free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 10/30/25
<

October 2025

>
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 October 30, 2025?

58 free events take place on Thursday, October 30 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 October 30 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 October . 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!

58 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, October 30, 2025

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Central Park Birding PhotoWalk
free events nyc Penn Station Architecture Tour
free events nyc Chamber Ensemble Reimagines Bach's Organ Repertoire (In Person AND Online!)
free events nyc Vocalist with 2M+ Spotify Streams Lights Up the Stage
free events nyc Polish & American Rhythmically Wild Contemporary Compositions with Unique Staging
More Editor's Picks for 10/30/25
        

Workshop | Central Park Running Session (All Levels Welcome)


If you prefer not to run alone or are looking to improve your running performance, you can run with a club! Open to runners of all levels. Weekly changed routes through the park. Coaches, training, running company and inspiration!
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 am
Free

Workshop | Pick-Up Pickleball


An exciting fusion of badminton and tennis, pickleball has been proven to strengthen muscles, boost cardiovascular health, and enhance brain function. First come first serve basis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
9:00 am
Free

Workshop | Gentle Dance Workout


Enjoy a gentle workout that begins with breathing exercises, then moves into active aerobic dancing that strengthens body awareness.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
9:30 am
Free

Other | Interactive Pop-Up Explores Growing Up in the Digital Age


Step into the past with this multisensory pop-up reimagining the joys of growing up before screens took over. Through immersive exhibits and playful installations, the experience blends nostalgia with modern reflections on how childhood has changed, and what’s stayed the same.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Screening | Most Watched International Sporting Events on the Big (30-foot!) Screen Outdoors: Tennis & Football


Today's Schedule: 10:00am - 6:00pm Center Court Live - Paris ATP, Jiujiang WTA, Hong Kong WTA, Chennai WTA 6:00pm - 7:30pm Race to the WTA Finals and Center Court 7:30pm - 10:30pm BCAA Football Tulane vs UTSA *Scheduled programming subject to change. Seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wells Fargo customers receive priority seating.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Open Studios | Textiles, Sculpture, and Systems in the Digital Age


A solo exhibition exploring the intersection of art, technology, and materiality through marble sculpture, woven paintings, and hand-etched encaustic works. The artist, Analia Saban, connects ancient weaving and sculptural traditions with the digital logic of coding and data systems. From a marble puffer jacket carved by both hand and robot to tapestries woven with acrylic paint threads, the works trace parallels between craftsmanship, computation, and the evolving role of the artist in the age of automation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
10:00 am
Free

Birdwatching | Birding in Central Park


Did you know over 280 species of birds have been documented in Central Park? This birding adventure is led by expert birder Alan Drogin who will help you spot some of them! Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, this program will introduce you to the basics of bird identification, including how to recognize birds by shape, behavior, and sound. Follow the fall migration and explore the natural wonders hidden in the heart of the city! Alan Drogin has been birding for over 30 years in 20 countries around the world and across 26 states.  He is a member of the NYC Bird Alliance (formerly Audubon), the American Littoral Society, NYS Ornithological Association, and the Linnaean Society of New York. Binoculars will be given on a first come, first serve basis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
11:00 am
Free

Fair | Block Party Series 


Celebrate community, creativity, and culture at this vibrant street fair! There will be an array of local vendor booths. Enjoy delicious food, live music, games,  and a variety of fun activities. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
11:00 am
Free

Film | CANCELLED! Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1988): Dark Fantasy Horror-Comedy with Michael Keaton & Winona Ryder


The spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a rambunctious and unpredictable spirit to drive them out. Director: Tim Burton Cast: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton Tim Burton is an American filmmaker, animator, and artist. Known for pioneering goth culture in the American film industry, Burton is revered for his fantasy, horror, and romantic films. These include Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Corpse Bride (2005), and more. Michael Keaton is an American actor. He is known for his leading roles in a wide variety of genre films. He has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award. 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, in addition to nominations for a Grammy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Academy Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
11:00 am
Free

Festival | Food Festival with Local Vendors


New York City's favorite outdoor food market, Smorgasburg, is back. Enjoy a variety of eats and treats from local vendors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
11:00 am
Free

