free things to do in New York City
| < | December 2025 |
> | ||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
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, December 9, 2025!
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 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!
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
December 9, 2025. 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, December 9, 2025!
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, December 9, 2025!
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 New York City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (December 9, 2025) 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 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!
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 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
37 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
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
Join the Club!
6:30 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
Join the Club!
10:30 am
Free
Free
Fair | Holiday Market Featuring Local Artisans and Seasonal Gifts
Explore a festive holiday market known for its inviting atmosphere and curated selection of local makers. Visitors can browse aisles filled with handcrafted art, jewelry, home goods, and seasonal treats, offering a lively destination for gift shopping and winter strolling.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
11:00 am
Free
Free
Colloquium | The Hidden Science of Textile Conservation
Discover cutting-edge approaches to preserving historic and culturally significant textiles. Experts share recent case studies, scientific findings, and evolving methodologies presented at major national and international conferences. Designed for professionals and enthusiasts alike, the program highlights new research, emerging technologies, and the practical challenges shaping the future of textile conservation.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
11:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Tuesday at a Unique Art Museum
Candid, genuine, and unexpected, this is New York City's only museum dedicated to folk & self-taught artists. The Museum celebrates the creativity of individuals whose singular talents have been refined largely through personal experience rather than formal artistic training. The museum's collection includes more than seven thousand works of art from four centuries and nearly every continent--from compelling portraits and dazzling quilts to powerful works by living artists in a variety of mediums. From critically acclaimed exhibitions and publications to inspiring educational programs and robust community outreach, the museum's mission is to be the leading forum shaping the understanding and appreciation of folk and self-taught art across time and place.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
11:30 am
Free
Free
Concert | Familiar Holiday Tunes for Saxophone
Celebrate the holiday season with this concert featuring Anant Pradhan performing a variety of seasonal favorites. Invoking the sounds of 1960’s and 70’s Jamaica, saxophonist Anant Pradhan is carrying on the traditions of early innovators alongside one of Jamaica’s greatest percussionists, Larry McDonald, who calls Anant “the steward of our music going forward.” The Anant Pradhan & Larry McDonald band embraces the uncharted. They perform with an explosive sound combining traditional Jamaican folk, roots, soul and reggae with the spirit and freedom of jazz.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:00 pm
Free
Free
Forum | Harvard Economist Insights on Fixing What's Broken in Personal Finance (Online!)
Economist John Campbell discusses his new book Fixed: Why Personal Finance Is Broken and How to Make It Work for Everyone. Drawing on decades of research, Campbell reveals how today's personal finance system favors the wealthy and well-educated while steering ordinary consumers toward costly mistakes. From student loans and mortgages to retirement savings and insurance, he explores how these inequities shape people's lives and offers evidence-based solutions to restore fairness and trust in the financial system. This program includes a discussion and audience Q&A. The first 100 registrants will receive a complimentary electronic copy of the book.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue
Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
12:20 pm
Free
Free
Film | Gremlins (1984): Black Comedy Horror FIlm
A young man gets a strange animal as a Christmas present and immediately breaks the 3 rules it came with unleashing an army of chaotic critters on a small Pennsylvania town. Director: Joe Dante Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
1:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Choral Christmas Works in a Historic Venue
W. T. Clarke High School Select Chorale performs Christmas Works both old and new. Program: O Come Emmanuel Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) O Magnum Mysterium Randall Thompson (1899-1984) Alleluia Eric Whitacre (1970-) Lux Aurumque Ezekiel Saw de Wheel O Holy Night Little Drummer Boy
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
1:45 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Advent Carols & English Choral Works in a Beautiful Church
The Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge performs a selection of Advent carols and English choral works from the 16th to 20th century, accompanied by organist Samuel Kemp.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
2:45 pm
Free
Free
Film | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025): Romantic Comedy with All-Star Cast
Bridget, now a widowed single mother, must juggle work, parenthood and romance. With the help of her loyal friends, Bridget navigates encounters with a younger man—and a series of awkward interactions with her son's science teacher—as she strives to forge a new path toward life and love. Director: Michael Morris Cast: Renée Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Jim Broadbent, Isla Fisher, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
3:00 pm
Free
Free
City Walk | Award-Winning Photographer Leads Manhattan Photowalk
Award-winning National Geographic photographer Ira Block leads a photo walk in Manhattan streets. Watch him in action as he uses his most famous street photography technique - find a great background and wait for the picture to happen. He will talk about best gear for street photography, how to look for unique compositions and use the afternoon light of Manhattan to your advantage. The group will walk through the streets of midtown Manhattan to photograph the mid-afternoon hustle of New York. Please arrive early as the tour will leave promptly at the scheduled time!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
3:00 pm
Free
Free
Lecture | Guggenheim-Featured Artist & Writer Discusses Her Video & Performance Projects (In Person AND Online!)
