free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 01/09/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on January 9, 2026?

35 free events take place on Friday, January 9 in New York City. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides! Exciting, high quality, unique and off the beaten path free events and free things to do take place in New York today, tonight, tomorrow and each day of the year, any time of the day: whether it's a weekday or a weekend, day or night, morning or evening or afternoon, December or July, April or November! These events will take your breath away!

New York City (NYC) never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment. Check out January 9 and see for yourself. Summer or Winter, Spring or Fall! Just click on any day of the calendar above and you'll find most inspiring and entertaining free events to go to and free things to do on each day of January . Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!

Some events take place all year long: same day of the week, same time there are there for you to take advantage of. One of the oldest free weekly events in Manhattan is Dixieland Jazz with the Gotham Jazzmen, which happen at noon every Tuesday. Another example of an event that you can attend all year round on weekdays is Federal Reserve Bank Tour, which takes place every week day at 1 pm (but advanced reservations are required). You can take at least 13 free tours every day of the year, except the New Year Day, July 4th, and the Christmas Day. If you are classical music afficionado, you can spend whole day in New York going from one free classical concert to another. If you love theater, then New York gives you an option to attend plays and musicals free of charge, or at deep discount. You just need to have information about it. And we are here to make that information available to you.
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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!

35 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, January 9, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Lincoln Center-Featured Dancers Perform Excerpts from Various Modern Works
free events nyc Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)
free events nyc A Night of Live Music, Drinks & 5,000 Years of Art
free events nyc Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum
free events nyc Conversation with Investigative Journalist on UFOs and the Paranormal
free events nyc Nordic Classical Composers & Performers: Eydis Evensen & Josefine Opsahl
More Editor's Picks for 01/09/26
        

Workshop | Morning Tai Chi


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free

Workshop | Zumba: Latin-Inspired Dance Fitness


Get your heart pumping with Zumba, a dynamic workout set to Latin, international, and popular music. This fun, easy-to-follow class combines fast and slow rhythms for aerobic interval training that challenges both heart and muscles. Perfect for all fitness levels.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

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

Workshop | Adult Zumba


Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

Dance Performance | Lincoln Center-Featured Dancers Perform Excerpts from Various Modern Works


Dancers Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Dual Rivet, and Ephrat Asherie perform excerpts from various dance shows in a 1-hour showcase. Keerati Jinakunwiphat -- Excerpt of Of Dishes and Dreams (2025) Dual Rivet -- Unravel and Stuff Your Eyes (Excerpt) Ephrat Asherie -- Shadow Cities (Excerpt)
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Sculpture-Making (Part I)


Attend the first of a two-part sculpture workshop designed for adults interested in exploring sculpting with air dry clay. Participants will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and start hand-building their own unique sculptures using all sorts of fun tools and techniques. Whether you follow our playful prompts or go totally freestyle, you’ll leave with something truly one-of-a-kind. In the first session, participants will work on hand-building sculptures using a variety of tools. In the second session, on January 30th, participants will have the opportunity to glaze (paint) their creations to bring them to life. All materials will be provided, including clay, wood tools, paints and brushes. No prior experience necessary, just bring your imagination!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Film | Revolutionary Road (2008): Romantic Drama Starring Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet


Set from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s, the film portrays the Wheelers' struggle to cope with their personal problems and the ensuing breakdown in their marriage. Director: Sam Mendes Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Kathy Bates Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. Known for his work in biographical and period films, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. As of 2019, his films have grossed over $7.2 billion worldwide, and he has been placed eight times in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actors. English actor Kate Winslet is known for playing strong, complicated women, especially in period films. She's won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and five Golden Globes. In both 2009 and 2021, Time magazine named Winslet one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2012, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2012.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | The Alto Knights (2025): Biographical Crime Drama with Robert De Niro


Based on the real-life bitter rivalry between the two top organized crime bosses in New York. Director: Barry Levinson Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci Robert DeNiro is an American actor who's known for collaborating with Scorsese. He's considered to be one of the most influential actors of his generation. De Niro has accrued many acheivements, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and more. In 2009, De Niro received the Kennedy Center Honor. He was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

