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Free events for Friday, 05/26/23
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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 May 26, 2023?

28 free events take place on Friday, May 26 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 May 26 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 May . 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!

28 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, May 26, 2023

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc The Age of Innocence (1993) Directed by Martin Scorcese, Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder
free events nyc New York Philharmonic Performs Prokofiev and More (LIVESTREAM: at an in-door public place)
free events nyc Jazz Saxophonist Who's Played with Wycliffe Gordon and the Mingus Band
More Editor's Picks for 05/26/23
        

Tour | 13 Tours, All City Neighborhoods, Any Time Of The Day, Choose One Tour Or Many


These free tours take place at various times during the day, all day long. You can make reservations for as many tours as your schedule allows. SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights + DUMBO 3 Hour Lower Manhattan Harlem Chelsea and the High Line 6 Hour Downtown Combined Greenwich Village Central Park Lower Manhattan Midtown Manhattan Grand Central Terminal Graffiti and Street Art Tours World Trade Center
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Film | ATL (2006): crime drama


Four working-class teenagers live in an Atlanta neighborhood where hip-hop music rules and the coolest place to hang out is the local rollerskating rink. As the friends look forward to new horizons after high school, they face challenges on and off the rink that bring about turning points in their lives. Director: Chris Robinson Cast: Tip "T.I." Harris, Evan Ross, Lauren London, Mykelti Williamson, Albert Daniels
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Juggling in the Park


Jugglers use the park throughout the year to provide free classes to the public. Stop by for a quick lesson, stay for the whole time, or just enjoy watching them 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

Concert | Piano in the Park


Come on by and tap your toes to The Big Apple's finest ragtime, stride, and jazz pianists around! Featuring special events and performances by distinguished musicians. Today's pianist: Sue Maskalerisi.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Film | ATL (2006): crime drama


Four working-class teenagers live in an Atlanta neighborhood where hip-hop music rules and the coolest place to hang out is the local rollerskating rink. As the friends look forward to new horizons after high school, they face challenges on and off the rink that bring about turning points in their lives. Director: Chris Robinson Cast: Tip "T.I." Harris, Evan Ross, Lauren London, Mykelti Williamson, Albert Daniels
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | The Age of Innocence (1993) Directed by Martin Scorcese, Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder


Society scion Newland Archer is engaged to May Welland, but his well-ordered life is upset when he meets May's unconventional cousin, the Countess Olenska. At first, Newland becomes a defender of the Countess, whose separation from her abusive husband makes her a social outcast in the restrictive high society of late-19th Century New York, but he finds in her a kindred spirit and they fall in love. Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder Martin Scorsese is an American film director who emerged as one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era. He is the recipient of many major accolades, including an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Five of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". Daniel Day-Lewis is an English retired actor. Often described as one of the preeminent actors of his generation, he received numerous accolades throughout his career which spanned over four decades, including three Academy Awards for Best Actor, making him the first and only actor to have three wins in that category, and the third male actor to win three competitive Academy Awards for acting, the sixth performer overall. Additionally, he has received ftwo Golden Globe Awards, and in 2014, Day-Lewis received a knighthood for services to drama. Michelle Pfeiffer is an American actress whose screen career spans over four decades. She became one of Hollywood's most bankable stars during the 1980s and 1990s. The recipient of various accolades, she has received a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2007, she was awarded a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Winona Ryder is an American actress. Originally playing quirky roles, she rose to prominence for her more diverse performances in various genres in the 1990s. She has received many accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for a Grammy Award and two Academy Awards. After Ryder's film debut in Lucas (1986), she gained attention with her performance in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1988). She further rose to prominence with major roles in Heathers (1989), Great Balls of Fire (1989), Mermaids (1990), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). She garnered critical acclaim and two consecutive Academy Award nominations for her portrayals of socialite May Welland in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (1993) and Jo March in Little Women (1994).
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting and conversation