Ellie Ga is a New York City-born artist and writer. Her narrative-based videos and performances reflect a passion for multi-disciplinary knowledge exchange told through everyday conversations, poetic sidesteps, and obsessive research. Her wide-ranging investigations address pressing social issues, often in unexpected contexts: from the submerged ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria and the charting of the quotidian in the frozen Arctic Ocean to a study of messages in bottles, both as tools for studying oceans currents and as a metaphor for exile. In Quarries, stories of resistance are extracted from unlikely places and found on overlooked surfaces including the mysteries of prehistoric stone tools to the labor of stone masons who paved the streets of Lisbon. Participation in the Q&A is limited to MFA Fine Arts students attending the lecture in person.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
3:00 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Bassoon Playing
Bassonist Darren Hicks--Principal Bassoonist for the National Arts Centre Orchestra--teaches methods of masterful bassoon playing via distance learning.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
4:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome
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
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
Free
Free
Reading | Magazine Launch: Eat the Rich (Editor Q&A, Food, Readings, & More)
Attend the launch and celebration of The Inquisitive Eater's Fall 2025 issue, Eat the Rich. The editors of the event will be in conversation with George Abraham, the Editor-at-Large of Mizna. The event features a short reading from the issue and an open Q&A with Abraham. Come for conversations about food and politics, contributor readings, and to celebrate together!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
5:30 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Tax Wars (2024): Documentary + Panel Discussion
Enjoy a screening of the 2024 documentary Tax Wars, followed by a panel discussion with Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and distinguished members of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation. Multinationals are masters in the art of tax dodging, depriving governments of precious tax revenues ($600 billion a year, according to the IMF). Tax Wars tells the story of a handful of high-flying experts’ fight to get multinationals to pay their taxes. These knights of tax justice helped write the agreement signed in 2021 by 136 states to impose a global minimum tax of 15% on the profits of multinationals. Citizen involvement can move the lines. Director: Hege Dehli
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Holiday Dessert Talk with Celebrity Chef
Just in time for the winter holidays! Learn how to make a delicious, holiday dessert with Chef-Instructor Pauline Balboa Pelea from the Institute of Culinary Education. Try a sample and get some tips and tricks on how to make your own at home.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Learn About the Intersection of Fashion, Identity & Cultural Expression
Explore how fashion functions as a powerful site of identity, resistance, and storytelling in this thought-provoking evening panel. Scholars and writers working across cultural studies and visual culture will discuss evolving approaches to understanding fashion within Latinx communities, highlighting themes such as embodiment, decolonial critique, gender, race, and class.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
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
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Uncovering the Workers Behind the Empire State Building (Online!)
A virtual talk exploring Glenn Kurtz's new book Men at Work, which reexamines the construction of the Empire State Building through the lives of the workers who built it. Drawing on Lewis Hine's iconic 1932 photographs, Kurtz uncovers the identities and stories of the largely immigrant craftsmen, who were long treated as anonymous symbols.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Foundations & Frameworks: Crafting the Slam Poem (Online!)
Sharpen your voice and elevate your poetry in this monthly poetry workshop. Each session begins with a brief lesson on poetic craft, followed by guided writing time and personalized feedback to strengthen both your writing and performance. Perfect for poets looking to refine their skills and deepen their stage presence.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
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
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Red Carpet U.S. Pre-Premiere of Hungarian Wedding
Experience the U.S. pre-premiere screening of Hungarian Wedding, a new feature film celebrating the beauty and power of Hungarian folk traditions through dance, music, and cinema. Blending deep-rooted cultural heritage with a contemporary cinematic approach, the film follows two young men who journey to a Transylvanian village in the late 1970s and find their lives transformed. Featuring performances by the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble and the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, the film honors the legacy of legendary choreographer Ferenc “Tata” Novák. It showcases the vibrant costumes, customs, and music of Kalotaszeg. With choreography rooted in archival folk material and a stirring original score, Hungarian Wedding invites audiences into a world where tradition, storytelling, and artistry collide. This event includes a red carpet welcome!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
6:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Maus and Mark Podwal’s Illustrated Book of Lamentations: Holocaust Memory in Graphic and Visual Art (Online!)
