Flick from John Carpenter
Rowdy Roddy Piper stumbles on a cabal of elite invaders infiltrating our government. Though many say it's a documentary, this excellent bad movie is based on the 1963 short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning." Director: John Carpenter Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster John Carpenter is a filmmaker, composer, and actor. Most commonly associated with horror, action, and science fiction films of the 1970s and 1980s, he is generally recognized as a master of the horror genre. At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, the French Directors' Guild gave him the Golden Coach Award and lauded him as "a creative genius of raw, fantastic, and spectacular emotions". In 2025, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | Cello Works by François Servais
Historian and musicologist Peter François leads a performance by Juilliard musicians, exploring the life and works of composer and cellist François Servais.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | Anaconda (2025): Action-Adventure Comedy Horror Film with Paul Rudd & Jack Black
A group of friends are going through a mid-life crisis. They decide to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter unexpected events when they enter the jungle. Director: Tom Gormican Cast: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello Paul Rudd is an actor, included on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2019 and named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2021. The accolades he has received include a Critics' Choice Television Award, alongside nominations for a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Jack Black is an actor, comedian, and musician. He has played leading roles in family and comedy films, in addition to his voice work in animated features. His accolades include an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and nominations for two Critics' Choice Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. In 2018, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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3:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Create a Junk Journal
Put your personal ephemera to use in our junk journaling workshop! Got old magazines, ticket stubs, or random paper bits you can't throw away? Participate in a hands-on, low-pressure creative session combining collage, writing, painting, and journaling. Layer textures, images, and words to create something totally unique by upcycling the would-be junk of your life into a book! All materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own personal ephemera (photos, letters, wrapping paper, receipts, etc.) or anything you'd like to repurpose!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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3:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Emmy-Winning Artist/Illustrator/Animator Leads Lesson on Character Design & Digital Illustration
In this workshop, Dario Bolivar (Emmy Award-winning digital artist, illustrator, and animator) will explore key fundamentals of character design, such as gesture, proportion, silhouette, and visual personality. The group will discuss the creative process of character creation using a variety of techniques. This workshop demonstrates how traditional drawing can be easily integrated into digital workflows. Ideal for beginners and creatives interested in character design and digital illustration.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Film | The Man Who Wasn't There (2001): Neo-Noir Crime Film from the Cohen Brothers, with Star-Studded Cast
A barber blackmails his wife's boss to get the money to invest in a dry cleaning business, but his plan goes terribly wrong. Director: Joel Coen Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, Richard Jenkins, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Polito, Tony Shalhoub, James Gandolfini Joel and Ethan Coen (often referred to as the "Coen Brothers") are a filmmaking duo known for their subversive movies. Together, they've been nominated for 13 Academy Awards, plus one individual nomination for each, sharing wins for Best Original Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. They won the Palme d'Or for Barton Fink at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:45 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Party | Make New Friends Playing Board Games Outdoors
Organizers bring a wider selection of board games to the Games Cart at this event, with games like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Catan, King of Tokyo and more. Not sure what to play? The Games Hosts can help you find the perfect game and match up players!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Book Discussion | Art Historian/Curator Celebrates Her New Book, Lunch on a Beam (+ Signing)
Experience a conversation with author, art historian, curator, photographer, and consultant Christine Roussel to celebrate her new book, Lunch on a Beam, a portrait of the photographers, workers, community, city, and history of one of the most famous American photographs. The conversation will be followed by a signing.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Classical Music | Cantata-Style Ensemble Works
Alice Teyssier presents a new cantata-style work inspired by the life and legend of La Maupin, the late-17th-century queer opera singer and swordswoman renowned for her rapturous voice and fabled adventures. Joined by a small ensemble, Teyssier embodies La Maupin at the end of her life, conjuring the arias La Maupin might have sung, the duels she may have fought, and her fearless displays of passion.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Book Discussion | Expert Breaks Down Peter Hitchcock's New Book, Seriality and Social Change
This event features a discussion with Jonathan Gray (Associate Professor of English at John Jay College-CUNY) on Peter Hitchcock's new book, Seriality and Social Change, which explores how it structures both knowledge and social change. Through a sweeping analysis that links literature and political economy, Hitchcock explores how serialized narratives frame, sustain, or even hinder movements for change. Does seriality mirror the mechanics of capitalism, or can it be a tool for subverting them? Engaging with this question across genres and forms, Seriality and Social Change invites readers to rethink how revolution is told and imagined over time.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Painting with Words: Writing Class
Writers and artists gather to read and discuss their writing in a supportive, relaxed and nurturing environment. Leading the group will be Harold Slazer, founder of the creative writing and acting programs at Middle Collegiate Church, as well as a playwright, screenwriter, poet, and NYFA City Artist Corps grant recipient. Carol Wierzbicki, the editor of Sunday, Middle's literary magazine, will help you fine-tune your work.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Classical Music | Piano Works by Morton Feldman (In Person AND Online!)