Talk | CANCELLED! Explore WWII through Soviet Journalist's Accounts


Attend an event with Russian translator Robert Chandler. Moderated by Mark Lipovetsky. Vasily Grossman covered all the major battles of the Eastern Front for the Red Star, the official newspaper of The Red Army, during the Second World War. His brutally vivid reports were read by millions of soldiers and civilians alike. And, as the war draws to a close, he was one of the first to expose the horrors of the Treblinka death camp. In recent years, versions of his articles that had not been distorted by censors have been unearthed. Robert Chandler, who has translated Grossman's epic novels of the war and its aftermath, will demonstrate what an extraordinary amount Grossman witnessed during only a few years.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:00 pm
Free

Birdwatching | Central Park Birding PhotoWalk


Enjoy a guided bird photography walk in the heart of Central Park with Oben Tripods, where you'll learn from industry professionals who will share hands-on tips for capturing stunning wildlife images. Tripods will be provided so you can focus on composition, camera settings, and steady, long-lens shooting without the hassle of extra gear. This experience is perfect for both beginners and seasoned photographers looking to refine their skills. Along the way, the group will cover bird behavior, framing techniques, and how to draw the most out of natural light while photographing iconic Central Park species. With a small group setting, you'll get plenty of personalized instruction and the chance to practice wildlife photography right here in New York City. Oben will provide tripods for use during the photowalk. Please bring your own camera, as cameras will not be provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Discovering the Dutch Roots of Washington Irving (Online!) 


Join historian Russell Shorto and scholar Elisabeth Paling Funk for a live virtual conversation about Funk’s new book, The Dutch World of Washington Irving. The discussion explores how Dutch language and culture endured in 18th- and 19th-century New York and shaped Irving’s celebrated works, including his History of New York and timeless short stories.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue


Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:20 pm
Free

Workshop | Creative Wellness: Fashion Candy Art


Join fashion creative Sheila Gray for a hands-on workshop making keepsake ornaments, bookmarks, and artwork using candy bars—a fun, therapeutic activity designed to inspire creativity and promote mental wellbeing. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
12:30 pm
Free

Tour | Penn Station Architecture Tour


Guides lead a walking tours focusing on iconic buildings in the area, focusing on Penn Station's design and history.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Chamber Ensemble Reimagines Bach's Organ Repertoire (In Person AND Online!)


Filament chamber ensemble (Evan Few, violin, Elena Kauffman, viola da gamba, and John Walthausen, harpsichord, performs Bach Revisited, a reinterpretation of Bach's organ repertoire, re-arranged or the unusual team of violin, treble viola da gamba, and harpsichord.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:15 pm
Free

Classical Music | Choral Motets in a Historic Venue


Seton Hall University Choir performs "A Millennium of Motets," which consists of motets (short pieces of choral music) from different centuries.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:45 pm
Free

Film | Drop (2025): Mystery Thriller Film 


A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone during their upscale dinner, leaving her questioning if her charming date is behind the harassment. Director: Christopher Landon Cast: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jeffery Self
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
2:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz Guitar Across Generations: Bertoncini, Ben-Hur, and Friends


Legendary guitarist Gene Bertoncini teams up with Roni Ben-Hur and longtime collaborators for an intimate evening of jazz. Featuring nylon-string and hollow-body guitar interplay, plus bass and vocals, the performance celebrates Bertoncini’s remarkable seven-decade career. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Curator Insights: The Modern Concrete Skyscraper


Join a guided gallery tour exploring the hidden history of concrete in tall buildings and why concrete, rather than steel, dominates contemporary skyscraper construction. The museum’s director leads tours and offers in-depth insights into the materials, design, and innovation behind modern high-rises.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
3:00 pm
Free

Tour | Modern and Contemporary Art Up Close with Museum Curator


Join curator Jane Panetta for an in-depth look at selected works from the modern and contemporary galleries. Gain fresh insights into the art, artists, and movements that shaped the modern era, and uncover the stories behind these influential works. The session includes time for audience questions and discussion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
3:00 pm
Free

Screening | Fandango at the Wall (2020): Music Documentary & Discussion


Experience the festival that became a social movement, a film, an album, and a phenomenon. An event that speaks to our timeliest issues, with artists responding to our political moment. Fandango at the Wall follows Multi Grammy Award winners Arturo O'Farrill and Kabir Sehgal, as they prepare to record a live album at the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The project is inspired by the annual Fandango Fronterizo Festival, which unites people on both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border. This festival features son jarocho, a 300-year-old folk music tradition. Director: Varda Bar-Kar Schedule: 4:00-5:30pm Film Screening, followed by a moderated panel assembled by Achilles Kallergis, Assistant Professor and Director of the Project on Cities and Migration at The New School for Social Research 7:30-9:00pm A Live Fandango! with The Conga Patria Son Jarocho Collective, New School College of Performing Arts musicians, and Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Octet
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
4:00 pm
Free

