The five best free things to do in NYC Monday

Our week of free has arrived! Each day, we're bringing you the coolest offers and keeping you in the know about the best no-cost activities around the city. Here's what you can do today without spending a dime. #BeFreeNYC

Columbus Day Parade, 5th Avenue
Genoa’s Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. Whether you think this deserves celebration or condemnation (or would rather celebrate Indigenous People’s Day), the fact is more than 35,000 marchers will be showing their love for Italian-American culture at New York’s annual parade up Fifth Avenue. This year, more than 100 organizations will march from 47th Street to 72nd Street, with bands, dancers and floats.

Tarantino Trivia Night, The Bell House  
For Pulp Fiction’s 20th anniversary, TrivWorks is testing your Quentin Tarantino knowledge. What's the cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast? What country does Tarantino always reference to in his movies, no matter what? Round up a team of film buffs, and study up.

Franklin Park Reading Series, Franklin Park  
To celebrate the launch of novelist Blake Butler’s new book, 300,000,000, a coterie of special guests will descend on the popular Crown Heights bar to read their work, including, of course, Butler himself. “Only over time, as I changed and the book changed, could I begin to see actual hope in it, something beyond death, after the flesh has failed,” he explains of his writing process. Tonight you’ll see the final product.

Whiplash, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater  
This weekly series at UCB brings the top local comics to the stage every Monday night. The event, hosted by Leo Allen, doesn’t get going until 11, but it also doesn’t cost you anything. To find out this week’s lineup, check Whiplash’s twitter account.

Cary Elwes in Conversation, Barnes and Noble Union Square  
This one’s for you, Princess Bride fans (and let’s be honest, who could ever hate that movie?). In his new memoir, As You Wish, the handsome Westley (ok, ok we know that’s not his real name) shares behind-the-scenes stories, photos and interviews with his castmates. Doors open at 5pm.