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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!
36 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, October 23, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Workshop | Morning Yoga on the Plaza
Start your morning off balanced and refreshed with a yoga class led by local yoga instructors Mariah and Frances. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Tai Chi (Outdoors)
Improve balance, strength, and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the harbor provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum
Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum examines the significant influence of posters on society and culture, and how they are adapted for modern use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it offers a space for inquiry for anyone interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the goal of enhancing design literacy among the general public.
Works explore:
mass communication and persuasion
the intersection of art and commerce
control of the public domain
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Tour | Midtown LGBTQ+ History Walk
Explore the neighborhood with a curated, librarian-led walking tour featuring sites of queer resistance throughout history! Midtown is not typically thought of as a landmark area of queer history, but you might change your mind after the end of this tour. In this walking tour, hosts will talk about various groups that forged the path for queer liberation, methods in which the lgbtq+ community supported and continues to support one another, and where/how you can access lgbtq+ resources today. All participants must sign a waiver so please try to show up 15 minutes before the start time.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:30 am
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Zumba Workout for All
Enthusiastic instruction and easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography working on balance, coordination, and range of motion.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:30 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Museums | Asian Art and Culture Museum
The museum features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional and contemporary pieces from various Asian cultures. They typically have guided tours at 2 pm.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, reservation required
free, reservation required
Workshop | Clay Sculpture Lesson (Part 2)
Participants will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and start hand-building their own unique sculptures using all sorts of fun tools and techniques. Whether you follow our playful prompts or go totally freestyle, you’ll leave with something truly one-of-a-kind. In part two of this sculpture workshop, the group will decorate our sculptures with paint. Come roll up your sleeves and let your imagination run wild as attendees glaze (paint) their creations from our first session to bring them to life!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:00 pm
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 | An Afternoon of 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
free, no reservation required
Film | Starting Out in the Evening (2007): Drama Film
Involving May-December romance between a teacher and out-of-print novelist (Frank Langella) and the grad student (Lauren Ambrose) writing her thesis about him. Director: Andrew Wagner Cast: Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose, Lili Taylor, Adrian Lester
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Artmaking on the Plaza with a Professional Artist
Led by a local teaching artist, this drop-in class invites participants to explore creativity through hands-on artmaking. Past mediums have included plein-air drawing, printmaking, cyanotypes, and more. All materials are provided.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Workshop | Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends
Freeform crafting and conversation! Bring your own project or choose something from the collection to work on. The organizers have materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, and paper crafts. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Film | Rosemary's Baby (1968): Classic Psychological Horror Film with Mia Farrow & John Cassavetes
A young woman living in an old New York City apartment building becomes pregnant following a horrible nightmare, and begins to fear the worst for her unborn child while suspecting that she is surrounded by evil. Director: Roman Polanski Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy Mia Farrow is an award-winning American actress, singer, and humanitarian. Farrow has appeared in nearly 50 films, and has won a Golden Globe and been nominated for multiple BAFTAs and a Tony. She's also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador who advocates for children in conflict zones. John Cassavetes was an American filmmaker and actor. He began as an actor in film and television before helping to pioneer modern American independent cinema as a writer and director, often self-financing, producing, and distributing his own films. He received nominations for three Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Psychological Thriller Film
Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out. Director: Jonathan Demme Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine Jodie Foster is an actress and filmmaker who started her career as a child actor before establishing herself as a leading actress in film. As a performer, she is known for her versatility. She has received several accolades, including two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Foster was also awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2013 and the Honorary Palme d'Or in 2021. Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor, considered one of Britain's most recognizable and prolific actors. He is known for his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award. He has also received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005 and the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement in 2008. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama in 1993.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Jazz | Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)
This jam session is open to all musicians. Come and play or just listen to some jazzy tunes.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, 1 drink...
free, 1 drink...