Book Club | Classic Book Conversation: Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann


Discuss Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann, which chronicles the decline of a wealthy north German merchant family over the course of four generations
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
4:30 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Conversation on Art, Repair, and Postcolonial Identity


In advance of an upcoming exhibition opening, artist Kader Attia joins Mohamed Amer Meziane for a public discussion on art, repair, and postcolonial identity.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:00 pm
Free

Museums | Thursday Evening Exploring the Photography Museum


This museum is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. It was founded in 1974 to champion “concerned photography”—socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world. Through its exhibitions, education programs, community outreach, and public programs, the museum offers an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:00 pm
$5, tickets required

Concert | Vocalist with 2M+ Spotify Streams Lights Up the Stage


Vocalist Camille Trust has quickly established herself as a strong female force in the music scene, garnering praise from the likes of Billboard, Nylon, DuJour, Popdust, and more. Her music has garnered over two million streams on Spotify as an independent artist. Camille is a proud member of the Resistance Revival Chorus and is one of the founders of Brooklyn's all-female led jam session called "Femme Jam." She also sings back-up for various artists including Shawn Mendes, Fleet Foxes, and Nathaniel Rateliff, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free

Film | The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Halloween Fantasy from Tim Burton


Enter an extraordinary world filled with magic and wonder in The Nightmare Before Christmas, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton. Follow Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, as he discovers the joy of Christmas and accidentally turns the holidays upside down. Rated PG. Note: This is a silent outdoor screening; attendees will receive headphones to hear the film’s audio. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and seating is first-come, first-served. In the event of rain, the screening will be rescheduled. No outside alcohol permitted.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Piano Work by Schubert


Leung Chun Shing, piano, performs a sonata by one of the most famous Classical-era composers. Program: Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat Major, D. 960
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
5:30 pm
Free

Film | Hero (2002): Oscar-Winning Chinese Martial Arts Film


In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter is being honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies. When Nameless recounts his battles with the assassins -- Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Moon--the king begins to question some of the details. As Nameless goes on, the king challenges the tales, interjecting his own take on these perhaps suspect version of events. Director: Zhang Yimou Cast: Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Abstraction and Myth in Black-and-White Drawings


Christine Mottau’s Selections from the New England Drawings features large-scale black-and-white abstractions created with paintstick on paper. The works investigate line, form, and space, transforming landscapes into meditations on perception, memory, and the ongoing dialogue between observer and observed. Nancy Kahlo-Curtis’s The Scarlet Studies presents mural-sized charcoal drawings on scarlet paper. Inspired by ancient mythology, these imaginative works celebrate ritual, mystery, and the evolution of symbolic expression.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Exhibition of Works by a Founding Artist of the Nouveau Réalisme Movement, Arman


Enjoy the opening of an exhibition of three sculptures and five paintings from the acclaimed nouveau realist, Arman, presented with the participation of the artist's wife Corice Arman. Arman was a painter who moved from using objects for the ink or paint traces they leave (cachets, allures d'objet) to using them as the artworks themselves. He's best known for his Accumulations and destruction/recomposition of objects.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Exploring Personal Identity through the Art of Roberto Juarez


Enjoy a conversation with artist and National Academician Roberto Juarez NA and NYU Professor of Art History Edward J. Sullivan as they explore questions of personal identity in Juarez's work. In keeping with the theme of the exhibition Whose America?, Juarez and Sullivan will explore how reminiscences of time and place become components of a painter's visual imagination and enter into the optical consciousness of artists like Juarez who think, dream and paint within the parameters of multiple cultural boundaries including queer self-identification and Latinx-American belonging. This program is organized in conjunction with the exhibition Whose America?, on view October 16, 2025 - January 10, 2026.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Exploring Repair and Connection Through Installation and Film


Renowned artist Kader Attia returns to New York with his first solo exhibition in over five years, presenting new works in installation, glass sculpture, collage, and film. His work examines repair, identity, and the rebuilding of human connection through poetic, participatory forms.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Exploring the Body Through Photography and Painting


