free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 04/18/26
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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 April 18, 2026?

23 free events take place on Saturday, April 18 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 April 18 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 April . 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!

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

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Celebrate Earth Day Amongst Nature
free events nyc Roller Rink Party with Live DJ
More Editor's Picks for 04/18/26
        

Conference | Explore Artistic Sustainability & Community


This event invites creative communities to connect through conversations and creative exploration focused on sustaining artists, designers, educators, and community members. The conference creates space to explore mental, physical, and creative well-being with special attention to the experiences and needs of artists and designers. This year’s theme, Sustaining Creative Lives, reflects a shared interest in exploring how creative practice, community care, and reflection support long-term artistic growth and well-being. This year’s breakout sessions will explore topics such as rest as a sustainable practice, letting go of stress, and understanding the power of artists in breaking down systemic barriers.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free
Conferences, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Explore Artistic Sustainability & Community

Festival | Celebrate Earth Day Amongst Nature


Spend the day celebrating the earth with free activities for all ages, including ecological stewardship, walking tours, an outdoor sound bath, climate tech demos, food trucks, community science, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free
Festivals, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Celebrate Earth Day Amongst Nature

Tour | Discover Local Wildlife & Waterways


Join the weekly guided gallery hours to explore beneath the surface of the Hudson River through immersive games and meet the critters that call our local waterways home. This month's theme focuses on birds and migration, and there will be several hands-on STEM activities for aspiring scientists of all ages.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Tours, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Discover Local Wildlife & Waterways

Museums | Jewish History: Centuries of Art


As one of the largest collections of art in Jewish culture globally, the venue features an extensive array of historical Jewish artifacts as well as modern and contemporary art.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Museumss, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Jewish History: Centuries of Art

Dance Performance | Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience


Moving throughout the building, audiences wear headphones for the hour-long performance, tuning them into the personal stories and meaningful movements that may dwell in any corner of the Library’s collections. Hailed in the New York Times as one of the “best dance performances of 2025.”  Written by Robbie Saenz de Viteri and choreographed by Monica Bill Barnes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Dance Performances, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience

Workshop | Origami Meet-Up


This event is for people to come together and share in the beautiful art of Origami--an ancient art of folding various mediums, most commonly paper. The word comes from the combination of the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). Other materials often folded are fabric, wire mesh, sheet metal, tissue, thin plastic, cardboard, and straws.This group meets to teach each other new models and share paper, books, and tips. This meeting iopen to all level of folders from beginner to advanced. There will be free paper available to share. You may choose to bring your own paper and books and just show up and fold! If you have models you would like to learn, or teach, let the organizers know, and they will try our best to accommodate.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Workshops, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Origami Meet-Up

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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12:00 pm
Free
Park Walks, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Parks

Festival | Welcome Spring with Music, Games, Art, & More (All Ages)


After a long and snowy winter, welcome the arrival of spring with a joyful day for all ages. The green at the Davis Center opens for the season with music, games, art, and more--open to all. Bring neighbors, families, and friends!
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free
Festivals, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Welcome Spring with Music, Games, Art, & More (All Ages)

Film | Dachra (2018): Tunisian Horror Film 


A young journalism student and her friends become trapped in an isolated village while trying to solve a gruesome criminal case that is over 25 years old. Director: Abdelhamid Bouchnak Cast: Yasmine Dimassi, Aziz Jbali, Bilel Slatnia, Hela Ayed, Hedi Majri, Bahri Rahali
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:15 pm
Free
Films, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Dachra (2018): Tunisian Horror Film&nbsp;

Dance Performance | Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience


Moving throughout the building, audiences wear headphones for the hour-long performance, tuning them into the personal stories and meaningful movements that may dwell in any corner of the Library’s collections. Hailed in the New York Times as one of the “best dance performances of 2025.”  Written by Robbie Saenz de Viteri and choreographed by Monica Bill Barnes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free
Dance Performances, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Immersive Building-Wide Dance Experience

Film | 47 Ronin (2013): Historical Fantasy Action FIlm with Keanu Reeves


A band of samurai sets out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun. Director: Carl Rinsch Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor who had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for his role in My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994). Greater stardom came for playing Neo in the science fiction series The Matrix, beginning in 1999. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century, and in 2022, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Films, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, 47 Ronin (2013): Historical Fantasy Action FIlm with Keanu Reeves