Movie in a Park | Hairspray (2007): Musical Romantic Comedy (Outdoors)
Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad auditions to be on Baltimore’s most popular dance show - The Corny Collins Show - and lands a prime spot. Through her newfound fame, she becomes determined to help her friends and end the racial segregation that has been a staple of the show. Director: Adam Shankman Cast: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow Complimentary popcorn for all guests. Doors open one hour before the start time of the movie.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Museums | American History and Artifact Collections
Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. Last admission is at 7 pm.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museums | Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum
This museum is an assemblage of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints inside a historic building. Registration opens 7 days in advance & does sell out.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Museums | Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum
Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more! Throughout the night, there will be a few "15-minute tours," highlighting different parts of the collection.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, tickets required
free, tickets required
Reading | Pushcart Prize-Winning Writers Share Prose & Poetry
A reading by James Ciano, Sara Elkamel, Michelle Phương Hồ, Kyle Carrero Lopez, Migwi Mwangi, and Lindsay Turner, hosted by Matthew Rohrer. The event will conclude with a reception/signing with books for sale.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Workshop | Discover the Art of the Postcard & Create Your Own
Postcard enthusiasts, also known as deltiologists, are welcome to this program! Writing and communicating with postcards is a longstanding tradition, still embraced by many today. Attend to write postcards inspired by suggested prompts, to swap postcards, and to discuss all topics postcard-related. There will be some limited supplies available but you may also bring your own to embellish a 4x6 card to write on. Postage stamps will not be provided at this program.
Manhattan, New York, NY
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Museums | Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum
This special, all-ages evening celebrates the art and the city. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, and see a film in the theaters. Museum stores and cafe will be open, too, so you can grab a bite, get drinks, or shop for unique design objects. Free for New York State residents but must be reserved in advance (up to two adults), and are subject to availability and proof of residency. Tickets are released one week in advance.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free for New...
free for New...
Concert | Iterative Pieces & Improvisations for Violin
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Felix Herbst brings the violin to the center of an immersive set. Drawing on a wide-ranging musical background that spans Broadway, dance commissions, studio production, and New York City's live music scene, Herbst builds richly layered performances through live looping and spontaneous composition. A sought-after producer and string arranger whose work has appeared on both indie releases and Billboard-charting albums, he brings that same instinctive, textural approach from the studio to the stage.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Party | Annual Halloween Costume Parade with Tim Gunn
Drinks, crafts, and more. Come dressed as the character, book, author, or literary icon who haunts your imagination. The judges--fashion mentor Tim Gunn and NYPL librarians--will decide who wears it best. Prepare to serve a spellbinding look! Attend at any point between 6:30-8:30 PM. The costume parade will begin at about 7:15 PM.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Screening | Experimental Austrian FIlmmaker Peter Kubelka's "Metric Films"
Christian Flemm presents Kubelka's 16mm films, with insights on restoring prints and Invisible Cinema. It features a program of Peter Kubelka's "Metric Films" presented by artist Christian Flemm and projected in their native 16mm film format. Flemm will share his experiences preparing, timing, and printing new 16mm prints of Kubelka's filmography from the available internegatives held in the Austrian Film Museum, alongside reflections on the Austrian artist's Invisible Cinema in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Film | Brazil (1985): Dystopian Sci-Fi Black Comedy Film
Dystopian masterpiece Brazil follows Sam Lowry, a government employee who escapes monotony through daydreams of himself as a winged hero rescuing a beautiful woman. When a clerical error leads to the wrongful arrest of an innocent man instead of the wanted rogue Harry Tuttle, Lowry tries to fix the mistake and in the process, meets the woman from his dreams—pulling them both deeper into a bureaucratic web of mindless red tape and mistaken identities. Director: Terry Gilliam Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Musical | El Salon: A Not-So-Stereotypical Latin Musical
A story where faith meets calling. In a lively Dominican salon, two Latinas—Ivelisse and Yaritza—face the fears, dreams, and family expectations they’ve long avoided. Through sharp humor, cultural warmth, and honest conversations about faith, the musical explores topics many communities quietly carry: mental health, hustle culture, generational pressure, and the search for identity. What begins as an ordinary day in the salon slowly becomes something deeper. Written by Deborah Dada.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, tickets required
free, tickets required
Screening | The Rest I Make Up (2018): Documentary on the ower of Memory (+ FIlmmaker Talk)
A screening and discussion of Michelle Memran’s film. In The Rest I Make Up, the camera becomes a catalyst for collaboration, capturing Irene’s ability to teach, to inspire, and to turn the scraps of everyday life into moments worthy of wonder and delight. The feature-length documentary follows Irene’s memories, weaving together footage of the present with archival footage from the past, all the while moving mentor and student towards an ever-deepening connection in the face of forgetting. Director: Michelle Memran
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Talk | Photographer & Historian Explore the Dandy Subculture
Explore an inclusive landscape where dandyism belongs to anyone obsessed with masculine elegance, regardless of class, race, age, sexuality, or gender. For more than a decade, photographer Rose Callahan and writer Nathaniel Adams have explored the many meanings of dandyism through their acclaimed books I Am Dandy, We Are Dandy, and most recently, They Are Dandy. Far from a homogeneous relic of the past, contemporary dandyism offers a powerful means of asserting identity, embracing visibility, and challenging rigid societal norms. Rose Callahan is a photographer known for her evocative portraits that celebrate the transformative power of style, while Nathaniel Adams is a writer and historian with a focus on dandyism, subculture, and men's fashion. Books will be available for purchase. Dandy Style is highly encouraged!