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

Film | Zoolander (2001): Comedy Film with All-Star Cast


A silly comedy about a not-too-bright male supermodel who gets entangled in a political conspiracy. Director: Ben Stiller Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor, Milla Jovovich
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
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
2:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Lincoln Center-Featured Dancers Perform Excerpts from Various Modern Works


Dancers Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Dual Rivet, and Ephrat Asherie perform excerpts from various dance shows in a 1-hour showcase. Keerati Jinakunwiphat — Excerpt of Of Dishes and Dreams (2025) Dual Rivet — Unravel and Stuff Your Eyes (Excerpt) Ephrat Asherie — Shadow Cities (Excerpt)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Explore One of New York's Iconic Buildings


Designed to inspire, building highlights include: The only free, publicly accessible rooftop terrace in Midtown A dramatic "Long Room" with 42-foot-high atrium offering five levels of open, browsable book stacks Commissioned public art celebrating creativity and curiosity
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Expert Insights: Marriage in Medieval Art


Examine how medieval art depicted marriage, from everyday devotion to mystical visions of divine love. Experts lead small groups through select objects, offering fresh insights, untold stories, and close-up perspectives on the symbolism and context of the works.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Play Chess


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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3:00 pm
Free

Concert | "Consistently Invigorating" Singer-Songwriter Natalie Tenenbaum


Composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter Natalie Tenenbaum starts a special five-week residency. Each week, Tenenbaum will guide audiences on a sonic journey, traveling fluidly between classical, jazz, pop, and experimental soundscapes. Natalie Tenenbaum has premiered works worldwide, collaborated with artists including Lang Lang, Pentatonix, and David Byrne, and created arrangements for Broadway’s Mean Girls. Her recent albums—Duos/Solos and Standard Repertoire Vol. 1—reimagine everything from Bach to Stravinsky through her post-classical lens. Tenenbaum’s performances have been praised by The New York Times as “sparkling… consistently invigorating,” and her boundary-crossing approach is sure to make each evening of this residency a thrilling opportunity to hear familiar music in a wholly new way.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Museums | A Night of Live Music, Drinks & 5,000 Years of Art


Enjoy a stylish evening of art, live music, and engaging talks every Friday and Saturday night. From 5-9 PM, sip on drink specials, sample light fare, and take in the museum's vast collection spanning millennia. Grab a friend, a partner, or come solo--this after-hours experience offers something for everyone.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free

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
5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required

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

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

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

Classical Music | Kennedy Center Honors Cellist Teaches the Ins & Outs of Cello Mastery


Cellist Sharon Robinson, member of the Kalichstein–Laredo–Robinson Trio, provides wisdom on her craft. Featuring ChamberFest ensembles performing selections from: Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Phantasy Quartet, Op. 2 Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1, “Ghost” Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11 Please note, capacity is limited and will be filled first-come, first-served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Drop-In Drawing: Abstract Collage


Explore a collection through hands-on drawing challenges led by teaching artists. In this session, draw inspiration from a vibrant series of abstract collages and create your own compositions using line, shape, and color. Materials are provided, and participants may bring their own sketchbooks. Demonstrations repeat throughout the session.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Grammy-Winning Musician Shares His New Memoir, From Ear to Ear


This special event celebrates Steven Blier, New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) founder and Grammy Award–winning pianist, writer, and longtime Juilliard faculty member, on the occasion of his new memoir, From Ear to Ear: A Pianist’s Love Affair With Song, with a foreword by the New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik. Blier’s remarkable career includes work with legendary singers Renée Fleming, Jessye Norman, Cecilia Bartoli, and many others. He also reflects on his battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Blier will discuss his book and Juilliard vocal arts students will perform songs by Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, and Richard Rodgers, followed by a book signing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Graphic Memoir and Video Performance Exploring Identity


This exhibition debuts an epic 182-panel, hand-illustrated graphic memoir created over more than a decade. The work is presented alongside a multi-channel video performance of the same name, which both incorporates and responds to the visual autobiography. Drawing from Kelly’s roots in New York’s downtown performance scene of the early 1980s, the exhibition traces the artist’s long-standing engagement with self-portraiture, embodiment, and role-playing. Through illustrated narrative and performative video, Kelly adopts historical and pop-cultural personae to examine questions of gender and creative identity.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Neon Panels and Drawings Shaping Space


