free things to do in New York City
Free events for Wednesday, 05/22/24
<

May 2024

>
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
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 22, 2024?

41 free events take place on Wednesday, May 22 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 22 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.
Join the Club!

Go!
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!

41 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc October 7th, 06:29AM: An Immersive Exhibition on Nova Music Festival Massacre
free events nyc Tour of New York City Hall
free events nyc Crazy Rich Asians (2018): romantic comedy
free events nyc Debunking Myths: Facts about Psychiatric Medication (online)
free events nyc 2 New Books: Why Surrealism Matters / New Surrealism
More Editor's Picks for 05/22/24
        

Workshop | Boot Camp Workout


An early-morning core body Boot Camp. Rotations through exercises like crunches, planks, push-ups, burpees, and mountain climbers ensure a mixture of cardio and strength training that will keep you coming back, and seeing results. No equipment necessary; smiles and high fives welcome.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 am
Free

Birdwatching | Birding at the Battery


Gabriel Willow explores the diversity of migrating birds that find food and habitat in The Battery.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
8:00 am
Free

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
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Fair | October 7th, 06:29AM: An Immersive Exhibition on Nova Music Festival Massacre


To celebrate the end of his two years of service as a medic in the Israel Defense Forces' paratrooper division, Tomer Meir joined 13 of his friends at the Nova Musica Festival on the weekend of October 6 in Re'im in southern Israel. It was his first ever music festival. "It was the best moments of my life. I can't explain the state we were in," the 21-year-old told the New York Jewish Week. "It was pure love -- people dancing, laughing, smiling. All the good stuff that we're living for." Until 6:29 a.m. on Saturday morning. The red alerts, the rockets and the running. "The music stopped. The rockets started. We started running for our lives," Meir said. Meir is a survivor of the Nova Music Festival Massacre, where Hamas militants killed 364 festival-goers and took at least 40 hotstages on the morning of Oct. 7. Six months after the attack, Meir is in New York sharing his story as part of an interactive exhibit about that day, which he says is helping him heal. The Nova Musical Festival exhibition, titled October 7th, 06:29AM, is an immersive step into what it was like to be at the festival when it was attacked. Screens show clips from the attack on Nova are displayed next to personal and camping items taken from the festival recreating the festival layout. The exhibit, which debuted in Tel Aviv for 10 weeks in December, was created by Israeli designers and cultural producers, many of whom were producers with the Nova Music Festival itself. It was brought to New York with the help of Scooter Braun, the Jewish-American music producer and philanthropist. The exhibit recreates the visuals and sounds of the Nova Music Festival massacre. But the New York version is in some ways "more intense," according to Yael Finkelstein, a volunteer who collected items from the Nova site and helped set up both the Tel Aviv and New York exhibit. New elements at the New York exhibit include dozens of video testimonies from survivors, Zaka volunteers and family members, as well as graphic raw footage taken on Oct. 7 from both festival-goers and Hamas militants. In addition, survivors of the massacre such as Meir and Sassi will be at the exhibit every day to share their stories and answer questions. Their goal, Meir said, is to show New Yorkers that the horror they experienced could happen to anyone.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
$3

Park Walk | Park Tour: From Freight to Flowers


Hear the story behind New York City's park in the sky: an insider's perspective on the park's history, design, and landscape.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Ribbon Dancing


Combine cardio with artistry as you wave long ribbons in the air to create rainbows, waterfalls, dragons and ocean waves. Ribbon Dancing is as visually stunning as it is fun and easy to learn. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Ribbons will be available to borrow, but participants may also bring their own.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Fair | Street Fair


Free fun for the whole family, including arts, crafts, antiques, plants, entertainment, games, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park


Get in 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
Join the Club!
Go!
12:00 pm
Free

Concert | Matinee Music


Settle in for a musical respite and welcome in the season with midday melodies. Bring your blanket and lunch and settle in on the park's expansive lawn for a performance by unmatched performers. The lunchtime concert will feature artists from around New York City, in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America, MORE Opera and The Bishop Presents.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:00 pm
Free