Film | Hamnet (2025): Historical Drama with Star-Studded Cast


Agnes Shakespeare - the wife of the world's most famous writer - struggles to come to terms with the loss of her only son, Hamnet. Director: Chloe Zhao Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Films, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Hamnet (2025): Historical Drama with Star-Studded Cast

Jazz | Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)


This jam session is open to all musicians. Come and play or just listen to some jazzy tunes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)

Tour | Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More


Join these guided tours every Friday and Saturday at 2 PM to explore a museum's history, special collections, and landmarked spaces. Led by educators, the tours last 45-60 minutes and provide an engaging introduction to the artworks and archives on view.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free
Tours, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Explore Collection Which Features Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and More

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Piano Sonatas by Brahms & Prokofiev


Misha Dichter, piano. Program: Johann Brahms (1833-1897) Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op 5 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Music on the Water: Piano Sonatas by Brahms & Prokofiev

Party | Roller Rink Party with Live DJ


Get ready to roll into the excitement at an outdoor skate circle. With live DJs spinning the tunes, is as much fun to watch as it is to join! Whether you're a seasoned skater or just starting out, bring your own skates and get ready to groove with roller dancing. All skill levels are welcome. This is a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for all ages. Children under 14 must wear helmets for safety.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:45 pm
Free
Partys, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Roller Rink Party with Live DJ

Book Discussion | Historian Shares Her New Book, Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury


Attend a conversation between Mary Davis, author of Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury, and Leslie Camhi, essayist, cultural journalist, and literary translator. Book Synopsis: Long before Chanel or Dior became household names, French designer Paul Poiret (1879–1944) created the blueprint for modern luxury. Join historian and cultural critic Mary E. Davis and acclaimed writer Leslie Camhi (The New Yorker, Vogue) for a conversation about the legacy of this innovative genius, who transformed fashion into a comprehensive and elevated lifestyle enterprise. Drawing from Davis’s new book, Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury, the discussion will explore Poiret's revolutionary strategies, from linking fashion to fragrance and interior design to embracing modernist art and architecture. The talk will highlight his importance in establishing celebrity influencers and outrageous parties as requirements for a successful fashion brand, and will delve into other aspects of his towering cultural figure.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Book Discussions, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Historian Shares Her New Book,&nbsp;Paul Poiret: Inventing Modern Luxury

Workshop | Learn the Basics of Playwriting with Award-Winning Playwright


The Hunter College MFA Playwriting program partners with Breaking the Binary Theater, a new play development organization that serves transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ theatre artists, to offer a community playwriting workshop. This workshop is led by Haruna Lee, an award-winning nonbinary Taiwanese-Japanese-American theater maker, screenwriter, educator, and community steward.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Workshops, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Learn the Basics of Playwriting with Award-Winning Playwright
4:00 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
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Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, One of NYC's Leading Choral Ensembles

Classical Music | Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)


Enjoy a program of hymns, anthems, and voluntaries for the organ.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Serene Organ Meditations in Intimate Venue (In Person AND Online!)

Concert | Genre-Bending Artist Marie-Claire Giraud Celebrates her New Album


Marie-Claire Giraud celebrates the release of her new album, my big, bold & beautiful technicolor fantasy, in an intimate performance that showcases her genre-spanning artistry. A Bronx-raised soprano of Dominican heritage, Giraud moves fluidly across opera, jazz, and musical theater, bringing a rich vocal palette and dynamic stage presence to each. With recent and upcoming milestones including her feature film debut and appearances on international stages, this performance offers a vibrant preview of a landmark year for a singular New York artist.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Genre-Bending Artist&nbsp;Marie-Claire Giraud Celebrates her New Album

Concert | Under My Umbrella Listening Party & Acoustic Set with Miss Grit


Experience an evening with Miss Grit, listening to Under My Umbrella in advance of its April 24th release with an acoustic set! Fans will also get early access to the Under My Umbrella vinyl.  New York-based musician Margaret Sohn – aka Miss Grit (they/she) – is a bold experimentalist and architect of sculptural texture. Under My Umbrella lifts the lid on the Korean-American artist’s internal world, lasering in on the anxieties and heartbreak of the past two years.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Concerts, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Under My Umbrella Listening Party & Acoustic Set with Miss Grit

Comedy Club | Standup Show


Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
Free
Comedy Clubs, April 18, 2026, 04/18/2026, Standup Show
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Musical | Family Show Where Things Come to Life!

Regular Price: $71.50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Play | Tony Nominee in a Play From a Broadway Director

Regular Price: $61
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Folk-Rooted, Upifting Songs at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $85
CFT Member Price: $0.00