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free things to do in New York City
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, April 18, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
April 18, 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 18, 2026!
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, April 18, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
Free things to do, free events that take place in the City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (April 18, 2026) or on any other day of the year don't miss those free-of-charge opportunities that only New York provides! You can find lots of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York, Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
Join the Club!
The quality and quantity of
free events,
free things to do
that happen in New York City
every day of the year
is truly amazing.
So don't miss the opportunities
that only New York provides:
stop wondering what to do;
start taking advantage of
free events to go to,
free things to do in NYC
today!
The quality and quantity of
free events,
free things to do
that happen in New York City
every day of the year
is truly amazing.
So don't miss the opportunities
that only New York provides:
stop wondering what to do;
start taking advantage of
free events to go to,
free things to do in NYC
today!
Let New York City surprise, stimulate, entertain and excite you! Read More
Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides:
- free concerts in NYC
- free movies in NYC
- free jazz in NYC
- free poetry readings in NYC
- free tours/hikes in NYC
- free city walks in NYC
- free Yoga /Tai Chi in NYC
- fairs and parades in NYC
- free theater in NYC
- free tickets to concerts, theater and dance performances in NYC
'New York is abuzz with so much culture that they're giving it away.' (The New York Times article about Club Free Time).
Editor's Picks
43 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Saturday, April 18, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Conference | Explore Artistic Sustainability & Community
This event invites creative communities to connect through conversations and creative exploration focused on sustaining artists, designers, educators, and community members. The conference creates space to explore mental, physical, and creative well-being with special attention to the experiences and needs of artists and designers. This year’s theme, Sustaining Creative Lives, reflects a shared interest in exploring how creative practice, community care, and reflection support long-term artistic growth and well-being. This year’s breakout sessions will explore topics such as rest as a sustainable practice, letting go of stress, and understanding the power of artists in breaking down systemic barriers.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free
Free
Festival | Celebrate Earth Day Amongst Nature
Spend the day celebrating the earth with free activities for all ages, including ecological stewardship, walking tours, an outdoor sound bath, climate tech demos, food trucks, community science, and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Festival | NYC Arts Block Party: Gallery Talks, Art Workshops, Food Vendors, Live Music, & More
Attend a celebration featuring curator-led gallery talks, family activities, local food vendors, and music sets across the museum’s public plaza, courtyard, and galleries. The day features activations by artists, musicians, and local organizations including Asian American Arts Alliance, Discolocas NYC Fiesta Club, FAD Market, Flushing Town Hall, Lady Pink, Make the Road, M Wells, Malikah, Nuevayorkinos, Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Night Market, Queensboro Dance Festival, Queensbridge Photo Collective, Red Canary Song, St. James Joy, and Teen Art Salon. Walk-up registration will be available on the day of the event; organizers encourage you to arrive early to make the most of the day.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Discover Local Wildlife & Waterways
Join the weekly guided gallery hours to explore beneath the surface of the Hudson River through immersive games and meet the critters that call our local waterways home. This month's theme focuses on birds and migration, and there will be several hands-on STEM activities for aspiring scientists of all ages.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Jewish History: Centuries of Art
As one of the largest collections of art in Jewish culture globally, the venue features an extensive array of historical Jewish artifacts as well as modern and contemporary art.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Dance Performance | Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience
Moving throughout the building, audiences wear headphones for the hour-long performance, tuning them into the personal stories and meaningful movements that may dwell in any corner of the Library’s collections. Hailed in the New York Times as one of the “best dance performances of 2025.” Written by Robbie Saenz de Viteri and choreographed by Monica Bill Barnes.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
11:30 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Origami 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 iopen to all level of folders from beginner to advanced. There will be free paper available to share. You may choose to bring your own paper and books and just show up and fold! If you have models you would like to learn, or teach, let the organizers know, and they will try our best to accommodate.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Free
Park Walk | Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Parks
Hear the story behind New York City's park in the sky: an insider's perspective on the park's history, design, and landscape. Note: Spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Poetry Reading | Poetry Celebration with 40 Emerging & Established Writers (+ Wine, Cake, & Music)
Enjoy festivities, food, and drinks while celebrating groundbreaking art in lower Manhattan, stepping into the living tradition of poetry with works by 40 poets. Featured readers include both established and emerging poets from a vast range of literary styles, all of whom play a part in the organization’s vibrant community. Throughout the afternoon, each poet will take the stage to read a poem, creating a continuous cadence of poetry. Mark this milestone with us, and stay tuned for more anniversary news to come. For this marathon reading, attendees are invited to join and step away from the reading at any point of the program.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required
