41 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, December 15, 2017
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
This is a 3-hour tour that begins with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, an icon of New York City for ...
more >> over 125 years, with spectacular views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The tour then moves on to a stroll of Brooklyn Heights, America’s and New York City’s first suburb. The tour then explores the neighborhood DUMBO before ending at the Fulton Ferry landing.
The 3-hour walking and subway tour covers the Financial District including Wall Street and the World ...
more >> Trade Center, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. These are neighborhoods that simply can’t be fully appreciated from a bus. There will be one or two opportunities to sample tasty treats.
This hourlong class includes a gentle hatha/vinyasa flow with a focus on breathwork and meditation to ...
more >> assist practitioners in going deeper into the body and mind. This inquiry will seek to create more flexibility and allow movement of energy to ultimately find more grounding and presence, in class and throughout the day.
9:30 am
free, no reservation required
Once described as the lungs of the city, Central Park brings a breath of fresh air to New York's crowded ...
more >> urban terrain. What started out as the rocky and desolate northern fringes of a rapidly expanding city is today among the world's most famous and beloved public parks. With over 843 acres of meadows, hills, ball fields and bodies of water, it's impossible not to find something to enjoy in Central Park.
Join a Manhattan Street Art Tour and experience the Lower East Side - SoHo, NoHo, Nolita and Little Italy. ...
more >> The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a playground for street artists, Soho is known to be one of NYC first permit Joint Live-Work Quarters for artists and the area received landmark designation in 1973. Noho and Nolita’s street art is either hidden in courtyards or on the more prominent street art facades. Learn about the history of the art of many famous and unknown artist.
Arguably the world's most valuable, busiest and most crowded pieces of real estate, Midtown Manhattan ...
more >> is what most visitors think of when they think of New York City. Home to some of the city's most iconic architecture, from Gothic to Post-Modern and from Beaux-Arts to Art Deco (lots of Art Deco). it's not difficult to understand why. But just behind the massive facades, lie facinating histories just waiting to be unveiled.
You've seen the iconic skyscrapers, attended a Broadway show, visited Lady Liberty and relaxed in Central ...
more >> Park. Looking for a little more of the Big Apple? Maybe it's time to visit some of Manhattan's oldest and most enchanting historic districts. Take a relaxing stroll through SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown.
Are you a Bridge buff? Put your game face on and show off your best plays. Join the fun and meet new ...
more >> friends. All players welcome.
10:00 am
free, no reservation required
From solitary eggs and toast to memorable late night hangs to infinite movie cameos, New York City Diners ...
more >> are an essential, albeit fading, component of NYC culture and attitude. This tour charts the rise of the "everything restaurant," celebrates its heyday in the second part of the 20th century, and examines the current state of the diner amidst the ever-changing economic conditions and everyday priorities of the city and its residents.
12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Stars: Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom Bastounes. A woman leaves an abusive relationship to begin ...
more >> a new life in a new city, where she forms an unlikely and ironic relationship with a suicidal hitman (unbeknownst to her). Enter a worn, alcoholic detective to form the third party in a very unusual triangle as this story begins to unfold. 110 min.
12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
The keyboard works of Bach offered in 30-minute meditations. Bach at Noon concerts takes place Tuesdays ...
more >> through Fridays, from September 12, 2017 to May 23, 2018.
12:20 pm
free, no reservation required
Sneak an hour of creative writing into your school or work day, and re-engage with art. These one-hour ...
more >> workshops that lead participants in creating new writing prompted by art in galleries and sites on campus. The workshops use literature as a lens into artworks, and artworks as a lens back into writing. The goal of these power hours is to connect (or reconnect) participants to the art that surrounds them, and to their own unique writing voice.
Discover architecture and social history of Grand Central neighborhood; learn secrets of Whispering Gallery ...
more >> in Grand Central Terminal; gaze upon hubcaps and roadsters on side of Chrysler Building; discover favorite Midtown Manhattan hangout of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva; learn why Pershing Square isn’t really square; visit original Lincoln Memorial by Daniel Chester French. Award-winning tour led by urban explorer, historian, and storyteller Justin Ferate. This tour takes place every Friday.
12:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Stars: Clive Owen, Maria Bello, Jaeden Lieberher. A divorced father and his eight-year-old son are about ...
more >> to spend a somewhat predictable weekend together, nevertheless, when a valuable toolbox gets stolen, the search for the thieves will soon turn into a true family bonding. 101 min.
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Learn about central banking functions that Federal Reserve System performs and see Bank's vault of international ...
more >> monetary gold on bedrock of Manhattan Island, five stories below street level. Learn why Federal Reserve has "Federal" in its name, while it's a private bank, not Federal at all. Tour times: 1:00pm, 2:00pm. This tour takes place Mondays through Fridays, except bank holidays.
Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor, Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Jacobs, James Baldwin, Jack Kerouac, Dave Attell, Patti ...
more >> Smith, Joan Baez, and Truman Capote are just a few of the thousands of accomplished artists, writers, radicals, and performers who made their way through Greenwich Village. This tour, primarily focusing on the 1950s onward, visits the hangouts that have defined legendary people and the spirit of this iconic neighborhood.
New York City is a mecca for graffiti and street art, making it a very attractive playground for artists ...
more >> from around the world. Bushwick, in a working class district on the north side of Brooklyn adjacent to Williamsburg, has been attracting artists for some time now. The neighborhood has a fair collection of art studios and galleries, but it’s Bushwick’s industrial landscape that’s attracting the street artist. If you came looking for 1960′s Greenwich Village, you’ll find something brewing in Bushwick.
See the side of New York City that you have come to know and love through your favorite holiday movies. ...
more >> Visit some of the most iconic spots from favorite films such as Elf, Home Alone 2, Serendipity, Scrooged and Miracle on 34th Street. In addition to film sites, you will get to experience some of the beautiful holiday decorations and displays as you walk through the city.
Precocious seven-year-old Elsa and her feisty grandmother have been inseparable her whole life, bonding ...
more >> over stories set in the fairy-tale-influenced Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas. Yet, it's when Granny passes away that the true adventures begin. Full of heart, hope, forgiveness, and the embracing of differences, Elsa's story is one that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page. Written by Fredrik Backman.
2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Greenwich Village is among Manhattan's most desirable and expensive residential neighborhoods. It's history, ...
more >> however, betrays it's monied status. The Village, with it's quiet, shaded streets, lined with lovely brick and brownstone townhouses, was once the incubating ground of artistic, social and political movements that have helped shape US history. From the Beats to the Folk Movement, from workers rights to gay rights, the Village has often been the center of it all.
Although world famous, Harlem may be New York's best kept secret with some of the city's best architecture, ...
more >> food, music and people. Harlem's history is also one of the city's most dramatic, having gone through many ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic changes over the past roughly 400 years, which have resulted in a diverse array of places of worship, theaters, homes and eating establishments.
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander. Ted Kramer's wife leaves her husband, allowing for ...
more >> a lost bond to be rediscovered between Ted and his son, Billy. But a heated custody battle ensues over the divorced couple's son, deepening the wounds left by the separation. 105 min.
2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Rockefeller Center is one of the most popular public spaces and tourist attractions in New York City. ...
more >> This depression-era commercial complex takes up over three full city blocks and is rich with history, public art, and art-deco architecture. Built by business mogul John D. Rockefeller Jr. with his own money, he instructed his team of designers and architects to build the most beautiful commercial complex of it’s kind in the world. That vision resulted in what is still one of NYC’s greatest treasures and gave rise to some of NYC’s favorite traditions including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the famous dance team the Rockettes and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel. Lady Susan Vernon takes up temporary residence ...
more >> at her in-laws' estate and, while there, is determined to be a matchmaker for her daughter Frederica -- and herself too, naturally. 90 min.
2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Victoria Chung, Oboe 4:00PM Daniel Giacobbe, Clarinet 4:00PM Bella Monet Markham, Viola 6:00PM Leo ...
more >> Simon, Percussion, and Ann Cho, Violin 6:00PM Lukas Stepp, Violin 8:00PM Chamber Music 8:00PM
4:00 pm
free, no reservation required
NYC-based vocal ensemble The Salvatones. This program features choral arrangements of Christmas favorites.
