free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 09/05/26
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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 September 5, 2026?

18 free events take place on Saturday, September 5 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 September 5 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 September . 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!

18 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, September 5, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Park Walk | Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Parks


Hear the story behind New York City's park in the sky: an insider's perspective on the park's history, design, and landscape. Note: Spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Park Walks, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Parks

Workshop | Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery in the Park


Move to live accompaniment and experience the joy of dance with dancers from the Limón Dance Company. Open to all levels and ages - no experience required! Bring friends, family, water on hot days, and enjoy dancing on the grass.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Famous Limon Dance Company Teaches Rhythm, Balance, & Recovery in the Park

Workshop | Kayaking on the Hudson


A welcoming public kayaking experience and see New York City from the water. Guests will receive basic paddling and safety instruction, be fitted with safety gear, and paddle in a protected area with trained volunteers nearby. No experience is needed, and children are welcome with a parent or guardian. Guests must know how to swim. First-come, first-served, sign-up line often closes early due to high demand.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Kayaking on the Hudson

Workshop | Accessible, Grounding, & Restorative Yoga in the Park


Participants flow together and celebrate community through mindful movement with Yoga Sangraha. This is not a new style of yoga, but a gathering of timeless practices — accessible, grounding, and deeply restorative. Led with science and tradition at the heart, this class will guide you through a sequence of postures designed to balance, stabilize, and calm the body and mind. The word Sangraha means “a collection,” and this practice brings together postures and breathwork that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you leave feeling focused, connected, and at ease. No prior experience needed — come as you are! Bring a bottled water. Organizers will provide the yoga mats. Weather permitting.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Workshops, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Accessible, Grounding, & Restorative Yoga in the Park

Birdwatching | Accessible Birding on the Cliffside


Led by birding guide and educator Alexandra Wang (Avian Alex), M.S. Ed., this inclusive outing offers specialized resources such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) pamphlets, Braille guides, and plush bird replicas, ensuring an enjoyable and enriching birdwatching experience for everyone. Stunning views of the Palisades and Hudson River from its soaring cliffs of bedrock. Spanning 67 acres, the park features many well-paved walkways designed to accommodate a wide range of mobility needs for birders with stroller, wheelchair, walker, cane, and other mobility aids.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Birdwatchings, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Accessible Birding&nbsp;on the Cliffside

Dancing | Arthur Murray Dance Studios Leads Swing Dancing Session in the Park


Whether you just want to survive on the dance floor or stand out in the crowd, learning to dance has never been easier.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Dancings, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Arthur Murray Dance Studios Leads Swing Dancing Session in the Park

Workshop | Learn to Juggle in the Park


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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11:00 am
Free
Workshops, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Learn to Juggle in the Park

Tour | Outdoor Public Art Walkthrough: In-Depth Look at New Works


With 120 acres of open space, this area is dot-ted with site-spe-cif-ic art. These works are meant to prompt con-tem-pla-tion and encour-age vis-i-tors to engage with our var-ied land-scapes and histories. This guided tour is meant to give you an in-depth look at the space's pub-lic art-works, with the 2026 sea-son's new works focused on the theme of movement. Please note: these tours are held entire-ly out-doors. Please dress with the weath-er in mind.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:45 am
Free
Tours, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Outdoor Public Art Walkthrough: In-Depth Look at New Works

Workshop | Kayaking in a Hudson River Cove


This event provides the equipment, instruction, and oversight you need to experience a safe and fun afternoon of kayaking on the Hudson River. The program is beginner-friendly, and no prior experience is required. Participants must be at least 18 years old (or accompanied by a parent or guardian) and know how to swim. Come dressed to get wet! Lockers and locks will be provided to keep valuables dry, and on-site changing rooms will be available for use. To save time, you can also sign a waiver before arriving to save time, available at the link provided. Be sure to allow time for waiting in line when planning your visit. You may not get a chance to kayak if you arrive less than an hour before the boathouse closes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Workshops, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Kayaking in a Hudson River Cove

Party | Play New Games & Make New Friends


Play your favorite contemporary board games! Featured games include but are not limited to Chameleon, Wavelength, Avalon, Parade, Splendor, Century Spice Road, Mountain Goats, No Thanks, Codenames, Werewords, Spyfall, Azul, Letter Jam, Dixit, In Kahootz, and Captain Sonar. A new game will be selected each week.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Partys, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Play New Games & Make New Friends

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Chamber Works by Stravinsky & More


Ensemble Derive, a collective of young musicians, performs complex works with the audience. Program: Elliott Carter (1908-2012) Fragments for String Quartet Pierre Boulez (1925-2016) Derive Augusta Read Thomas (1964-) Scat Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) Three Pieces for String Quartet Elliott Carter (1908-2012) Con Leggerezza Pensosa New Work To Be Premiered
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Music on the Water: Chamber Works by Stravinsky & More

