free things to do in New York City
Free events for Monday, 03/16/26
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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 March 16, 2026?

29 free events take place on Monday, March 16 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 March 16 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 March . 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!

29 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, March 16, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Cleo From 5 to 7 (1962): French New Wave Drama Film
free events nyc Art Songs & Arias by Debussy, Puccini, & More (In Person AND Online!)
free events nyc Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries
free events nyc Art Songs & Arias by Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Poulenc, & More (In Person AND Online!)
free events nyc Cello Works by Robert Schumann, Cesar Franck, & More (In Person AND Online!)
More Editor's Picks for 03/16/26
        

Workshop | Start the Day with Morning Meditation


Start your day by balancing your mind, body, and spirit during instructor guided meditation. This renowned practice lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free
Workshops, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Start the Day with Morning Meditation

Workshop | Chess Open Play


Make your move at a chess event featuring strategy, fun, and friendly competition for players of all ages and skill levels. Explore the game through open play. Grab a friend or co-worker and play the game on our giant indoor chess board underneath the palm trees. Whether you're making your first move or mastering your endgame, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Chess Open Play

Museums | Exploring Art, History, and Global Cultures in a Landmark Museum


Spend time exploring a world-renowned collection spanning centuries of art, design, and cultural history. From ancient artifacts to iconic masterpieces, these galleries invite slow looking, discovery, and reflection across works that connect global traditions, artistic innovation, and human stories. Note: Some galleries are closed for installation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
Museumss, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Exploring Art, History, and Global Cultures in a Landmark Museum

Tour | NYC Famous Park Tour


Discover how Bryant Park Corporation successfully transformed "Needle Park" of the 1970s into Manhattan's Town Square of today. The guides are loaded with expertise on the park's rich history, award-winning design, distinct amenities, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Tours will continue as scheduled in light rain, but will be cancelled in heavy rain or inclement weather. Bring an umbrella if needed!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Tours, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, NYC Famous Park Tour

Party | Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup


Are you a knitter? Do you like to crochet? Maybe you like a different type of fiber art? Whichever it is, bring your supplies and lose yourself in the meditative world of creating art with fiber. Invite your friends, or make new connections there. This is a meet-up, not a class.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Partys, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup

Film | Cleo From 5 to 7 (1962): French New Wave Drama Film


Selfish pop singer Cleo has two hours to wait until the results ofher biopsy come back. After an ominous tarot card reading, she visits her friends, all of whom fail to give her the emotional support she needs. Wandering around Paris, she finally finds comfort talking with a soldier in a park. On leave from the Algerian War, his troubles put hers in perspective. As they talk and walk, Cleo comes to terms with her selfishness, finding peace before the results come back. Director: Agnes Varda Cast: Corinne Marchand, Antoine Bourseiller, Dominique Davray, Dorothee Blank, Michel Legrand
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Films, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Cleo From 5 to 7 (1962): French New Wave Drama Film

Workshop | Walk and Creative Writing Session


This walk and writing session is led by Author and Poet Jon Curley. Participants will be encouraged to use observations as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Workshops, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Walk and Creative Writing Session

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


Albertina Ferrucci, Soprano. Program: Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936) Nana de Sevilla Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) "Polo" from Siete canciones populares espanolas Agustin Lara (1897-1970) Granada Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Ariettes Oubliees Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) "Care compagne...Come per me sereno, Sovra il sen la man mi posa" from La Sonnambula Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) "Quel guardo il Cavaliere" from Don Pasquale Carlos Gardel (1890-1935) Volver Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Siempre se vuelve a Buenos Aires Alma Mahler (1879-1964) "Sonar hasta enloquecer" from Dracula
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Art Songs & Arias by Debussy, Puccini, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Staged Reading | Signaling: Humanity’s Reach and the Cosmic Unknown


Dylan Guerra’s Signaling follows the creation of the Arecibo Message in Puerto Rico as scientists attempt to communicate with life beyond Earth. This new work considers humanity’s desire to connect across the cosmos and the personal and scientific ambitions behind the message. Written by: Dylan Guerra Directed by: Estefanía Fadul
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Staged Readings, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Signaling: Humanity&rsquo;s Reach and the Cosmic Unknown

Lecture | Scholar Discusses the "Theater of Perversity" in Art & Activism


CLAGS Scholar-in-Residence Kassandra Sparks will give a presentation on how fantasies of prostitution are staged in transactional BDSM sessions, and how sex workers mobilize these fantasies in their art and activism. Kassandra will draw on her ethnographic research on the BDSM sex economy in New York City as well her archival research on the history of New York dominatrixes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Lectures, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Scholar Discusses the "Theater of Perversity" in Art & Activism

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
5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Museumss, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries

Film | Carrie (1952): Classic Drama Film Starring Laurence Olivier


Based on Theodore Dreiser's novel Sister Carrie. A young girl from a provincial town learns the bitter realities of the big city, and the unexpected twists of men, money, and finally, love. Director: William Wyler Cast: Laurence Olivier, Jennifer Jones, Miriam Hopkins Laurence Olivier was an English actor and director who dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. For his on-screen work, he received two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, five Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. The National Theatre's largest auditorium is named in his honor, and he is commemorated in the Laurence Olivier Awards, given annually by the Society of London Theatre.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Films, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Carrie (1952): Classic Drama Film Starring Laurence Olivier

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


Lin Fan, Bass-Baritone. Program: Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 12 Songs, Op. 21 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 6 Songs, Op. 26 Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Chansons gaillardes Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) Morike-Lieder Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Pace non trovo from Tre sonetti di Petrarca Chen Tianhe (1911-1955) Shanzhong Huang Zi (1904-1938) Sixiang
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Art Songs & Arias by Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Poulenc, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Classical Music | Diverse Cello Works (In Person AND Online!)


Kuan Yu Huang, cello. Program: Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023) Lullaby Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) Cello Sonata in G Major, G.15 Josef Suk (1874-1935) Ballade, Op. 3 Antonín Kraft (1749-1820) Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op.4
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Diverse Cello Works (In Person AND Online!)

Museums | Explore Memorial Museum and Reconnect with History


Reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed our city and nation in the wake of 9/11. This is a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice. This museum honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, recognizes the courage of those who survived, and salutes those who risked their lives to help others.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Museumss, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Explore Memorial Museum and Reconnect with History

Book Discussion | Journalist Shares New Book on Democracy, Censorship, & Mass Surveillance: The Information State


Discover how the state uses censorship, mass surveillance, and algorithmic manipulation to shape your perceptions. Author Jacob Siegel in conversation with RBI's director (a) Eli Karetny. We're often told that disinformation is everywhere and that it's endangering our democracy. But what if the war on disinformation itself is really just a weapon to squash any and all legitimate dissent? The Information State is an incisive examination of how we reached the point where anything that contradicts the dominant narrative can be labeled dangerous disinformation. Tablet contributor Jacob Siegel charts how the technological infrastructure built to make society safer and more rational has steadily replaced democratic freedoms with systems of digital control. Commercial Internet applications now double as military-grade surveillance and influence tools. Government tech partnerships established after 2001 in response to the global war on terror took on a life of their own and now target Americans.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Journalist Shares New Book on Democracy, Censorship, & Mass Surveillance: The Information State

Workshop | Learn & Practice Chess with an Expert


Learn to play chess or develop your strategies with chess expert Tamar Chanadiri from the Marshall Chess Club. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, as each one builds on the previous. Bring a friend or join on your own--all levels and ages are welcome! Chess sets are provided but you're welcome to bring your own. From 6-7 PM Tamar will provide instruction for beginner-level players. From 7-8 PM there will be open play for all levels.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Workshops, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Learn & Practice Chess with an Expert

Master Class | Learn To Play Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)


This is a workshop/jam to introduce musicians to traditional Scottish dance tunes. You will learn some tunes traditionally played for Scottish dances as well as some airs. If you don’t know a reel from a strathspey or jig or waltz, you will, by the end of the workshop! Listeners are also welcome. Musicians should be intermediate level and up, although advanced beginners are also welcome. Absolute beginners are welcome to listen! Please bring acoustic instruments only - no amplification. For example: strings (fiddle, viola, cello, bass, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, etc.), winds (recorders, flutes, clarinets, whistles, etc.), percussion, accordion, concertina, etc. For adults 18+ 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Learn To Play Scottish Dance Tunes (Listeners Welcome)

Screening | Short Film Showcase: Animated & Experimental


Explore the fascinating intersection of sight and sound in this program of short animated and experimental films that showcase innovative uses of music. From abstract visual poetry to vibrant representational narratives, these selections place musical composition as a vital partner of visual style and expression. The screening includes iconic works such as Norman McLaren's hand-painted Be Gone Dull Care, the fluid, live-action abstractions of Liquid Jazz by Joseph Kramer, the dazzling electronic abstraction of Mary Ellen Bute's Spook Sport and Abstronic, the lyrical jazz-inspired Harlem Wednesday by Faith and John Hubley, the pre-MTV irony of Braverman's Condensed Cream of Beatles, and Kenneth Anger's Kustom Kar Kommandos.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free
Screenings, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Short Film Showcase: Animated & Experimental

Dance Lesson | Workshop Rooted in Zora Neale Hurston's Ideas on Ritual Movement, Folktales, & Work Songs (Beginners Welcome!)


Enjoy a dance workshop that explores theater, somatic practices, and ritual dance, rooted in Zora Neale Hurston’s sacred tools of ritual movement, folktales, and work songs. The session includes: Guided warm-up connecting breath, rhythm, and embodied wisdom Story sharing and communal reflection on Hurston’s work Experiencing excerpts of original songs and movement from Birl-Torres and Zora Project collaborators No professional dance experience is necessary!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Dance Lessons, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Workshop Rooted in Zora Neale Hurston's Ideas on Ritual Movement, Folktales, & Work Songs (Beginners Welcome!)