Lecture | Steinberg Before Steinberg: An Artist's Journey (online)


In this presentation, Mario Tedeschini Lalli, Italian journalist and scholar of 20th century history, will try to tell the story of Saul Steinberg, before he became STEINBERG, the majuscules with which he signed his name to the art most people know, using some of his public art, some of his clandestine art, some of his personal art and – yes – some of his top secret art. The art of Saul Steinberg (1914-1999) was arguably one of the most recognizable for the US public from the mid-1940s until his death in 1999. Much of Steinberg’s best-known work appeared in magazines such as The New Yorker, but he also produced a larger body of drawings, paintings, and sculptures for gallery and museum exhibitions. His work cannot be fixed to one style or school. Though he is sometimes mistakenly called a cartoonist or illustrator, he was never less than a full-fledged artist. His life was as distinctive as his art, and as hard to pinpoint and define – it certainly did not help that he considered “autobiography—the last refuge of the scoundrel.” He would never divulge much about his life and what he did say was often misremembered or misrepresented; his tales almost became part of his artistic creations. Instead of self-revelatory disclosures, he hid details of autobiography in his art, where the casual observer could not detect them – unless, of course, they were already aware of them. An intellectual labyrinth by a master of labyrinths.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:00 pm
Free

Tour | Tour of New York City Hall


One of the oldest continuously used City Halls in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, New York's City Hall is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, the building was an early expression of the City's cosmopolitanism. City Hall is a designated New York City landmark, and its rotunda is a designated interior landmark as well.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Bach at Noon (In Person and Online)


Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:20 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz Hour


Take a moment out of your busy day to enjoy a captivating showcase of jazz music by some of NYC’s most talented musicians. Curated by The Jazz Gallery, whose mission is to “provide a platform for emerging artists to discover their unique voice, and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow,” the concert will bring the intimate, vibrant atmosphere of a jazz club into the lobby of One Manhattan West. Featuring: Tomoko Omura Trio (violin, guitar, and bass)
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:30 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: Yuka Aikawa.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Adult Chorus


Directed by Church Street School of Music, the chorus is open to all who love to sing. Learn contemporary and classic songs and perform at community events throughout the year.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
1:00 pm
Free

Film | Crazy Rich Asians (2018): romantic comedy


Crazy Rich Asians follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young, to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick's family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country's wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick's arm puts a target on Rachel's back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick's own disapproving mother taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can't buy love, it can definitely complicate things. Director: Jon M. Chu Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free

Concert | Ragtime Band in the Park


Hit your stride with Terry Waldo and his Gotham City Band. The protege of the late Eubie Blake, he has produced over 40 albums and written the definitive book on ragtime, This is Ragtime - republished recently by Jazz At Lincoln Center with a new introduction by Wynton Marsalis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Settlers of Catan Social


Play one of the most popular board games in the world. They welcome players of all levels to this weekly social.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Artist Talk: Soil Horizon


On the occasion of Soil Horizon, Teresita Fernández joins award-winning writer Jacqueline Woodson for an intimate conversation about the exhibition and vital themes that appear throughout her practice.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Painting in the Park


Bring your family and friends to learn painting techniques and strategies while relaxing under the sun. Beginner painters are welcome to explore the spring colors on canvas. Advanced painters are encouraged to take advantage of the lush scenery while capturing the moment with their brush.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Wellness Wednesdays


Curated by Sputnik Yoga, Wellness Wednesdays will offer a variety of fitness and wellness themed classes on a weekly basis. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | 2 New Books: What's Eating Jackie Oh? / Relative Strangers


What’s Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park A Korean American teen tries to balance her dream to become a chef with the cultural expectations of her family when she enters the competitive world of a TV cooking show. A hilarious and heartfelt YA novel from the award-winning author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and Re Jane. Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim A timely spin on Sense and Sensibility, a twenty-first-century family drama featuring two half-Korean sisters, their ex-hippie mother, multiple messy love affairs and one explosive secret that could ruin everything.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | 2 New Books: Why Surrealism Matters / New Surrealism