New York City, NY; NYC
4:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Writing faculty Susan Shapiro and luminaries from top online magazines and newspaper sections discuss ...
more >> the latest problems and trends in feature journalism and how to break in with your own writing. Featuring Lisa Bonos, Washington Post Solo-ish editor, James Dao, New York Times Op-ed editor, David Haglund Newyorker.com literary editor, Raakhee Mirchandani Dow Jones Moneyish editor-in-chief, Vera Papisova Teenvogue.com wellness editor, Jerry Portwood, Rollingstone.com editorial director, and Sade Strehlke, Time.com deputy editor.
6:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Editor's Pick
An aspiring director rampages against the art created by his mother’s generation. A young actress ...
more >> wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be. Aaron Posner's Stupid F*cking Bird is an irreverent, funny, contemporary remix of Chekhov’s The Seagull.
The Mobile Unit celebrates the 60th anniversary of its inaugural tour in 1957 which began with a production ...
more >> of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Joseph Papp.
Editor's Pick
When people think about holiday decorations in New York City, they usually think of the Rockefeller Center ...
more >> Christmas Tree and the lavish store window displays. But some of the best sights to be seen are actually in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Starting in the 1980’s, Christmas started getting bigger and brighter out in Brooklyn with each passing year. Expect to see massive, professionally- done light displays (some costing upwards of $20,000!). There is an unspoken competition among the home owners in the neighborhood, so some have added huge lawn ornaments and motorized displays, making for a lavish holiday spectacle. Dyker Heights has truly become a “must-see” for many people during the holidays.
It's time to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year as Midtown Manhattan lights up like no other ...
more >> place in the world. Mechanical window displays, synchronized light and sound shows, not to mention Santa Claus and toy soldiers surely await you in this winter wonderland. Check them all our on our New York Holiday Lights Tour. Experience the holidays in the city as only New York can offer. Take advantage of the subway to beat the street traffic, keep warm and catch some underground holiday music. Learn about the artists and backgrounds to these wonderful displays.
7:00 pm
$2 donation to...
NYUO1 performs selections from Candide, West Side Story, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, ...
more >> In the Heights, The Addams Family, The Color Purple, Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, and Kiss Me, Kate.
8:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Editor's Pick
The Art Mob, an uncommon a cappella chorus, wows audiences with an oddball mix of offbeat, witty, and ...
more >> occasionally heartrending music from bygone days. Now in its 37th year, the 15-member Mob specializes in Victorian parlor songs, Sacred Harp hymns, 1920s radio gospel, scary old children’s ditties, Tin Pan Alley numbers, English folk tunes, temperance anthems, jazz and doo-wop. The Fall 2017 concert delves into three of our favorite topics: drinking (or not); thinking (or not); and catchin’ fish (or not). Watch them weave these motifs into a coherent (or not) evening of harmony and fun. They open in ragtime and close in a rhumba. The performance concludes with a sing-along of favorite holiday carols. The Art Mob is: Brent Frederick (music director), Connie Beckley, Hannah Campbell, Gaynor Coté, Martin Donach, Frank Donno, Richard Haas, Lauren Hsu, Amanda Keating, Anne Kostick, Paul Martin Kovic, Emilia Mahaffey, Jaye Maynard, Dean Rainey, and Kirsten Skrinde.
8:00 pm
Donations requested
“The new gold standard for new music” - The New Yorker “Extraordinary” - New York Times The ...
more >> International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) is an artist collective committed to transforming the way music is created and experienced. They will perform Wojtek Blecharz's Music for Invisible Places.
8:00 pm
free, RSVP required
Program: SCHUMANN: Dichterliebe, op. 48 RONALD: Cycle of life TOSTI: Ideale, L'ultima canzone, Ancora ...
more >> Student Recital - Taiwon Kim, Tenor
8:00 pm
free, no reservation required
8:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Hosted by D'Ambrose Boyd with David Pearl at the piano. Where New York's finest professional and aspiring ...
more >> singers come to sing their favorites and hear their peers perform before an intimate audience.