free things to do in New York City
Free events for Sunday, 04/12/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

April 12, 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, April 12, 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, April 12, 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 the City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (April 12, 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, 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 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 Broadway & TV Actors Perform Vignettes Based on NYT Stories
free events nyc Choral Works by Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, & More in a Beautiful Cathedral
free events nyc New York City Hall Guided Tour
free events nyc Take a Photowalk through Midtown West
All Editor's Picks ...
        

34 free  things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Sunday, April 12, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Museums | Sunday Fun at an Iconic Art Museum


Enjoy a full day of art and inspiration on the second Sunday of every month! Explore exhibitions, join family-friendly artmaking activities inspired by works on view, listen to storytimes presented by The New York Public Library, take part in guided tours, and soak in stunning city views.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Museumss, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Sunday Fun at an Iconic Art Museum

Museums | Family Art-Making and Gallery Activities


Spend your Sunday at a museum with free talks, art-making workshops, storytimes, and family gallery tours. Designed for visitors of all ages, these Sunday sessions offer a welcoming space to explore art and creativity together. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Family Art-Making and Gallery Activities

Tour | Historical House of The Distinguished American President of the Early 20th Century


This historic site honors the early life of a renowned American figure. The restored brownstone reflects late 19th-century architecture and offers insights into the family's daily life. Learn about various exhibits and artifacts that showcase the cultural and historical context of the era, providing a glimpse into the formative years of this visionary leader-to-be. This guided tour is first-come, first-served. It may reach capacity before your desired tour time, so please be sure to arrive early. Tour duration: 45 minutes. This tour takes place at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
11:00 am
Free
Tours, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Historical House of The Distinguished American President of the Early 20th Century

Museums | Tiffany Glass and Other Exhibitions


The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, art, and culture of its area with a permanent collection of 10,000 items. One of the exhibitions includes famous Tiffany's leaded glass objects and a valuable insight into the development of the inuctry in the US at the turn of the 20th century.
   New York City, NY; NYC
11:00 am
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Museumss, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Tiffany Glass and Other Exhibitions

Classical Music | Cello Works by J.S. Bach, Grieg, Prokofiev, & Others (In Person AND Online!)


Adkins cello studio recital. Program: Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125  Arno Babajanian (1921-1983) Air and Dance J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009 Elliot Lippy Cello Duet No. 27, J.4 Isaac Ismael Cortijo Arabesque for Three Cellos Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, Op. 8 Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) (arr. for Cello Quintet) Holberg Suite, Op. 40
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Cello Works by J.S. Bach, Grieg, Prokofiev, & Others (In Person AND Online!)

Park Walk | Women's Walk in the Park


This group brings together women from all walks of life to bond, exercise, and embrace the beauty of their surroundings. Hundreds of women of all different ages and backgrounds meet to simply go for a walk in Central Park. About 80% of the women show up alone, so feel free to give it a try! Walk locations sometimes change, so make sure to check the group's Instagram page @citygirlswhowalk stories the day before and on Sunday to confirm the meet/walk spot. You are welcome to bring your leashed dog.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Park Walks, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Women's Walk in the Park

Concert | Scottish-Inspired Performance in the Park


The American-Scottish Foundation presents a lunchtime concert in celebration of Tartan Week! Program includes: Atlantic Noisemaker Whiskey Kiss
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Scottish-Inspired Performance in the Park

Park Walk | Cherry Blossom Bloom Walk


Join the Urban Park Rangers on a super hike of all the best cherry trees in the park! Hopefully, the group will catch them in peak bloom.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free
Park Walks, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Cherry Blossom Bloom Walk

Other | Annual Gathering of Holocaust Remembrance (In Person AND Online!)


Join thousands of New Yorkers for the Annual Gathering of Remembrance, delivered by a city home to one of the world's largest communities of Holocaust survivors. This annual tribute holds power that echoes across generations. Observe Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) with a program featuring music, remarks from survivors and descendants, and a solemn candle-lighting ceremony. Come, collectively vow never to forget.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:30 pm
Free
Others, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Annual Gathering of Holocaust Remembrance (In Person AND Online!)

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, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Staged Reading | Broadway & TV Actors Perform Vignettes Based on NYT Stories


Broadway and television actors present short vignettes based on the popular and often hilarious New York Times Saturday section. Also being presented are a few short monologues by area actors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Staged Readings, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Broadway & TV Actors Perform Vignettes Based on NYT Stories

Classical Music | Music on the Water: String Works by Mozart & Beethoven


Mark Peskanov, violin, and Semplice Players perform two pieces. Program:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Selections from the String Quintets Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Selections from the Opus 18 String Quartets
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Music on the Water:&nbsp;String Works by Mozart & Beethoven

Classical Music | Art Songs & Arias by Poulenc, Prokofiev, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Fantine Douilly, soprano. Program: Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Trois poemes de Louise de Vilmorin Alban Berg (1885-1935) Lulu Suite Matthew Aucoin (1990-) Eurydice Evan Mack (1981-) The Ghosts of Gatsby Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Five Poems of Anna Akhmatova Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024) Ophelia Sings Gabriel Fynsk (2001-) L'herbe blanche
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Art Songs & Arias by Poulenc, Prokofiev, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Classical Music | Brass Quintet Performs Works by Esmail, Boulanger, Madsen, and More


A Global Music Awards Silver Medal–winning quintet performs a dynamic program spanning contemporary and 20th-century works alongside reimagined classics, blending meditative textures with vibrant, dance-inspired rhythms. Program Reena Esmail – Tuttaranna Gala Flagello – Monochrome Metronome Dana Wilson – Daylight at Midnight Lili Boulanger – From an Old Garden (arr. Betsy Bright) Trygve Madsen – Brass Quintet Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval (arr. Gary Mayne)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Brass Quintet Performs Works by Esmail, Boulanger, Madsen, and More

Classical Music | Cello Pieces by Stravinsky & Rachmaninoff (In Person AND Online!)


