free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 06/19/26
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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 June 19, 2026?

35 free events take place on Friday, June 19 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 June 19 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 June . 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!

35 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, June 19, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Chekhov's Uncle Vanya: Realist Family Drama in the Park
More Editor's Picks for 06/19/26
        

Workshop | Tai Chi (Outdoors)


Improve balance, strength, and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the harbor provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Workshops, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Tai Chi (Outdoors)

Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum


Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum examines the significant influence of posters on society and culture, and how they are adapted for modern use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it offers a space for inquiry for anyone interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the goal of enhancing design literacy among the general public. Works explore: mass communication and persuasion the intersection of art and commerce control of the public domain
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum

Museums | Asian Art and Culture Museum


The museum features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional and contemporary pieces from various Asian cultures. They typically have guided tours at 2 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Asian Art and Culture Museum

Festival | Food Festival with Local Vendors


New York City's favorite outdoor food market, Smorgasburg, is back. Enjoy a variety of eats and treats from local vendors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Festivals, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Food Festival with Local Vendors

Festival | Honor Juneteenth in the Park: History, Ponyriding, & Dancing


Celebrate Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, with the Federation of Black Cowboys as they share history, horsemanship, and riding. Enjoy a dance workshop on hip hop and soul line dancing with Go Hard Dancers. Must be 3 years old or older for pony ride.
   New York City, NY; NYC
11:30 am
Free
Festivals, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Honor Juneteenth in the Park: History, Ponyriding, & Dancing

Workshop | Juneteenth Reflective Sound Bath Session on the Roof


Tara Aura will lead participants in a sound bath and reflection session.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Workshops, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Reflective Sound Bath Session on the Roof

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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12:00 pm
Free
Workshops, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome

Lecture | Mycology Expert Explores NYC Wildlife


Guest speaker Wilton Rao (a naturalist and mycology expert with the New York Mycological Society), provides a new perspective on the surprisingly abundant living things all around you. New York City is wilder than you might think. Thousands of species of birds, mammals, insects, plants, fungi, and more are surviving, and thriving, in every part of our city.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Lectures, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Mycology Expert Explores NYC Wildlife

Workshop | Juneteenth Somatic Commemoration Session on the Roof


This somatic workshop with Tara Aura encourages us to commemorate our ancestors and move through the ways trauma, memory, and joy live in the body.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Workshops, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Somatic Commemoration Session on the Roof

Jazz | Piano in the Park: "Smashing" Bebop Musician


Come on down and swing along to the best straight-ahead jazz the Big Apple has to offer. “[Marc] Devine is right in that pocket. Simply just smashing stuff that's a tonic for recidivist ears that want to hear it old school, played perfectly.” - Midwest Jazz Record A swingin’ pianist rooted in the bebop tradition, Marc Devine has become a mainstay of the New York jazz scene, performing regularly with his own bands and as a sideman working with musicians such as Fukushi Tainaka, Hide Tanaka, Bill Crow, Jackie Williams, Jerry Weldon and many others. Devine recently released recordings of his NYC trios, Inspiration, which climbed to number 34 on the JazzWeek radio charts.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Concerts, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Piano in the Park: "Smashing"&nbsp;Bebop Musician

Performance | Broadway Performers Celebrate Juneteenth with Music, Dance, & Spoken Word in Historic Black Space


This Juneteenth, celebrate with Broadway’s DeWitt Fleming, Jr., and an intergenerational community of performers in a historic space. Interpretive music, dance, and spoken word will transport you to a historic Black neighborhood, where Black New Yorkers built their own homes, churches, and a school. The performance will explore how Andrew Williams’s 1825 land purchase evolved into a thriving community. You're invited to engage with the unique history of this space—deepening the collective awareness of this significant 19th-century free Black community while bridging past and present. Directed by Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Ben Harney, the performance was written and conceived by DeWitt Fleming, Jr. and co-produced by DeW It Right Productions, with original works by Markeisha Ensley, Mikumari Caiyhe, and Mercedes White.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Performances, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Broadway Performers Celebrate Juneteenth with Music, Dance, & Spoken Word in Historic Black Space

