free things to do in New York City
Free events for Monday, 05/04/26
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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 May 4, 2026?

38 free events take place on Monday, May 4 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 4 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.
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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!

38 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, May 4, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc A Walk Through Fashion, History, and Immigration: Garment District
free events nyc Afternoon of Soulful Vocals with Intimacy, Imagination, & Depth
free events nyc Pet Fashion Show (Red Carpet, Photos, Caricatures)
free events nyc Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution
free events nyc Orpheus (1950): French Romantic Fantasy Tragedy Directed by Jean Cocteau
free events nyc Encounter the Next Generation of Fine Artists: Inside Their Studios
free events nyc NYT-Bestselling Author of School for Good and Evil Shares His New Young Adult Novel, Young World
free events nyc Springtime Evening of Renaissance Pieces in Beautiful Church
free events nyc Vocal Showcase of Pop/Rock Favorites by Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ariana Grande, & More
More Editor's Picks for 05/04/26
        

Birdwatching | Family Birdwatching Outing


What birds live in your backyard? Learn the basics of bird watching in this fun outing for beginners, hobbyists, and lifelong birders alike. Together, the group will explore NYC parks, and see what makes this spot a hang-out for resident urban birds and marvelous migrators! Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

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

Workshop | Open Play Pickleball for All Ages


Enjoy casual, drop‑in pickleball at the park. An exciting fusion of badminton and tennis, pickleball has exploded in popularity. Open play encourages rotating games, social fun, and friendly competition for players of all skill levels. First‑come, first‑served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Tour | A Walk Through Fashion, History, and Immigration: Garment District


Join born and raised New Yorker, Mike, in exploring the Garment District of New York. Learn about the apparel industry developed in New York and how it came to be located in its current district. Expect to hear about iconic designers Ralph, Oscar, and Calvin, as well as the Gangsters and Labor Unions that shaped New York and this District. Tour Guide Mike has spent the greater portion of his life working in the Garment industry himself -- expect first-hand anecdotes and wisdom
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:30 am
Free

Museums | Memory Material and Modern Jewish Art in the Bronx


Enjoy a collection dedicated to Jewish ceremonial objects and modern and contemporary art, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and works on paper. The holdings reflect diverse artistic movements from Cubism and Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art and Minimalism alongside historic and decorative artifacts from global cultures. The collection includes works by artists such as Marc Chagall, Joan Mitchell, Romare Bearden, Louise Nevelson, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol, among many others. Designed with accessibility at its core, the experience offers tours and programs welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities while encouraging cross-cultural exchange through art.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

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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10:30 am
Free

Tour | Explore a NYC Park


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

Park Walk | Explore NYC's Greenspace with a Professional Horticulturist


A seasoned horitculturist leads a tour to see what’s in bloom, discuss special topics in urban horticulture, and answer your questions about the plants you see in the park.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Learn to Juggle, All Skill Levels Welcome


This juggling class is ideal for a quick lesson, an extended practice session, or just enjoy watching jugglers put their skills to the test. They're a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons. All skill levels welcome. Equipment is provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Piano in the Park: "Off and Running," Multi-Genre Musician


Come on down and swing along to the best live jazz, blues, and country the Big Apple has to offer, with "a multi-instrumental multi-genre musical daredevil." Ernst plays a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo, and stride piano. He performs and records a variety of different genres, including hot jazz, swing, bluegrass, classic country, old-time, and ragtime music.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Jazz | Afternoon of Soulful Vocals with Intimacy, Imagination, & Depth


Vanisha Gould, who is known for her soulful voice and dynamic presence, has performed worldwide, from the Copenhagen Jazz Festival to Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. She is also a bandleader and composer, Gould released her latest album, She's Not Shiny, She's Not Smooth, in 2024.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

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

Screening | Most Watched International Sporting Events on the Big (30-foot!) Screen Outdoors: Baseball


Today's Schedule: 1:30pm - 4:30pm MLB- NYY vs Baltimore 8:40pm - 10:00pm MLB- Mets vs Colorado *Scheduled programming subject to change. Seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wells Fargo customers receive priority seating.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 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
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2:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Political Scientist & Historian Discuss Contemporary Russian Jazz Scene & Xenophobia


Experience a lecture by Yoshiko Herrera and Sharon Clark on race and jazz in today's Russia. Elise Giuliano will moderate the talk, and Maxim Matusevich will serve as discussant. Since the 1990s, Russia has been marked by widespread xenophobic attitudes, yet African American jazz musicians became a significant part of the Russian jazz scene into the 2000s, often reporting very positive interpersonal experiences. Based on interviews with African American musicians, Russian musicians, and club owners, Yoshiko Herrera argues that their reception can be explained by three factors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Baroque Bassoon Pieces (In Person AND Online!)


