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 October 20, 2025?
30 free events take place on Monday, October 20 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 October 20 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 October . 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 October 20, 2025?
30 free events take place on Monday, October 20 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 October 20 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 October . 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!
30 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Monday, October 20, 2025
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
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
Master Class | Learn the Ins-and-Outs of Trumpet Mastery in Orchestral Performance
Trumpetist Gabor Boldoczki--who has performed with the Czech Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, and more--provides his expertise in the fine details of great trumpet playing in the context of orchestral performance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Tour of Gracie Mansion, Home of New York's Mayors
In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie built a country house overlooking a bend in the East River, five miles north of the then-New York City limits. Little did he know that, more than 200 years later, his home would serve as the official residence of the First Family of New York City - a place where history is made, not merely recorded. As a historic house museum run by the Parks Department, sitting on 11 acres of grounds now known as Carl Schurz Park, Gracie Mansion has served as the home of 11 mayors, beginning with Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia in 1942. Each tour is one hour, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session with an assigned docent.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
$10
$10
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 | Discover One of New York's Most Famous Parks
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
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
Workshop | Photo Walk through Manhattan
Looking to improve your on-location portraits? Sony Artisan of Imagery Tony Gale will be showing attendees how to use everything our location provides to create more dynamic images of people. From working with available light to using the city's architecture to craft interesting compositions, this workshop is all about elevating your portrait game! Gear will not be provided, but bringing a camera is optional. There will be no route map, so please arrive early as the group will leave promptly at 1pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Snazzy Organ Tunes
Organist Radam Schwartz performs various pieces to show two different sides of organ music.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Tour of Gracie Mansion, Home of New York's Mayors
In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie built a country house overlooking a bend in the East River, five miles north of the then-New York City limits. Little did he know that, more than 200 years later, his home would serve as the official residence of the First Family of New York City - a place where history is made, not merely recorded. As a historic house museum run by the Parks Department, sitting on 11 acres of grounds now known as Carl Schurz Park, Gracie Mansion has served as the home of 11 mayors, beginning with Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia in 1942. Each tour is one hour, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session with an assigned docent.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
$10
$10
Classical Music | British Choir Performs Faure, Vivaldi, & More at a Historic Cathedral
The John Lyon Motet Choir, accompanied by organist Huw Jones, perform a series of pieces by well-known composers of various musical eras. Program: Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) If ye love me Henry Purcell (1659-1695) Evening Hymn J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) Cantique de Jean Racine George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) The Trumpet Shall Sound Cesar Franck (1822-1890) Panis Angelicus Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Ave Verum Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Gloria
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:45 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Clothing/Fabric Mending Session: Learn To Repair Your Own Jeans, Pants, & Hems
Build your mending skills to save money, reduce waste, and express your personal style! Learn together with others who enjoy fixing well-loved items that still have use in them. Bring your own item of clothing to repair. This week's focus is jeans, pants, and hems. If you have a tear or a weak spot in fabric, learn some simple stitches to reinforce the area. If you have a fallen hem or need a simple adjustment to make something fit better, the group can look at techniques to raise and lower hems. Organizers will provide: Needle, thread, fabric, tools, case by case guidance, technique instruction, books, and other inspiration. Space is limited. Priority will be given to those who register in advance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
3:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Museums | Art from All Over The World in the Most Amazing Museum
Discover a vast collection of art from a diverse range of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Russia, France, Spain, Japan, India, United States and more. Tickets for Pay-What-You-Wish hours are available online only and released at 10 am the morning of the event.
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
$1 min pay-what-you-wish,...
$1 min pay-what-you-wish,...
