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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!
24 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, October 5, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Birdwatching | Park Birdwatching Outing
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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9:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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 renovation.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
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
Screening | International Events on the Big (30-foot!) Screen Outdoors: Tennis, Soccer, & Football
Today's Schedule:
10:00am - 11:50am Tennis- Courtside Live
11:50am - 2:00pm Soccer- UEFA Nations League Soccer: Latvia vs Cyprus
2:00pm - 4:30pm Soccer- UEFA Nations League Soccer: Turkey vs Italy
4:30pm - 8:00pm Tennis- Courtside Live
8:00pm - 11:00pm Monday Night Football- Atlanta vs New Orleans
*Scheduled programming subject to change. Seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wells Fargo customers receive priority seating.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | 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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:30 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
Workshop | Tapping into the Creative Side of Portrait Photography
Award-Winning Portrait Photographer Tony Gale will be demonstrating some ways to add creativity to portraits. Using in-camera techniques, lighting, and many other things, he will show how he makes portraiture a little more creative and fun. A simple portrait is an excellent option. Other times mixing it up and doing something different is the answer.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Party | Fiber/Textile Arts Social
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | French Petanque-Playing in the Park
Members of NYC’s oldest-running Petanque club guide a Petanque-playing session. This French lawn bowling game from the early 20th century is easy to learn, and the boules will be provided. Just bring yourself!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Make Your Own Personal Zine with Assorted Ephemera
A zine-making workshop inspired by the latest exhibition, To Uncover and Reveal to the World. This workshop, facilitated by BlackMass Publishing, a Black independent press and archive, invites participants to take a short tour of the exhibition, whose design elements reflect the intricacies of book production alongside rare books found in the library. Workshop participants should bring copies of magazine clippings, photographs, and other assorted ephemera that they would like to incorporate within their zines. Collaging tools will be provided. Each participant will leave with their own personal zine and learn the basics of crafting staple-bound and twine-bound zines.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Self-Reflective Writing Session
In this first unit of the creative writing class, the group will be focus on life-writing wherein patrons will be writing creative nonfiction based on their own memories. As it will be Back to School season and the oncoming fall, the session will focus primarily on childhood memories, and developing these into stories by doing the following: 1) focusing on memory selection and developing into a detailed episode, 2) taking real life persons and developing them into characters in their narrative, and 3) crafting them into stories through an outlining/drafting process.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:45 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution
The museum showcases 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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | The Stranger (1991): Bengali-Language Drama Film
A multifaceted character study that contains both humor and melancholy rumination. Based on the filmmaker’s own story, The Stranger involves a bourgeois couple who are taken off guard when a man claiming to be the wife’s long-lost uncle sends word that he will be coming to stay with them after years of travel. Though they fear he’s an impostor, they tentatively let the man into their home, commencing an eye-opening emotional journey for the family. A humanist exploration of class, faith, and tradition versus progress. Director: Satyajit Ray Cast: Utpal Dutt, Mamata Shankar, Deepankar De
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...
Book Discussion | New York Times Cooking Contributor Shares her First-Ever Cookbook (+ Signing)
A conversation with Kay Chun to celebrate her debut cookbook, Gather Around My Table, a book of 100 recipes that take inspiration from every corner of the globe in exciting, unexpected ways. She will be in conversation with Chris Morocco, followed by a signing.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Lecture | Biographer Explores the Groundbreaking Work of Jazz Dancer & Choreographer Buddy Bradley
Maureen Footer has written a new biography of Buddy Bradley, Feel the Floor, that delves into his far-reaching influence. Nearly every famous name in dance in the mid-twentieth century was touched by the innovative, often groundbreaking work of the jazz dancer and choreographer. Iconic choreographers from George Balanchine to Frederick Ashton, Jerome Robbins to Agnes deMille, were among the many major artists who drew inspiration from his work. Here, with a panel including tap, jazz, and ballet dancers, the subject of how one art form can significantly influence another will be discussed and demonstrated, live. When Balanchine and Bradley were brought together in London in 1931 to co-choreograph Charles B. Cochran's famous revue, the star, and the chorus had been trained by Buddy Bradley, providing Balanchine with his first hands-on opportunity to experiment with jazz mechanisms and movement. Some of Bradley and Balanchine's "creative synergies" will be displayed by the dancers in work such as Agon, Rubies and Symphony in C.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration 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. Bring a friend or join on your own--all levels and ages are welcome! 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
Master Class | Learn To Play Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)
This is a workshop/jam to introduce musicians to traditional 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. Musicians should be intermediate level and up, although advanced beginners are also welcome. Absolute beginners are welcome to listen! Please bring acoustic instruments only - no amplification.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Dance Cardio for Rhythm, Strength, & Self-Love
Enjoy the ultimate dance cardio class, where high-energy movement meets heart-pumping music for a workout experience like no other! Groove to the beats of Soca, Hip Hop, and Afrobeats—genres that’ll keep your feet moving and your spirit lifted. Instructors will kick things off with an exciting cardio warm-up that’ll have you dancing, sweating, and smiling all at once. Then, get ready for a quick, powerful HIIT section designed to boost your endurance and metabolism. But don’t worry, the group will finish strong with a calming mindfulness practice to leave you feeling centered and refreshed. No matter your fitness level, this session celebrates rhythm, strength, and self-love—empowering you to dance your way to your best self. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes to move around in. The event is rain or shine—the event space is fully covered.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Staged Reading | Last Night At Mikell's: Original Drama Based on James Baldwin's Life
James Baldwin is writing himself into bad health. After two heart attacks and being hospitalized for hepatitis, the globe-trotting author returns to New York City for some rest, relaxation, and much-needed TLC. First on his itinerary is the iconic jazz club Mikell’s, a favorite hangout where he’s usually surrounded by adoring fans and his brother David tends bar. But things have changed since Jimmy last came home. To his surprise, Mikell’s is closing, and his entourage this night consists of just Maya Angelou and Miles Davis, good friends who meet him there because they also didn’t know. What’s intended as a celebration turns into an Irish wake for the not-yet deceased, instigated by Miles as Jimmy impulsively, on the spot, starts writing an elegy to his beloved old joint, enabled by David, while Maya tries to intervene. Written by Larry Muhammad Directed by Ron Beverly
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, donations welcome
free, donations welcome
Concert | Tony-Nominated Broadway Star from & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress, & More Sings Her Heart Out in the Park
An intimate concert featuring performances and stunning views, with Betsy Wolfe.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Dance Performance | Jazz-Inflected Songs with Contemporary Choreography
A performance featuring Richard X and Paula Jeanine Bennett's new album and Juilliard dancers, with choreography by Juilliard faculty member Karen Gayle.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
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Classical Music | "Virtuoso" Pianist Performs Works by Liszt & More
Regular Price: $50CFT Member Price: $0.00
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