Bring your own project or choose something from a provided collection to work on during this freeform crafting workshop. The workshop will include materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, paper crafts, and puzzles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free

Film | Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) with Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas


Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll when he learns that he has burnt through eight of his nine lives. Puss sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives. Diector: Januel Mercado Cast: Florence Pugh, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Samson Kayo, Harvey Guillén Salma Hayek is a Mexican and American actress and film producer. She began her career in Mexico with starring roles in the telenovela Teresa (1989–1991), but she soon established herself in Hollywood with appearances in films such as Desperado (1995), From Dusk till Dawn (1996), Wild Wild West (1999), and Dogma (1999). Hayek's portrayal of painter Frida Kahlo in the biographical film Frida (2002), which she also produced, made her the first Mexican actress to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and additionally earned her a Golden Globe Award, Antonio Banderas is a Spanish actor and director. Known for his work in films of several genres, he has received various accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award and nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Film | The Good House (2022): comedy-drama


The Good House follows Hildy Good, a wry New England realtor and descendant of the Salem witches, who loves her wine and her secrets. Her compartmentalized life begins to unravel as she rekindles a romance with her old high-school flame, Frank Getchell, and becomes dangerously entwined in one person's reckless behavior. Igniting long-buried emotions and family secrets, Hildy is propelled toward a reckoning with the one person she's been avoiding for decades: herself. Director: Maya Forbes Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, David Rasche, Rebecca Henderson, Kathryn Erbe, Beverly D'angelo, Paul Guilfoyle
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | New York Philharmonic Performs Prokofiev and More (LIVESTREAM: at an in-door public place)


This live-streamed performance is presented on the 50-foot Digital Wall at an in-door public place. New York Philharmonic; Marin Alsop, conductor; and Joseph Alessi trombone, perform Prokofiev and More. Program Samuel Barber (1910-1981), Symphony in One Movement Chick Corea, Trombone Concerto (US Premiere) Prokofiev (1891-1953), Romeo and Juliet Suite About the Performers The New York Philharmonic, one of the leading world orchestras, was founded in 1842 by the American conductor Ureli Corelli Hill, with the aid of the Irish composer William Vincent Wallace. The first concert of the Philharmonic Society took place on December 7, 1842 in the Apollo Rooms on lower Broadway before an audience of 600. It is the oldest major symphony orchestra in the United States in continual existence and one of the oldest in the world. Marin Alsop currently serves as chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra; the first music director of the University of Maryland's National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F); the first chief conductor and curator of Chicago's Ravinia Festival, where she curates and conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's summer residencies; and conductor of honor of Brazil's Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP). Later this year she will assume the title of music director laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, following a 14-year tenure as music director. In addition to enjoying longstanding relationships with the London Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras, she regularly guest conducts major international ensembles such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestre de Paris, and The Cleveland, La Scala, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Philadelphia, and Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw orchestras. Joseph Alessi was appointed Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. Before joining the Philharmonic, Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia Orchestra for four seasons, and principal trombone of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra for one season. He has performed as guest principal trombonist with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall. This event is an in-person livestream of the concert.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Consider Culture: Art and the Public Space (online)


Curator Allison Glenn in discussion about creating meaningful art experiences.  
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Concert | Just Above the Trees: A Violin Concert


Violin duo Miolina presents a one-hour, exploratory concert inspired by the great heights of New York City’s skyscrapers, old and new. The concert will feature works by Alvin Singleton, Holland Hopson, Paula af Malmborg Ward, Shruthi Rajasekar, and Geni Skendo, as well as a poem by John Miller. Many works feature themes of trees, dawn, light, and celebratory energy – things closely related to skyscrapers and their elevated views.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Dance Lesson | Learn Zumba Dance


Alvin Ailey brings its “real classes for real people” to outdoor workshops by Ailey Extension instructors and NYC dance artists. Participate in high-spirited dance sessions this May and June with classes including Broadway jazz, hip-hop, New York-style mambo, West African dance, and more. Classes are open to people of all ages and all levels of dance experience. Today: Zumba with Jose Ozuna 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Workshop | New Games Social