As we mark the centennial of Surrealism, join authors Mark Polizzotti and Robert Zeller in conversation about historical Surrealism and its enduring legacy in contemporary culture and art. They will discuss their books, Why Surrealism Matters (Polizzotti) and New Surrealism: The Uncanny in Contemporary Painting (Zeller), as well as why some aspects of Surrealism remain prevalent in the West, while other aspects no longer resonate.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | How to Burn a Rainbow: My Gay Marriage Didn't Make Me Whole, My Divorce Did


Sometimes, to find yourself, you must first burn everything down. Author Karl Dunn had it all; a husband, a home in the Los Angeles Hills, success. When his marriage ended suddenly, his perfect life and sense of self were shattered. His legal battles threatened everything he had, and he soon found himself working non-stop, leading to a downward spiral filled with anxious days and sleepless nights of rage and fear. Ironically, Karl's divorce ignited a journey of self-discovery-a quest for identity, love, and acceptance that took him from LA to a mid-divorce crash-landing in Berlin. This raw and unflinching memoir welcomes readers into the heart of Karl's transformative journey-burning the scripts written for him by both the gay and straight worlds, facing down his deepest fears, and forging his own path to self-love. How To Burn A Rainbow is a gripping narrative of resilience and courage that dares to ask the hard questions about love, equality, and the price of happiness.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Made in Cologne: 15 Artist Working in Ceramic


Fifteen artists working at the ceramics atelier of Niels Dietrich. David Adamo Richard Deacon Cameron Jamie Alicja Kwade Heinz Mack Mike Meiré Mai-Thu Perret Otto Piene Heinz-Günter Prager Norbert Prangenberg Thomas Schütte Rosemarie Trockel Paloma Varga Weisz Rose Wylie Anna Zimmermann
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Artists in Conversation


A conversation between Artist in Residence Martha Naranjo Sandoval and curator Kelly Long on the occassion of Naranjo Sandoval’s solo exhibition Flowering Wound.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Artists in Dialogue


Questions and answers with artists Amy Cutler and Alexi Worth on the occasion of their concurrent exhibitions
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Talk | Debunking Myths: Facts about Psychiatric Medication (online)


Embrace Mental Health Awareness Month. Henry Street Settlement Nurse Practitioner Samantha Beauchesne will break down the stigma of psychiatric medication. Discover how to navigate the decision-making process and explore if psychiatric medication might offer support for you or a loved one. This is a welcoming space where everyone's mental health journey is honored and respected.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Midtown Dance: Afro Dance


A weekly dance classes in the heart of Midtown Manhattan hosted and produced by Talia Castro-Pozo featuring dances of the African diaspora including Bomba, Afro Fusion, Afro Brazilian and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Dancing | Salsa Social in the Park


Dancers of all ages and skill levels come together at this weekly Salsa party. Kick things off with a free class from 6-6:30pm and then open dancing the rest of the evening with incredible instructors from Salsa Dura NY.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Sunset Yoga


Namaste! Unwind from the day with outdoor yoga. Immerse yourself in this meditative practice- surrounded by the Hudson's peaceful aura. Strengthen the body and cultivate awareness in a relaxed environment as your instructor guides you through alignments and poses. All levels are welcome. Bringing your own mat is encouraged, as provided accessories are first come first serve.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Lecture | The Evolution of Mass Timber


Vancouver architect Michael Green is a pioneer of the Mass Timber movement in North America. Since his 2012 publication “The Case for Tall Wood Buildings” and inspiring 2013 TED Talk “Why We Should Build Wooden Skyscrapers,” Green has been a clarion voice in spreading the message of an all-wood architecture that is healthy, affordable, and sustainable. In his lecture, Michael will share the history and evolution of tall wood buildings from some of the earliest examples to his design thinking today, as outlined in “The Natural Building Blocks of Sustainable Architecture,” his 2023 TED Talk. Throughout his career, Green has advocated for multi-story buildings in the pursuit of creating a more sustainable future. His talk will focus on both proposed conceptual projects and built work, from his design for North America’s first modern tall wood structure – at almost 100 feet – completed in 2014, to his current designs for the world’s tallest timber tower – at 55 stories – in Milwaukee.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | After David: A Fearlessly Aging Woman