Workshop | Beginner Digital Photography Class: Basic Concepts, Gear, & Settings
Whether you’ve never picked up a camera or you’re looking to take your work to the next level, this workshop is for you! In this seven-part continuing education series, photographer Derek Fahsbender guides attendees from the basics to better photos, from settings and gear to photo theory—and everything in between. Taking photos should be fun and getting the results you want should be easy, so make this part of your photography learning journey and be on your way to creating images you love. In part one, the group will be focusing on: - What makes a great photograph - The exposure triangle - Camera gear - Basic settings
New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Free
Festival | Diwali in Manhattan: A Celebration of Light
Celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with an evening of dance, music, and joyful community spirit. Enjoy vibrant cultural performances, traditional Indian art, and a feast of festive sweets and savory goods as the city comes alive with the warmth and color of Diwali.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Paw Play: Hang Out with Dogs in the Park
Spin the prize wheel with Dog City for a chance to win frisbees, tennis balls, tasty treats, and more. Receive free samples from The Farmer's Dog plus take home a special offer for a free trial of their nutritious food. Looking to add a new member to the family? Meet adorable, adoptable dogs at these dog adoption parties, hosted in partnership with Rescue City and Animal Haven. Stop by for all the pets and snuggles even if you're not ready to adopt.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Comedy Club | "Wildly Relatable" Stand-Up Performance
Philip Galinsky, the actor, author, and voice-over artist behind the 31 Triggers book, podcast, and live show, brings his show to New York City. Written and performed by Philip, 31 Triggers is a rapid-fire, interactive exploration of the everyday words and phrases that set us off—sometimes benign, sometimes ridiculous, always revealing. From “My Condolences” to “Crab Legs,” even "Bankruptcy," to the great New York iced-coffee hack, Philip blends stand-up, storytelling, and audience prompts into a kinetic portrait of how language sparks memory, hilarity, and the occasional meltdown. Audience responses have called the show “electric,” “cathartic,” and “wildly relatable”—a live experience that turns private quirks into communal laughter. Trigger Happy Hour with discounted food & drinks begins at 5:00 PM.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Movie in a Park | The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Classic musical of love, madness & time warps (outdoors)
Synopsis: In this legendary cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a self-proclaimed "sweet transvestite" scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a strange butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." Director: Jim Sharman Cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Meat Loaf Note: Reservation does not guarantee entry. Seating is first come, first served. In the event of rain, the show will be rescheduled at the same location. No alcohol permitted.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Remembrance, Reflection and Resilience
A place of commemoration: exhibition, artifacts, photographs, stories and more. Reservations available starting each Monday at 7:00 a.m.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | From Spikes to Spindles (1976): Documentary about NYC's Chinatown
A portrait of lower Manhattan Chinatown in the mid-1970s. Sparked by the mobilization of Asian American New Yorkers against police violence following the NYPD's brutal assault against 27 year old Peter Yew in Chinatown, the film considers over a century of Chinese American history via archival sources and interviews with local youth, workers, activists, and politicians. Director: Christine Choy
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Author Reading | Author & Art Historian Shares His New Novel, Mona's Eyes (+ Signing)
Enjoy a conversation with author and art historian Thomas Schlesser to launch his American debut, Mona's Eyes, a spell-binding novel about the beauty of life, art, perspective, and a special connection between granddaughter and grandfather. He will be in conversation with New York Times best-selling author Patrick Bringely, followed by a signing.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Family, Memory, and Survival in 20th-Century Poland by Renowned Author
Celebrate the U.S. release of In the Garden of Memory, the award-winning family saga by acclaimed Polish author Joanna Olczak-Ronikier. The book traces four generations of a prominent Jewish family through the upheavals of the twentieth century, offering a deeply personal window into Polish history, resilience, and identity. The conversation features translator Antonia Lloyd-Jones and publisher Peter L.W. Osnos, who will discuss the process of bringing this work to English-speaking readers. Winner of Poland's prestigious Nike Prize, Olczak-Ronikier's memoir continues to resonate as a story of endurance, memory, and the legacy of survival.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
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
Free
Lecture | Asrophysicist Explains Newfound Discoveries of the Milky Way
