free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 07/17/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

July 17, 2026. Free shows, free concerts, free movies, free tours, free readings, worshops, lectures, etc.  are New York's best kept secret! Learn all about it and do not miss the unique opportunities that only New York provides: NYC 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 start using these unique New York City opportunities today, July 17, 2026!

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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, July 17, 2026!

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Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.

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Free things to do, free events that take place in New York City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (July 17, 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!

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In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York City (NYC), 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!

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Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!

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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
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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 unique 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

free events nyc Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum
free events nyc Orchestral Works by Felix Mendelssohn & More at a Major NYC Concert Hall
free events nyc Silent Disco: House Music with Internationally Recognized DJ
free events nyc Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Brooklyn Bridge, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial
All Editor's Picks ...
        

63 free  things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Friday, July 17, 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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Morning Yoga on the Plaza

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Tai Chi (Outdoors)

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
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum

Screening | Most Watched International Sporting Events on the Big (30-foot!) Screen Outdoors: Golf & Baseball


Today's Schedule: 10:00am - 3:30pm Golf-154th Open Championship 3:30pm - 6:00pm Golf-Live from The Open 6:00pm - 10:00pm MLB- Yankees vs Los Angeles *Scheduled programming subject to change. Seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wells Fargo customers receive priority seating.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Screenings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Most Watched International Sporting Events on the Big (30-foot!) Screen Outdoors: Golf & Baseball

Workshop | Zumba Workout for All


Enthusiastic instruction and easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography working on balance, coordination, and range of motion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Zumba Workout for All

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Asian Art and Culture Museum

Tour | Curator-Led Tour of exhibition on Indigenous Peoples of New York during the American Revolution


Reflect on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special tour of the exhibition Native New York. The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) tested the bonds of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Confederacy, an alliance of six nations that controlled most of the territory now known as New York State. Neighboring nations were also drawn into the conflict, and all were forced to choose sides or try to remain neutral. Learn more about Indigenous history on both frontiers of the war in relation to the Mohican, Oneida, and Cayuga communities and in the war’s aftermath at Buffalo Creek.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Tours, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Curator-Led Tour of exhibition on Indigenous Peoples of New York during the American Revolution

Festival | Food Festival with Local Vendors


New York City's favorite outdoor food market, Smorgasburg, is back. Enjoy a variety of eats and treats from local vendors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Festivals, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Food Festival with Local Vendors

Workshop | Learning Monoprinting Techniques in the Park (All Ages)


Participants will learn the monoprinting technique and create prints to take home. Get inspired by the urban life, flowers, and monuments in the park, then express it with the provided drawing and craft supplies. Adults and kids alike are invited to get creative!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Learning Monoprinting Techniques in the Park (All Ages)

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Learn to Juggle in the Park

Jazz | Piano in the Park: Carnegie Hall-Featured Musician


Come on down and swing along to the best ragtime, stride, and jazz the Big Apple has to offer, with performer Roy Eaton. Classically trained pianist Roy Eaton has a most impressive career. Deemed a child prodigy, he first performed at Carnegie Hall in 1937 at the age of seven, paving the way for several later performances in legendary institutions. He has since released several albums, with his latest being I Play for Peace.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Piano in the Park: Carnegie Hall-Featured Musician

Festival | Arts & Culture Fest Honoring the Work of Hunter S. Thompson (Day 1)


Through lectures, live music, art, panel discussions and spoken word, this event celebrates the life and times of Hunter S. Thompson. It will focus on Hunter’s political writing and political activism, his connections with the Beat Generation, and will feature Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman and Ralph’s daughter Sadie Williams. It will also feature Hunter S. Thompson’s son Juan Thompson, grandson Will Thompson, Joe Iconis and musical numbers from the musical based on Hunter’s life, also Phoebe Legere, Puma Perl, Penny Arcade, women poets of New York, and many other scholars, artists, and poets.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Festivals, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Arts & Culture Fest Honoring the Work of Hunter S. Thompson (Day 1)

Tour | Curator-Led Tour of exhibition on Indigenous Peoples of New York during the American Revolution


Reflect on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special tour of the exhibition Native New York. The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) tested the bonds of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Confederacy, an alliance of six nations that controlled most of the territory now known as New York State. Neighboring nations were also drawn into the conflict, and all were forced to choose sides or try to remain neutral. Learn more about Indigenous history on both frontiers of the war in relation to the Mohican, Oneida, and Cayuga communities and in the war’s aftermath at Buffalo Creek.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Tours, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Curator-Led Tour of exhibition on Indigenous Peoples of New York during the American Revolution