In unapologetic, sensuous prose, Catherine Texier's novel explores the languishing sex life of Eve, a writer in her early sixties who is the divorced mother of two grown daughters. Ignoring the concerns of friends and family, Eve satisfies her urges by having casual sex with the younger men she meets through online dating. But she can't fully shake the Catholic guilt over her relentless seductiveness, that is, until she begins a revitalizing affair with Jonah, a thirty-something jazz guitarist who gives her a new lease on life and tempts her to leave behind the complicated memories of a failed marriage. This erotic yet poignant literary work dares to venture into the aftermath of one woman's divorce and the passionate lopsided love affair that follows it.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
$5

Gallery Talk | Inspiration Comes from Everyday Life: Exhibition Tour


An exhibition tour and an evening lecture hosted by Dr. Sabine Haag, Director General of the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Dr. Susanne Keppler-Schlesinger. 6.30 pm Tour by curator Dr. Stephanie Buhmann through the exhibition Inspiration Comes from Everyday Life; Works by Elfie Semotan and Nina Hollein. 7 pm Lecture by Dr. Sabine Haag on the fall exhibition in Vienna Rembrandt – Hoogstraten. Color and Illusion
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (in-person and online)


Underground Empire, a real-life techno-thriller by Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman, reveals how the U.S. controls a global web of surveillance, in the form of networks of fiber optic cables and banking systems, giving it enormous economic power. Farrell and Newman show how these channels, weaponized after 9/11 but now used as a matter of course, have become realms of spying and coercion over foreign businesses and countries, allowing for U.S domination.  Paul Krugman — Nobel laureate in economics, columnist for The New York Times, and distinguished professor -- speaks with the authors about their investigation and the geopolitical implications of the power they uncover.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Bodyroll Workout


Joyful and cathartic dance aerobics with VIVA! Low stakes, all fun, and open to all levels.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Park Walk | Forest Bathing


Reconnecting with nature by participating in a guided Forest Bathing experience. Allow yourself to connect with the park in a way you never have before. The program includes a short, no more than a half-mile walk at a slow pace. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water, snacks, and a towel or cushion for sitting on the ground.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Discussion | The Art of Movie Posters (in-person and online)


Movie poster artist Dawn Baillie in conversation with Chief Curator & Director of Content Angelina Lippert on the celebrated exhibition The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear directly from the designer behind some of the world’s most iconic film posters and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the magic of the movie poster making process. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War by Tom Steyer (In Person AND Online!)


In his new book, Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War, Tom Steyer argues that our only hope in the battle against climate change is to unite together to take action in a collective movement. Steyer has been on the forefront of the climate war for well over a decade, leveraging his investment expertise, business knowledge, and community-organizing skills to support sustainable climate solutions. Though the urgency to act is imperative—and time is running out—Steyer’s message is one of hope: that we will win this war precisely because there has never before been a moment more necessary or more rewarding to come together to secure a healthy future for ourselves and the planet. Tom Steyer explains how capitalism is an effective tool for scaling climate progress, offers his candid take on fossil fuel enablers, and explains why immediate action on the climate front will not only be our key to a healthy and viable future but also an investment in the future of our economy. Steyer discusses his new book with New York Times columnist David Wallace-Wells.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | The Last Time She Saw Him: A Psychological Thriller


A woman is left reeling when her former fiancé appears to take his own life, and she becomes desperate to prove it was actually murder—in the latest psychological thriller from bestselling author Kate White
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Movie in a Park | Mulan (2020): Live-Action Disney Adventure


To keep her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man and battles northern invaders in China. Director: Niki Caro Stars: Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Gong Li 115 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:30 pm
Free
Complimentary Tickets

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

Musical | Broadway Actors in a Musical by a Prominent NYC Company

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | Holiday Burlesque Show!

Regular Price: $115
CFT Member Price: $0.00
Join the Club!

Go!