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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, September 28, 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 - 12:00pm Tennis- Courtside Live
12:00pm - 4:30pm Tennis
4:30pm - 6;30pm UEFA Nations League Soccer: Greece vs Germany
6:30pm - 11:15pm Monday Night Football
*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
Jazz | Piano in the Park: "The Best Performer of Classic Ragtime" -Terry Waldo
Come on down and swing along to the best ragtime, stride, and jazz the Big Apple has to offer with Charlie Judkins. "Charlie Judkins is the best performer of classic ragtime in the country!" - Terry Waldo, Ragtime Connoisseur Charlie Judkins is a practitioner of ragtime, jazz and blues piano. His piano playing has been in demand at various public and private events in the New York City area since debuting as a professional bar-room pianist in 2010. Currently, he works most often with singer and multi-instrumentalist Lauren Sansaricq (Miss Maybell) as a duo and in various trio combinations.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation 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
Party | Community Plant Trade-Off
Meet other plant enthusiasts for a free plant swap. Share tips, advice, and plants in this community event Tips for success: Please bring only pest-free plants. If your plants are in containers, please be sure they are in containers that you are ready to give away or exchange. Rooted cuttings may be brought in a sealed plastic bag wrapped in a moist paper towel.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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3:30 pm
free, registration recommended
free, registration recommended
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
Dancing | Latin Hustle Outdoor Dance Celebration
An inter-generational social dance party, in partnership with Dance is Life. Dancers of all ages and skill levels are invited to find joy in movement as they dance to high-energy music, with a focus on Latin Hustle.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required
free, no reservation required
Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution
The museum is dedicated to showcasing 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. Please note that the museum is currently undergoing an exhibition changeover, and the third-floor galleries are closed.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | Poltergeist (1982): Classic Supernatural Horror Films
"They're here..." A suburban family's home becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a doorway to the other side that pulls in their young daughter. With help, they must cross over to get their daughter back. Director: Tobe Hooper Cast: JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight
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...
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
Book Discussion | Rock Steady Crew Dancer Shares His New Book, Rock Steady for Life: Bringing Breakdancing to the World (+ Signing)
A conversation with Richard ("Crazy Legs") Colón to celebrate his new book, a one-of-a-kind illustrated look at the dancing collective that brought breaking and breakdancing into the light. He will be in conversation with D-stroy, followed by a signing.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | New York Times Reporter Shares Her New Book on AI in American Classrooms + Expert Panel
Explore how AI's role in classrooms is being shaped in New York City and beyond with Coding Kids author Natasha Singer and other panelists at this discussion presented by the research and policy institute Data & Society. This is a pivotal year for shaping the role AI will play in American classrooms. Around the country, states have already begun distributing AI products across school districts, and this school year, New York City’s Department of Education has barred student AI use in elementary and middle schools. This event will explore what's at stake for the city's more than 1,700 schools and the millions of students and families they serve.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Workshop | Full-Body Conditioning Workout on the Pier
Enjoy a conditioning class on the Hudson: a full-body workout designed to build your strength, endurance, and agility. This conditioning class will be led by coaches and trainers from PureGym. Please note that participants should bring their own water bottle to class.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Book Discussion | Pulitzer Prize Finalist Shares His New Book on Syrian Political Struggle
Noted journalist and author Anand Gopal discusses his new book, Days of Love and Rage. The book, which has been compared to George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia, tells the story of how, 15 years ago, in a northern Syrian city, a small group of men and women began a movement that overthrew a brutal dictatorship, carrying out one of the most remarkable experiments in democracy in modern times.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 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
Talk | Met Opera & Public Theater Professionals Discuss Shakespeare Adaptations + Performance from Met Opera Cast
Louisa Proske, director of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Verdi's Macbeth, and James Shapiro, the Public's Shakespeare Scholar in Residence and Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, lead an evening of Shakespearean comparison. They will discuss the parallels between the original text and Verdi's opera. Alexa Smith, associate artistic director and director of cultural transformation at The Public Theater, moderates. The event will also include performances of selections from the opera by members of the cast, including soprano Felicia Moore, baritone Quinn Kelsey, and pianist Bradley Moore, alongside excerpts from the play performed by award-winning actors Elizabeth Marvel and Bill Camp.
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, registration required
free, registration required
Concert | Tony-Nominated Broadway Star from & Juliet, Falsettos, Waitress, etc (in a Park)
An intimate concert featuring performances and stunning views. With Betsy Wolfe, who has established herself as one of the most versatile Broadway performers of her generation
Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free, RSVP required
free, RSVP required
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | J.S. Bach and Beethoven by Prominent Orchestra
Regular Price: $30CFT Member Price: $0.00
Concert | "Electrifying, Groove-Heavy" Band at Revered Venue
Regular Price: $35CFT Member Price: $0.00
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