Festival | Record Store Day Celebration with Live Music by Legendary Acts
Enjoy an event that brings together artists, fans, labels, and independent retail at a scale unmatched globally, headlined by indie rock legends Superchunk. Other acts include Long Island hardcore natives, Incendiary, shoegaze rock band Hotline TNT, a special duo performance by indie rock band Momma, dream pop band Winter, Chicago indie rock quartet Friko, LA-based trio Nuovo Testamento, fuzzy power pop band Weird Nightmare, and DJ sets from Soul in the Horn and Saint Virgil. The venue opens at 9am for Record Store Day shopping, and performances begin at 12pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Festival | Welcome Spring with Music, Games, Art, & More (All Ages)
After a long and snowy winter, welcome the arrival of spring with a joyful day for all ages. The green at the Davis Center opens for the season with music, games, art, and more--open to all. Bring neighbors, families, and friends!
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Dachra (2018): Tunisian Horror Film
A young journalism student and her friends become trapped in an isolated village while trying to solve a gruesome criminal case that is over 25 years old. Director: Abdelhamid Bouchnak Cast: Yasmine Dimassi, Aziz Jbali, Bilel Slatnia, Hela Ayed, Hedi Majri, Bahri Rahali
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:15 pm
Free
Free
Dance Performance | Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience
Moving throughout the building, audiences wear headphones for the hour-long performance, tuning them into the personal stories and meaningful movements that may dwell in any corner of the Library’s collections. Hailed in the New York Times as one of the “best dance performances of 2025.” Written by Robbie Saenz de Viteri and choreographed by Monica Bill Barnes.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
1:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | 47 Ronin (2013): Historical Fantasy Action FIlm with Keanu Reeves
A band of samurai sets out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun. Director: Carl Rinsch Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor who had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for his role in My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994). Greater stardom came for playing Neo in the science fiction series The Matrix, beginning in 1999. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century, and in 2022, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | Hamnet (2025): Historical Drama with Star-Studded Cast
Agnes Shakespeare - the wife of the world's most famous writer - struggles to come to terms with the loss of her only son, Hamnet. Director: Chloe Zhao Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
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
Free
Tour | Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More
Join these guided tours every Friday and Saturday at 2 PM to explore a museum's history, special collections, and landmarked spaces. Led by educators, the tours last 45-60 minutes and provide an engaging introduction to the artworks and archives on view.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Music on the Water: Piano Sonatas by Brahms & Prokofiev
Misha Dichter, piano. Program: Johann Brahms (1833-1897) Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op 5 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Roller Rink Party with Live DJ
Get ready to roll into the excitement at an outdoor skate circle. With live DJs spinning the tunes, is as much fun to watch as it is to join! Whether you're a seasoned skater or just starting out, bring your own skates and get ready to groove with roller dancing. All skill levels are welcome. This is a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for all ages. Children under 14 must wear helmets for safety.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:45 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Historian Shares Her New Book, Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury
Attend a conversation between Mary Davis, author of Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury, and Leslie Camhi, essayist, cultural journalist, and literary translator. Book Synopsis: Long before Chanel or Dior became household names, French designer Paul Poiret (1879–1944) created the blueprint for modern luxury. Join historian and cultural critic Mary E. Davis and acclaimed writer Leslie Camhi (The New Yorker, Vogue) for a conversation about the legacy of this innovative genius, who transformed fashion into a comprehensive and elevated lifestyle enterprise. Drawing from Davis’s new book, Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury, the discussion will explore Poiret's revolutionary strategies, from linking fashion to fragrance and interior design to embracing modernist art and architecture. The talk will highlight his importance in establishing celebrity influencers and outrageous parties as requirements for a successful fashion brand, and will delve into other aspects of his towering cultural figure.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn the Basics of Playwriting with Award-Winning Playwright
The Hunter College MFA Playwriting program partners with Breaking the Binary Theater, a new play development organization that serves transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ theatre artists, to offer a community playwriting workshop. This workshop is led by Haruna Lee, an award-winning nonbinary Taiwanese-Japanese-American theater maker, screenwriter, educator, and community steward.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
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
Free
Opening Reception | Painted Sculptures & Comic-Inspired Works
This exhibition explores artist Martin Wong’s fascination with artistic subcultures, bringing together works that draw on comic-book illustration and early tattoo imagery. Spanning three decades of his career, the presentation highlights a recurring visual language shaped by popular culture and global art histories.
