free things to do in New York City
Free events for Tuesday, 11/17/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!    Read More
22 free events take place in New York City on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
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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!

22 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Tuesday, November 17, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Tour | Her Streets, Her Stories: Exploring the Women’s History


A guided walk exploring the neighborhood’s influence on New York City’s women pioneers. Discover trailblazers like Frances Perkins, the nation’s first female Secretary of Labor; Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman physician; and Sarah Smith Garnet, the first African-American female principal in NYC. The walk ends at the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory site, honoring the immigrant women who fought for workplace rights.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, registration required...
Tours, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Her Streets, Her Stories: Exploring the Women&rsquo;s History

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
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Learn to Juggle in the Park

Master Class | Mastering Viola Performance


David Marks, Associate Principal Viola with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, imparts skills and techniques for viola mastery.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Concerts, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Mastering Viola Performance

Classical Music | Works by Robert Schumann, Janacek, & Felix Mendelssohn for Strings & Piano


Sahun Sam Hong, piano, Zachary Mowitz, cello, and Stephanie Zyzak, violin. Program: Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Papillons, Op. 2 Leos Janacek (1854-1928) Pohadka Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
   Manhattan, New York, NY
12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Concerts, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Works by Robert Schumann, Janacek, & Felix Mendelssohn for Strings & Piano

Classical Music | Organ Works by J.S. Bach in a Beautiful Church (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.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:20 pm
free, no reservation required
Concerts, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Organ Works by J.S. Bach in a Beautiful Church (In Person AND Online!)

Film | Good Will Hunting (1997): Oscar-Winning Drama starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams


A brilliant but troubled janitor at MIT stuns professors with his genius, but struggles with his past and his potential--until a compassionate therapist helps him confront his fears. Winner of two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting is a moving exploration of intellect, trauma, and human connection. Rated R Director: Gus Van Sant Cast: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgard Matt Damon is an actor, film producer, and screenwriter. He was ranked among Forbes's most bankable stars in 2007, and in 2010 was one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He has received various awards and nominations, including an Academy Award, an Actor Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for three British Academy Film Awards and seven Primetime Emmy Awards. Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and comedies alike. He is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Films, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Good Will Hunting (1997): Oscar-Winning Drama starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams

Workshop | Make Your Own Clay Pinch Pot Using Techniues from Indigenous Cultures


Get hands-on with clay and create a miniature pinch pot! This engaging activity introduces a time-honored art form practiced by Indigenous communities across the Western Hemisphere. Passed down through generations, pottery-making reflects creativity, skill, and deep cultural knowledge. All are welcome! *Children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Make Your Own Clay Pinch Pot Using Techniues from Indigenous Cultures

Workshop | Learn Techniques for Mending Your Clothes


A class on learning to sew by hand using traditional hand sewing techniques. Bring a clothing item (or 2) that needs mending and the group will learn techniques that can be used to mend them. All materials will be provided for the class. 
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Learn Techniques for Mending Your Clothes

Museums | Art from All Over The World in the Most Amazing Museum


Explore the premier collections of modern and contemporary art in one of the world's most iconic architectural landmarks. Tickets for Pay-What-You-Wish hours are available online only and released at 10 am the morning of the event.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:00 pm
$1 min pay-what-you-wish,...
Museumss, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Art from All Over The World in the Most Amazing Museum

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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Go!
5:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Learn to Juggle in the Park

Workshop | Zumba Rhythms Workout in the Park


Participants dance, sweat, and have a great time with friends and fellow Zumba enthusiasts. No experience is required, just come with a positive attitude and be ready to move your body to the rhythm of the music. Weather permitting. Please arrive 10 minutes before class begins.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, registration required
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Zumba Rhythms Workout in the Park

Book Discussion | Architects Discuss Their New Book on a Historic Structure (+ Signing)


A conversation with Sean E. Sawyer, President, The Olana Partnership, and Thomas L. Woltz, Principal, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, to celebrate the new book, OLANA: Frederic Church's Vision of Art and Landscape, timed with the 200th anniversary celebration of Church's birth. Sawyer and Woltz will be in conversation with freelance design journalist Ian Volner, followed by a book signing.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
Book Discussions, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Architects Discuss Their New Book on a Historic Structure (+ Signing)