Curious about a board game or looking to try something new? Games Hosts will be teaching how to play a wide range of fun board games every Friday.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Birdwatching | Spring Birding Tour


Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call Bryant Park home during migratory season with guided tours by NYC Audubon, led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow. Located in the heart of Midtown, the park is a hotspot for avian visitors and birders alike. Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will’s-widow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Wingspan: Learn and Play the New Game


This is an event where customers can play a featured game with the assistance of staff. Customers will be able to play the chosen game for free, so they can test out some of our most popular titles before unboxing them at home. The featured game will be suitable for all ages, and will be perfect for your next game night with family and friends. This event will feature the bird discovery game that swept recent game awards: Wingspan. In this beautifully-illustrated game, each player builds a wildlife preserve to attract a variety of rare birds!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Opera | Poets of New York: 3 Short Operas


3 short operas inspired by Audre Lorde and Walt Whitman. The premiere of three 30-minute operas inspired by the lives, histories, and geographies of Lorde and Whitman—two queer poets with deep roots in New York City who lived a century apart. The Walt Whitmans of Fort Greene Park This piece is a contemporary opera buffa that explores Walt Whitman's legacy, hero worship, and what lengths people are willing to go to for an extra buck. West Love '89 In 1989, West Berlin, A Black-German woman named Baharnabé discovers Audre Lorde's ADEFRA activist group and her self identity through writing poetry. But, Baharnabé feels she is no writer or poet. In learning how to write her own story, she travels through time and memory while losing love and falling in love. But, ultimately she discovers her identity in what Audre Lorde has called 'Afro-German'. The People vs American Cheese Audre, Walt, Durra, and Clare wake up surrounded by rubble, their gay cruise under attack. The culprit? The greatest danger of all— heteronormativity (in the form of American Cheese). As our unlikely heroes battle cheese slices, they must also battle one another for cultural relevance and icon status. Chaos reigns in this gay fantasia on gayer themes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free

Reading | Rooftop Happy Hour and Readings


Drop in for drinks, mingling, and crafts, as well as a short selection of curated readings by Carmen Boullosa, Jaroslav Kalfar, and Valzhyna Mort. Join at any point between 5:30-7:30 PM. Readings will begin at about 6:15 PM. About the Readers Hamid Roslan is the author of parsetreeforestfire (Ethos Books, 2019), a finalist for the Singapore Literature Prize 2020. His prose and poetry can be found in Violent Phenomena: 21 Essays on Translation (Tilted Axis Press, 2022), New Singapore Poetries (Gaudy Boy, 2022), and in other literary journals. Monica Youn is the author of From From (Graywolf Press 2023), Blackacre (Graywolf Press 2016), Ignatz (Four Way Books 2010), and Barter (Graywolf Press 2003). She has been awarded the Levinson Prize from the Poetry Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America, a Witter Bytter Fellowship from the Library of Congress, and a Stegner Fellowship among other honors. She has been a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Kingsley Tufts Award, and the PEN Open Book Award. Vijay Seshadri is the author of the poetry books Wild Kingdom, The Long Meadow, The Disappearances (HarperCollins India), 3 Sections, and, in 2020, That Was Now, This Is Then, as well as dozens of essays, reviews, and memoir fragments. His work has been widely published, anthologized, and recognized with a number of honors, among them the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Registration required.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Opera | Rosmene's Choice: Handel's Baroque Opera


Handel's (1685-1759) Rosmene's Choice reveals one woman's struggle with her impossible situation. Hounded on all sides, she must choose between being faithful or grateful. Unwilling to reject one of her obsessed suitors, will Rosmene follow the path of Love or Duty? Registration required.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Festival | Lower East Side Festival of the Arts