Known for his pioneering use of neon, artist Stephen Antonakos examines how light, color, and placement influence perception. The works highlight the connection between artwork, architecture, and viewers, energizing space with restrained, luminous forms.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Seeing Time and Light Through Abstraction


This solo exhibition presents a new body of work by Michael Childress, inspired by the light-cone diagram in special relativity and its relation to perception, space, and time. Known for his stained canvases combining hard-edge geometry and fluid color transitions, Childress introduces painted plywood panels that foreground the relationship between image and object. The works evoke shifting fields of color and vignettes that function as visual records of invisible forces. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Art in Focus: Slow Observance and Conversation


Take a moment to slow down and connect with a single work of art through guided observation and group discussion. No background in art is needed--just curiosity and openness. This relaxed, welcoming program invites all adult learners to engage deeply with one piece at a time. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served. Stickers are distributed 15 minutes before the program starts.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Discussion | Conversation with Investigative Journalist on UFOs and the Paranormal


Investigative journalist Leslie Kean discusses space, UFOs, and paranormal phenomena. She's known for reporting on government investigations and co-authoring a 2017 New York Times article revealing a secret Pentagon program. The conversation covers journalism, evidence, and public discourse on UFOs, set within cultural and historical contexts explored by the exhibition.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Talk | Celebrated Fashion Designer Nanette Lepore Celebrates Her Career


American fashion designer Nanette Lepore for a special evening highlighting her illustrious career. Since launching her namesake label in the 1990s, she has become a defining voice in contemporary women's fashion, creating collections that embody confidence, individuality, and a playful spirit. Lepore is a vocal advocate for American manufacturing and sustainability in fashion. She has championed initiatives to preserve New York City's Garment District and support local artisans. In 2023, Lepore launched Maria Cecilia, a label inspired by her roots in handmade design. Produced in New York's Garment District, Maria Cecilia reflects a return to intimate, artisanal fashion--featuring elegant silhouettes, rich fabrics, and a sense of personal freedom.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Book Club | Discuss I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman


At this book club meeting, participants will discuss I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, a searing and quick read that packs a punch, perfect for starting off the new year strong. Synopsis:Deep underground, thirty-nine women and one girl live imprisoned in a cage. Watched over by guards, the women have no memory of how they got there, no notion of time, and only a vague recollection of their lives before. One day an alarm sounds, the guards flee, and their cage is left open. When they escape, they'll discover the world they left behind and what, if anything, awaits them above. Harpman's post-apocalyptic modern classic is embedded with themes of feminism and intimacy to critique how far people will go to maintain their humanity in the face of devastation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Concert | Live Original Music Showcase


Enjoy a free evening of live, original music featuring local songwriters and composers.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Uncovering NYC’s Revolutionary Past (In Person AND Online!) 


Join historian Dr. Benjamin Carp for a discussion on The Hidden History of Revolutionary New York City. Carp is the author of The Great New York Fire of 1776, Defiance of the Patriots, and Rebels Rising. His work explores the overlooked stories and events that shaped the city during the American Revolution. Note: If planning to attend in person, business casual dress is required.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Dance and Soundscapes of a Changing Climate


Choreographer Jody Sperling presents two programs that explore themes of nature and climate through expansive, visually striking movement. Created in collaboration with environmental composer Matthew Burtner, these performances reflect an ongoing artistic investigation into the effects of climate change. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Nordic Classical Composers & Performers: Eydis Evensen & Josefine Opsahl


Celebrating the visionary, boundary-pushing artistry of the Nordic countries, audiences are invited to transport themselves to the north for a night, featuring Eydis Evensen and Josefine Opsahl. Recognized as a "classical music gamechanger" (The Line of Best Fit), Eydis Evensen is a composer and pianist from Iceland with Norwegian and Faroese roots. Her compositions, guided by emotion, are intimate explorations of mourning, hope, reflection, and renewal--creating a world that invites listeners to feel their way through the music. Josefine Opsahl is an award-winning Danish composer and cellist hailed by The Strad as a "boundary-defying and remarkable composer and artist." She renews and pushes the rich legacy of music traditions forward through her work. Her solo performances fuse acoustic cello and electronics, creating dynamic and mesmerizing sound worlds. 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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free
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Classical Music | Choral Works by Mendelssohn and More at a Landmark Venue

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