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free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 10/01/20
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

New York is full of wonderful things to do beyond the must see and must do New York attractions such as the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum, Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. There are many more places to visit and places to see if you visit New York for more than several days, or if you live here!  

Go off the beaten path and find hidden treasures which cost you nothing, but are extremelly enjoyable and much less crowded then famous tourist spots.

Experience New York with no lines and no hassle.  Our site tells you all about free tours, free concerts, free movies, free theater performances, free lessons (tai chi, yoga, drawing, dancing, foreign languages, ets), etc you can take advantage of whether you live in the city or spend just a couple of days here.
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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!

Best Free Events, Best Free Things to Do in New York City, NYC

We all know that best things in life are free, but nowhere it's true more than in New York (NYC).  Free shows, free concerts, free movies, free tours, free poetry readings, free lessons of any kind: yoga, tai chi, tango, dancing, drawing, photography,  and much much more happen all over the city every day of the year. Take a look at those free events that our editors think are the best things to do to in New York City at this point -- October 1, 2020 and on...   Please keep in mind that all those best things to do are free unless otherwise noted. 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Concert | Hear Ancient Armenian Woodwind Instrument from "Game of Thrones": Duduk (virtual)
Duduk player Arsen Petrosyan shares his passion for this ancient Armenian woodwind instrument, related to the oboe. Its mystical sound sets an otherworldly tone in film and TV soundtracks including "Gladiator" and "Game of Thrones".    New York City, NY; NYC

Thu, Oct 1
12:00 pm
Free

Concerts, October 01, 2020, 10/01/2020, Hear Ancient Armenian Woodwind Instrument from "Game of Thrones": Duduk (virtual)
Dance Performance | City-Wide Dance: Performances at Parks, Streets, Rooftops (in-person)
NYC professional dancers will take to the parks, windows, streets, and rooftops city-wide to dance, focusing public attention on an industry that remains largely on pause due to COVID. See the dance map at the link below.    New York City, NY; NYC

Thu, Oct 1
5:00 pm
to 5:30 pm
Free

Dance Performances, October 01, 2020, 10/01/2020, City-Wide Dance: Performances at Parks, Streets, Rooftops (in-person)

Friday, October 2, 2020

Other | Photography Festival: 60 Outdoor Exhibitions City-Wide until Nov 29th (in-person)
This 9th annual photography festival presents 60 outdoors exhibitions across 5 boroughs of NYC, free and accessible to view 24/7. Talks, workshops, and community events will take place online. See the locations of the exhibits and online events schedule at the link below.    New York City, NY; NYC

Fri, Oct 2
12:05 am
to 11:55 pm
Free

Others, October 02, 2020, 10/02/2020, Photography Festival: 60 Outdoor Exhibitions City-Wide until Nov 29th (in-person)
Opera | Met Opera: Mozart's Don Giovanni (virtual)
Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role of the world's most notorious lover leads a starry lineup of refined Mozartians in Michael Grandage's elegant 2011 production. Luca Pisaroni sings Leporello, Giovanni's servant who both admires and hates his master. Marina Rebeka as Donna Anna, Barbara Frittoli as Donna Elvira, and Mojca Erdmann as Zerlina are the trio of women seduced by Giovanni. Ramon Vargas plays Don Ottavio, Anna's fiance, and Joshua Bloom as Masetto and Stefan Kocan as the Commendatore round you the cast. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the orchestra and plays harpsichord continuo.    New York City, NY; NYC

Fri, Oct 2
7:30 pm
Free

Concerts, October 02, 2020, 10/02/2020, Met Opera: Mozart's Don Giovanni (virtual)

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Other | The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden is Now Open!
The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden is one of two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens built in the United States. It is based on Ming Dynasty gardens (1368-1644 AD). All of its architectural components were fabricated in Suzhou, China, including roof and floor tiles, columns and beams, doors and windows, bridges and paving materials. The garden features magnificent rocks resembling mountains that inspired the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist monks, as well as other scholars. Visitors can explore eight pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls, a Koi-filled pond, Chinese calligraphy, and a variety of Ghongshi scholar's rocks including a 15-foot formation that towers over the central courtyard. More details at https://snug-harbor.org/botanical-garden/new-york-chinese-scholars-garden/    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Oct 3
10:00 am
to 4:00 pm
$5

