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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!
23 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, March 21, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Workshop | Central Park Running Session (All Levels Welcome)
If you prefer not to run alone or are looking to improve your running performance, you can run with a club! Open to runners of all levels. Weekly changed routes through the park. Coaches, training, running company and inspiration!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Park Walk | Spanish-English Bilingual Park Exploration
Latino Outdoors and BPCA naturalists lead this Spanish-English exploration of the park. Celebrate longer days and warm sunshine as we search for signs of spring in the city. Nos vemos afuera!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Spring Revival: Volunteer Community Garden Cutback
Volunteer with a horticulture crew to clear last season’s debris, tidy beds, and prep the gardens for new growth. No experience needed, just bring weather‑ready clothing. Tools and guidance are provided, and you’ll connect with fellow New Yorkers while helping the park bloom for spring.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, reservation required...
free, reservation required...
Workshop | Cultivating Creative Roots: Financial Guidance for Artists
These artist-focused workshops offer practical tools for managing banking, cash flow, credit, and debt. Afterwards, participants receive hands-on assistance with tax forms, budgets, loan applications, and other financial documents. Open to the entire artist community; bring your papers and leave with a better understanding of your finances.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, RSVP required...
free, RSVP required...
Museums | Jewish History: Centuries of Art
As one of the largest collections of art in Jewish culture globally, the venue features an extensive array of historical Jewish artifacts as well as modern and contemporary art.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, reservation required
free, reservation required
Talk | Maple Harvest: Native Food & Spring Traditions
Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year, Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple sap and make maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Origami 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 iopen 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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11:30 am
free, registration required
free, registration required
Gallery Talk | Indigenous Stories Reflected in Glass Works
Experience the luminous dialogue between tradition and contemporary expression in Native Visions Reimagined in Glass. Artists employ glass as a medium to weave Indigenous narratives, designs, and current social themes into radiant works that shimmer with cultural resonance. Hear from artists using glass to express Indigenous stories, designs, and contemporary issues.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Learn Chess Skills (All Ages)
Make your move at this chess event featuring strategy, fun, and friendly competition for players of all ages and skill levels. Explore the game through a chess skills workshop. Grab a friend or co-worker and play the game on our giant indoor chess board underneath the palm trees. Whether you’re making your first move or mastering your endgame, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Master Class | Explore the Ins & Outs of Great Piano Performance
Master class with Brazilian pianist and advocate for Latin-American piano music, Alessandra Feris.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:15 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Film | Ready or Not (2019): Horror-Comedy Film
Grace couldn't be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family's luxurious estate. There's just one catch -- she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons. As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives. Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Cast: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, Elyse Levesque
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | Anchorman (2004): Satirical Comedy Film with Star-Studded Cast
A self-absorbed TV newsman in 1970s San Diego learns that the station is teaming him with - gasp! - a woman. A personal battle of the sexes ensues as the male news team attempts to derail the ambitious newcomer's career. Director: Adam McKay Cast: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Willard
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | The Devil Is a Woman (1935): Old Hollywood Romantic Drama with Marlene Dietrich
A young man is warned by a captain about a temptress, nonetheless, he finds himself falling in love with her. Director: Josef von Sternberg Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Lionel Atwill, Cesar Romero Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer whose career spanned nearly seven decades. In 1920s Berlin, she performed on the stage and in silent films. Her performance as Lola Lola in Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel (1930) brought her international acclaim and a contract with Paramount Pictures. Dietrich starred in many Hollywood films. Throughout World War II, she was a high-profile entertainer in the United States. Although she delivered notable performances in several post-war films, she spent most of the 1950s to the 1970s touring the world as a marquee live-show performer.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Author Reading | Ada Calhoun Shares Her New, Time-Featured Novel, Crush (+ Discussion + Q&A)
Author Ada Calhoun discusses her new novel and forey into fiction, Crush, which was highlighted by Time in their 100 Must-Read Books of 2025. Ada Calhoun’s debut novel mines the literary canon and the heart of middle age and turns up fresh wisdom about the danger and liberation of chasing desire, illuminating new ways to embrace freedom, ambition, and partnership. Ada will give a short reading from the book, discuss it and her other works, and answer some questions.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, 1 drink...
free, 1 drink...
Tour | Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More
Join these guided tours every Friday and Saturday at 2 PM to explore a museum's history, special collections, and landmarked spaces. Led by educators, the tours last 45-60 minutes and provide an engaging introduction to the artworks and archives on view.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, RSVP required...
free, RSVP required...
Performance | Original 10-Minute Plays
The Hudson Classical Theater Company hosts an afternoon of original ten-minute plays! Writers-A-Go-Go highlights the work of local contemporary playwrights, directed and performed by Hudson Classical company members. Stay after the show for light refreshments and conversation with the playwrights.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, donations welcome,...
free, donations welcome,...
Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)
Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:00 pm
Free, donations are...
Free, donations are...
Opening Reception | Skin, Wrapping, and the Visible vs. Hidden
An exhibition exploring themes of skin, encasement, and wrapping, examining the tension between what is shown and what is hidden. Curated by artists, the show features wrapped, veiled, and bound elements that give form to the duality of above and below. The exhibition was built as a visual journey driven by the tactile and visceral nature of the pieces, with works that complement or contrast to build tension and continuity.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Author Reading | Thought-Provoking Evening of Spoken Word, Poetry, & New Works by Emerging Writers
Since 2022, Brooklyn's own Mahogany L. Browne--a prolific writer and avid advocate for public art who has held the role of Lincoln Center's inaugural Poet-in-Residence--hosts a thought-provoking evening of spoken word, spirited conversation, poetry, and presentations of new work, presenting major poets and emerging voices on the New York literary scene. Featured artists to be announced soon!. Browne has written works of fiction, stage plays, and critical essays, edited six anthologies, and authored another half-dozen poetry collections. 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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, fast-track option...
free, fast-track option...
Classical Music | Piano Works by Janacek, Scriabin, Brahms, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Fangzhou Ye, piano. Program: Leos Janacek (1854-1928) 1. X. 1905 Leos Janacek (1854-1928) On an Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17, Book 1: IX In Tears Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951) Forgotten Melodies II, Op. 39: No. 5, Sonata tragica Leos Janacek (1854-1928) On an Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17, Book 1: VII. Good Night Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 53 Johann Brahms (1833-1897) 7 Fantasien, Op.116
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | Violin Works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Bright Johnston, violin. Program: Jessie Montgomery (1981-) Rhapsody No. 1 for Solo Violin Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Souvenir d'un Lieu Cher, Op. 42 Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Comedy Club | Standup Show
Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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9:00 pm
free, reservation required...
free, reservation required...
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | J.S. Bach and Beethoven by Prominent Orchestra
Regular Price: $30CFT Member Price: $0.00
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