The best free events and festivals in NYC

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2025. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.  FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome! Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up.  Here's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2025 April 5-6: Brooklyn Creates at Empire Stores in Dumbo April 26-27: Earth Month pop-up at Center for Brooklyn History in Brooklyn Heights May 10-11: Mother's Day Pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo May 17-18: NYCxDESIGN at St. Paul in Cobble Hill May 31-June 1: Brooklyn Brewery Pop-up at Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg

Come together with other eco-conscious New Yorkers to call for climate action and environmental justice, all while having a springy afternoon full of seasonal fun. On Thursday, April 17 from noon to 6pm, head to Union Square for the Earth Day Initiative’s free, open-to-the-public festival featuring exhibits from dozens of environmental non-profits and climate campaigns, as well as interactive workshops, climate art, yummy sustainable foods (Very Cool Ice Cream, Just Ice Team, GT’s Living Foods), and live performances from eco-rapper Hila the Earth and climate comedy act Apo-HA-HA-calypse. There will also be kids’ activities for the youngins because, duh, the children are our future.