Experience an exhibition pairing Olivia Reavey’s black-and-white photographs with Hannah Beerman’s vividly colored paintings, each exploring the body in distinct ways. Reavey’s self-portraits and performance-based images play with intimacy, humor, and power dynamics, often featuring friends or models in spontaneous, provocative scenes. Beerman’s paintings emphasize composition, texture, line, and surface, offering a vibrant counterpoint. Together, their work examines how bodies inhabit space, interact, and express human complexity.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Exploring Value and Abstraction Through Sculpture 


Turner Prize-nominated artist Lucy Skaer presents a new series of sculptures, drawings, and photographs that probe the shifting nature of value, time, and abstraction. Through materials such as bronze, glass, and porcelain, Skaer transforms everyday forms, ledgers, haystacks, and geometric figures into poetic reflections on exchange and accumulation. Her works blur the boundary between object and representation, asking how abstraction itself might hold power in an age of commodified meaning.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Learn the about Traditional Korean Lacquerware & Make Your Own Piece


Discover the timeless beauty of Korea’s traditional lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl (najeon chilgi) through this immersive craft education program. Inspired by the Seoul Museum of Craft Art’s representative collection, Lacquered Chest with Ten Longevity Symbols, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistry, history, and techniques of one of Korea’s most celebrated crafts. This program makes Korean traditional craft both engaging and approachable—offering participants the chance to learn, create, and take home a piece of Korean heritage. Program Details: Multimedia Lecture (40 min): Introduction to Korean lacquerware: definition, history, characteristics, patterns, and uses. Craft Box Exploration (20 min): Examine shells, mother-of-pearl pieces, and lacquerware samples to explore the craft’s materials, process, and unique techniques. Hands-on Lacquerware Workshop (60 min): Learn and apply traditional techniques such as jurumjil (chipping) and kkeun-eumjil (cutting) with real mother-of-pearl to create and decorate your own “Lacquerware Treasure Box.”
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Open Mic | Listen (or Recite) Poetry with Nuyorican Poets Cafe


Enjoy an exciting night of poetry! Come listen to (and recite!) some poetry and connect with your favorite poets. Across cities, islands, and generations, Boricuas remain connected - by memory, by struggle, by love. This open mic invites poets and performers to reflect on the relationships that shape us: to place, to each other, to freedom. Attendees will have an opportunity to recite their poetry, meet new poets, enjoy some delicious fritura, and celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe!
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Paintings, Sculptures & Works on Paper Exploring Chaos and Civilization


This exhibition presents new paintings, bronze sculptures, and works on paper that examine the relationship between nature, civilization, and technology. The works use layered compositions, archetypal forms, and varied geometries to reflect on cycles of history and the influence of the digital age. Titles such as Omen, Pandemonium of the Sun, and The Forest point to themes of myth, memory, and perception across different media.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Open Mic | Poetry, Memory, and Connection


Join poets and performers in an open mic exploring memory, love, and the ties that connect Boricuas across generations and places. Enjoy powerful readings, discover new voices, and share your own work in a warm, welcoming space filled with rhythm, reflection, and fritura.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Prize-Winning Author Discusses Her New Book, When All the Men Wore Hats


Susan Cheever will be in conversation with her brother Ben Cheever, author of The Plagiarist & Selling Ben Cheever, about her latest, When All the Men Wore Hats. The Stories of John Cheever, published in 1978, brought together some of the finest short fiction ever written. The collection was honored with the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and it would go on to sell millions of copies and to define the American short story and shape generations of writers. Cheever’s chronicles of modern life both emerged from a distinctly American culture and also created it—inspiring everything from Mad Men to a Raymond Carver story, from rock songs to a Seinfeld episode. Growing up, Susan Cheever, John Cheever’s eldest child and only daughter, read what he read, heard what he heard, bantered and gossiped with him and her brothers and mother at the dinner table, and later watched her father type on the cheap yellow paper he favored. In When All the Men Wore Hats, Susan Cheever looks back on her father’s work and seeks to understand the connections between art and life. In her 1984 book Home Before Dark, published two years after her father’s death, Cheever wrote movingly about her father and the secrets he kept, but here, years later, she tells the story of the remarkable stories themselves, six of which appear in full in the book’s appendix.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Street Art and Social Commentary