Workshop | Mixed Media Portrait-Making Session with a Professional Artist


This drop-in class invites participants to explore creativity through hands-on artmaking outdoors with artist Annie Legnini. All materials provided. At this workshop, participants will create at least two or more mixed media portraits of a friend/another participant of the workshop in the same drawing, focusing on expressiveness. Legnini is best known for her ongoing collaborative community art project called “Bronx Faces” - a series that pairs the stories and experiences of Bronxites with a mixed media portrait.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Mixed Media Portrait-Making Session with a Professional Artist

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends

Film | The Theory of Everything (2014): Stephen Hawking Biopic with Eddie Redmayne


Stephen Hawking gets unprecedented success in the field of physics despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. He defeats awful odds as his first wife Jane aids him loyally. Director: James marsh Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney Eddie Redmayne is an English actor who has earned an Academy Award, a Tony Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Olivier Awards. Redmayne began his professional acting careeron stage, taking roles on the West End and Broadway. His breakthrough came with the roles of Colin Clark in the biopic My Week with Marilyn (2011) and Marius Pontmercy in the musical Les Misérables (2012). Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Theory of Everything (2014). He was nominated in the same category for his role in The Danish Girl (2015).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Films, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, The Theory of Everything (2014): Stephen Hawking Biopic with Eddie Redmayne

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Workshop | Play Chess & Socialize


Sharpen your mind, meet new people, and enjoy this timeless game. Chess sets and timers are provided. Adults only.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Play Chess & Socialize

Film | Spielberg's Lincoln (2012): Biographical Historical Drama Starring Daniel Day-Lewis


Loosely based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and covers the final four months of Lincoln's life. The film focuses on President Lincoln's efforts in January 1865 to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude by having the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the United States House of Representatives. Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones Steven Spielberg is an American film director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and four Directors Guild of America Awards, as well as the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2006, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2009, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Seven of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." Daniel Day-Lewis is an English actor often described as one of the preeminent actors of his generation. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned over four decades, including three Academy Awards for Best Actor, making him the first and only actor to have three wins in that category.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Films, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Spielberg's Lincoln (2012): Biographical Historical Drama Starring Daniel Day-Lewis

Galleries | Taking Over: Subvertising in NYC -- Brooklyn Museum-Featured Photographer's Decades-Long Project 


This event is a special opportunity to see the exhibition Taking Over: Subvertising in NYC with the photographer Katherine 'Luna Park' Lorimer present. A special limited edition zine will be available at the viewing. Taking Over: Subvertising in NYC is a decades-long photographic record of interventions by artists and activists. While the output is varied—from graffitied billboards to spoofed ads in phone booths and bus shelters—the intent is the same: to hijack ad space and replace it with alternate messaging. Subvertisers envision public space that is not dominated by advertisements, preferring instead to inject doses of art, humor, and politics into the city’s veins. As such interventions are typically short-lived, often removed within 24 hours, photographic documentation plays an essential role in their dissemination.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Galleriess, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Taking Over: Subvertising in NYC -- Brooklyn Museum-Featured Photographer's Decades-Long Project&nbsp;

Workshop | Embroidery with Social Commentary Workshop: Slow, Shared Practice


Artist Cinthya Santos-Briones invites you to participate in a collective embroidery workshop and stitching circle that explores contemporary narratives of migration in the United States. Participants will embroider phrases drawn from news reports, headlines, and press archives related to the current anti-immigrant political climate. Through the slow, shared practice of embroidery, the group will transform words designed for immediate media consumption into a space for dialogue, critical reflection, and collective witness. Inspired by Chilean arpilleras, Mexico’s Bordados por la Paz collectives, and other Latin American practices that have used textiles to denounce state violence and forced disappearances, the project approaches embroidery as a tool for memory, collective witness, and community repair. The workshop will be co-facilitated by María José Prudente, a Mixtec Indigenous embroiderer, language rights advocate, attorney, and interpreter in immigration courts. All materials will be provided, and no prior embroidery experience is required. The workshop will be bilingual (Spanish and English).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Embroidery with Social Commentary Workshop: Slow, Shared Practice

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, American History and Artifact Collections

Festival | Community Summer Celebration (Live Music, Food, Local Businesses, & More)