Others, October 03, 2020, 10/03/2020, The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden is Now Open!
Performance | "Little Bites" of Theater in a Park (in-person)
New Yorkers are able to enjoy 'perfect little bites' of live theater, performed by masked and socially distanced actors in this park. The actors, alone or paired, will be performing both classical monologues and new works. Pieces run between 60 and 90 seconds each, and passers-by are invited to stop and watch one piece or many. They will run continuously between 1 and 4 pm.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Oct 3
1:00 pm
to 4:00 pm
Free

Performances, October 03, 2020, 10/03/2020, "Little Bites" of Theater in a Park (in-person)
Dance Performance | City-Wide Dance: Performances at Parks, Streets, Rooftops (in-person)
NYC professional dancers will take to the parks, windows, streets, and rooftops city-wide to dance, focusing public attention on an industry that remains largely on pause due to COVID. See the dance map at the link below.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Oct 3
5:00 pm
to 5:30 pm
Free

Dance Performances, October 03, 2020, 10/03/2020, City-Wide Dance: Performances at Parks, Streets, Rooftops (in-person)
Opera | Met Opera: Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro (virtual)
The Met assembled a vocal dream team for Jonathan Miller's stylish production of the eternal Mozart masterpiece: Renee Fleming as the Countess, Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna, and Bryn Terfel as Figaro. With James Levine--one of the world's great conductors of Mozart--in the pit, Bartoli interpolating two rarely heard alternate arias, and Dwayne Croft as the Count and Susanne Mentzer as Cherubino, this is a performance for the record books.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Oct 3
7:30 pm
Free

Concerts, October 03, 2020, 10/03/2020, Met Opera: Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro (virtual)

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Museums | Visit Historic 1885 Ship, NYC History Exhibition, and More (in-person)
Wavertree is a historic iron-hulled sailing ship built in 1885, now the largest wrought iron sailing vessel afloat. Guests will visit the open-air portions of the ship. Gaze up at the towering masts and miles of rigging and down into the vast cargo storage area. Take a peek at the galley and at the crew's quarters, a bunk room where twenty sailors tried to stay warm and dry in the worst weather. Climb up onto the quarterdeck and pose for a photo at the ship's wheel, and enjoy the view as you look out across New York Harbor and see the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights. Bowne & Co. will also host printing demonstrations using a variety of presses from the 19th century. Items printed throughout the day will be given away as tangible reminders of the experience. In addition, there will be a exhibition of historic photographs, prints, lithographs, and paintings. Face covering is required.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sun, Oct 4
11:00 am
to 5:00 pm
Free

Museumss, October 04, 2020, 10/04/2020, Visit Historic 1885 Ship, NYC History Exhibition, and More (in-person)
Discussion | Oscar-Winning Visual Effects Artist (Doctor Who, The Old Guard) in Conversation (virtual)
Oscar winner Sara Bennett is a British visual effects artist best known for her work on Harry Potter film series, Doctor Who, Merlin, The Martian, The Old Guard and more.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sun, Oct 4
6:00 pm
Free

Discussions, October 04, 2020, 10/04/2020, Oscar-Winning Visual Effects Artist (Doctor Who, The Old Guard) in Conversation (virtual)

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Park Walk | Central Park Tour (virtual)
Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States. Enjoy its sweeping views and stunning vistas, sublime natural wonders and thriving wildlife during the tour. You will see some of the flowers and trees currently in bloom and learn the park's history. The tour takes place each Wed at 12:30 pm. Every tour takes place in a different part of the park.    New York City, NY; NYC

Wed, Oct 7
12:30 pm
Free

Park Walks, October 07, 2020, 10/07/2020, Central Park Tour (virtual)
Classical Music | St Luke's Chamber Ensemble Performs J.S. Bach and Brahms (live-streamed, virtual)
St Luke's Chamber Ensemble; Jeremy Denk, piano; David Hyde Pierce, host. Program Bach Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F minor Brahms Piano Quintet About the Performers Jeremy Denk is one of America's foremost pianists. In recent seasons he has appeared with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Cleveland Orchestra, as well as on tour with Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms. Orchestra of St. Luke's grew out of a chamber ensemble that gathered in the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village in 1974. Now St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble consists of 22 virtuoso artists with a diverse repertoire spanning Baroque to contemporary. The ensemble forms the artistic core of the Orchestra of St. Luke's, one of America's leading ensembles.    New York City, NY; NYC

Wed, Oct 7
6:30 pm
Pay what you...

