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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!
26 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, October 29, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Tour | New York City Hall Guided Tour
One of the oldest continuously used city halls in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, New York's City Hall is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, the building was an early expression of the City's cosmopolitanism. City Hall is a designated New York City landmark, and its rotunda is also a designated interior landmark. Note: When registering, choose the "Individual Tour" option.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:00 am
free, registration required...
free, registration required...
Workshop | Mat Pilates Session (Beginners Welcome)
Sweet Water Dance & Yoga leads a session of mat pilates, a strengthening and lengthening exercise that focuses on conditioning your core muscles while also training your arms and legs. This class incorporates key Pilates principles such as postural alignment, breathing, strength, controlled movement, and flexibility. This class is perfect for beginners but intermediate and advanced movers will also benefit. Bring your own mat.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Birdwatching | Spot Central Park's Autumn Migrators with an Expert
Enjoy a special spring birding experience, led by expert birder Alan Drogin, and see how many (of over 280 species of birds that have been documented in Central Park) you can spot. 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. Spot some of the spring migrators, such as colorful warblers, orioles, and thrushes, and explore the natural wonders hidden in the heart of the city!
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 | 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
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
Classical Music | "Virtuoso Violinist" (Boston Globe) Performs Works by J.S. Bach (In Person AND Online!)
Edson Scheid, violin. A performance of J.S. Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin. This concert will feature Sonata No. 2 in A minor, and Partita No. 2 in D minor.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:15 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | Choral Works in a Historic Cathedral
St. Thomas Parish Choir. Program: John Carter (1942-) The Church Victorious Judy Hunnicutt When In Our Music God is Glorified Martin Shaw (1875-1958) With a Voice of Singing Theodore Dubois, Adoramus Te Christi David Schwoebel O God Beyond All Praising Robert Lau Lift High the Cross Hubert Parry (1848-1918) And All the Earth Shall Own Him Lord Janet S Whitacker That I May Serve Allen Pote (1945-) Psalm 139 John Rutter (1945) For the Beauty of the Earth Jacques Arcadelt (1507-1568) Ave Maria Tim Keyes St Patrick's Breastplate
Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:45 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | Obsession (2025): Supernatural Horror Film
After breaking the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. Director: Curry Barker Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Tour | History of Houdini in NYC Tour through CIty Streets
Discover Houdini's roots in the dime museums of the Bowery and his ascendancy in the Golden Age of Magic! Marvel at his battles with the Spiritualists! And find out once and for all if spirits do return (as Houdini famously claimed to prove was not the case) with a visit to a site of one of the famous Houdini seances! This walking tour takes guests through the Village as the group traces the history of Houdini and his milieu of dime museums and performance in the Golden Age of Magic. And, in the spirit of Halloween -- and the 100th anniversary of Houdini's own mysterious death -- we'll delve into the world-famous battle of Houdini vs. the Spiritualists, and his lasting, complex legacy in the world of the paranormal. Highlights include:
Turn-of-the-century Dime Museums on the Bowery, where Houdini got his start
A notorious site of Houdini's haunted legacy
Locations related to the history of Spiritualism, and Houdini's legendary battle with it
The house where a famous Houdini seance took place
Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Museums | Thursday Evenings at a Living Memorial Museum
Explore a museum dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, Jewish life, and education. View expansive galleries, survivor testimonies, and tens of thousands of artifacts. The museum also offers a theater, a genealogy center, an outdoor memorial, and a cafe.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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4:00 pm
free, reservation required...
free, reservation required...
Tour | Explore the History of One of NYC's Most Unique Parks
Discover the story of the park in the sky, on a 90-minute tour. A docent will share park history from the early turn of the 20th century to the present day, offering an insider’s perspective on the elevated structure, before and after it became a park.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Workshop | Full-Body Fitness Class in the Park (All-Levels Welcome)
An outdoor workout in the park for building strength, balance, and community. This full-body fitness class is designed to energize your week, boost your mood, and build community in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Every movement can be modified, making it perfect for beginners, returning exercisers, and parents looking to reset after school drop-off.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Jump into Double Dutch with the Pros
Learn the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope with the Double Dutch Aunties.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Classical Music | 17th Century Italian Works for Violin & Harpsichord (In Person AND Online!)
Jimmy Drancsak, violin, and Julian Bennett Holmes, harpsichord.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required...
free, registration required...
