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50 best free events, Free

The 50 best free things to do in NYC

No charge, no quality? Hell no! The best things in life—and in this glorious city—are free. Discover the very best free events in NYC with our essential guide

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Gone are the days when free stuff was the fate of the New Yorker who simply couldn’t afford the best the city had to offer. New York City boasts more free experiences and events than anywhere else and ever before, and the one thing that all these free things to do in NYC have in common (apart from costing zilch) is that they’re so awesome we’d gladly lay down serious cash for them. Thankfully, we don’t have to. You can see some of NYC’s best stand up comedians, enjoy one of the world’s biggest bands, gorge on lip-smacking food or just watch the sunset while enjoying one of the best views in the city—all without spending a cent. This is democracy in action, people, and it’s never looked so darn good.

RECOMMENDED: Free things to do in NYC

Food and drink

Skee-Ball & Hot Dogs at Full Circle Bar

  • Sports Bars
  • Lower East Side
Skee-Ball & Hot Dogs at Full Circle Bar
Skee-Ball & Hot Dogs at Full Circle Bar
This Skee-Ball-themed bar in Williamsburg is a haven for kitschy, nostalgia-driven boozing. The beer offerings skew cheap and cheerful, with five standard taps supplemented by 17 canned brews kept in ice-filled coolers behind the bar. Three-buck Genesee Cream Ale replaces PBR as the cheapo suds of choice, and a $4 beer-and-hot-dog combo serves as the snack of champions. Divey decor reflects the owners' commitment to the game—the bar is constructed from old Skee-Ball machine parts, and a TV up front plays a live feed of the action on the three ramps in the back ($1 per game).

Bierkraft’s Tuesday Tastings

  • Park Slope
Bierkraft’s Tuesday Tastings
Bierkraft’s Tuesday Tastings
Free booze! For weeknight tippling for zero dollars, snag a spot at Bierkraft’s Tuesday Tastings (Tue 7pm), where you’ll taste five to seven different suds from craft brewers like California’s Telegraph and Naked Flock Ciders from Hudson Valley. It gets crowded; be there early.
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SingleCut Beersmiths

  • Breweries
  • Astoria
SingleCut Beersmiths
SingleCut Beersmiths
Say it again with us now: Free booze! On the weekend, SingleCut Beersmiths offers free tours at 4pm followed by sample-size pours of what’s on tap.
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Shopping

Sephora beauty treatments

  • Shopping
  • Cosmetics
  • Upper West Side
Sephora beauty treatments
Sephora beauty treatments
Getting primped and pampered can be taxing—especially on your wallet. But at Sephora, professional makeup artists provide complimentary 15-minute mini makeovers.

Beauty treatments at LUSH Cosmetics

  • Shopping
  • Cosmetics
Beauty treatments at LUSH Cosmetics
Beauty treatments at LUSH Cosmetics
Getting primped and pampered can be taxing—especially on your wallet. But the Fresh Bar at LUSH Cosmetics offers free one-on-one consultations with a LUSH skin-care professional, followed by a facial—no product purchase necessary.
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Tiffany & Co. shoppers' champagne

  • Shopping
  • Jewelry
  • Midtown East
Tiffany & Co. shoppers' champagne
Tiffany & Co. shoppers' champagne
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Warning: You’re more inclined to splurge if you’re shopping with a buzz. That’s probably why some local stores offer drinks. You can channel your inner Holly Golightly when you visit Tiffany & Co.: Sales associates provides a free glass of bubbly while you drool over the diamonds.
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Events

Arrested Development Bingo at Videology

  • Movie theaters
  • Independent
  • Williamsburg
Arrested Development Bingo at Videology
Arrested Development Bingo at Videology
Consider yourself an AD devotee? Flock to free-screening haven Videology, where you’ll find like-minded individuals laughing along to episodes of the show and stamping squares whenever, say, George Michael crushes on his cousin or Tobias makes a homosexual innuendo. Winners receive free drinks and, naturally, a frozen banana. Good times. There is one strictly enforced rule, though: no touching. Wed 8:30pm.