Discussion | Art Scholars Discuss Newfound Recognition for 19th Century Women Artists


A conversation about the women artists omitted from the dominant narrative of American landscape painting, and how artists, institutions, and scholars are reframing that history to bring visibility to long-overlooked women landscapists today. Artist Anna Plesset, scholar and art dealer Jennifer Krieger, and John Murphy from the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College discuss these historical omissions and how institutions are giving these artists long-overdue recognition in a conversation moderated by Kate Menconeri.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
Discussions, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Art Scholars Discuss Newfound Recognition for 19th Century Women Artists

Workshop | Origami Group 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 is free and open 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 their best to accommodate.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
Workshops, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Origami Group Meet-Up

Party | Play Bridge in a Stress-Free Environment


The card game of Bridge requires four people to play: two teams of two people. Join the group with your bridge partner, or you will be matched with someone to play as a pair. If you would like to learn how to play bridge, organizers can offer some instruction, and you can observe others.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
Partys, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Play Bridge in a Stress-Free Environment

Book Discussion | McSweeney's-Featured Writer Discusses Her New Book, Tiger's Mouth


Lucy Tan in conversation with Joanne Kwong.  About the Book; When two young men meet during a tech internship, it sparks an intense friendship—and even more intense competition—in this sweeping novel of privilege, identity, and ambition from the acclaimed author of What We Were Promised.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, RSVP required
Book Discussions, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, McSweeney's-Featured Writer Discusses Her New Book,&nbsp;Tiger's Mouth

Book Discussion | Book Launch: Between the River and the Railroad Tracks by Nicole R. Fleetwood (with Hanif Abdurraqib)


 A special evening moderated by Hanif Abdurraqib, marking a celebration and conversation with Fleetwood, an NYPL Fellow, about family, place, memory, and history. In her debut memoir, Between the River and the Railroad Tracks, MacArthur Fellow Fleetwood weaves a multigenerational family story into a neighborhood’s history, illuminating the often-overlooked Black Midwest. Following the public launch conversation, a book reception with the author will be accessible for all, with a copy of the book.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Book Discussions, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Book Launch:&nbsp;Between the River and the Railroad Tracks by Nicole R. Fleetwood (with Hanif Abdurraqib)

Discussion | Contemporary Artist Discusses His New Exhibition & Approach


Artist Tammam Azzam joins curator Saria AlMidani for a conversation about his artistic practice and A Horizon Remains. Together, they discuss the development of his work, his approach to painting, and the ideas and artistic influences behind the exhibition.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
Discussions, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Contemporary Artist Discusses His New Exhibition & Approach

Poetry Reading | In Search of Mary Low Tri-lingual Poetry Reading


Celebrating the life and work of surrealist poet Mary Low, with a reading in Spanish, English, and French. In Search of Mary Low represents the first complete collection of Mary Low’s published poetry (1939–2000), edited and translated by the eminent Cuban-American scholar, poet, and literary critic Enrico Mario Santí.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Poetry Readings, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, In Search of Mary Low Tri-lingual Poetry Reading

Performance | Performers Try Out New Comedic or Storytelling Material


A "workout show," wherein talented performers are encouraged to play. The audience is invited to hang out afterward to share feedback, shoot the breeze, and get on the mic themselves.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
Performances, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Performers Try Out New Comedic or Storytelling Material

Classical Music | Piano Works by Debussy, Bizet, & More


Pianists Daniel Eras, Nicholaus Poelwijk Alexander Tsereteli, Nicolas Salloum, and Alex Tuchman. Program: Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Petite Suite, L 65 Erik Satie (1866-1925) La Belle Excentrique Georges Bizet (1838-1875) Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22
   Manhattan, New York, NY
7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
Concerts, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Piano Works by Debussy, Bizet, & More

Classical Music | Various Harpsichord Works in a Beautiful Church


Paolo Bordignon, harpsichordist, in recital.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Concerts, November 17, 2026, 11/17/2026, Various Harpsichord Works in a Beautiful Church
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Dance Performance | "Astonishing" Choreographer

Regular Price: $54
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | Mysticism and Music from Broadway Creators

Regular Price: $55
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Holiday Concert at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $40
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Musical | "A Must See" Musical by Tony Winner

Regular Price: $89
CFT Member Price: $0.00