Enjoy an open-air night market bringing food, music, and community in a historic part of Harlem.  Come for dinner, stay for the music, bring friends, or pull up solo. What to expect: Local food vendors, rotating weekly Live DJs and performances Open-air summer night market Community-first, family-friendly vibe Easy access via subway and bus
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Festivals, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Community Summer Celebration (Live Music, Food, Local Businesses, & More)

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum

Poetry Reading | Live Music & Poetry with Eileen Myles & More (Outdoors)


An evening of poetry and music in the park! This event features Eileen Myles, Yaissa Jiménez, and musician Samantha Crain.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Poetry Readings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Live Music & Poetry with Eileen Myles & More (Outdoors)

Party | Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)


Curious about a board game or looking to try something new? The Games Hosts will be teaching how to play a wide range of fun board games. Many come to play the social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Partys, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)

Workshop | Soccer-Inspired Freestyle Footwork Performance


The NYC freestyle football community presents a performance that blends athleticism, rhythm, imagination, and gravity-defying precision with just a soccer ball. This outdoor pop-up event features a mix of highly choreographed footwork and improvisation from international stars and local freestyle legends like Nick Seyda, Laura Biondo, Pat Shaw, Spinny Vinny, and Gabe Luzbet. Keep your head up and you may even find yourself in on the action.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Workshops, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Soccer-Inspired Freestyle Footwork Performance

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Museumss, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum

Screening | "Faces in the Crowd" Short Films on Unexpected Encounters (at a Landmark Museum)


An evening featuring rare short films produced between 1903 and 1973. They fit the theme "faces in the crowd." From close-up portraits to chance encounters and bustling city crowds, these works capture the full spectrum of the human experience. This event explores unexpected encounters--from chance meetings to confrontations.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
Screenings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, "Faces in the Crowd" Short Films on Unexpected Encounters (at a Landmark Museum)

Opening Reception | A Rose Is a Rose: Multidisciplinary Solo Exhibition Exploring Sensory & Emotive Aesthetics


Pauline-Rose Dumas uses this exhibition to answer the question: "What is it that you have to say about this world?" A recipient of the 2026 Anni & Josef Albers Foundation residency program, Pauline-Rose Dumas recently spent two months in Bethany, CT amidst its lush, tranquil surroundings. Pauline-Rose is an artist of matieres, in the noble sense of that French term, which Anni and Josef Albers used to evoke the sensory and emotive aesthetic quality of materials. Textiles and metal--two seemingly disparate materials at first glance--dominate her creative practice, complemented by drawings, preparatory notes, and an entire narrative built upon a body of collected and printed images--much like a personal diary--that inhabits each of her pieces. Despite their differing material properties, loops, squares, and rods coalesce amidst the light and intimacy of her workspace into organic silhouettes as fragile and frail as cast shadows. The elements that make up Pauline-Rose Dumas's pieces stem from her daily practice: threads, needles, pins, spools, ribbons-- even the finger rests from the scissors she uses to cut fabric. They appear simultaneously familiar and alien within the shifting scale, as if to suggest that one should be wary of the deja-vu.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Opening Receptions, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, A Rose Is a Rose: Multidisciplinary Solo Exhibition Exploring Sensory & Emotive Aesthetics

Opening Reception | Ladder / Chain: Dual Multidisciplinary Exhibition Exploring Opacity, Transparency, & the Passage of Light


Ladder / Chain is a two-person exhibition featuring image-based glass works by Juyon Lee and upholstered panels and pewter casts by Emma Safir. Both artists employ a language of textiles to manipulate lens-based imagery through an iterative toggling between the digital sphere of computers and the physical tangibility of paper and thread. Borrowing its title from the names of visible and invisible mending stitches, Ladder / Chain brings these artists in conversation around traversing voids and portals, materially explored in either practice through degrees of opacity, transparency, and the passage of light through built surfaces. Focusing on sites of connection, Lee takes her source materials from screenshots and virtual exchanges with her family members in Korea. By splicing and hand-weaving them with photographic scenes from her present reality in New York, she aims to bridge this interstitial divide. Her interlacements are re-documented and compressed once more before being fused with glass via photographic decals, further taking shape inside the kiln as her materials slump around three-dimensional forms. For Lee, glass's hard yet malleable properties embody generative possibilities, serving both as a reference to technological screens and as a staunch counter to the ephemerality of digitally mediated communication. Meanwhile, Safir’s plush, wall-mounted panels similarly precipitate image as object, yet her visuals arrest on obstructed thresholds that separate interior and exterior worlds, often capturing reflections bouncing against curtained windows or the obfuscatory patterning of privacy glass. Photographs taken during her travels are layered with scans of fabric and lace casts or analog rubbings of domestic, baroque fixtures before being printed on silk. Safir meets this digital collaging or stitching together with a literal stitch. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Opening Receptions, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Ladder / Chain: Dual Multidisciplinary Exhibition Exploring&nbsp;Opacity, Transparency, & the Passage of Light

