free things to do in New York City
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, January 20, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
January 20, 2026. Free shows, concerts, movies, tours are New York (NYC) best kept secret! New York City never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment whether it's day or night, weekday or weekend, summer or winter, spring or fall, January or June, May or September. If you are looking for inexpensive things to do and where to go in Manhattan today, tonight, tomorrow, or any other time, or any other day of any week - you came to the right place: just click on any day on the calendar dispayed on the every page of our site and you will see how many events you can attend in Manhattan free of charge on that very day.
New York's cultural scene is at its busiest in October and March (and the same goes for free events, free things to do), but other months of the year still offer incredible amount of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away! So if you looking for something to do in April or November, December or February, you will find tons of free things to do, free events to go to. (In June, July and August lots of those free events take place outdoors, of course).
So do not wot till tomorrow, start using these unique New York City opportunities today, January 20, 2026!
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, January 20, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
Free things to do, free events that take place in the City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (January 20, 2026) or on any other day of the year don't miss those free-of-charge opportunities that only New York provides! You can find lots of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
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!
Let New York City surprise, stimulate, entertain and excite you! Read More
Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides:
- free concerts in NYC
- free movies in NYC
- free jazz in NYC
- free poetry readings in NYC
- free tours/hikes in NYC
- free city walks in NYC
- free Yoga /Tai Chi in NYC
- fairs and parades in NYC
- free theater in NYC
- free tickets to concerts, theater and dance performances in NYC
'New York is abuzz with so much culture that they're giving it away.' (The New York Times article about Club Free Time).
Editor's Picks
27 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.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
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6:30 am
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Harp Performance
Participate in a Global Conservatoire Live Lab distance learning master class with chamber and orchestral harpist Mariko Anraku.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free
Free
Master Class | Orchestral Cellist Teaches the Ins & Outs of Great Cello Playing
Paul Watkins, former principal cellist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, demonstrates skills and techniques for cello mastery.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Adult Zumba
Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Lunchtime Meditation (in-person and online)
The sessions are non-denominational and will focus on the basics: meditation to quiet the mind, to focus the quiet mind, using the focused mind for analysis, and using the focused mind to create and uphold a positive vision of and outlook on the world. Other more specific uses of meditation may be discussed however the class is meant for all, beginners and those with a regular practice.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:15 pm
$7
$7
Classical Music | Afternoon Bach
Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:20 pm
Free
Free
Performance | Contemporary Ice Skating Showcase in Midtown
Enjoy a lunchtime performances that bring contemporary choreography to an outdoor ice setting. Featuring solo and duet works by acclaimed skaters and choreographers, the programs transform the ice into a stage for expressive, site-responsive movement.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | The Fountain (2006): Epic Science Fiction Romantic Drama Film with Hugh Jackman & Rachel Weisz
This film consists of three storylines involving immortality and the resulting loves lost, and one man's pursuit of avoiding this fate in this life or beyond it. Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn Hugh Jackman is an Australian actor who landed his breakthrough role as Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Prominent on both screen and stage, he has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and two Tony Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award. Rachel Weisz is an English actress known for her roles in independent films and blockbusters. She has received several awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award. Films in which she has appeared have grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Explore Poetry about New Beginnings for the New Year
Speak with fellow poetry enthusiasts to unpack the layered meanings of poetry through an informal group discussion. Open the year with innovative poems exploring new beginnings and fresh starts. Please note that contemporary poetry deals frankly with contemporary issues and all works discussed are artistic expressions selected for an adult audience.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) | Superhero Film with Pedro Pascal
Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. Director: Matt Shakman Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Sarah Niles Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal is best known for portraying the roles of Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones (2011), Javier Pena in the Netflix series Narcos (2015), the titular character in The Mandalorian (2019), and Joel Miller in The Last of Us (2023).
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Expert Talk: Photography & Hidden Histories
Museum curator, Mia Fineman, examines the power of photography to preserve untold histories. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Club | Discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah with Others
Enjoy a book discussion about The Women by Kristin Hannah. Synopsis: When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different choice for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018): Documentary about Mr. Rogers
This documentary explores the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers. Director: Morgan Neville Cast: Fred Rogers, François Clemmons, Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Negri, David Newell
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, & Scriabin
Pianists Edin Yazici and Ethan Zheng perform a series of pieces by legendary composers of various musical eras. Program: Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49 Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9 Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Vallée d’Obermann Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Pavane pour une infante défunte
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Reading | Publishers Weekly Writer Shares Her New Nonfiction Book, Nothing Random
Publishers Weekly writer/editor Gayle Feldman reads from her new book Nothing Random. Synopsis: At midcentury, everyone knew Bennett Cerf: witty, beloved, middle-aged panelist on What’s My Line? whom TV brought into America’s homes each week. But they didn’t know that the handsome, driven, paradoxical young man of the 1920s had vowed to become a great publisher and, a decade later, was. By then, he’d signed Eugene O’Neill, Gertrude Stein, and William Faulkner, and had fought the landmark censorship case that gave Americans the freedom to read James Joyce’s Ulysses. With his best friend and lifelong business partner Donald Klopfer, and other young Jewish entrepreneurs like the Knopfs and Simon & Schuster, Cerf remade the book business: what was published, and how. Using interviews with more than two hundred individuals, deeply researched archival material, and letters from private collections not previously available, this book brings Bennett Cerf to vibrant life.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Ocean Vuong Talks about His New Book, The Emperor of Gladness (In Person AND Online!)