“Free for All” at the Public Theater

  • Off Broadway
  • Noho
“Free for All” at the Public Theater
“Free for All” at the Public Theater
Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater’s progressive bear of a leader, has floated the idea of making all tickets gratis. “Free for All” doesn’t go quite that far, but it’s a great move, offering free first previews to its 2014–15 shows: Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3); Straight White Men; Hamilton; and others. Tickets will be available via TodayTix’s mobile lottery, with winners notified by e-mail.
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Central Park Moonlight Ride

  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Central Park
Central Park Moonlight Ride
Central Park Moonlight Ride
Does taking a crisp ten-mile pedal under the stars through New York’s most iconic green space tickle your fancy? Of course it does. This monthly get-together from the folks behind nonprofit Time’s Up has been going strong for 20 years, and it’s not hard to understand why. There’s also a version in Prospect Park, if Brooklyn is more your scene. Meet at Columbus Circle, southwest corner of Central Park and 59th St (212-802-8222, times-up.org). First Friday of the month at 10pm.
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Gael Pub trivia night

  • Beer bars
  • Upper East Side
Gael Pub trivia night
Gael Pub trivia night
There’s nothing (nothing, we say!) as satisfying as flaunting your smarts in front of complete strangers. Do just that at Gael Pub Trivia (Tue 8pm), which features fantastically nerdy signature audio and visual rounds.
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Common Ground trivia night

  • East Village
Common Ground trivia night
Common Ground trivia night
There’s nothing (nothing, we say!) as satisfying as flaunting your smarts in front of complete strangers. The folks at Common Ground (Wed 9pm) create new categories each week.

Branded Saloon trivia night

  • Dive bars
  • Prospect Heights
Branded Saloon trivia night
Branded Saloon trivia night
There’s nothing (nothing, we say!) as satisfying as flaunting your smarts in front of complete strangers. At Thirsty Thursday Trivia with Mona Mour (Thu 9pm), you can test your wit against the fiery, red-wigged drag queen. Expect insults for wrong answers or any mention, at all, of Star Trek. (Don’t ask why.)
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Movies at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab

  • Things to do
  • Civic Center
Movies at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Movies at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Free flicks! Don’t be fooled by this kid-friendly midtown destination. On Saturdays, it shows classics and modern fare that grown-ups can get down with, including Ghostbusters (Oct 31), Julie & Julia (Nov 29), Another Year (Dec 17) and Midnight in Paris (Dec 27). Nab tickets on the website the Monday before each screening. Various times.
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Art

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Midtown West
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Ordinarily, MoMA charges nonmembers 25 smackers to get in, but on Fridays between 4 and 8pm, you can pay the much more affordable nada. The gratis admission applies to all exhibits—special shows as well as the permanent collection—and other areas such as the sculpture garden. (The latter, by the way, is itself free every morning from 9:30 to 10:15am if you’re looking for a peaceful, if brief, moment before heading to work.) Just remember to get to MoMA well before 4pm on Fridays if you’re aiming to enter, because a lot of people will be having the same idea. Fri 4–8pm.
Book online

Museum of the Moving Image

  • Museums
  • Movies and TV
  • Astoria
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image
Courtesy: Museum of the Moving Image
On Fridays, New Yorkers can take advantage of a free pass to this temple of all things cinematic, which boasts everything from 19th-century cameras to 21st-century digi-art. Explore the importance of the Astoria studio system, fiddle around with editing and overdubbing, and check out costumes, scripts and more artifacts from classic films. Fri 4–8pm.
Book online
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Franklin Park Reading Series

  • Lounges
  • Crown Heights
Franklin Park Reading Series
Franklin Park Reading Series
Hosted by Penina Roth, this laid-back gathering might just be the queen Brooklyn book event (and that’s saying something) Whether featuring major names (hello, Amy Hempel and Michael Showalter!) or up-and-coming local scribes, the lineups never disappoints. Second Monday of the month at 8pm.

Brooklyn Poets Reading Series at Dumbo Sky

  • Things to do
  • Literary events
  • DUMBO
Brooklyn Poets Reading Series at Dumbo Sky
Brooklyn Poets Reading Series at Dumbo Sky
Photograph: Veronica Rafael
The Brooklyn Poets folks don’t care if you know anything about poetry: They just want you to have a good time. This is one of the most energetic places to hear verse, whether it’s from talents like Matthea Harvey or Brooklyn poet laureate Tina Chang. First Friday of every other month at 7pm.
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The Atlas Review Reading Series at 61 Local

  • Boerum Hill
The Atlas Review Reading Series at 61 Local
The Atlas Review Reading Series at 61 Local
We’re big fans of this young lit mag and its editor-in-chief, Natalie Eilbert. The Atlas Review eschews bookish cliques and champions untapped talent, ensuring each event boasts a crop of fresh voices. Second Wednesday of the month at 7pm.