At its center is a rare group of large-scale Popeye sculptures painted in the final decade of Wong’s life. Playful and layered with references, these dynamic works blur the boundaries between high and low art while showcasing Wong’s distinctive style and cultural commentary.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
6:00 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Join the Club!
7:00 pm
Regular: $50
Member: $0
Regular: $50
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Concert | Genre-Bending Artist Marie-Claire Giraud Celebrates her New Album
Marie-Claire Giraud celebrates the release of her new album, my big, bold & beautiful technicolor fantasy, in an intimate performance that showcases her genre-spanning artistry. A Bronx-raised soprano of Dominican heritage, Giraud moves fluidly across opera, jazz, and musical theater, bringing a rich vocal palette and dynamic stage presence to each. With recent and upcoming milestones including her feature film debut and appearances on international stages, this performance offers a vibrant preview of a landmark year for a singular New York artist.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Piano & Drum Set Mastery with Original Compositions
An evening of dynamic jazz led by Lucas S. Allison, an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist known for his distinctive voice on piano and drum set. Rooted in bebop, soul, and gospel traditions, the performance reflects a deeply expressive, rhythmically rich approach.
Featuring original compositions from an upcoming album, the set highlights the intersection of gospel, soul, and swing. Joined by a standout ensemble of trumpet, saxophone, trombone, bass, and drums, the performance offers a vibrant, contemporary take on jazz tradition.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Under My Umbrella Listening Party & Acoustic Set with Miss Grit
Experience an evening with Miss Grit, listening to Under My Umbrella in advance of its April 24th release with an acoustic set! Fans will also get early access to the Under My Umbrella vinyl. New York-based musician Margaret Sohn – aka Miss Grit (they/she) – is a bold experimentalist and architect of sculptural texture. Under My Umbrella lifts the lid on the Korean-American artist’s internal world, lasering in on the anxieties and heartbreak of the past two years.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
7:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
7:30 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Regular: $25
Member: $0
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
8:00 pm
Regular: $22
Member: $0
Regular: $22
Member: $0
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Classical Music | Piano Pieces by Robert Schumann & Rachmaninoff (In Person AND Online!)
Siying Wang, piano. Program: Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Carnaval, Op. 9 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 36 in B-flat Minor
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Violin Works by Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Mozart, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Simon Hagopian, violin. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Sonata No. 4 for Violin and Piano in A Minor, Op. 23 J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Sonata No. 1 for Solo Violin in G Minor, BWV 1001 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) Caprice No. 24 in A Minor, Op. 1
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free
Free
9:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Comedy Club | Standup Show
Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
Free
Free
10:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Join the Club!
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | Highly-Acclaimed Orchestra Performs Tchaikovsky & More
Regular Price: $55CFT Member Price: $0.00
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