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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!
28 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, November 2, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Tour | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Brooklyn Bridge, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial
This complimentary shuttle loops through more than 30 locations across Lower Manhattan, covering major sites from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Financial District and the World Trade Center area. Busses arrive about every 15 minutes throughout the day. Riders can board or exit at any marked stop, with unlimited trips at no cost. Daily service.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Master Class | Mastering Clarinet Performance with "Spellbinding" (New York Times) Musician
Alan Kay, Co-Principal Clarinetist and a former Artistic Director of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and serves as Principal Clarinet with New York's Riverside Symphony and the Little Orchestra Society, imparts skills and techniques for clarinet mastery via distance learning.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Bodyroll Aerobic Dance Workout
This class teaches the bodyroll dance practice, which ignites embodied empowerment and energize a cathartic release. The experience is designed to alchemize a playful perspective for rolling, releasing, and reinventing yourself. Together, the group will tap into the spiral rave through body rolling, movement energetix, embodiment practices, and aerobic dancing. No dance experience is encouraged!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Festival | European-Inspired Holiday Market: Local Crafts, Artisan Provisions, & Global Gifts
An open-air market, featuring artisans from New York City and around the world. Holiday Shops are housed in custom-designed, "jewel box" kiosks.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Tour | Explore a Major NYC Park
Discover how "Needle Park" of the 1970s successfully transformed 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!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Point-and-Shoot Photography for Beginners (Part 1)
Looking to get more out of your camera, or thinking of starting with one? Award-winning portrait photographer Tony Gale provides a point-and-shoot photography class for beginners. While point-and-shoot cameras vary substantially, the group will go over how to get started with a point-and-shoot camera, including how to understand and control what you can
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Learn to Juggle in the Park
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | Works for Cello & Guitar in Dialogue
Cellist Rubin Kodheli and guitarist Miles Johnston come together for a genre-bending performance built on improvisation, musical instinct, and real-time conversation. Moving between composed material, reimagined works, and music created in the moment, the evening shifts between groove and lyricism, structure and freedom. This is less a traditional concert than a shared musical experience—close-up, exploratory, and alive. Two instruments, two very different backgrounds, responding to each other in the moment. No two moments are quite the same.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Workshop | Zine-Making with Collage Techniques
Facilitated by BlackMass Publishing, a Black independent press and archive, this workshop invites participants to craft a collective zine and produce their own knowledge. Collaging tools will be provided, but workshop participants should bring copies of magazine clippings, photographs, and other assorted ephemera that they would like to incorporate within their zines. This workshop will culminate in a limited-edition collective anthology which will be printed and available for pickup following the program.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Mending Session: Socks & Knitwear
An opportunity to build your mending skills to save money, reduce waste, and express your personal style, together with others who enjoy fixing well-loved items that still have use in them. Attendees will learn how to darn holes and reinforce threadbare areas in knitwear using visible mending. The group will look at hand held mini looms and other tools and household items that can assist in the art of repair. Organizers will provide: Needle, thread, fabric, tools, case by case guidance, technique instruction, books, and other inspiration.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Portrait Photography Demonstration for Focusing on the Individual
An exploration of intimate portraiture through minimalist lighting, thoughtful composition, and authentic human connection. Discover how simplifying the photographic environment can create more space for what matters most: the individual. Working with the Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro lens and a single subject, Jonny will demonstrate how proximity, expression, gesture, and intentional light can reveal extraordinary emotional depth without relying on elaborate sets or production.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Full Body Dynamic Strength and Cardio Workout
This high energy exercise class consists of functional exercises to get your heart pumping! Cardio sculpt is taught to music and open to all levels. The goal of this class is to exercise your body and have fun doing it!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, registration required...
free, registration required...
Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution
The museum showcases design's history, influence, and importance 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. Note: The museum is undergoing an exhibition changeover. The second and third floor galleries are temporarily closed.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951): Old Hollywood Romantic Fantasy Drama with Ava Gardner
In 1930, singer Pandora Reynolds, gorgeous, enigmatic, and fascinated by danger and destruction, has the men of a small Spanish town in despair. Just when race driver Stephen Cameron thinks he's won her, a mysterious yacht appears in the bay whose eerie captain may be the legendary Flying Dutchman. Director: Albert Lewin Cast: James Mason, Ava Gardner, Nigel Patrick, Sheila Sim, Harold Warrender Ava Lavinia Gardner was an American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She first signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew critics' attention in 1946 with her performance in Robert Siodmak's film noir The Killers. During the 1950s, Gardner established herself as a leading lady and one of the era's top stars with films like Show Boat and Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, both in 1951.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, tickets required...
free, tickets required...
Workshop | Learn & Practice Chess with an Expert
Learn to play chess or develop your strategies with chess expert Tamar Chanadiri from the Marshall Chess Club. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, as each one builds on the previous. Chess sets are provided but you're welcome to bring your own. From 6-7 PM Tamar will provide instruction for beginner-level players. From 7-8 PM there will be open play for all levels.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | Magic Historian Shares Her Memoir about the "Queen of Magic" (In Person AND Online!)
The multi-media presentation will include an illustrated talk, magic performances, and a display of rarely seen Madame Adelaide Herrmann memorabilia, followed by a book signing. In her day, Madame Adelaide Herrmann was more famous than her younger colleague, Harry Houdini. For nearly sixty years, Adelaide Herrmann (1853-1932) ruled the global stage. She caught speeding bullets with her bare hands. She soared through the air as a human cannonball. Alongside her husband, Alexander, she executed the most mesmerizing illusions of the Golden Age of Magic. Then tragedy struck. Widowed at forty-three, Adelaide stepped into the magician's role as the sole headliner. For three thrilling decades, she reigned supreme as vaudeville's Queen of Magic. Copies of Queen of Magic: The Wondrous, Unstoppable Adelaide Herrmann will be available for purchase at the event.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | Metropolitan Museum of Art-Featured Painter Shares His New Monograph (+ Signing)
A conversation with one of the leading contemporary landscape painters. Eric Aho celebrates his new book, the first comprehensive monograph of his contemporary landscapes; four decades of artwork that both honors and furthers the tradition of painting nature. He will be in conversation with John Yau, followed by a signing.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
6:00 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Regular: $55
Member: $0
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Performance | Douglass: The Reckoning -- Performance Project Exploring Frederick Douglass's Ideas
An experience centered on Frederick Douglass and the unfinished argument over American democracy. The collaborative team invites audiences into the development of this new work, exploring Douglass's words alongside questions of freedom, citizenship, belonging, disagreement, and what democracy asks of us now. Conceived and directed by Charlotte Brathwaite. Writer: Nia O. Witherspoon
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Performance | This Isn’t Working: Work-in-Progress, Surreal Pseudo-Comedy
A performance following a listless, unreliable narrator who arrives on stage the night of the performance without a clear sense of why he’s there, set in an unspecified future where the idea of a “job” has been rendered obsolete. Across the piece, the narrator moves through memories of forgotten occupations, lumberjack, farmer, office worker, professional mourner, using text, physical embodiment, dance, and song to ask whether an occupation defines a person’s value or is simply a brutal necessity. The work features original lyrics by Sean Donovan, music by Matt Ray, and direction by Keenan Tyler Oliphant.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Classical Music | Contemporary Chamber Works (In Person AND Online!)
A program of world premieres. The New Sounds on Fifth Ensemble is comprised of CUNY Graduate Center Performers, who have a deep interest in collaboration and contemporary music.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | Violin Duo Performs Schubert & More
Two outstanding young soloists. One extraordinary violin duo. Sisters and violinists Hina and Fiona Khuong-Huu, both top prizewinners at international competitions, unite their distinctive artistic voices through the remarkable chemistry of a lifelong musical partnership. Following this summer's world premiere of John Corigliano's new double violin concerto, these Juilliard alumnae present a program showcasing their virtuosity, imagination, and expressive range. The evening includes the world premiere of a new duo arrangement of a poignant work by Schubert.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
7:00 pm
Regular: $32
Member: $0
Regular: $32
Member: $0
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7:30 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
Regular: $30
Member: $0
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9:00 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Regular: $55
Member: $0
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9:30 pm
Regular: $31.60
Member: $0
Regular: $31.60
Member: $0
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10:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
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