Pianist Steve Long presents an evening of music by Morton Feldman, in celebration of the composer's centennial. "Morton Feldman was an American composer. A major figure in 20th-century classical music, Feldman was an important exponent of indeterminacy in music, a development associated with the experimental New York School of composers also including John Cage, Christian Wolff, and Earle Brown." Wikipedia
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Party | Play Bridge in a Stress-Free Environment
The card game of Bridge requires four people to play: two teams of two people. Join the group with your bridge partner, or you will be matched with someone to play as a pair. If you would like to learn how to play bridge, organizers can offer some instruction, and you can observe others.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | Priya Parmar Shares Her New Novel, The Original
Novelist and playwright Priya Parmar will be in conversation with author Christina Baker-Kline about her new novel, The Original. Synopsis: When young Katharine Hepburn loses her beloved brother, she makes two decisions: She will become famous, and she will never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving home at twenty-one to pursue a career on Broadway, Kate is talent-spotted, screen-tested, and lured to Los Angeles, accompanied by her lover, Laura. Hollywood in the early 1930s is a town full of secrets. Everyone comes with a story. When Kate arrives in California to launch her film career, she leaves behind her East Coast marriage and icy patrician family to live and love on her own terms. Soon, she is scooped into the studio system and launched as a star—but stars must play by the rules and Kate, brilliant, bisexual, and strong-willed, refuses to conform.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Total-Body Cardio & Strength Training
Enjoy a 45-minute total-body class that blends cardio and strength training to help you feel strong — all while fitting into real life. This class can be done entirely with bodyweight (no equipment needed). Light weights, bands, or other equipment are optional for those who want an extra challenge. Modifications are always offered, making this class great for all fitness levels. Organizers recommend that you bring a towel, water bottle, and yoga mat.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Staged Reading | Hieroglyphic Graffiti: Modern Hip-Hop Retelling of Egyptian Mythology by Chadwick Boseman (+ Discussion)
Attend an evening in honor of actor and educator Chadwick Boseman (1976 - 2020), featuring a historic reading of his play, Hieroglyphic Graffiti. Blending classical mythology with contemporary culture, Hieroglyphic Graffiti is described as a modern hip-hop retelling of the ancient Osirian Resurrection myth. Boseman's creative brilliance reimagines ancient Egyptian mythological figures within a modern-day Washington, D.C. setting. Director: NSangou Njikam The program will be followed by a conversation highlighting Boseman's artistic vision and impact, with director NSangou Njikam, actress and producer Susan Kelechi Watson, Boseman's Howard University professor and mentor, Sybil Roberts Williams, Schomburg Junior Scholars instructor and sculptor, M. Scott Johnson, and others who knew Chadwick intimately.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | DJ & Music Journalist Shares Half a Century of Music Experiences
Respected A&R executive, DJ, and music journalist Joe McEwen celebrates his debut writing collection, Tastykakes, Soul Songs and Shining Stars. He'll discuss the book - a labor of love, half a century in the making - in conversation with Steve Greenberg (S-Curve Records founder, Grammy-winning record producer). Within this new book's pages, McEwen gathers a lifetime's worth of encounters, essays, and reveries into one radiant collection, a love letter to rhythm-and-blues and soul music. It bursts with vivid, compelling, up-front and personal profiles (predominantly written by McEwen while working as a music journalist in the 1970s) with a host of indelible figures: Pops and Mavis Staples, George Clinton, Allen Toussaint, Betty Wright, Michael Jackson, Gamble and Huff, Don Covay, and many more.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Concert | Electroacoustic Evening of Experimental Sound Art