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Classical Music | Piano Variations on Twinke Twinkle Little Star
A set of solo piano variations that gradually unfolds as a dialogue with starlight, transforming a familiar melody through shifting perceptions of memory and cosmic time. Composed by Randal Despommier. Performed by Cyrus von Hochstetter.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Play | A Doll's House: Modern Adaptation of Ibsen's Classic Drama
Amy Herzog’s A Doll’s House follows Nora Helmer, a woman who secretly borrows money to save her husband Torvald’s life. When her secret is threatened with exposure, Torvald’s reaction reveals that he values his reputation more than Nora’s sacrifice. Nora realizes that she has been treated as a “doll” rather than an equal partner. She therefore decides to leave her marriage and family to discover her identity, independence, and freedom. Originally written by Henrik Ibsen. Adapted by Amy Herzog. Directed by Elissa Goetschius
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
7:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Concert | Experimental Hip-Hop, Abstract Rap, Jazz Rap, & Performance Art
West Louisville, Kentucky's suhREEtah showcases her work that is rooted in her experience growing up Affrilachian. She describes Kentucky as "a complicated place to be Black"--a vantage point that draws audiences into her orbit. 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.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, fast-track available
free, fast-track available
Screening | Korean Film Festival: The Gorals (2025) -- Korean Coming-of-Age Drama
With 200 days left until college entrance exams, while everyone is focused on studying, In-hye, who is in charge of the animal pen, is busy lecturing a duck. One day, as punishment for carrying a knife, Seo-hee joins In-hye in cleaning the animal pen. The two discover an abandoned meadow and lose Hee-seon (the duck) there. Meanwhile, teacher Kim Ah-tae gathers four students--In-hye, Seo-hee, Jung-ae, and Soo-min--who have been given up on by their school, parents, and even themselves, and forms a "college interview prep group." On the day of their university interviews, In-hye and Seo-hee ditch school and head to the meadow in search of Hee-seon. They pitch a tent and spend nights in the woods, gradually adapting to life in the wild. Director: Yoo Jae-wook Cast: Park Hye-jin, Lee Seung-yeon, Park Hyo-eun, Choi Soo-in, Lee Hyo-je English subtitles available.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Debussy & Rachmaninoff (In Person AND Online!)
MSM Symphony Orchestra. Program: Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Ariettes oubliees Owen Bloomfield Motions for Marimba and Chamber Orchestra Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No. 4
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Poetry Reading | Poetry & Music Celebrating Award-Winning Writer Sonia Sanchez
The legendary group Sweet Honey in the Rock joins Tracy K. Smith, Danez Smith, Jessica Care Moore, and Ursula Rucker to honor the "Poet Laureate of the Planet!" Yolanda Wisher hosts, with special appearances by Ama Birch, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Cornelius Eady, and Pamela Sneed.
Manhattan, New York, NY
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
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Classical Music | Symphony Orchestra, Large Chorus at a Major Concert Hall
Regular Price: $65CFT Member Price: $0.00
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