Pioneering street artist Al Diaz, co-creator of the legendary SAMO project with Jean-Michel Basquiat, presents An Empire Fallen. This compelling mixed-media exhibition confronts social and political decay. Through layered photographs, paint, and text, Diaz exposes the injustices of modern society while blending sharp wit with vivid color and rhythmic composition. This new body of work, along with never-before-seen pieces, reveals the artist's evolving dialogue between resistance, nostalgia, and truth.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Jump into Double Dutch with the Pros


Learn to double dutch! Coach Kyra Lee and The Double Dutch Aunties will teach you the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Dancing | Sunset Salsa on the Pier


Get ready to dance the night away! Sunset Salsa returns for summer rhythm, hosted by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Talia Castro-Pozo, hailed by Latina Magazine as "The Woman of Salsa." Each evening begins with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson and a vibrant open dance party under the setting sun. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a curious first-timer, all are welcome to join this joyful, high-energy celebration of Latin dance. 6:30 PM: Beginner Lessons 7:15 PM: Open Dance
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Lecture | Understanding the Evolutionary Origins of Poetry


Translator and writer Alessandro Carrera shares the ideas of philosopher Giambattista Vico to understand if there is a human instinct for poetry. An instinct can be understood as an inherent tendency within a living organism to respond to specific stimuli with a complex behavioral pattern. If, as Vico suggests, all origins are inherently poetic, this implies that there is a rhythmic and sonic response to certain conditions to which the human mind-brain gravitates. This primordial response, over millennia, will later be conceptualized as "poetry." Thus, it is crucial to differentiate between three distinct phases: 1) the origin of poetry and the "poetry of the origin," which remains inadequately articulated due to its status as the foundational impulse that will eventually give rise to language itself; 2) poetry as the fully realized power of language, a phenomenon that aesthetics of the sublime seek to encapsulate; and 3) poetry as a "debased" literary genre, wherein "expressiveness" has supplanted the original transformative power of "saying."
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Talk | World Bank Economist Discusses "Lost Century" of Growth in Latin America


The World Bank's chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, William Maloney, will discuss the "lost century" of growth outlined in his recent book—and the path forward. Maloney's book, Reclaiming the Lost Century of Growth: Building Learning Economies in Latin America and the Caribbean, provides a broad yet nuanced perspective on the region's economies. Maloney will also look ahead to the long-term challenges and opportunities for the region, including productivity, education, and global relationships.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
6:30 pm
Free

Video | The Last Musician of Auschwitz (2025): Documentary with Live Chamber Music Performance


The Last Musician of Auschwitz is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of Jewish cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch and other musicians at the Auschwitz concentration camp who used music as a form of resistance and testimony. The film features first-person accounts from Holocaust survivors and includes new interpretations of musical works written by victims, highlighting themes of loss, cultural memory, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst the horrors of the camp. Director: Toby Trackman Musicians from the Phoenix Chamber Ensemble of the Blavatnik Chamber Music Series will perform 45 minutes of music from the film, and other pieces played by prisoners at Auschwitz, before the screening. Program: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Prelude from Cello Suite No.2 in D minor Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Andante con moto from Piano Trio Op. 100 in E flat Major Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Allegro from Sonata in E minor, K 304 for violin and piano Joseph Achron (1886-1943) Stimmungen Op. 32 No. 1 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Romance from Eine Kleine Nacht Music, transcribed for violin, cello and piano Adam Kopycinski (1907-1982) Kolysanka, trancribed for violin, cello and piano by Inessa Zaretsky Franz Schubert (1797-1828) March millitaire in D Major, D.733 for piano 4 hands (5 min) (music was played at the camp) Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Träumerei for cello
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Author & Psychotherapist Discusses Her Self-Help Workbook, The Pain We Carry


Enjoy a conversation between author and psychotherapist Natalie Gutierrez and producer Stephanie Foo (This American Life) about Gutierrez's book, The Pain We Carry.  Based on Gutierrez's powerful self-help guide, The Pain We Carry, this workbook will help you heal the invisible wounds of complex trauma and reclaim your mind, body, and spirit. This groundbreaking workbook provides a practical, step-by-step, and culturally informed approach to healing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) as it is uniquely experienced by people of color. Using skills based in internal family systems (IFS) therapy, polyvagal theory, mindfulness, and more, readers will discover ways to feel safe in their bodies, build self-compassion, and find personal liberation—despite living within an oppressive social system. Attendees can also pre-order a signed copy of the book at the link provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Halloween Readings with Local Writers