Discussion | Arts, Wellness, & Policy Experts Discuss Artistic Engagement & Wellbeing at a Major NYC Concert Hall (+ Live String Quartet Music)


Against the backdrop of the world's celebration of soccer, this conversation explores how creativity can be understood as a health-creating behavior alongside physical activity, supporting not only individual wellbeing, but the health of our cities. While sport and exercise are widely recognized for protecting physical and mental health, growing evidence shows that engagement in music, dance, storytelling, and the visual arts also strengthens stress regulation, emotional wellbeing, social connection, and community resilience. Bringing together voices from the arts, sports, public health, and policy, this event examines how creative participation can advance World Health Organization (WHO) global health targets while aligning with New York City's priorities around prevention, equity, and neighborhood-level wellbeing. The conversation highlights how arts engagement can support mental health, reduce health disparities, and foster the social cohesion that underpins healthy, thriving communities. This event will begin with members of the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center playing a selection from Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel's String Quartet in E-flat major.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Discussions, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Arts, Wellness, & Policy Experts Discuss Artistic Engagement & Wellbeing  at a Major NYC Concert Hall (+ Live String Quartet Music)

Performance | Drag Show Celebrating Deaf Culture at a Landmark Museum


This event features the stylings of Deaf Drag Queen Selena Minogue. It connects the artistry of drag and Deaf culture. A performance and conversation in celebration of the exhibition, Musical Bodies.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish
Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Drag Show Celebrating Deaf Culture at a Landmark Museum

Dancing | Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery (+ Live Music)


The world-renowned Limon Company Dancers teach the energetic and ease-filled Limon Technique, accompanied by live music. Limon Technique is used in contemporary dance, focusing on the rhythms of falling and recovering balance and the importance of good breathing to maintaining flow in a dance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Dancings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery (+ Live Music)

Jazz | Jazzy Tunes on the Plaza


A warm summer evening with jazz from standout local artists. This evening features Tris10 and Vanessa Camacho, and Zacchae'us Paul & band. You're welcome to bring your whole family to enjoy music under the open sky.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Jazzy Tunes on the Plaza

Screening | Short Athletic Dance Film Cinematic Showcase on the Plaza


In celebration of the global soccer community and the extraordinary grace of the athletes, there will be a screening of international short-form dance films, including Carmen, a street performance by flamenco artist Carmen Avilés with fast footwork to rival any soccer player; Yeah the Boys, a choreographic observation of Australian masculine identity and its relationship with sports culture; the world premiere of WITH LOVE by EICHTERLING, volleying dance moves across a tennis court; the U.S. premiere of Manège, 3,000 still images of sports-inspired choreography; and BOLERO.S, a hyper-athletic display honoring diversity of bodies and choreographic aesthetics. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Screenings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Short Athletic Dance Film Cinematic Showcase on the Plaza
6:15 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
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Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Mysterious Play: Endgame Express

Dancing | CANCELLED! Salsa-Soul Hits with "King of Latin Soul" CANCELLED!


Joe Bataan performs an evening of classic hits. Born and raised in El Barrio, Bataan was among the pioneers of Latin soul and boogaloo music--which fused Latine and Caribbean sounds with soul and R&B--in the mid 1960s. After leaving Fania, Bataan helped coin the phrase "salsoul" and recorded multiple salsa-soul records for the Salsoul record label; his releases from this period remain classics of a crossover genre and also include early rap songs such as "Rap-O Clap-O." DJ set at 6:30 pm Dance lesson at 7:00 pm Live music at 7:30 pm 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Dancings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, CANCELLED! Salsa-Soul Hits with "King of Latin Soul" CANCELLED!
6:30 pm
Regular: $38.11
Member: $0
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Dance Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Dance and Immersive Multimedia

Play | Shakespeare's Hamlet: Landmark Tragedy in the Park


Though Hamlet claims that he is “mad in craft,” there’s inevitably going to be a little overlap. Three actors tackle Hamlet’s desperate struggle to ‘hold it all together’ in this imaginative, visceral, and immediate production of Shakespeare’s classic. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Nicholas Martin-Smith. Cushions will be provided to sit on the stairs of the monument. There is very limited room if you bring your own chair. Please arrive no later than 6:20pm. There will be no late seating.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Shakespeare's&nbsp;Hamlet: Landmark Tragedy in the Park