Over 200 performing arts organizations, independent artists, poets, puppeteers and film makers for its 28th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts. This year, the festival is mounted with a theme addressing climate change: “The Heat Is On” followed by an exhortation taken from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Act Now in the Living Present.” The subject will be addressed in some of the playlets and acts written for the festival. Indoor performances will take stage from 6:00 PM to midnight each day, utilizing two of TNC’s four theaters.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Performance | Truths Colliding: A Dance and Theater Collaboration


Exit12 is returning with workshops and dialogue about the effects of war on veterans, refugees and civilians. After an eight-week series of creative workshops with a cohort of 20-30 persons who have experienced global conflict, Exit12 will present a performance of dance, theater and spoken word. Exit12 will hold space for participants to share stories about personal and cultural identity and the ways that war has shaped those identities. By sharing these stories, we aim to build cross-cultural dialogue, empathy and healing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Video | Beaut: Her Blood Ran Cold (The Silent Lizards) (online thru Jul 9)


An online video premiere. Concept, script, lizard sightings and drawings by Marti Wilkerson to accompany the photographs in her exhibition and originally performed live by Beaut on October 9, 2022. Vocals and Lyrics: Marti Wilkerson Guitar: Paul Twinkle Technical Director and Video Editor: Itziar Barrio Cameras: Isaiah Davis, John Brattin, Itziar Barrio Lighting Design: Marti Wilkerson DMX Programming: Kai Sundermann WILDBLUR Master Audio Recording: Adam Wolcott Smith Production Manager: Marbles Producer: Lia Gangitano After Dark Director: Itziar Barrio After Dark Technical Associate: Caroline Mills
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | General Grant and the Verdict of History: Memoir, Memory and the Civil War (online)


Dr. Frank Varney, Professor of US and Classical History at St. Michael's College, discusses his book.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Film | Top Gun (1986): Fighter Pilot Free-for-All with Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins


As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom. Director: Tony Scott Stars: Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGillis 109 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz Saxophonist Who's Played with Wycliffe Gordon and the Mingus Band


Get out to the park and kick off the weekend with some local sounds at this monthly musical get-happy hour. Austin Zhang is a jazz saxophonist, electronic musician, and composer based in New York City. Zhang graduated from the Manhattan School of Music on scholarship and went on to perform with giants of jazz music: Terri Lyne Carrington, Wycliffe Gordon, the Mingus Big Band, and others. Zhang's saxophone has been heard at such venues as Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newport Jazz Festival. Austin uses his music as a communication medium to further social and environmental causes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Sunset Singing Circle


Singer/songwriter Terre Roche leads this weekly singing program with the beautiful backdrop of the setting sun in NY Harbor. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned crooner, the singing circle is perfect for mellow melodies and healthy harmonizing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Queens Symphony Orchestra Performs Works by Mozart and Dvorak


Queens Symphony Orchestra; and Maestro Martin Majkut, conductor, perform Mozart and Dvorak. Program Dvorak (1841-1904), Serenade Mozart (1756-1791), Gran Partita About the Conductor Maestro Martin Majkut served as Assistant Conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic. He also worked with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Slovak State Philharmonic, and Slovak Sinfonietta. He is currently the Music Director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra in New York, a position he has held since 2017. Performing in a variety of ethnically diverse communities, the orchestra has expanded its season and quickly gained popularity in the dynamic borough of 2.35 million people. RSVP required.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Musical | The Comedy of Errors: A Musical Adaptation of Shakespeare's Play


Conceived by director Rebecca Martinez and composer Julian Mesri, a member of The Public Theater's 2022-23 Emerging Writers Group, this new adaptation rigorously embraces music from all over Latin America in this tale of separation and joyous reunion. With songs in English and Spanish, this new musical adaptation brings an energetic vibe to this age-old tale of two sets of twins separated by stormy seas as they overcome a baffling case of mistaken identity--and the mayhem and hilarious confusion that follows.
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free
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