Enjoy a night of spooky readings! The theme is “To The Grave”. Read your own work or listen to other emerging and established local writers! If you'd like to participate, send the organizers your most bone-chilling stories about love. Tell them about a romance that still lives in your bones, exes you need to exorcise, and late night trysts that have taken over your psyche. Tell them how love possessed you, stalked you, and terrified you. Submit your sample by October 16th to be considered for the lineup.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Movie in a Park | Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) with Anthony Perkins & Janet Leigh


Synopsis: A secretary embezzles money and checks into a secluded motel, unaware of the sinister secrets lurking behind the inn’s doors. Hitchcock’s chilling masterpiece explores suspense, terror, and the psychology of fear. Director: Alfred Hitchcock Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin Movie-related costumes are encouraged! 
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Poetry Reading | Kimiko Hahn & Rickey Laurentiis Celebrate Their Works (+ Signing)


A reading by Kimiko Hahn (The Narrow Road to the Interior, Toxic Flora, and Foreign Bodies) and Rickey Laurentiis (Boy with Thorn, Whipped), followed by a reception/signing with books for sale.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Tour | Thursday Night Bike Ride


Get rolling with this weekly Thursday Night Bike Ride! Join fellow cyclists for a fun, social-paced loop through Central Park. All levels welcome--just bring your bike and good energy.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:00 pm
Free

Screening | Fandango at the Wall (2020): Live Fandango


Experience the festival that became a social movement, a film, an album, and a phenomenon. An event that speaks to our timeliest issues, with artists responding to our political moment. Fandango at the Wall follows Multi Grammy Award winners Arturo O'Farrill and Kabir Sehgal, as they prepare to record a live album at the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The project is inspired by the annual Fandango Fronterizo Festival, which unites people on both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border. This festival features son jarocho, a 300-year-old folk music tradition. Director: Varda Bar-Kar Schedule: 4:00-5:30pm Film Screening, followed by a moderated panel assembled by Achilles Kallergis, Assistant Professor and Director of the Project on Cities and Migration at The New School for Social Research 7:30-9:00pm A Live Fandango! with The Conga Patria Son Jarocho Collective, New School College of Performing Arts musicians, and Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Octet
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Contemporary Piano Works (+ Conversation with the Composer) (In Person AND Online!)


Piano students with the Manhattan School of Music perform the first six cycles of composer Vincent Ho's The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Vol. III. Following the performance, composer Vincent Ho joins Lisa Yui and the pianists in a conversation about the creation, collaboration, and interpretation of The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals. Program: Vincent Ho The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Vol. III
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:30 pm
Free

Concert | Polish & American Rhythmically Wild Contemporary Compositions with Unique Staging


The Unsound Festival challenges traditional presumptions of contemporary composition with unique staging, unlikely instrumentation, and passionate presentation. This one-night-only Unsound program unites the USA and Poland through modern musical traditions for a rhythmically wild concert showcasing the beauty and energy of footwork. The heavily syncopated, high-velocity sound of footwork fuses Chicago house, Hip-Hop, R&B, and drum and bass into energetically unstoppable dance music. Footwork's impact reaches all the way to Poland, where Lodz-based drummer Gary Gwadera has reimagined its uniquely American sound through the prism of Polish folk traditions on his album Far, Far in Chicago. 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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Various Dance Works (In Person AND Online!)


Enjoy a series of dance works choreographed and performed by students at NYU Tisch.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
7:30 pm
Free

Open Mic | Poetry, Music, and Comedy Showcase (Online!)


Join a weekly online showcase featuring poems, songs, and comedy. Performers can sign up for a 4-minute spot by reserving one of 20 Artist-RSVP tickets, available starting Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET. If all spots are filled, performers may join the “good-luck round” at the end of the session. Audience members are welcome to watch live via Zoom.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
8:00 pm
Free

Comedy Club | Standup Show


Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Go!
8:00 pm
Free
Join the Club!
Go!
Complimentary Tickets

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

Play | Broadway Actors in a Comedy by Award Winner

Regular Price: $69
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Holiday Concert at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $75
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Jazz | Christmas Concert with Groundbreaking Musician at Legendary Jazz Club

Regular Price: $65
CFT Member Price: $0.00