Jazz | Wall Street Journal-Featured Trumpeter in the Park


World-class live music as part of New York State’s longest-running jazz concert series. This event features jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Wall Street Journal-Featured Trumpeter in the Park

Performance | Drag Show Celebrating Deaf Culture at a Landmark Museum


This event features the stylings of Deaf Drag Queen Selena Minogue. It connects the artistry of drag and Deaf culture. A performance and conversation in celebration of the exhibition, Musical Bodies.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish
Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Drag Show Celebrating Deaf Culture at a Landmark Museum

Concert | Louisiana-Style Zydeco Dance Music in the Park


Experience zydeco, the fast and furious, accordion-driven Creole dance music of South Louisiana. With its trademark rubboard percussion, electric guitars, and R&B influences, this is an exciting and modern roots music that's nearly impossible to resist--and from festival stages to Louisianan dance halls, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas has been one of the most celebrated zydeco bands of the past 40 years.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Louisiana-Style Zydeco Dance Music in the Park
7:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
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Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Master Storyteller Shares a Personal Tale
7:00 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
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Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Multi-Award-Winning Show

Concert | NPR-Featured Singer-Songwriter Takes the Stage


Rijah fuses the soul of her hometown Jersey City with the jazz of Manhattan, sculpting a vivid self-portrait that reflects themes of perseverance, growth, and human nature in this concert. Through the exploration of herself and the world around her, Rijah’s latest project, Motion Pictures, emerged. She was featured on NPR Top Shelf in 2023 and 2024, recently shared the same stage with Norah Jones and Noah Kahan at the 2024 Soundside Music Festival in Connecticut, and played at the 2025 NAMM Convention in California and the 2025 South By Southwest Festival in Texas. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, NPR-Featured Singer-Songwriter Takes the Stage

Performance | asmr4apocalypse: Geological Events & Mass Extinctions Explored through Performance


In asmr4apocalypse, zavé martohardjono’s gives an interdisciplinary performance set to four-channel immersive audio. Audiences are guided through Deep Time and the many geological events and mass extinctions the Earth has endured. By activating the audience's senses and employing ecological research, the artist asks: Can we remember our interdependence with the earth? Can we remember our inherent ability to heal and transform the worlds we have built? 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, asmr4apocalypse: Geological Events & Mass Extinctions Explored through Performance

Movie in a Park | Little Fugitive (1953): Independent Drama on the Waterfront


When a prank convinces seven-year-old Joey that he has seriously injured his older brother, he runs away to Coney Island. Armed with only a handful of coins, Joey spends a day exploring the amusement parks, beaches, and boardwalks of New York City in a joyful and unforgettable coming-of-age adventure. Filmed on location with remarkable realism, Little Fugitive received an Academy Award nomination and remains a landmark of American cinema. Director: Ray Ashley, Morris Engel, Ruth Orkin Cast: Richie Andrusco, Richard Brewster Bring a blanket, gather with friends and neighbors, and enjoy a summer evening under the stars.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free
Movie in a Parks, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Little Fugitive (1953): Independent Drama on the Waterfront

Performance | Mother/Road: Multimedia Meditation on Grief, Memory, & Family


Part concept album, part memoir, part immersive concert, this production invites audiences to participate in an act of emotional memory. It is a musical meditation on grief, memory, and family using cassette tapes carried by his parents when they immigrated to the United States from Istanbul in 1979. The piece explores the porous nature of time, how it fades and distorts, and how--like a cassette tape--it can rewind, warp, and overwrite itself. Out of the stuff of memory, music and sound compose new worlds at once fragile and infinite for the generations to inhabit together. Created, Directed, & Performed by Avi Amon. Co-Director: Keenan Tyler Oliphant
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Mother/Road: Multimedia Meditation on Grief, Memory, & Family
7:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
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Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Broadway Actors in Greek Tragedy
7:30 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
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Dance Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Dreamlike, Reflective Dance-Theater

Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Felix Mendelssohn & More at a Major NYC Concert Hall