Austin Wegener, Baroque bassoon, and Lev Meniker, Baroque bassoon. Program: Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) Chaconne in A Major from Op. 66 Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) Trio Sonata No. 6 in D Major, Op. 50 Daniel Purcell (c. 1664-1717) New Sonata for Two Flutes in F Major Pierre Danican Philidor (1681-1731) (arr. Austin Wegener) Duo No. 3 for Two Flutes, Op. 1 (Transposed to G Minor) Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) Gott Sieh Dein Volk from Die Israeliten in der Wüste Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) Concerto a 5 in E Minor, Op. 37 Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688-1758) Sonata for 2 Oboes and 2 Bassoons in F Major
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Master Class | "One of America’s Finest" Vocalists Teaches the Ins & Outs of Great Performance


Enjoy a master class with Frederica von Stade, one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of our time. Described by The New York Times as “one of America’s finest artists and singers,” von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for four and a half decades.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | American Brass Quintet Performs Contemporary Pieces (In Person AND Online!)


American Brass Quintet Seminar Recital. Program: Robert Hutchinson (1970-) Brass Quintet Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) (arr. ed. Raymond Mase) Si ch'io vorrei morire Eric Ewazen (1954-) Frost Fire Robert Nagel (1924-2016) Bass Trio No. 2 John Dowland (c. 1563-1626) (arr. ed. Brandon Ridenour) The Earl of Essex Galliard/Can She Excuse My Wrongs Anthony Barfield Samsara Steven Sacco Little Suite of Miniatures
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Master Class | Carnegie Hall-Featured Clarinetist Imparts Skills & Techniques for Great Performance


A special masterclass with internationally acclaimed clarinetist Han Kim. Han Kim currently serves as Principal Clarinet of the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris and is an award-winning artist, having received Second Prize at the 2019 ARD International Music Competition in Munich. Fresh from his debut concert at Carnegie Hall, Han will lead an inspiring master class the following day, tailored for emerging classical clarinetists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Festival | Pet Fashion Show (Red Carpet, Photos, Caricatures)


Dress up your pet and strut the red carpet. Show off your pet's tricks, get red carpet photos, pet caricatures, and more. Capture your pet's personality with a free professional photo by NYC Pet Pawtographer (Carmen Gonzalez). Rain or shine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free

Museums | Step Inside a Historic Mansion and Explore Centuries of Design Evolution


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...

Talk | Exploration of Generative AI & Creativity in Design


Enjoy an evening gathering marking the culmination of a semester-long collaboration exploring how generative AI is reshaping creative practice, authorship, and responsibility. Bringing together students, faculty, and industry professionals, the showcase presents a curated selection of work developed through the Adobe x Parsons Creative AI Lab and Symposium. The evening offers a window into how emerging designers are engaging generative tools within their own processes, and how questions of intention, authorship, and responsibility are being actively negotiated in practice. Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content--including text, images, video, audio, and code--by identifying patterns in existing data. Unlike traditional AI that analyzes or classifies data, GenAI uses large-scale, trained models to generate novel outputs based on user prompts.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free

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

Film | Orpheus (1950): French Romantic Fantasy Tragedy Directed by Jean Cocteau


This update of the Orpheus myth depicts a famous poet scorned by the youth of Paris, and his love for both his wife and a mysterious princess. Seeking inspiration, the poet follows the princess from the world of the living to the land of the dead through a mirrored portal. Director: Jean Cocteau Cast: Jean Marais, Francois Perier, Maria Casares, Marie Dea Jean Cocteau was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, film director, visual artist, and critic. He was one of the foremost avant-garde artists of the 20th century and highly influential on the Surrealist and Dadaist movements, among others. The National Observer suggested that "of the artistic generation whose daring gave birth to Twentieth Century Art, Cocteau came closest to being a Renaissance man". He was described as "one of [the] avant-garde's most successful and influential filmmakers" by AllMovie. In French with English subtitles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Open Studios | Encounter the Next Generation of Fine Artists: Inside Their Studios


A major New York City art school presents the work of its senior students, who will open their studios to the public. Visitors can explore a wide range of artwork, along with additional exhibition spaces throughout the building
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Pulitzer Prize Winner & Historian Shares His New Book, American Struggle


Author Jon Meacham discusses his new book, American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union. In a polarized era, history can become a subject of political contention. Many see America as perfect; many others argue that the national experiment is fundamentally flawed. The truth, Meacham shows, likely lies between these extremes. America has had shining hours, and also dark ones.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Diverse Woodwind Pieces