Esther Chae, cello. Program: Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) (arr. Piatigorsky) Suite Italienne Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Cello&nbsp;Pieces by Stravinsky & Rachmaninoff (In Person AND Online!)
3:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
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Plays, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Drama - Love Against Social Norms
3:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
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Plays, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Fantastical Comedy
3:00 pm
Regular: $50
Member: $0
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Plays, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, History of Human Desire

Museums | Art from All Over The World in the Most Amazing Museum


Discover a vast collection of art from a diverse range of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Russia, France, Spain, Japan, India, United States and more. Tickets for Pay-What-You-Wish hours are available online only and released at 10 am the morning of the event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
$1 min pay-what-you-wish,...
Museumss, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Art from All Over The World in the Most Amazing Museum

Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)


Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)
5:00 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
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Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Chamber Music Gems

Museums | Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries


The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, influence, and importance of design in everyday life. Housed in a historic mansion, the museum features a diverse collection of design objects, including decorative arts, architecture, graphic design, textiles, and industrial design.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Museumss, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries
5:00 pm
Regular: $60.60
Member: $0
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Plays, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Intriguing Drama of Secrets

Classical Music | Chamber Piece by Tchaikovsky (In Person AND Online!)


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Chamber Piece by Tchaikovsky (In Person AND Online!)

Classical Music | String Miniatures by Kreisler, Bloch, Ysaye, & More (In Person AND Online!)


String Musicians with Manhattan School of Music. Program: Amy Beach (1867-1944) Romance for violin and piano Op. 23 Amy Beach (1867-1944) Romance Op. 23 Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) Nigun Andrea Casarrubios (1988-) SEVEN Leonard Fu (1997-) "Albumblatt" Romanze fur Violine und Klavier Aleksey Igudesman (1973-) Funk the String Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice Op. 6 Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Slavonic Fantasy William Kroll (1901-1980) Banjo and fiddle Alphonse Hasselmans (1845-1912) La Source Etude Op. 44 Lu Pei Jasmine Juri Seo (1981-) Two Rhapsodies of Spring William Grant Still (1895-1978) African Dancer Isang Yun (1917-1995) Das Vogelchen Eugene Ysaye (1858-1931) Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, String Miniatures by Kreisler, Bloch, Ysaye, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Classical Music | Trumpet Works by Prokofiev, Poulenc, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Vincent Yim, trumpet. Program: Johann Wilhelm Hertel (1727-1789) Concerto No. 3 for Trumpet in D Major David C. Sampson (1951-) Tenebrae for Trumpet and Organ Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) (arr. Raymond Mase) Vocalise Philippe Gaubert (1879 -1941) Cantabile et Scherzetto Siming Long Winter Wave for Trumpet and Piano Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Les chemins de l'amour
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Trumpet Works by Prokofiev, Poulenc, & More (In Person AND Online!)
5:35 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
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Performances, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Critically-Acclaimed "Heartfelt, Funny" Story
7:00 pm
Regular: $40
Member: $0
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Performances, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Comedic Memoir

Classical Music | Diverse Modern & Contemporary Works 


Enjoy a concert devoted to modernism, featuring music written over the last six decades by well-known living composers! This night will be a special treat, in which we will be hearing music written as far back as 1962 to music written in just the last few weeks!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Diverse Modern & Contemporary Works&nbsp;
7:00 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
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Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Iconic Broadway Actress Sings and Shares Personal Stories

Concert | Next Generation Singing Competition


Enjoy tomorrow's stars today at The American Pops Orchestra's (APO) NextGen National Vocal Competition! The NextGen Nationals offers mentorship, exposure, cash prizes, and paid performance opportunities to aspiring professional vocalists striving to reach the first rung on the ladder of success. The contest gives students of all backgrounds the opportunity to compete and learn from APO's roster of Broadway performers, celebrated recording artists, and respected arts administrators. Under their tutelage, participants will have access to the tools and knowledge necessary to better pursue a singing career. Enjoy the event by voting for your favorite competitor! There are two ways to access this event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Tuesday before the event at noon.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Next Generation&nbsp;Singing Competition

Classical Music |  Dither Electric Guitar Quartet Performs Works by Emerging Composers


An evening of new works by graduate students in the Concert Composition program, performed by the renowned Dither Electric Guitar Quartet.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, &nbsp;Dither Electric Guitar Quartet Performs Works by Emerging&nbsp;Composers

Classical Music | Chamber Pieces by Debussy, Janacek, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Chamber music recital. Program: Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Sonata for Cello and Piano (arr. for harp) Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) Pohádka for Cello and Piano Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960) Serenade for String Trio, Op. 10
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Chamber Pieces by Debussy, Janacek, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Concert | Live Acoustic Evening


Enjoy an evening of live acoustic music with Zoe Halle.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 12, 2026, 04/12/2026, Live Acoustic Evening
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Play | Intriguing Drama of Secrets

Regular Price: $60.60
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Highly-Acclaimed Orchestra Performs Tchaikovsky & More

Regular Price: $55
CFT Member Price: $0.00