A journey through music that speaks to reflection, resilience, and triumph in this Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center program led by Chloe Van Soeterstede. Enter the world of Valentin Silvestrov's Hymn - 2001, a meditation that unfolds with quiet reverence and suspended beauty, inviting listeners into a space of stillness and contemplation. Violinist Simone Lamsma then brings passion and brilliance to Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, a staple of the violin repertoire that shows the instrument at its most soulful and stirring. The evening culminates in Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, the "Reformation," a work of grandeur and conviction that builds towards a triumphant finale inspired by a historic hymn. Program: Valentin Silvestrov (1937-) Hymn - 2001 Max Bruch (1838-1920) Violin Concerto No. 1 Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Symphony No. 5, "Reformation"
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Orchestral Works by Felix Mendelssohn & More at a Major NYC Concert Hall

Play | Shakespeare's As You Like It: Pastoral Comedy (Outdoors)


As You Like It follows heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Hamilton Clancy. Cast: Christopher Martel, David Marantz, Aria Martinelli, Adama Joy Sall, Bob Arcaro, Lizabeth Allen, Marion Stenfort, Lia Bonfilio, Emmanuel Elpenord, Andy Rowell, Patrick Hart.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Shakespeare's As You Like It: Pastoral Comedy (Outdoors)

Screening | Infinite Football (2018): Romanian Sports Documentary (Outdoors)


The latest documentary feature is a comedic and incisive portrait of a bureaucrat who dreams of radically revising the rules of the beautiful game of soccer, in a bid to revolutionize the world’s most popular sport. Director: Corneliu Porumboiu In Romanian with English subtitles. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Screenings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Infinite Football (2018): Romanian Sports Documentary (Outdoors)
8:00 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
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Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, A Lone Soul in the Vanishing Night - Drama
8:00 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
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Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Comedy Romp
8:00 pm
Regular: $135
Member: $0
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Performances, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Erotic Burlesque Show

Concert | Multi-Genre DJ Set with DJ Tali


DJ Tali heats up the evening with 15+ years of experience behind the decks and a deep love for all genres of music. With roots in Long Island, DJ Tali focuses on reading the room and shaping a soundtrack that feels effortless, elevated, and genuinely fun. His motivation is simple: seeing people happy--so the energy stays warm, the transitions stay smooth, and the vibe stays right. Expect a thoughtfully researched mix with no limits, designed to complement this special night and keep the vibe right.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Multi-Genre DJ Set with DJ Tali

Movie in a Park | The Perfect Storm (2000): Disaster Drama Film with George Clooney & Mark Wahlberg on the Water


A ripping sea adventure charts the real-life-and-death struggle of the Andrea Gail, a Massachusetts swordfishing boat caught in a huge storm that was the result of three converging weather systems in the North Atlantic. Director: Wolfgang Petersen Cast: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, Karen Allen, Bob Gunton, Mary Elizabeth George Clooney is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards. Clooney has been honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2015, the Honorary Cesar in 2017, AFI Life Achievement Award in 2018, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2022. Mark Wahlberg, formerly known by his stage name Marky Mark, is an American actor and former rapper whose work as a leading man spans the comedy, drama, and action genres. He has received multiple accolades, including a BAFTA Award, and nominations for two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, nine Primetime Emmy Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in the park! Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. In the event of heavy rain or extreme weather, the screening may be canceled.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free
Movie in a Parks, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, The Perfect Storm (2000): Disaster Drama Film with George Clooney & Mark Wahlberg on the Water

Play | Skakespeare's Othello: Tragedy of Betrayal


Shakespeare's searing tragedy of love, jealousy, power, and betrayal. Set in Venice and Cyprus, Othello follows the Moorish military commander Othello as he is manipulated by his ensign, Iago, into suspecting his wife Desdemona of infidelity. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Carl Cofield.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free
Plays, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Skakespeare's Othello: Tragedy of Betrayal

Dancing | Silent Disco: House Music with Internationally Recognized DJ


A Friday celebration of sports, music, and dance with headlining artist DJ Hector Romero. Romero brings over 40 years of experience to the decks with memorable residencies and performances at Red Zone, Limelight, Palladium, Save The Robots, The Roxy, Cielo, and Output. As an A&R executive at Def Mix Productions, he has worked alongside GRAMMY Award-winning DJs David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and Satoshi Tomiie. Hector regularly DJs globally at dance floors in Italy, Greece, Japan, and Spain. 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 for all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 pm
Free
Dancings, July 17, 2026, 07/17/2026, Silent Disco: House Music with Internationally Recognized DJ
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Complimentary Tickets

to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)

Performance | Erotic Burlesque Show

Regular Price: $135
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Staged Reading | Broadway Performer in a Story of Courage, Faith, and Survival

Regular Price: $By invitation only
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Play | Broadway Actors in Greek Tragedy

Regular Price: $45
CFT Member Price: $0.00