Target Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center

  • Things to do
  • Event spaces
  • Upper West Side
Target Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center
Target Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center
Calling all culture vultures: These weekly performances feature acclaimed artists from across the globe of all genres and styles—from jazz musicians and new-classical groups to poets to dancers—and offer that rarest of Lincoln Center nights: the ones that won’t cost you a cent. Thu, various times.
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Miguel Abreu Gallery, LES

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Lower East Side
Miguel Abreu Gallery, LES
Miguel Abreu Gallery, LES
There’s something like 1,500 galleries in in the five boroughs, showing art that runs the gamut from ancient to contemporary—and all are absolutely free. For a relaxed (but inspiring) vibe, head over to the Lower East Side galleries. They’re funkier and hipper than the ones in Chelsea, focusing on young emerging talents. Miguel Abreu Gallery represents conceptually inspired artists including R.H. Quaytman, Eileen Quinlan and Blake Rayne.

Canada gallery, LES

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Tribeca
Canada gallery, LES
Canada gallery, LES
There’s something like 1,500 galleries in in the five boroughs, showing art that runs the gamut from ancient to contemporary—and all are absolutely free. For a relaxed (but inspiring) vibe, head over to the Lower East Side galleries. They’re funkier and hipper than the ones in Chelsea, focusing on young emerging talents. Canada is one of the pioneers of the Lower East Side–Chinatown gallery scene, with a program that reflects the nabe’s old-school, funky DIY aesthetic.
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Salon 94 Bowery gallery, LES

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Nolita
Salon 94 Bowery gallery, LES
Salon 94 Bowery gallery, LES
There’s something like 1,500 galleries in in the five boroughs, showing art that runs the gamut from ancient to contemporary—and all are absolutely free. Two doors down from the New Museum, swanky Salon 94 Bowery keeps up with the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood but somehow isn’t intimidating.
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Music

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Bands at Otto’s Shrunken Head

  • Lounges
  • East Village
Bands at Otto’s Shrunken Head
Bands at Otto’s Shrunken Head
Genuine kitsch, and not the fabricated, tongue-in-cheek kind, is getting harder and harder to come by in NYC. That’s just one reason the mere thought of this honest-to-goodness East Village tiki bar—which features rockabilly, punk and surf-rock groups in its back room—warms our jaded Gotham hearts.

Roots dance party at Cielo

  • Clubs
  • Meatpacking District
Roots dance party at Cielo
Roots dance party at Cielo
This hump-day dance party has been running strong for more than ten years—and for good reason. With house heroes Louie Vega (of Masters at Work) and Kevin Hedge (of Blaze) at the helm, expect nothing but top-tier beats all night long. And if you show up before 11pm, there’s no cover. Score! Wed 10pm.
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Music at Brooklyn Night Bazaar

  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Greenpoint
Music at Brooklyn Night Bazaar
Music at Brooklyn Night Bazaar
The venue might be a little odd at first glance, situated inside a big ol’ Greenpoint craft market, but the Night Bazaar routinely nabs top acts for it free weekend shows. Guest curators bring in a diverse range of entertainment: Recent gets include local punks Titus Andronicus, Walkmen singer Hamilton Leithauser and Nashville country-rockers Those Darlins. Fri, Sat 7:30pm.

Mobile Mondays at the Bowery Electric

  • Lounges
  • East Village
Mobile Mondays at the Bowery Electric
Mobile Mondays at the Bowery Electric
DJs Just Blaze, Misbehaviour, $$$ Mike, Operator EMZ, Joey Carvello and Natasha Diggs kick off the workweek at Bowery Electric, serving up funk, soul, rock, punk, pop, salsa, calypso, reggae, rhythm & blues, disco and more. The one rule? They only spin vinyl 45s. Mon 10pm.
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PAT at Union Pool

  • Lounges
  • Williamsburg
PAT at Union Pool
PAT at Union Pool
JD Samson—best known for her ridiculously awesome bands Le Tigre and MEN—presents a fun and friendly shindig at Union Pool. Show up for great DJs and a cute and mixed LGBT crowd. Various dates and times.
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BAMcafé Live

  • Things to do
  • Literary events
  • Fort Greene
BAMcafé Live
BAMcafé Live
Need your envelope-pushing music fix? The venerable Brooklyn cultural institution welcomes artists from a variety of genres (Afrobeat, jazz, experimental) to its stylish dining room on occasional Friday and Saturday nights. Next up: Funky electro-world music ensemble Digital Diaspora (Fri 17 9:30pm) and African multi-instrumentalist Kinobe (Sat 18 9:30pm). Dates vary. 9:30pm.

