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free things to do in New York City
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on May 18, 2026?
27 free events take place on Monday, 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, 2026?
27 free events take place on Monday, 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!
27 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, May 18, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.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
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
Free
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...
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
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
Free
Museums | Memory Material and Modern Jewish Art
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
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
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
Free
Museums | 400+ American Masterpieces on View: Day 3
Explore over 400 works exhibited by 18th-21st century American artists. The fair, which is marking its 19th year, features exhibitions by 18 premier specialists.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
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
Free
Jazz | Piano in the Park: Carnegie Hall-Featured Musician Plays Brazilian & American Jazz
Come on down and swing along to the best Brazilian and American jazz the Big Apple has to offer, with musician Luiz Simas. "Luiz epitomizes the fantasies we non-Brazilians have about that wonderful country, and with him, we all get to be Brazilian, at least for a couple hours!" - Judy Carmichael, pianist Brazilian/American pianist Luiz Simas is a versatile performer who feels totally at ease with both the music of his native Brazil and the American genres of jazz and ragtime. Keyboard magazine has described his playing as "sassy, clear and vibrant", and his music as "fresh, smart and witty". His latest CDs are Transparencias (Transparencies), a solo piano CD released by Lydjul Records, and Deuce, a CD of the Simas & Amorim Duo with guitarist Wesley Amorim.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
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
Free
Classical Music | Choral Pieces by J.S. Bach & More in a Beautiful Cathedral
Marywood University Chamber Singers. Program: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Komm, Jesu, Komm Levente Gyöngyösi (1975-) Te Lucis Ante Terminum Paweł Łukaszewski (1968-) Crucem tuam, adoramus Ivo Antognini (1963-) Canticum Novum Owain Park (1993-) Phos Hilaron Jan Hellberg Go Down, Moses Moses Hogan (1957-2003) We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace Carol Barnett (1949-) My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:45 pm
Free
Free
Party | Community Plant Trade-Off
Meet other plant enthusiasts for a free plant swap. Share tips, advice, and plants in this community event Tips for success: Please bring only pest-free plants. If your plants are in containers, please be sure they are in containers that you are ready to give away or exchange. Rooted cuttings may be brought in a sealed plastic bag wrapped in a moist paper towel.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free
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
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Film | The Hucksters (1947): Comedy Drama Starring Clark Gable & Deborah Kerr
A World War II veteran gets a job in advertising and finds that his work requires him to often abandon his principles in this darkly funny look at Madison Avenue. Director: Jack Conway Cast: Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr, Sydney Greenstreet, Adolphe Menjou, Ava Gardner, Keenan Wynn, Edward Arnold Clark Gable was an American film actor. Often referred to as "The King of Hollywood," he had roles in over 60 films in a variety of genres during a career that lasted 37 years. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Gable as the seventh greatest male screen legend of classical Hollywood cinema. Deborah Kerr was a Scottish actress who rose to fame for her portrayals of proper, ladylike women who often navigated societal expectations and stereotypes. Kerr attracted wide praise for her work, earning six Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. She was regarded as one of the best actresses of her generation. From the 1940s to the late 1960s, she was one of the most popular actresses in the world.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Celebrate Louis Armstrong's Legacy with American Symphony Orchestra Ensemble
The American Symphony Orchestra performs a musician-curated program of Louis Armstrong music, curated by longtime American Symphony Orchestra member Louis Bruno. The ASO Jazz Ensemble honors Louis Armstrong by performing a selection of his lesser-recorded works, including "Cool Cart Blues," "Don't Forget to Mess Around," "Hear Me Talkin' to Ya," "If We Never Meet Again," and "New Orleans Stomp." Featuring Alphonso Horne (trumpet), Zoe Obadia (saxophone and clarinet), Ron Wilkins (trombone and vocals), Steve Benson (guitar), Louis Bruno (bass), and Kory Grossman (drums).
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
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
Free
Screening | How To Build a Library (2025): Kenyan-American Documentary on Colonialism & Freedom (+ Discussion with Film Protagonist)
In How To Build a Library, two intrepid Nairobi women decide to transform what was once a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya’s colonial past. Director: Maia Lekow, Christopher King Film protagonist Angela Wachuka attends this special screening of How to Build a Library, an Official Sundance Selection in 2025, that has been hailed as "a captivating tale of perseverance in the face of adversities" (POV Magazine) and "a thought-provoking study of colonisation, freedom and representation" (Screendaily).
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Grammy-Winning Chamber Music Group Performing French, Jazz, and Folk Traditions
Award-winning wind quintet Imani Winds presents an adventurous program exploring music shaped by French culture, jazz, and folk traditions. Known for dynamic performances and a genre-crossing repertoire, the ensemble bridges classical foundations and contemporary influences.
This hour-long onstage concert is followed by a casual reception where audiences can mingle with the musicians and fellow attendees.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Harry T. Burleigh & Dvořák
Orchestra of St. Luke's, joined by baritone Joseph Parrish, celebrates the friendship between Harry T. Burleigh, the pioneering Black American composer, and Antonín Dvořák, the renowned Czech composer, in this evening performance. The two artists’ collaboration, rooted in spirituals and folk music, helped shape a distinctly American sound that continues to inspire today.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | Harry Houdini and the Great Beyond: Historical Drama
At this event, playwright Donald Olson debuts a new full-length play, based on real-life events and characters, in which Houdini hires a young private investigator to help him root out fake mediums and spiritualists who have come to haunt America following the end of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. The investigator encounters a world of deceit and trickery whose characters play upon those who are grief-stricken. When Houdini and the investigator set their sights on the most infamous medium of the era, they both face life-threatening consequences. Written by Donald Olson. Harry Houdini and the Great Beyond is a compelling, original play about the interplay between magic, illusion, power, and the mystery of love. Many of Olson’s plays have had their first run at the NAC, before going on to national tours
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Haitian Flag Day Celebration with String Chamber Music
Celebrate Haitian Flag Day with an inspiring program of string chamber music honoring Haitian history, culture, and resilience. This performance highlights works by Haitian and Haitian-American composers, blending folk traditions with classical forms to tell stories of identity, migration, and collective strength.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Dance Performance | Multidisplinary Showcase of Motion and Music Intertwined with Poetic Expression
This multidisciplinary performance, inspired by the poetry of János Pilinszky, explores identity, faith, and human connection through movement, music, and theatrical expression. Rather than adapting specific texts, the work evokes Pilinszky’s emotional world in a contemporary form.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Book Discussion | National Bestselling Author Shares Her New Book, Coyoteland
Vanessa Hua launches her new book, Coyoteland, in conversation with Kristin Chen. About the book: From the bestselling author of A River of Stars comes a funny, heartfelt novel set in an affluent Bay Area suburb where a Chinese American family moves in and sets off a series of scandals, for fans of Celeste Ng and Emma Straub.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Staged Reading | Original Play by Emerging Playwright Matt Shvyrkov
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
Free
Dance Performance | Poetry-Inspired Contemporary Dance Program
Experience contemporary dance as you've never seen it before through a performance with the Feledi Dance Group from Hungary! This unique performance, entitled Splinters, was inspired by the poetry volume of the same title by János Pilinszky. Director-choreographer: János Feledi Dancers: Korina Spala, Brigitta Tóth, János Feledi Actor: Zsolt Trill / National Theatre Piano: Mariann Tóth
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
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
Free
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