Enjoy a concert featuring musicians from NYU Steinhardt’s Woodwind Studies program.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Staged Reading | The Passivists: Original Play by Emerging Playwright Davis Alianiello


Experience the reading of a brand new, full-length play! Get a first glimpse at what emerging writers are cooking up!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Award-Winning Sociologist Shares Her New Book, Half-Jew, Full-Life


Experience an engaging evening with Dr. Georgette Bennett in conversation with Sir Simon Schama as they discuss Bennett’s new biography on Gary “Pips” Phillips, Half-Jew, Full Life: The Unlikely Journey of a Voluntary Jew from Nazi Persecution to the American Dream. This special book talk explores themes of identity, memory, resilience, and belonging, brought to life through Bennett’s deeply personal story and Schama’s incisive historical perspective. Together, Bennett and Schama will explore the intersections of personal history and collective memory, offering a thought-provoking conversation on heritage, identity, and the enduring impact of the past. A Q&A with the audience will follow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required

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
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Former Goldman Sachs CEO Shares His New Book, Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sachs (In Person AND Online!)


Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein reflects on leadership, risk, and his rise from public housing to the heights of global finance. In his new book, Streetwise, Lloyd Blankfein traces his 36-year career at Goldman Sachs, from his upbringing in East New York to helming one of the world's most powerful financial institutions. Blankfein offers a candid account of his tenure--including navigating the 2008 financial crisis--and examines the pressures of decision-making in moments of uncertainty and the culture that defined the firm. Blending personal history with lessons on leadership, competition, and resilience, Streetwise is a portrait of ambition shaped by trials and experience. Blankfein speaks with executive leadership coach and author Hortense le Gentil about developing his leadership skills and how his humble beginnings shaped his worldview and ambition.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | NYT-Bestselling Author of School for Good and Evil Shares His New Young Adult Novel, Young World


Soman Chainani in conversation with Mary HK Choi about his new book, Young World. With globe-spanning action, stunning twists, and an electric new brand of storytelling, Young World is a heartstopping thriller that asks: what happens when the future really does belong to the young?
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Play | Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Live in the Park


The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, directed by Stephen Burdman, is presented outdoors in a free, open-air production. The play examines the fragile balance between loyalty and ambition as a group of senators conspires to prevent a feared tyranny, only to unleash unrest and instability. As alliances fracture and public tensions rise, Shakespeare's exploration of power, persuasion, and responsibility unfolds with striking contemporary relevance. Note: The audience moves and follows the actors 5-6 times during the performance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Springtime Evening of Renaissance Pieces in Beautiful Church


This special evening of Renaissance music, as part of Collegium Musicum Spring Concert, promises a rich and immersive experience.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Talk | Light, Emotion, and Identity: Shaping Architecture Through Light


Attend an illuminating evening with Enrique Peiniger, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Office for Visual Interaction (OVI), an international lighting design studio whose work has transformed the way we perceive architecture through light. From the taxi-yellow luminaires illuminating Renzo Piano's New York Times Building, to the textured, garden-like forms of Zaha Hadid's Unicorn Island in China-- the discussion will explore how light becomes a narrative medium, holistically shaping identity, mood, and emotion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Contemporary Ensemble Works


NYU Contemporary Music Ensemble presents the world premiere performances of eleven works for contemporary ensemble by NYU graduate student composers: Claudia Beroukhim, Kai Berry, Brayden Carr, Haimeng Fei, AJ Francisco, Adam Harrington, Brandon Johnson, Kristine Kemmer, William Rhodes, John Swillinger, and Gabe Wallerstein.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Tuba Works by John Williams, Felix Mendelssohn, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Lau Yeung Wong, tuba. Program: Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751) (arr. Walter Hilgers) Concerto in D Minor, Op. 9 No. 2 John Williams (1932-) Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012) Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) (arr. Eric Ruske) Lied Ohne Worte, Op. 109
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Vocal Showcase of Pop/Rock Favorites by Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ariana Grande, & More


The NYU Pop/Rock Ensemble (Lauren Marchand, Logan Pavia, Evan Scott Shields, Myriam Zamy, Caleb Hinojosa, Phil Kadet, Holly Pantero, Jaden Tyler) features emerging student artists performing hits by Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ariana Grande, and others. The concert is a vocal showcase highlighting stylistic versatility, collaborative musicianship, and dynamic storytelling across classic rock, soul, and contemporary pop.
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free
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Performance | "Epic" True Story with Broadway Actor

Regular Price: $69
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Theater | Storytelling at its Best from Far Away

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