Over the last decade, the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite has revealed the Milky Way in new and sometimes startling detail; Columbia University's Kathryn Johnston takes attendees on a tour of just a few things about our home galaxy that Gaia has discovered. Kathryn Johnston is an Astrophysicist, interested in understanding how galaxies form, are structured and evolve - with a particular emphasis on dynamics and interactions. She pursues this goal using a combination of close collaborations with observational colleagues and computer simulations of galactic collisions. She arrived in this field following an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Cambridge University, a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz and a postdoctoral position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. She joined the Columbia Astronomy Faculty in Fall 2006, after spending 7 years as an assistant professor at Wesleyan University.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Broadway Creatives Talk about Adapting Films for the Stage
An in-depth conversation exploring the challenges faced by producers and the creative team on the journey from film to stage musical. Sunset Boulevard, Mean Girls, and Moulin Rouge are among the many popular movies that transferred perfectly to stage musicals--and the trend continues. Listen to Wendy Federman, the 17-time Tony Award-winning theatre and film producer; Michael Weiner, composer and recipient of the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award; and Sean Walsh, Head of Operations and Strategy at Ampersand, as they stage an in-depth conversation exploring the challenges faced by producers and the creative team on the journey from film to stage musical. The panel will "pull the curtain back" on the process, and they may share inside information on The Greatest Showman, now being adapted for the stage, and 13 Going on 30, being produced in the UK. Here's a chance hear from three of the biggest forces of Broadway today.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Hero's Journey Writing Session
This event offers instruction on a different area of writing craft as well as prompts and time to write! Bring a pen, a laptop, or just your ideas! This session will be focused onbThe Hero's Journey. The group will discuss narrative archetypes, inciting incidents, and other aspects of plot basics. Participants will complete exercises to help writers develop plots and planning for their stories. Time will be set aside for free writing. Organizers welcome writers of all backgrounds and skill-levels to join for this event. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Author Reading | Media Expert Discusses Her New Book about Photography & Digital Art: Photo Obscura
Media theorist, researcher, and writer focused on the relationships between art, philosophy, and technologies, Natasha Chuk, discusses her new book, Photo Obscura: The Photographic in Post-Photography. As images become infinite and untethered from cameras, Natasha Chuk traces the evolving influence of photography in a world saturated with digital art. Photo Obscura brings a much-needed reflection on the radical transformations of photography in the digital age, where AI, computational media, and hybrid art practices challenge traditional definitions of the photographic image. Moving beyond nostalgia for analog or the simple embrace of digital, this book positions post-photography as a movement reshaping our visual culture. Through discussions of key artworks and a variety of artists, the book explores themes including AI-generated imagery and the blurred line between representation and perception. Grounded in art history and media studies, Photo Obscura offers a new outlook on photography's evolving role in contemporary art.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Author Reading | Conversation with Writer/Artist Tourmaline on Her Book, Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson
Upon the recent release of her bestselling biography Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson, NYU's Department of Performance Studies presents an artist talk and conversation with acclaimed artist, writer, and activist Tourmaline. Bringing together Tourmaline's filmmaking, performance, writing, and research, this event features a reading by Tourmaline from Marsha, and a screening of her films featuring archival representations and fabulations of Marsha P. Johnson's art, life, and contributions in Happy Birthday, Marsha! (2017, co-directed by Sasha Wortzel) and Pollinator (2024, Whitney Biennial).
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Mothers, Daughters, and Cultural Inheritance in Gish Jen’s Bad Bad Girl (In Person AND Online!)
Join acclaimed author Gish Jen and Weike Wang for a conversation on Jen’s new novel, Bad Bad Girl. Spanning continents and generations, the book reimagines Jen’s mother’s life in 1930s Shanghai and the turbulent relationship that shaped her own. Weaving memory and fiction, Jen offers a tender, layered exploration of identity, womanhood, and the ties that both bind and divide families.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Open Mic | An Evening of Prose, Poetry & Performance in the East Village
Writers and word lovers gather for this open literary salon, where each month features a new theme. Share or listen to original works of prose, poetry, memoir, or song in a supportive, creative space. Performers have five minutes to present, and all are welcome to attend. Please visit the website for more information on performing your work.
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Play | Broadway Actor in a Play About a Towering Figure in Media
Regular Price: $59CFT Member Price: $0.00
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