Concerts, October 07, 2020, 10/07/2020, St Luke's Chamber Ensemble Performs J.S. Bach and Brahms (live-streamed, virtual)

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Workshop | Pilates Day in a Park (in-person)
Celebrate Pilates Day with a special class taught by renowned instructor Lolita San Miguel, former principal dancer at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Please wear a face covering and bring a mat.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Oct 10
9:30 am
Free

Workshops, October 10, 2020, 10/10/2020, Pilates Day in a Park (in-person)

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Park Walk | Foraging Tour: Juneberries, Savory Gingko Nuts, Mushrooms and More (in-person)
Thanks to its varied habitats and combination of native and introduced species, this world-famous park overflows with wild food, and October is a great time to look for them. Fruits and berries such as red juneberries will be ripe now. You'll encounter the deep taproots of burdock which are really highly nutritious and tasty. This is also the best time to gather wild nuts. You'll learn how to harvest and prepare rich-tasting black walnuts and savory gingko nuts. There will also be plenty of leafy herbs and greens. We'll be looking for winter cress, epazote, sheep sorrel, chickweed, lamb's-quarters, wood sorrel, epazote, curly dock, bitter dock, field garlic, garlic mustard, and poor-man's-pepper. The tour will last for about 4 hours. Please wear a mask and observe social distancing.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sun, Oct 11
11:45 am
$20 suggested donation,...

Park Walks, October 11, 2020, 10/11/2020, Foraging Tour: Juneberries, Savory Gingko Nuts, Mushrooms and More (in-person)

Monday, October 12, 2020

Staged Reading | American Moor: A tour-de-force play, "Deep-from-the-heart spellbinder" - Boston Globe (virtual)
Keith Hamilton Cobb's American Moor is the award-winning, tour-de-force play that takes audiences behind-the-scenes and into the audition room as an African-American actor responds to the demands of a white director presuming to better understand Shakespeare's iconic black character, Othello.    New York City, NY; NYC

Mon, Oct 12
7:30 pm
Free

Staged Readings, October 12, 2020, 10/12/2020, American Moor: A tour-de-force play, "Deep-from-the-heart spellbinder" - Boston Globe (virtual)

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Staged Reading | Caryl Churchill’s Far Away: "A punchy dystopian drama" (virtual)
Confronting our deepest fears, Churchill’s extraordinary play depicts a chilling world where everyone is at war, and not even the birds in the trees or the river below can be trusted. Directed by Cheryl Faraone With Nesba Crenshaw, Caitlin Duffy, Ro Boddie, Lilah May Pfeiffer    New York City, NY; NYC

Thu, Oct 15
7:30 pm
Free

Staged Readings, October 15, 2020, 10/15/2020, Caryl Churchill&rsquo;s Far Away: "A punchy dystopian drama" (virtual)

Monday, October 19, 2020

Reading | Reading Lorraine Hansberry, Broadway Playwright and "a literary genius": Plays, Journals, Letters (virtual)
Lorraine Hansberry was 'a literary genius, political revolutionary and a spiritual radical' (Dr. Cornel West). She was the first African American woman to have a play on Broadway, A Raisin in the Sun, and was the youngest person to ever win the NY Drama Critics Award. She died in 1965 of cancer at the age of 34, leaving a legacy of work that continues to need to be urgently shared. This event features Lang College alumni and current students reading selections of Hansberry's plays, journals, letters and from critical accounts of her remarkable work.    New York City, NY; NYC

Mon, Oct 19
6:00 pm
Free

Readings, October 19, 2020, 10/19/2020, Reading Lorraine Hansberry, Broadway Playwright and "a literary genius": Plays, Journals, Letters (virtual)

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Other | Photography Festival: 60 Outdoor Exhibitions City-Wide until Nov 29th (in-person)
This 9th annual photography festival presents 60 outdoors exhibitions across 5 boroughs of NYC, free and accessible to view 24/7. Talks, workshops, and community events will take place online. See the locations of the exhibits and online events schedule at the link below.    New York City, NY; NYC

Sat, Nov 14
12:05 am
to 11:55 pm
Free

Others, November 14, 2020, 11/14/2020, Photography Festival: 60 Outdoor Exhibitions City-Wide until Nov 29th (in-person)
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