free things to do in New York City
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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 May 18, 2025?
35 free events take place on Sunday, May 18 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 May 18 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 May . 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.
Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on May 18, 2025?
35 free events take place on Sunday, May 18 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 May 18 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 May . 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.
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!
35 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Sunday, May 18, 2025
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Editor's Picks
Workshop | Tai Chi in the Park for All Fitness Levels
Join Silvana Pizzuti to learn and practice Tai Chi, a slow moving martial art with health benefits for all fitness levels. Space is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled.
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 am
Free
Free
Fair | Fabulous 5th Ave Street Fair
Celebrate community, creativity, and culture at this vibrant street fair! Discover a colorful mix of artisan goods, live entertainment, and educational activities. This lively outdoor event highlights the diversity and spirit of the neighborhood while supporting local nonprofits, merchant associations, and community organizations.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Fair | Street Fair
Celebrate community, creativity, and culture at this vibrant street fair! Discover a colorful mix of artisan goods, live entertainment, and educational activities. This lively outdoor event highlights the diversity and spirit of the neighborhood while supporting local nonprofits, merchant associations, and community organizations.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Sunday at Pop Culture/Art Museum
Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum explores the enormous impact of posters on society and culture, and how they have been adapted to contemporary use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it provides a space for inquiry for all those interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the aim of improving design literacy among the general public. Posters 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
Free
Museums | Family Day at the Modern Art Museum: Activities, Adventures, and Fun!
Build your own art and architecture adventure on this free Family Day. Registration includes access to hands-on projects and guided tours throughout the galleries. Free. Museum admission and program activities are included with advance registration; space is limited.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Family Fun at a Historical Site: Sailor Adventures
Enjoy interactive activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages. Incorporate 19th-century maritime craft traditions into your handmade Valentine's Day cards and unique trinkets for the holiday. You can also browse galleries and learn about ships, life at sea and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
$1, registration required
$1, registration required
11:30 am
Free
Free
Museums | Sunday 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
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11:30 am
Free
Free
City Walk | Annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, Featuring 125+ Local Artists
This spring, Brooklyn will come alive with creativity with over 125 local artists exhibiting their work at 70 local businesses for the Annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk. This vibrant,self-guided, 1.5-mile art event will showcase the diverse talents of emerging and established artists at galleries, salons, boutiques, restaurants, and home decor shops. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a diverse collection of art ranging from paintings, drawings, three-dimensional art, mixed media, and photography. While enjoying Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, people are encouraged to take time to visit and support the local, small businesses and restaurants in the area. They can grab a cup of coffee for their stroll, sit and eat, pick up a unique gift, or a new spring outfit, and explore new services- all of which help to keep the businesses that make up the fabric of the neighborhood thriving.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Historic Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
Step back in time on this free walking tour from Bowling Green to Collect Pond Park, tracing the evolution of New York City from a Dutch outpost to the heart of a new nation. Uncover the hidden stories and pivotal events that shaped the city — from the early days of New Amsterdam and the Peach War, to the British takeover, the Revolutionary era, and the rise of Wall Street. Learn about the city’s transformation through the centuries and visit the sites where history still lingers beneath the modern skyline. Perfect for history buffs and curious explorers alike. Bring friends, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to discover the secrets beneath the city streets.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Festival | Spend the Afternoon Playing Old Skool Games--All Ages
Street games are coming back to the Lower East Side! Join the Old Skool Street Games Festival--a free, all-ages celebration of classic pavement games. Learn skelly, stoop ball, Double Dutch, and more from neighbors ages 17-77! Bring your inner child, your kids, your grandparents! Note: Rain date June 1st
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
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
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12:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
City Walk | Take a Walk in Brooklyn's Sunset Park
About 5-6 miles, mostly on city streets. This Brooklyn neighborhood walk takes in an old maritime terminal, a new waterfront park, a chinatown lunch, Industry City, and the eponymous park itself.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:12 pm
$5
$5
Festival | Celebrate Everyone's Favorite Pollinator at the World Bee Day Festival