WNYC’s Alison Stewart and author Ocean Vuong conduct a live conversation about his book The Emperor of Gladness. Ocean Vuong's The Emperor of Gladness is a novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. Hallmarks of Ocean Vuong’s writing—formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness—are on full display in this story of loss, hope, and how far we would go to possess one of life’s most fleeting mercies: a second chance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Play Bridge in a Stress-Free Environment
The card game of Bridge requires four people to play: two teams of two people. Join the group with your bridge partner, or you will be matched with someone to play as a pair. If you would like to learn how to play bridge, organizers can offer some instruction, and you can observe others.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Celebrate Aaron Copland's 125th Birthday with Conversation & Musical Performances
Experience the celebrated podcast, Person Place Thing with Randy Cohen, in a special live event honoring Aaron Copland's 125th birthday with the Copland House Ensemble. Enjoy an engaging evening of conversation, storytelling, and musical performances. The show also includes brief selections by Copland and other composers he was very close to, played by the Copland House Ensemble (hailed by The New Yorker as "bold, adventurous, and excellent").
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Live Recording: Insight Into Culture and Photography
Join a live recording of The Lo-Down Culture Cast with Traven Rice in conversation with photographers Martha Cooper and Clayton Patterson. The discussion explores their influential work documenting New York’s downtown culture.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Origami Group Meet-Up
This event is for people to come together and share in the beautiful art of Origami--an ancient art of folding various mediums, most commonly paper. The word comes from the combination of the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). Other materials often folded are fabric, wire mesh, sheet metal, tissue, thin plastic, cardboard, and straws.This group meets to teach each other new models and share paper, books, and tips. This meeting is free and open to all level of folders from beginner to advanced. There will be free paper available to share. You may choose to bring your own paper and books and just show up and fold! If you have models you would like to learn, or teach, let the organizers know, and they will try our best to accommodate.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Performance | Comedy, Music & Open Stage Variety Night
Enjoy an evening featuring a rotating lineup of comedians, storytellers, and musicians, followed by an open stage where anyone can perform. The program welcomes a wide range of acts and creative formats.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Experts Discuss Hope, Discovery, and Colonization in the United States
The day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a distinguished panel of experts delves into the themes of hope, discovery, and colonization of American lands—ideas that lie at the heart of Thomas Adès’s America (A Prophecy), which the New York Philharmonic commissioned and premiered in 1999. Moderated by renowned ethnomusicologist, historian, and Juilliard faculty member Fredara Hadley, this discussion is scheduled to last one hour and will be followed by an audience Q&A.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
7:00 pm
Regular: $40
Member: $0
Regular: $40
Member: $0
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Book Discussion | Uncovering a Hidden Family History: A Story of Survival & Identity (Online!)
This talk explores the true story of a woman who learned, at thirty-two, that she had been smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto as an infant and that the parents who raised her were not her biological parents. The conversation traces her daughter’s effort to uncover the full, war-torn history: a rescue in occupied Poland, family secrets kept for decades, and the emotional cost of protecting loved ones from painful truths.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Vinyl DJ Night: Money Mike & Raw Q
Dance the night away at as DJs spin classic mixes of disco, hip-hop, funk and more - all on vinyl. The party continues on the blue rink deck and on ice, too. Experience what it was like to party in NYC in the early 70s to the 90s when DJ's played strictly vinyl. Dance to the hits that shaped NYC--: disco, funk, soul, house, boogie, latin, freestyle, and 80's & 90's hip-hop. Spun off from the legendary Mobile Mondays! all 45s night, Vinyl Nights is a vibrant, joyful, inclusive dance party & a celebration of "Everything New York" presented by Rebecca Lynn.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Works by Ravel, Felix Mendelssohn, & More Highlighting the Organ
Juilliard organists (with other instrumentalists) showcase their talents through a series of pieces by composers of the Classical period through today. Program: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21 (arr. Vogl) Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) (arr. Demarco) John Weaver (1937-2021) Rhapsody for Flute and Organ Jean Guillou (1930-2019) Toccata, Op. 9 Peter Mathews Pastorale for Clarinet and Organ Marco Jimenez (2003-) L’Empireo for Ondes Martenot and Organ (World premiere) Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Adagio and Choral Variations on Veni Creator, Op. 4 Flor Peeters (1903-1986) Selections from Speculum Vitae (Mirror of Life), Op. 36
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Viola Works by Prokofiev & More (In Person AND Online!)
Violist Robert Fornos performs three pieces by composers of the Romantic and Modern musical eras. Program: Max Reger (1873-1916) Suite for Solo Viola in D Major, Op. 131d No. 2 Arnold Bax (1883-1953) Sonata for Viola and Piano Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) (arr. Vadim Borisovsky) Selected Pieces from the Ballet "Romeo and Juliet"
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
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Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | Schubert, Mendelssohn and More at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $45CFT Member Price: $0.00
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