Explore two groundbreaking works of Holocaust testimony with artist and author Richard McBee. Art Spiegelman’s Maus presents survivor narratives through the lens of a second-generation adult child in a pioneering graphic novel format. Mark Podwal’s Illustrated Book of Lamentations (1974) pairs a complete English translation with 28 spare black-and-white reflections, blending illustration and spiritual reflection.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Play | Sense & Sensibility: Jane Austen Adaptation
Sense and Sensibility traces the fortunes, and misfortunes, of the Dashwood sisters -- sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne -- after their father's sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Set in late 18th-century England, the play is full of irreverent humor, emotional depth, and bold theatricality. Sense and Sensibility examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures. Written by Kate Hamill. Directed by Jose Zayas.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Artist and Editor Alejandro Cartagena Talks about His New Monograph
Enjoy a special conversation between artist and editor Alejandro Cartagena and writer Álvaro Enrigue. The two will discuss Cartagena’s new monograph, Ground Rules (Aperture, 2025). Ground Rules is the first comprehensive, fully bilingual survey charting the career of the prolific photographer Alejandro Cartagena. Celebrated for his photobooks Carpoolers (2014) and A Small Guide to Homeownership (2020), Cartagena is known for his formally engaging and socially incisive images that span the politics of the US-Mexico border, suburban sprawl, and the increasing wealth disparities in North America. Ground Rules deploys a diverse array of photographic formats, from documentary and collage to the appropriation of vernacular photographs and AI-generated imagery, all unified by Cartagena’s commitment to addressing Mexico’s most pressing social and environmental issues with humor and pathos.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Jean Sibelius & More (In Person AND Online!)
Manhattan School of Music's Symphony Orchestra performs a series of pieces by composers of various musical eras. Program: Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) Four Dances, Op. 8a Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777) Concerto for Trombone Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Collaborative Sonatas by Brahms, Prokofiev, Poulenc, & Debussy
This evening of sonatas celebrates the art of collaborative performance between pianists and instrumentalists. Program: Johann Brahms (1833-1897) Sonata for Violin and Piano (arr. cello) in G major, Op. 78 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Sonata for Flute and Piano in D major, Op. 94 Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Sonata for Flute and Piano, FP 164 Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Maurice Ravel (In Person AND Online!)
Juilliard pianists perform a program of pieces by Maurice Ravel. All Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Program: Parade Menuet Antique Pavane pour infante defunte Selections from Miroirs Sonatine Gaspard de la nuit Prelude in A Minor Menuet sur le nom HAYDN La Valse for Two Pianos
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Tunes of Coexistence with the Eunmi Lee Jazz Orchestra
Eunmi Lee Jazz Orchestra (Composer Eunmi Lee; Trumpeteers Tony Kadleck, Jonathan Saraga, Brian Pareschi, David Smith; Trombonist: Sam Blakeslee, James Burton III, Sam Keedy, Nick Grinder; Reedists: Dave Pietro, Ehan Helm, Ben Kono, John Ellis, Andrew Hadro; Pianist: Adam Birnbaum; Guitarist: Sebastian Noelle; Double Bassist: Evan Gregor; and Drummer: Peter Kronreif) performs a special program. This performance features Lee's original big band works, written and arranged for the Eunmi Lee Jazz Orchestra. Her music explores the coexistence of humor and emotion, chaos and clarity, blending them into a vivid and dynamic musical narrative.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Diverse Choral Works
Led by choral conductor Paul Speiser, NYU Chorale brings together choral singers from every corner of the University, including undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Inside a Soviet Tank Brigade: New Research on the Eastern Front (Online!)
This online lecture offers a detailed look at a Soviet tank unit whose movements can now be traced day by day through newly accessible military records. Drawing on top-secret documents, maps, and operational charts, the historian examines the brigade’s role in major Eastern Front battles and reveals how its real training, equipment, losses, and battlefield tactics differed from long-accepted accounts.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Modern & Contemporary Wind Works
Guest conductor and composer Derek Weagle leads the NYU Wind Symphony in a performance featuring his own work "Abendlieder," alongside "Suite Francaise" by Darius Milhaud, and "Psalm for Band" by Vincent Persichetti.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Popular & Folk Styled Music, Unplugged
NYU Steinhardt’s contemporary vocal ensemble explores popular and folk styles in an intimate, acoustic setting. Under the direction of Professor Jamon Maple, the group serves as a creative laboratory for authentic artistry, where singers discover new depth and versatility in their voices.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Evening with a Jazz Orchestra (In Person AND Online!)
Cuban jazz pianist and composer Elio Villafranca leading a late set of his own music, performed with Manhattan School of Music's Jazz Orchestra.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
9:15 pm
Free
Free
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Jazz | Christmas Concert with Groundbreaking Musician at Legendary Jazz Club
Regular Price: $65CFT Member Price: $0.00
Today's Events
All 947 Events
Events This Week
Events This Weekend
Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
All events are free unless otherwise stated. All programs subject to change. Please confirm before going.Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
© Copyright Club Free Time. All rights reserved.