The Bee ConÂserÂvanÂcy presents their 4th annuÂal World Bee Day fesÂtiÂval — famÂiÂly-friendÂly day that celÂeÂbrates the 20,000+ bee species that polÂliÂnate 80% of the world’s flowÂerÂing plants! DisÂcovÂer the fasÂciÂnatÂing world of ground- and cavÂiÂty-nestÂing bees, learn how to build susÂtainÂable polÂliÂnaÂtor habiÂtats, and comÂmit to everyÂday actions you can take to save the bees. Get ready for fun, eduÂcaÂtionÂal activÂiÂties, includÂing a look inside a honÂey bee obserÂvaÂtion hive, a polÂliÂnaÂtor walk, a seed ball makÂing staÂtion, comÂmuÂniÂty sciÂence projects, honÂey tastÂings, a comÂmuÂniÂty art project, and more! ActivÂiÂties for kids will include stoÂryÂtime readÂings, face paintÂing, and nature crafts. Enjoy comÂpliÂmenÂtaÂry gift bags and goodÂies on a first-come, first-serve basis.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Hands-On Art Demonstration: Fragrance-Making
Peek at technique and learn—through handling tools and materials—how works of art were created. Stop by for hands-on demonstrations and conversations with educators, conservators, artists, and more! This workshop will dive into the craft of making fragrances! Demonstrations repeat every 30 minutes. For visitors of all ages.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Sun Gaze Sundays
The Amateur Astronomers Association and solar gazing bring solar telescopes specifically designed to safely look at the sun and see sunspots and prominences under a summer sky. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Community Knitting & Crocheting
Enjoy the beautiful, warm weather and practice your knitting skills with HKnits and friends. Meet new people, learn new patterns, and share your yarn with the group!Â
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers
String ensemble 'Dari' (Salley Koo, violin, Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin, Daniel McDonough, cello, and Alexander Solomon, piano) performs six new works by Korean-American composers find common ground between performance and teaching communities, and between the new music and student communities. Premieres by Texu Kim, Juri Seo, Kyong Mee Choi, Hee Yun Kim, Leo Chang, and Matthew Pellegrino
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
2:00 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Regular: $55
Member: $0
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Poetry Reading | The Magic of Poetry on the High Seas
This group poetry reading returns aboard a historic ship. Poets have been invited to participate in micro-residencies aboard ships in New York Harbor, where they have been inspired to write and create poetry while being surrounded by the city’s bustling waters. Now, these poets will gather on the deck of this ship for a group reading, sharing their creative works with the audience. Advance registration is encouraged, walkups are welcome. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of poetry on the high seas! Access to the ship involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Online registration begins...
Online registration begins...
Performance | Theater Show Exploring Asian-American Jewish Identity
What Do I Do with All This Heritage? is the first-ever theatre show to explore the lives of Asian American Jews, a whimsical and thought-provoking journey into their lives as they reveal their true stories of holding two age-old traditions in their hearts. .
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Historic Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
Step back in time on this free walking tour from Bowling Green to Collect Pond Park, tracing the evolution of New York City from a Dutch outpost to the heart of a new nation. Uncover the hidden stories and pivotal events that shaped the city — from the early days of New Amsterdam and the Peach War, to the British takeover, the Revolutionary era, and the rise of Wall Street. Learn about the city’s transformation through the centuries and visit the sites where history still lingers beneath the modern skyline. Perfect for history buffs and curious explorers alike. Bring friends, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to discover the secrets beneath the city streets.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
3:00 pm
Regular: $30
Member: $0
Regular: $30
Member: $0
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3:30 pm
Regular: $54
Member: $0
Regular: $54
Member: $0
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Play | New Play from Kennedy Center-Featured Writer: We the People of these Fifty Acre Woods
Inspired by A.A. Milne's classic characters, the beloved 100 Acre Wood is in the midst of a civil war. Throughout this multi-year conflict, childhood friends Winnie, Christopher, and H.P. Piglet find themselves on different paths. H.P. struggles with the moral dilemmas of being a soldier, Christopher discovers what can happen when the powerless gain power, and Winnie is on the run for dodging the draft. Part war epic, part whimsical absurdism, this play looks at how people justify violence, the lengths you'll go to defend what you believe in and if fire is fought with fire - will the acres just burn to the ground? Playwight: Andrew Michael Reid
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
Free
Play | Award-Winning Comedy-Drama Play from Italy: Like an Octopus in a Guitar
When the protagonist of Like an Octopus in a Guitar decides that he no longer wants to leave the house, he develops an obsession with death and begins to spend his days imagining his funeral. A funny and absurd journey inside the mind of an individual who is slowly losing his memories, where the actors' bodies become a metaphor and instrument for remembering. In this suspended world, where even the names of the characters have been forgotten, dreams and reality merge to tell the story of a man's internal battle. A battle between the desire to heal and the temptation to remain, forever, playing with death. Playwright: Marco Ziello Directors: Licia Amarante and Marco Ziello Cast: Annachiara Castorino, Gerardo D'Amato, Francesco Del Gaudio, Sabrina La Regina, Paola Santamaria, Marco Ziello In Italian with English subtitles.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers
String ensemble 'Dari' (Salley Koo, violin, Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin, Daniel McDonough, cello, and Alexander Solomon, piano) performs six new works by Korean-American composers find common ground between performance and teaching communities, and between the new music and student communities. Premieres by Texu Kim, Juri Seo, Kyong Mee Choi, Hee Yun Kim, Leo Chang, and Matthew Pellegrino
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
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. Free admission is daily 5 pm - 6 pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish...