Rhum Saturdays at Bembe

  • Lounges
  • Williamsburg
Rhum Saturdays at Bembe
Rhum Saturdays at Bembe
A rotating cast of stellar spinners—David Medina, Nappy G, Eddy Plenty, Nickodemus, Captain Planet, Nova and Sabo—offers tropical, Latin and Afro-Brazilian rhythms to a lively throng of dancers on Saturdays at everyone’s favorite global-music–focused watering hole. Sat 10pm.
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Comedy

Whiplash at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

  • Comedy
  • Stand-up
  • Hell's Kitchen
Whiplash at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Whiplash at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Photography: Mindy Tucker
This UCB-based comedy show has been running for over five years and remains one of the most consistently great stand-up nights in New York. On any given evening, you could be treated to a surprise performance from Chris Rock, Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari and other comics we’d gladly throw down some coin to see. Mon 11pm.

Week at the Creek

  • Mexican
  • Long Island City
Week at the Creek
Week at the Creek
LIC destination the Creek and the Cave is reshaping the comedy-club landscape—and not just by waiving the whole two-drink–minimum thing. It actually cares about the performers, man—so much that it gives favorite pro and rising comics an entire week’s worth of shows to do whatever the hell they please. Various times.
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Frantic at the Stand

  • Comedy
  • Gramercy
Frantic at the Stand
Frantic at the Stand
Despite being open for only two years, the Stand is already a comedy force to be reckoned with. Its weekly free show, hosted by Michael Kosta, has an powerhouse lineup of regulars, including Judah Friedlander and Aparna Nancherla. Mon 10pm.
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The Broken Comedy Show at Bar Matchless

  • Beer bars
  • Greenpoint
The Broken Comedy Show at Bar Matchless
The Broken Comedy Show at Bar Matchless
The absolutely hilarious Michael Che, SNL’s newest “Weekend Update” anchor and former Daily Show correspondent, cohosts this showcase with Nimesh Patel and Mike Denny. Each week, the trio spotlights an impressive crop of stand-ups, including folks who have appeared on everything from Late Night to Last Comic Standing. Mon 8:30pm.
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Gandhi, Is That You? at Lucky Jack's

  • Cocktail bars
  • Lower East Side
Gandhi, Is That You? at Lucky Jack's
Gandhi, Is That You? at Lucky Jack's
A comedy show with serious star power, this weekly gathering on the LES features eight comics with national TV credits every week. Louis C.K. has been known to drop in, as have SNL’s Jay Pharaoh and The Daily Show’s Wyatt Cenac. Wed 9pm.

Secret Meeting standup at Pine Box Rock Shop

  • Music
  • East Williamsburg
Secret Meeting standup at Pine Box Rock Shop
Secret Meeting standup at Pine Box Rock Shop
Eli Yudin is the SNL “Weekend Update” contributor who co-created the popular Twitter account @NotTildaSwinton. Nick Mullen is responsible for the funniest and most controversial articles on Thought Catalog. Put them together and you get this new stand-up showcase in Bushwick featuring their favorite up-and-comers. Oh, and the night turns into a karaoke jam once the comedy’s done. Thu 8pm.
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The Sherry Vine Show at Industry

  • Lounges
  • Hell's Kitchen
The Sherry Vine Show at Industry
The Sherry Vine Show at Industry
The OG of comedy-cabaret, Miss Vine’s weekly show predates the Clinton administration. Full of offensive parodies and twisted music videos, this gig is home base for a queen who is world-famous for a song called “I Shit My Pants” (inspired by Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” of course). Wed 11pm.

Low Standards with John and Matt at Videology

  • Movie theaters
  • Independent
  • Williamsburg
Low Standards with John and Matt at Videology
Low Standards with John and Matt at Videology
Bad-movie lovers, rejoice! These Upright Citizens Brigade veterans invite their famous and TV-credit–wielding comedy pals to sit down and discuss their favorite bad shows and movies after performing stand-up sets. Thu 9pm.
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Superfree Wednesday at Peoples Improv Theater

  • Comedy
  • Flatiron
Superfree Wednesday at Peoples Improv Theater
Superfree Wednesday at Peoples Improv Theater
This free comedy night comes in five parts: Two house improv teams perform in each of the 7, 8 and 9pm time slots; at 10pm, a house team opens for a group composed of the PIT's teaching staff; and at 11pm, hop onto the stage for Improdome, the weekly amateur jam.

Comedy at the Knitting Factory

  • Music
  • Dance and electronic
  • Williamsburg
Comedy at the Knitting Factory
Comedy at the Knitting Factory
Feel like catching a big-name comedian for nothing? Ace stand-up Hannibal Buress (Broad City, Neighbors, The Eric André Show, 30 Rock) hosts this show known for famous drop-ins like Dave Chappelle and Method Man. In just a few short years, it’s already become a staple on the New York comedy scene. Sun 9pm.
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