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free things to do in New York City
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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 11, 2026?
27 free events take place on Monday, May 11 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 11 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.
Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on May 11, 2026?
27 free events take place on Monday, May 11 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 11 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!
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!
27 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, May 11, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Birdwatching | Family Birdwatching Outing
What birds live in your backyard? Learn the basics of bird watching in this fun outing for beginners, hobbyists, and lifelong birders alike. Together, the group will explore NYC parks, and see what makes this spot a hang-out for resident urban birds and marvelous migrators! Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Start the Day with Morning Meditation
Start your day by balancing your mind, body, and spirit during instructor guided meditation. This renowned practice lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free
Free
Museums | Exploring Art, History, and Global Cultures in a Landmark Museum
Spend time exploring a world-renowned collection spanning centuries of art, design, and cultural history. From ancient artifacts to iconic masterpieces, these galleries invite slow looking, discovery, and reflection across works that connect global traditions, artistic innovation, and human stories. Note: Some galleries are closed for installation.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
Workshop | Open Play Pickleball for All Ages
Enjoy casual, drop‑in pickleball at the park. An exciting fusion of badminton and tennis, pickleball has exploded in popularity. Open play encourages rotating games, social fun, and friendly competition for players of all skill levels. First‑come, first‑served.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Memory Material and Modern Jewish Art
Enjoy a collection dedicated to Jewish ceremonial objects and modern and contemporary art, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and works on paper. The holdings reflect diverse artistic movements from Cubism and Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art and Minimalism alongside historic and decorative artifacts from global cultures. The collection includes works by artists such as Marc Chagall, Joan Mitchell, Romare Bearden, Louise Nevelson, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol, among many others. Designed with accessibility at its core, the experience offers tours and programs welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities while encouraging cross-cultural exchange through art.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Walk and Creative Writing Session
This walk and writing session is led by Author and Poet Jon Curley. Participants will be encouraged to use observations as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Free
Tour | Explore One of Major NYC Parks
Discover how Bryant Park Corporation successfully transformed "Needle Park" of the 1970s into Manhattan's Town Square of today. The guides are loaded with expertise on the park's rich history, award-winning design, distinct amenities, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Tours will continue as scheduled in light rain, but will be cancelled in heavy rain or inclement weather. Bring an umbrella if needed!
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
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
Free
Jazz | Piano in the Park: Thelonius Monk Award-Winning Musician
Come on down and swing along to the best Brazilian and Latin jazz the Big Apple has to offer, with musician Sue Maskaleris. Maskaleris is an award-winning pianist, singer, composer, lyricist, arranger, and producer. She has performed and toured the world as a bandleader and soloist. Sue performs a seemingly endless repertoire of unusual material and reconceived standards, but Brazilian jazz and Latin jazz are her wheelhouse. Sue's CD of original Brazilian jazz, Bring Nothing But Your Heart, debuted at #3 nationally, featuring Mark Egan and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Sue's latest CD, Love Is the Key, featured Grammy-nominees violinist Sara Caswell and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli, as well as percussionist Negah Santos from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and was met to critical acclaim.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Afternoon Tunes: A Jazz Quintet Heard Around the World
Hear a true jazz original: elevating the form and inspiring the next generation, with the Ted Chubb Quintet, led by trumpeter and bandleader Ted Chubb. Chubb, often with his quintet -- Bruce Williams, Oscar Perez, Tom DiCarlo, and Jerome Jennings -- can be found everywhere from local clubs to festivals around the world, in addition to his own Jersey City venue The Statuary, where he produces a monthly concert series. He has played with the likes of Christian McBride, Wallace Roney, and Don Braden.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup
Are you a knitter? Do you like to crochet? Maybe you like a different type of fiber art? Whichever it is, bring your supplies and lose yourself in the meditative world of creating art with fiber. Invite your friends, or make new connections there. This is a meet-up, not a class.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Hamnet (2025): Historical Drama with Star-Studded Cast
Agnes Shakespeare - the wife of the world's most famous writer - struggles to come to terms with the loss of her only son, Hamnet. Director: Chloe Zhao Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
City Walk | Learn To Take Stunning Portraits in an Urban Photowalk
Award-winning photographer Tony Gale leads a photo-walk through Midtown, bringing models along for some urban portraiture. Learn how to take the ordinary locale and convert it into eye-catching, stunning portraits. Photo gear will not be provided. Please arrive early, as there is no planned route and the group will be leaving promptly at 1pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Ghost Birds: Dystopian Natural World Multi-Artist Exhibition
A major New York City art school's MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program presents Ghost Birds, an exhibition of works by students. Ghost Birds is a group show in which all 19 artists created a body of work inspired by Karen Russell's short story of the same name, a dystopian story that highlights the emotional, personal, and physical toll of losing the natural world. The story takes a father and daughter into the remains of the natural world that once was Oregon for some paranormal birdwatching. Past environmental crises have caused mass extinctions, causing the birds to be seen only as apparitions.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Inayat: A Duet for Four -- Ancient North Indian Folk & Classical Traditions (+ Dance Performance)