Lecture | Egyptologist Discusses the Discovery of King Tut's Tomb


Enjoy an engaging talk with Egyptologist, Dr. Bob Brier, about one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. Tutankhamun's tomb is one of the most famous archaeological finds of all time. The story concerning its discovery and treasures has been well documented. Less known, however, are the political dramas that surrounded the actual excavation. In this lecture, presented in collaboration with the American Research Center in Egypt/New York and its National Headquarters, world-renowned Egyptologist and Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University, Dr. Bob Brier, discusses Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, and subsequently focuses on Pierre Lacau. The French Director General of the Service of Antiquities was instrumental in preserving the opulent burial remains in Egypt, except for the artifacts that were surreptitiously removed. Recently uncovered information shed additional light on the critical role Lacau played. But was he a hero or villain?
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Lectures, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Egyptologist Discusses the Discovery of King Tut's Tomb

Talk | Psychoanalyst Discusses Freud's Ideas & Gender Conconforming Childhood


Enjoy a talk with writer and psychoanalyst M. E. O’Brien on the role of fantasies among trans and gender non-conforming children of belonging elsewhere as a form of what Freud called “the family romance.” Using material from trans first-person accounts with a focus on the experimental memoir of trans activist Cecilia Gentili, the essay explores the use of family romance fantasies in trans children reconciling their emergent experiences of gender with conflicting social expectations. The family romance offers a way of theorizing the subject’s encounters with the symbolic order as articulated in questions of gender difference and biological origins.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Talks, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Psychoanalyst Discusses Freud's Ideas & Gender Conconforming Childhood

Staged Reading | The Wonder: Midwestern Familial Ghost Story 


The Wonder is inspired by the first documented case of spiritual possession in America. Mary Roff's unearthly illness turns her family and the town of Watseka, Illinois, upside down, that is, until Lurancy Vennum follows in her footsteps. The Wonder is a journey of hope, loss, undying familial love, and healing beyond the bounds of this world. Also, it's a ghost story. An American Midwest Gothic ghost story for mothers and daughters. Written by Maggie Lou Rader. Directed by Christa Scott-Reed.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Staged Readings, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, The Wonder: Midwestern Familial Ghost Story&nbsp;

Dance Performance | Dance Works-in-Progress


A high visibility low-tech forum for experimentation, emerging ideas, and works-in-progress held in the Fall and Spring seasons. Artists are selected by a rotating committee of peer artists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free
Dance Performances, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Dance Works-in-Progress

Poetry Reading | Martin Agee Shares Debut Poetry Collection, Not a Violin


Enjoy a reading and celebration for recent release of Not a Violin with the author, Martin Agee. Marcia Butler, author most recently of Dear Virginia, Wait for Me, will join as conversant. From the horizon of a childhood Kansas prairie to the intimate space between his chin and violin, to Carnegie Hall and a Broadway show pit amidst Mahler and Sondheim, Agee plumbs the human condition with wisdom and empathy. His poems are lyrical and assured and funny and heartbreaking, all at once, making this marvelous collection a joy to read.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Poetry Readings, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Martin Agee Shares Debut Poetry Collection,&nbsp;Not a Violin

Workshop | Drawing from a Distance: Light, Space & Sculpture (Online!) 


Examine fixed-perspective films that feature spaces where light shifts and nature actively interacts with sculpture. Learn introductory drawing techniques and settle into a flow as you create a long sketch. Reflect on drawings and discuss the integration between art, space, and time. No previous experience required.  Materials Needed: Pencils, an eraser, and paper.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Workshops, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Drawing from a Distance: Light, Space & Sculpture (Online!)&nbsp;

Book Discussion | Journalist Shares Her New Book, Carole King: She Made the Earth Move


This presentation features a book talk by journalist and author Jane Eisner on Carole King: She Made the Earth Move, in which she traces the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of pop icon Carole King, exploring her unique contribution to American music.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Book Discussions, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Journalist Shares Her New Book,&nbsp;Carole King: She Made the Earth Move

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


Yihe Wang, Baritone. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Cinq Mélodies de Venise, Op. 58 Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Three Songs, Op. 45 Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Morgen! Op. 27 No. 4
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Art Songs & Arias by Beethoven, Faur&eacute;, & More (In Person AND Online!)

Classical Music | Cello Works by Robert Schumann, Cesar Franck, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Angela Rose Padula, cello and Philip Thompson, cello. Program: Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129 Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) Sonata for Solo Cello in B Minor, Op. 8 Cesar Franck (1822-1890) (arr. Jules Delsart) Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, March 16, 2026, 03/16/2026, Cello Works by Robert Schumann, Cesar Franck, & More (In Person AND Online!)
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Classical Music | Easter Concert of Choral Works at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Musical | Family Show Where Things Come to Life!

Regular Price: $71.50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | Piercing, Tender, and Hopeful Story

Regular Price: $59
CFT Member Price: $0.00