An immersive evening of experimental sound art led by Austrian violinist, vocalist, and composer Mia Zabelka, whose radically open practice operates at the intersection of improvisation, composition, performance, and electroacoustic sound art. For this special tour date, Zabelka is joined by the U.S.-based experimental sound art duo Elka Bong (Al Margolis and Walter Wright), whose deep listening–based approach complements and expands her gestural, embodied sonic language.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | Critically Acclaimed Author Launches Her New Book, Dreamt I Found You
Author Jimin Han (The Apology) shares her third book, Dreamt I Found You, in conversation with Kathleen Kim. This book is a contemporary retelling of Korea’s Romeo & Juliet, as the cousin of the star-crossed lovers helps them avoid a tragic fate. For fans of Hello Beautiful, Dreamt I Found You is a tender retelling of Korea's most classic love story, steeped in the travails of a rigid class system, the power of premonition, and shot through with Korean folklore and magic.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Jazz | Reinterpretation of Italian Singer-Songwriter Pino Daniele's Influential Music
Experience a musical project paying tribute to Pino Daniele (1955-2015), one of Italy's most visionary and influential singer-songwriters. Inspired by this milestone, the project reinterprets Daniele's music through a modern jazz lens, celebrating his pioneering spirit of inclusivity and cultural fusion. Daniele's artistry blended Neapolitan song with blues, jazz, and world music, merging languages and traditions in a way that made his sound uniquely global. Led by Nicola Corso, who will also perform on bass, this project reimagines Daniele's repertoire through new orchestrations that reveal the depth of his harmonic and rhythmic imagination while honoring the warmth of his original songs. Rather than imitating Daniele's sound, it deliberately avoids the use of guitar--his signature instrument--and features a female vocalist, offering a renewed and contemporary perspective. The selection focuses not only on his most beloved works but also on lesser-known and underrated gems, inviting audiences to rediscover Daniele's music with fresh ears. With Chiara Izzi, vocals, Austin Ford, trumpet, Nick Biello, alto sax, Johnathan Lowery, tenor sax, David Gibson, trombone, Adam Birnbaum, piano, Nicola Corso, bass, and Marcello Cardillo, drums.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Classical Music | Percussion Ensemble Works by Pioneering Composers
This concert, performed by Mannes Percussion Ensemble, is a celebration of the pioneering composers of the percussion ensemble genre, who created a new, greatly expanded world of possibilities for performers and writers. Program: Henry Cowell (1897-1965) Ostinato Pianissimo Henry Cowell (1897-1965) Pulse John Cage (1912-1992) Third Construction Lou Harrison (1917-2003) In Praise of Johnny Appleseed Mauricio Kagel (1931-2008) Rrrrrrr…
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Classical Music | Wind Symphony Works by Emerging Composers
NYU Wind Symphony. Program: John Swillinger Bottom Line Pius Cheung Princess Chang Ping Emmanuel Sejourne Concerto for Marimba and Wind Orchestra Brandon Johnson Dynamite
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:00 pm
free, tickets required
free, tickets required
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Classical Music | J.S. Bach and Beethoven by Prominent Orchestra
Regular Price: $30CFT Member Price: $0.00
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