Park Walk | Island Birdwatching: Discover Local Avians


Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, this tours is designed to help you discover what makes this island an excellent place for birding. Did you know that nearly 240 bird species have been spotted here? Did you know that nearly 240 bird species have been spotted
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:15 pm
Free
Park Walks, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Island Birdwatching: Discover Local Avians

Jazz | An Afternoon of Latin & Contemporary Jazz


Mar-ta Blan-co and her mini big band host an after-noon of live music cel-e-brat-ing com-mu-ni-ty, cre-ativ-i-ty, and con-nec-tion to the envi-ron-ment. Fea-tur-ing orig-i-nal music and fresh arrange-ments inspired by Latin and con-tem-po-rary jazz, this per-for-mance offers an engag-ing musi-cal expe-ri-ence for audi-ences of all ages.
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, tickets required
Concerts, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, An Afternoon of Latin & Contemporary Jazz

Author Reading | James Beard Award-Winning Magazine Hosts Live Story Readings & Conversations with Contributors (Outdoors)


The literary food magazine Cake Zine curates an original reading series from a set of notable New York City writers about the past, present, and future of the city's ever-changing food scene. The readings will be followed by a one-of-a-kind open writing group, guided by Cake Zine's authors. Original stories read by: Hilary Leichter, Mychal Denzel Smith, Nicolaia Rips, Eric Kim Conversation with: Ifrah F. Ahmed and Aliza Abarbanel Seating opens 30 minutes before showtime and is available on the grass or benches.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Author Readings, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, James Beard Award-Winning Magazine Hosts Live Story Readings & Conversations with Contributors (Outdoors)

Dancing | Tango Dancing in the Park, All Levels Welcome


Local and international dancers and spectators meet for an unforgettable evening. The atmosphere is casual, inviting everyone to enjoy the music, the dance, and the romantic setting of the park at sunset. It's an experience you won't want to miss! Beginner lessons start around 7:00 PM, open to all. All levels welcome, from beginners to experts. No partner needed. The dance floor is paved with stones, so wear comfortable shoes. Chalk is provided to make shoes more slippery for easier dancing. In case of rain, the event is moved to a location available at the link provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Dancings, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Tango Dancing in the Park, All Levels Welcome

Play | Moliere's Don Juan: Provocative Tragicomedy with Live Music (in the Park)


Don Juan has abandoned Elvira, whom he seduced into breaking her vows and marrying him. Over the course of a single adventure-filled day, he and his loyal sidekick, Sganarelle, encounter many of the people Don Juan has betrayed. As he seduces women, defies social conventions, mocks religion, and revels in provocation, his appetite for transgression seems impossible to satisfy. Yet the signs are unmistakable: the walls are closing in. Will he truly repent? Or will he just pretend to, like so many around him, and continue down the same path to the bitter end? Playwright: Moliere Translator/Adaptor: Stephen Wadsworth Director: Lucie Tiberghien Cast: Keshav Moodliar, Kaliswa Brewster, Naomi Lorrain, Daniel Pearce, Michelle Veintimilla This presentation will feature live original cello music by Drama Desk-nominated composer Johnathan Moore.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Plays, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Moliere's Don Juan: Provocative Tragicomedy with Live Music (in the Park)

Concert | Creating a Live Album Preserving the Sounds of NYC -- Recorded in Real Time with 100+ Participants


New Yorkers from all five boroughs are coming together on stage. This event brings together community members, musicians, and dancers into a cast of over 100 to capture how our city sings, moves, and tells its story in this moment. This new production stands as an act of collective hope, joy, and resistance. The album will be preserved by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts forever, ensuring that long after summer fades, it will remain a reminder that the true record of a city isn't just its headlines--it's the sound of neighbors standing side by side. Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring. Co-Directed and Choreographed by Dan Canham. Directed by Emily Lim.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Creating a Live Album Preserving the Sounds of NYC -- Recorded in Real Time with 100+ Participants

Screening | Metropolitan Opera in HD: Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin (Outdoors)


A timeless story of love and regret, Tchaikovsky’s ardent adaptation of Pushkin follows the naïve country girl Tatiana, whose youthful passion for the aloof Onegin is rejected—until they meet again years later. Includes full open captions. All guests will be welcomed at designated access points one hour prior before the movie begins. Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Screening will go on as scheduled in the case of rain but will be canceled in the event of thunder/lightning or high wind.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Screenings, September 05, 2026, 09/05/2026, Metropolitan Opera in HD: Tchaikovsky&rsquo;s Eugene Onegin&nbsp;(Outdoors)
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Concert | "Tough, Insightful Rock and Roll" at a Major Venue

Regular Price: $40
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Concert | Oscar and Grammy Nominee at One of the World's Most Famous Venues

Regular Price: $45
CFT Member Price: $0.00