The Best FREE Things to Do in NYC

Free things to do in NYC

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Friday Aug. 8, 2025

9 am – 5 pm

Being Hyper Human Exhibition

Art
Film

FIT Art and Design GalleryChelsea

Untitled Artwork

10 am – 8 pm

The Subway Doodle Experience

Ages: All
Art
Family
Free

banksy museumnew york

10 – 11 am

Le Carrousel Extravaganza

Ages: All
Family
Free

Bryant ParkManhattan

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10 am – 5 pm

After ‘Women in the News’: Work by Kari Marboe, Friends, and Colleagues

Art
Free

Greenwich House PotteryGreenwich

10 am – noon

Family Fridays in the Garden

Ages: 3 – 12
Environment
Family
Free

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Garden & Compost SiteBronx

10 – 11 am

Idlewild Trail Walk

Ages: All
Environment
Family
Free

Idlewild Environmental CenterSpringfield Gardens

10 – 11 am

Summer Kids Wonderspark Puppets Puppet Show

Ages: All
Family
Free

Hunter’s Point South ParkLong Island City

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11 am – 1 pm

Kids in Motion: Tie Dye

Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto ParkSouth Richmond Hill

2025 Juried Show image matrix

11 am – 6 pm

Bowery Gallery’s 34th Annual Juried Exhibition

Art
Free

Bowery GalleryChelsea

Kang Seung Lee_The Heart of A Hand (still)_2023

Noon – 6 pm

Homage: Queer lineages on video

Art
Free

Wallach Art GalleryManhattanville

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Noon – 3 pm

Back to School Giveaway

Ages: 3 and up
Community
Family
Free

Neighborhood Care Crown HeightsCrown Heights

Junior Rangers (Instagram Post (45)) (1)

Noon – 3 pm

Junior Rangers

Ages: 9 and up
Environment
Family
Free

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, Nature Interpretive CenterStaten Island

Noon – 3 pm

Junior Rangers: Wellness Challenge

Ages: 9 and up
Environment
Family
Free

Clay Pit Ponds Interpretive CenterStaten Island

Installation view_ Open Call_ Portals, Photo_ Adam Reich_Forbes

2 – 7 pm

Open Call: Portals

Art
Free

The Shed NYCHudson Yards

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2 – 11:30 pm

Pickleball in the Hall

Free
Sports

Grand Central TerminalNew York City

3 – 5 pm

NYC Parks Kids In Motion: Color Me Tote Bag

Metcalf Playground in Soundview ParkBronx

4 – 9 pm

Summer Fridays

Ages: All
Family
Free

Historic Richmond TownStaten Island

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5 – 10 pm

Free Friday Nights

Art
Free

The Whitney Museum of American ArtManhattan

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5 – 8 pm

Blind Contour Sketches

Art
Free

Moxy Times Squarenew york

Lowery Plaza Copy of 7train party Robin Michals

6 – 8 pm

Latin Beats Part 3! Plaza Party at Lowery Plaza Sunnyside

Lowery Plaza SunnysideQueens

Beyond Familiar

6 – 8:30 pm

Beyond Familiar Artist Talk

Free

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL)Jamaica

2022 show 4

6:30 – 9 pm

Celebrate Theatre Saving Lives in Malawi

Fifth Hammer Brewing CompanyLong Island City

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7 – 10 pm

The Billie Holiday Theatre Presents Summer Music Series

The Billie Holiday TheatreBrooklyn

Dez Duron

7 – 8:30 pm

Bryant Park Picnic Performances Presented by Bank of America: Carnegie Hall Citywide | Dez Duron

Free
Music

Bryant ParkManhattan

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7:30 – 9:30 pm

Ocean Beach Chamber of Commerce Summer Movie Series

Free

Ocean Beqch – Fire Island

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8 – 10 pm

Sunset Jazz at Culture Lab LIC – Every Friday, August-October, 2025

Free

Culture Lab LICLong Island City, New York

108106

8:30 – 11:30 pm

Dueling Pianos Show

Free

Bar NineManhattan

9:45 pm

Friday Night Fireworks

Ages: All
Family
Free
Outdoors

Luna ParkBrooklyn

Saturday Aug. 9

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All day

BOOTS ON THE GROUND PICNIC & PARTYMEETS SOUL TRAIN

Free

Roy Wilkins ParkJamaica

Clashing Steel

All day

Clashing Steel: The Art of Stage Combat at Culture Lab LIC

Art
Free

Culture Lab LICLong Island City, New York

lot sticker

All day

LIVE in THE LOT at Culture Lab LIC – August-September, 2025

Free
Music

Culture Lab LICLong Island City, New York

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