Film | Pigsty (Porcile) (1969): Italian Drama Film Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
These stories of transgression form a scathing commentary on postwar European moral rot and the meaning of rebellion in the face of a corrupt world. Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini Cast: Pierre Clementi, Jean-Pierre Leaud, Alberto Lionello, Ugo Tognazzi Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, revolutionary, writer, actor and playwright. He is considered one of the defining public intellectuals in 20th-century Italian history, influential both as an artist and a political figure. In Italian with English subtitles.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Opening Reception | Song: Ocean Vuong's Photographic Meditation on Loss, Labor, & Kinship
The artist’s first photographic exhibition in New York City. One of the most celebrated writers of our time, Vuong invites visitors to gaze through his aperture and offers a meditation on loss, labor, and kinship through the refugee condition. The exhibition spans nearly twenty years of Vuong’s photographs, which foreground Vietnamese diasporic working-class life in Hartford, Connecticut, where his family settled after leaving Vietnam in the wake of the US war. Writer, professor, and photographer Ocean Vuong is the author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, winner of the American Book Award, The Mark Twain Award, and The New England Book Award.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Open Studios | Yoshitomo Nara: Solo Exhibition from MoMA-Featured Artist
An exhibition by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959) featuring new paintings and drawings, recent sculptures, and early works selected by the artist. This exhibition will be the artist’s first major solo exhibition in New York in nearly a decade.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | Sisters (1972): Neo-Noir Psychological Horror Film from Brian De Palma
A journalist investigates a seemingly impossible crime, uncovering a web of unsettling secrets that blur the line between identity, memory, and reality. Director: Brian De Palma Cast: Margot Kidder, Jennifer Salt, Charles Durning, Bill Finley, Lisle Wilson Brian De Palma is a filmmaker with a career spanning over 50 years. He is best known for work in the suspense, crime, and psychological thriller genres. De Palma was a leading member of the New Hollywood generation.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Film | The Return of Martin Guerre (1982): French Historical Drama (+ Discussion)
The Return of Martin Guerre is based on a case of imposture in 16th century France involving Martin Guerre, a French peasant and ex-soldier. The movie is rooted in the documentary record of this celebrated trial that raises questions concerning identity, deception, and marriage. The case became the basis for historian Natalie Zemon Davis's influential book reconstructing village life in early modern France, demonstrating how legal archives can provide rare insight into the social relationships, values, and everyday experiences of ordinary people whose voices are seldom preserved in the historical record. Director: Daniel Vigne Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye Screening followed by discussion with Shanny Peer and Jeffrey Freedman. Please review the venue's access requirements.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Intermediate Chess-Playing: Level-Up Your Game
Develop your strategies and take your game to the next level with chess expert Tamar Chanadiri from the Marshall Chess Club. All ages are welcome! Chess has many benefits, including:
Improving cognitive skills
Encouraging creativity
Building confidence
Developing problem-solving skills
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Talk | Wangechi Mutu, MoMA-Featured Artist, Discusses Her Career
Renowned Nairobi and Brooklyn-based visual artist presents recent work, including film, sculpture, and installation at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Response by Rachel Grace Newman, Assistant Professor, African American and African Diaspora Studies.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Poetry Reading | Multilingual Collective Poetry Reading (+ Live Music)
An Incidental Chorus is an attentive listening and reading event facilitated by Como un lugar. It brings together Latin American writers in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Pages and fragments from a body of texts circulate through the room, and anyone present is invited to read aloud whenever the moment calls for it. A musician, serving as a kind of conductor for the piece, allows for pauses, silences, and swells, creating a dialogue with the audience’s voices as they rise and recede. The collective reading will be a composition built from listening as much as from the poetry itself.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, donations welcome,...
free, donations welcome,...
Poetry Reading | Pulitzer Prize Finalists Share their Words in Verse
A poetry reading by Robin Coste Lewis and Adrian Matejka. The event will conclude with a reception/signing with books for sale. Robin Coste Lewis won the National Book Award for Voyage of the Sable Venus, her first collection of poetry. The book was also a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Award, and it was named one of the best books of the year by The New Yorker and The New York Times. Adrian Matejka is the author of The Devil’s Garden, which won the New York / New England Award, and Mixology, a winner of the 2008 National Poetry Series.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Museums | Thursday Nights at One of NYC's Leading Museum
Contemporary art is a vital social force that advances questioning, learning, and working towards a better society. This weekly program offers an accessible opportunity to explore groundbreaking exhibitions by emerging and established artists from around the globe. Engage with current artistic dialogues and help expand the definition of art.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Classical Music | Unique Chamber Duets (+ Musician Q&A)
Orchestra musicians will match up in previously unseen configurations, offering aficionados of instrumental music an intimate and close-up look at the world-class individual talents that make up the Festival Orchestra. Following the concert, artists will engage in a brief audience Q&A. 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 option...
free, fast-track option...
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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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