pay-what-you-wish...
Movie in a Park | Identity, Migration, and Memory: Three Short Documentaries Exploring American Chinatowns
Luka Yuanyuan Yang is a visual artist and filmmaker whose practice, characterized by interwoven documentary and archival materials, addresses themes of identity, migration, and memory, challenging conventional historical narratives and amplifying overlooked voices. During a year-long research trip across the US in 2018, Yang was captivated by the rich history of migration and adaptation in America's Chinatowns. From 1882 until the 1950s, due to the Chinese Exclusion Act and racial discrimination, Chinese Americans were largely confined to Chinatowns. During this same period, Yang began researching the stories of Chinese women in 20th-century American performing arts, seeking to uncover the experiences of Chinese women performers whose stories have been forgotten or misunderstood by history. Yang's exploration of these neighborhoods, the Chinese diaspora, and performing artists has become the central focus of her short films and feature film Chinatown Cha-Cha, and her recently published artist book Dance in Herland. In a time of rising threats to America's Chinatowns, the artist brings generations together through film, dance, and dialogue. For this screening, Yang presents Tales of Chinatown, an exhibition of three of her short films: Cantonese Tunes on Mott Street (2022), The Lady From Shanghai (2019), and Tales of Chinatown (2019). By following her protagonists on the streets, through their communities, and into their homes, Yang amplifies the voices of those often denied the chance to share their own stories--individuals who have been forgotten, silenced, or misinterpreted.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Organ Scholar Performs in a Beautiful Gothic Revival-Style Church
Organist Jonathan Bolena is the Organ Scholar at Saint Thomas Church and Choir School, where he was a chorister. Over the past two summers, Jonathan has traveled across the country to study and play at several summer courses, including Indiana University's inaugural Schola Cantorum and RSCM West. Most recently he joined the Choir of Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia, where he accompanied their week-long residency at the Cathedral. Next year, he will begin undergraduate study at Oberlin Conservatory.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:15 pm
Free
Free
6:00 pm
Regular: $By invitation only
Member: $0
Regular: $By invitation only
Member: $0
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7:00 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Theater | The Imaginary Invalid: Moliere's Comedy-Ballet Starring Broadway Actor
Argan is ill. But is he? Argan is dying. But aren't we all? Argan wants absolute control. But is that ever achievable? After a series of upside down attempts to snap him out of it, a solution is found. But will it save him? The Imaginary Invalid is the last play that legendary French playwright Moliere wrote and was originally conceived as a Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance, and music are intertwined. It explores the fear of disease and the exploitation it breeds through infinitely humorous dialogue and in-your-face satire. This production will feature original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt, original music by cellist Johnathan Moore, and stars Tony and Olivier Award nominee Sahr Ngaujah. Director and Translator: Lucie Tiberghien Choreographer and Dancer: Cal Hunt Composer and Cellist: Johnathan Moore Cast: Dante Bonner, Mary Bacon, Rory Furey-King, Doron JePaul, Naomi Lorrain, Sahr Ngaujah, Shayvawn Webster
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
8:00 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Play | New Play from Kennedy Center-Featured Writer: We the People of these Fifty Acre Woods
Inspired by A.A. Milne's classic characters, the beloved 100 Acre Wood is in the midst of a civil war. Throughout this multi-year conflict, childhood friends Winnie, Christopher, and H.P. Piglet find themselves on different paths. H.P. struggles with the moral dilemmas of being a soldier, Christopher discovers what can happen when the powerless gain power, and Winnie is on the run for dodging the draft. Part war epic, part whimsical absurdism, this play looks at how people justify violence, the lengths you'll go to defend what you believe in and if fire is fought with fire - will the acres just burn to the ground? Playwight: Andrew Michael Reid
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
Complimentary Tickets
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Classical Music | Large Chorus and Orchestra at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $55CFT Member Price: $0.00
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