Tour | Discover the History of Penn Station's Architecture


Guides lead a walking tours focusing on iconic buildings in the area, focusing on Penn Station's design and history.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Tours, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Discover the History of Penn Station's Architecture

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, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Museums | Juneteenth Curator-Led Museum Discussions


Museum curators lead a series of in-gallery discussions illuminating the role of the artist in building a freer world.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Curator-Led Museum Discussions

Talk | Juneteenth Discussion on Adocacy for Incarcerated People


Facilitated by Releasing Aging People in Prisons (RAPP) Associate Director TeAna Taylor, this intergenerational and participatory conversation aims to deepen our understanding of advocacy for system-impacted elders, and how incarceration reverberates across generations.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Talks, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Discussion on Adocacy for Incarcerated People

Workshop | Play Chess & Socialize


Sharpen your mind, meet new people, and enjoy this timeless game. Chess sets and timers are provided. Adults only.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Workshops, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Play Chess & Socialize

Discussion | Panel Discussion on Creativity & Empowering the Youth


This panel discussion highlights the work of Artistic Noise, a Harlem-based organization centering creative and therapeutic support for system-impacted youth. This panel is moderated by Access and Community Programs Manager at the Studio Museum in Harlem, Madison Smith. Madison Smith will be in conversation with Artistic Noise Alumna Samantha Cortez, Briana Evans, and Joseph Goodwin.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Discussions, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Panel Discussion on Creativity & Empowering the Youth

Concert | Juneteenth Music Celebration in the Park


Experience this annual Juneteenth celebration of Black freedom and creativity. The program includes siblings Infinity Song and Victory Boyd, sharing a stage and a sound rooted in the same household. Annie and the Caldwells, a Mississippi family band led by matriarch Ms. Annie Caldwell, completes a bill where family is not just a theme. It is the lineup. Please note: RSVPing helps you stay up-to-date on show info, but does not guarantee entry. Entry is first come first served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Music Celebration in the Park

Museums | American History and Artifact Collections


Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. Last admission is at 7 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, American History and Artifact Collections

Museums | Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum


This museum is an assemblage of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints inside a historic building. Registration opens 7 days in advance & does sell out.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum

Museums | Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum


Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more! Throughout the night, there will be a few "15-minute tours," highlighting different parts of the collection.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum

Party | Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)


Curious about a board game or looking to try something new? The Games Hosts will be teaching how to play a wide range of fun board games. Many come to play the social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Partys, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)

Museums | Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum


This special, all-ages evening celebrates the art and the city. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, and see a film in the theaters. Museum stores and cafe will be open, too, so you can grab a bite, get drinks, or shop for unique design objects. Free for New York State residents but must be reserved in advance (up to two adults), and are subject to availability and proof of residency. Tickets are released one week in advance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Museumss, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum

Dancing | Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery (+ Live Music)


The world-renowned Limon Company Dancers teach the energetic and ease-filled Limon Technique, accompanied by live music. Limon Technique is used in contemporary dance, focusing on the rhythms of falling and recovering balance and the importance of good breathing to maintaining flow in a dance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Dancings, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery (+ Live Music)

Concert | Honoring Juneteenth through Hip-Hop & More with Artist Warner Meadows


Harlem-based musician Warner Meadows and special guests offer a soaring musical dedication to ancestors old and new.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Honoring Juneteenth through Hip-Hop & More with Artist Warner Meadows

Play | Uncle Vanya Under the Stars: Chekhov's Tragicomedy of Longing and Regret


Be part of the audience for Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, in Geoffrey Horne's translation, at a free, open-air theatrical production. Marking the company's 10th season, the performance unfolds as a darkly comic exploration of longing, frustration, and unrealized lives, staged in an immersive outdoor setting that emphasizes intimacy, atmosphere, and live presence.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Plays, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Uncle Vanya Under the Stars: Chekhov's Tragicomedy of Longing and Regret

Play | Chekhov's Uncle Vanya: Realist Family Drama in the Park


Life for Vanya, his mother, and Sonya, his niece, is disrupted when Sonya's father, Professor Serebryakov, and his beautiful young wife, Yelena, return to the estate. Deep feelings and passions begin to surface, which only become more intense with the arrival of the handsome Dr. Astrov. Written by Anton Chekhov. Directed by Joseph Hamel. Cushions will be provided to sit on the stairs of the monument. There is very limited room if you bring your own chair. Please arrive no later than 6:20pm. There will be no late seating.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free
Plays, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Chekhov's Uncle Vanya: Realist Family Drama in the Park