Experience the thoroughly unique dance performance Inayat: A Duet for Four. The work merges two ancient north Indian performance traditions: Rajasthani folk music and classical Kathak. Featuring expert musicians Sadiq Khan, Asin Khan, and Zakir Khan Langa (collectively known as SAZ); young virtuoso dancer Tarini Tripathi; and a storyline bound together by Divya Bhatia, Inayat offers freshly choreographed pieces in Kathak, set entirely to traditional songs of the Langa community from the deserts of western Rajasthan and select kavit of Kathak—performed outdoors for audiences to enjoy. 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
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution
The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, influence, and importance of design in everyday life. Housed in a historic mansion, the museum features a diverse collection of design objects, including decorative arts, architecture, graphic design, textiles, and industrial design.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | Charulata (1964): Indian Drama Film
The lonely wife of a newspaper editor in late nineteenth-century, pre-independence India, falls in love with her visiting cousin-in-law, who shares her love for literature. Director: Satyajit Ray Cast: Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee, Shailen Mukherjee, Shyamal Ghoshal, Gitali Roy In Bengali with English subtitles.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble Performs Afrocubanismo Music Outdoors
The American Symphony Orchestra performs a musician-curated program of Afrocubanismo: African music and modernity in Cuba, curated by percussionist-composer Javier Diaz -- whose studio credits include Steven Spielberg's West Side Story and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights. Afrocubanismo explores Cuban music as a synthesis of many different musical influences: a combination of Spanish, French, Central African, West African, North American, and many other national musics. Cuban music emerges as a unique vernacular musical idiom that appears larger than the sum of its components.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Explore Memorial Museum and Reconnect with History
Reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed our city and nation in the wake of 9/11. This is a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice. This museum honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, recognizes the courage of those who survived, and salutes those who risked their lives to help others.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn To Play Traditional Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)
This event is a workshop/jam to introduce musicians to traditional Scottish dance tunes. You will learn some tunes traditionally played for Scottish dances as well as some airs. If you don’t know a reel from a strathspey or jig or waltz, you will, by the end of the workshop! Listeners are also welcome. For adults 18+ | Musicians advanced beginner and up
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Discover the Life & Art of Photographer André Kertész at This Book Launch
Enjoy a special evening celebrating an influential artist, André Kertész, and his remarkable new biography. Widely regarded as a visionary of modern photography, Hungarian-born Kertész left an indelible mark on the visual language of the 20th century. Acclaimed American biographer Patricia Albers brings Kertész’s life and artistic journey into focus in her new book, Everything Is Photograph: A Life of André Kertész. This important publication offers fresh insight into the photographer’s inner world, creative vision, and enduring influence. The program will feature an approx. 45-minute conversation and presentation with author Patricia Albers and György Németh, Visiting Scholar at Quinnipiac University. Together, they will explore the fascinating circumstances behind the creation of the biography, as well as the life, work, and artistic legacy of Kertész. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, offering the audience a unique opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. The evening will conclude with a book signing by the author.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Dance Performance | Dance Works-in-Progress
A high visibility low-tech forum for experimentation, emerging ideas, and works-in-progress held in the Fall and Spring seasons. Artists are selected by a rotating committee of peer artists.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | Original Play by Emerging Playwright Avery Deutsch
Experience the reading of a brand new, full-length play! Get a first glimpse at what emerging writers are cooking up!
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Photographer Coreen Simpson Shares Her Artistic Journey
Hear from Coreen Simpson, a photographer who has never waited for permission to create the images she believed the world needed to see. In 1978, while working at the Studio Museum in Harlem, she famously convinced Toni Morrison to sit for an “official portrait,” capturing the author with a steady gaze and a cigarette poised in her hand—an image that embodies Morrison’s power and Simpson’s instinct for revealing the soul of her subjects. Join us for an evening with the pioneering photographer as she reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, resilience, and fearless creativity—from photographing icons like James Baldwin, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Muhammad Ali to building her celebrated Black Cameo jewelry line. Through images and stories, Simpson will share how following what she calls “the blood beats” led to a singular artistic journey.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Performance | Re-Discover the Works of Prolific Black Women Theatermakers (Sound, Visual Media, Storytelling)
National Black Theatre presents a special, one-day event featuring six multidisciplinary micro-commissions that uplift the voices and legacies of Black women theatermakers. Each commission will creatively reimagine and respond to the work of a prolific Black woman creator through performance, sound, visual media, and storytelling—illuminating their enduring impact and cultural contribution. Gertrude Jeannette, Commissioned artist: Regina Taylor Carmen De Levallade, Commissioned artist: Francesca Harper Micki Grant, Commissioned artist: Eisa Davis Jewell Gomez, Commissioned artist: C.A. Johnson Pearl Bailey, Commissioned artist: Crystal Lucas Perry Ruby Dee, Commissioned artist: Lynn Nottage
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | "Imaginative" String Quartet Performs Works by Schubert
The Parker Quartet brings its "exceptional virtuosity [and] imaginative interpretation" (Washington Post) to Schubert's searing "Death and the Maiden" Quartet, 200 years after its premiere in 1826. All Schubert (1797-1828) Program: Die schone Mullerin, D. 795 "Der Tod und das Madchen," D. 531 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 ("Death and the Maiden") Please arrive early.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Choral Works Across Millennia & Cultures, Works by Schubert & More (In Person AND Online!)
The Manhattan School of Music Chorale will trace a part of it with a program spanning millennia and cultures, featuring music as varied as Lauridsen's "Les Chansons des Roses," Schubert's Mass in G, and Cook's "They Are Mother." The large forces of the MSM Chorale will be set in relief not only by the smaller Chamber Choir but also by a piece featuring the treble voice of Chorale and another featuring the tenor and bass voices.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
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