Play | Shakespeare in the Park: Love, Disguise, and Comedy in As You Like It


Enjoy a lively, 90-minute production of As You Like It, Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, performed outdoors as part of a free citywide tour. This family-friendly staging brings the story of Rosalind, Orlando, and a cast of eccentric characters to life with humor, music, and heart. Blending themes of love, identity, and community, the production transforms public spaces into the magical Forest of Arden, inviting audiences to imagine new ways to be together.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Plays, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Shakespeare in the Park: Love, Disguise, and Comedy in As You Like It

Performance | Oh Sankofa: Multidisciplinary Juneteenth Tribute to African-American Folklore


The celebration is a powerful multidisciplinary performance written, directed, and curated by Carl Hancock Rux. Through music, choral performance, dance, and storytelling, Oh Sankofa pays tribute to the use of African-American folklore as a vital means of survival during the trauma of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The work features actor/comedian Phyllis Yvonne Stickney; performers Vinson Fraley and Chanon Judson; blues jazz guitarist Marvin Sewell; the Etienne Lashley Choir; Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theater; and contemporary art garments and installation by Dianne Smith. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free
Performances, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Oh Sankofa: Multidisciplinary Juneteenth Tribute to African-American Folklore

Classical Music | Juneteenth Celebration With Chamber Music and Freedom Songs


A Juneteenth celebration through chamber music, featuring works by Jessie Montgomery and H. Leslie Adams that reflect themes of freedom, reflection, and resilience. The program combines string orchestra with vocal and percussion elements, creating a rich and expressive musical experience. Program Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981) Starburst H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932) Night Songs (arr. Dominic Waddles), performed with baritone soloist Phillip Bullock Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981) Five Freedom Songs, performed with soprano soloist Olanna Goudeau and percussion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Juneteenth Celebration With Chamber Music and Freedom Songs

Play | Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Live in the Park


The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, directed by Stephen Burdman, is presented outdoors in a free, open-air production. The play examines the fragile balance between loyalty and ambition as a group of senators conspires to prevent a feared tyranny, only to unleash unrest and instability. As alliances fracture and public tensions rise, Shakespeare's exploration of power, persuasion, and responsibility unfolds with striking contemporary relevance. Note: The audience moves and follows the actors 5-6 times during the performance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Plays, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Live in the Park

Dance Performance | Movement as an Evolving Language within Black Culture


Witness a New York premiere by Brooklyn-born, Basel-based choreographer Jeremy Nedd. The work serves as a study on transformation and communal joy, reclaiming the viral Milly Rock dance move as an evolving language within Black culture. Five performers—including Jeremy Nedd, Brandy Butler, Zen Jefferson, Nasheeka Nedsreal, and Jeremy Guyton—search for the hidden poetry and virtuosic freedom found in social and viral dance moves. Pre-show talk at 6:15 pm Audio Description available.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required
Dance Performances, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Movement as an Evolving Language within Black Culture

Performance | Variety Show with Microplays, Live Music, Comedy, & More


This new multidisciplinary performance is created by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Bessie Award-winning Artistic Director Niegel Smith. The show centers SLP and her 8-piece band, The Joyful Noise, in an evening-length variety show featuring microplays, musical interludes, original songs with powerful lyrics, special musical guests, comical bits, and raw in-the-moment reflections that invite the audiences to join in an evolving ritual of artistic and personal renewal. This is a sip-your-drinks, make-new-friends, dance-in-the-aisles kind of evening that traffics in big sounds and bold ideas, making for a joyous event. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free
Performances, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Variety Show with Microplays, Live Music, Comedy, & More

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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8:00 pm
Free
Open Mics, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Hear from Emerging Writers or Perform Your Own Work

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


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, June 19, 2026, 06/19/2026, Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet: Broadway & Film Actors in a Timeless Tale of Starcrossed Lovers (Open Caption)
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Performance | "Epic" True Story with Broadway Actor

Regular Price: $69
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | A Choral Journey of Light and Hope at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $65
CFT Member Price: $0.00