free things to do in New York City
| < | August 2025 |
> | ||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Are you looking for literary events like book readings, book signings, poetry readings? Then you came to the right place. Start using these unique New York City opportunities today!
Are you looking for literary events like book readings, book signings, poetry readings? Then you came to the right place. Start using these unique New York City opportunities today!
Join the Club!
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!
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!
28 free poetry readings, book signings, author readings in New York City (NYC) Sun, 08/03/2025 - and on...
Not a day goes by in New York City (NYC) without a free poetry reading or a book signing or a book reading by a famous or not yet famous author. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!
Author Reading | New York Times-Featured Writer Discusses & Signs Her New Book, Trying
Chloe Caldwell celebrates and discusses her new book, Trying: a stirring account of disenfranchised grief and queer reawakening, which intimately captures a self in a continuous process of becoming--and the mysterious ways that writing informs that process. Chloe will be joined in conversation by Leslie Jamison, author of Splinters. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Chloe will also sign copies of Trying purchased at this book store. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards your purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore cafe the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Aug 3
3:00 pm
$5, ticket required
3:00 pm
$5, ticket required
Poetry Reading | Bi-Weekly Readings & Reflections
Participate in this poetry gathering and engage with contemporary poetry through readings, conversations, and reflections.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Aug 3
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Book Signing | Bestselling Author Discusses & Signs Full Bloom
New York Times bestselling author Francesca Serritella discusses and signs her new book, Full Bloom. A sensual and seductive novel set among the upper echelons of New York City, Full Bloom is at once a poignant story of becoming and a riveting mystery that asks: Who are you without your inhibitions? Does being wanted get you what you want, or will you be devoured by desire? A purchase of Full Bloom from this bookstore is required to join the signing line at this event. Please call ahead and speak to a bookseller and reserve your copy.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Aug 4
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Poetry in the Park: Celebrating WB Yeats
Award-winning poetry by established and emerging poets throughout the summer. This event honors the work of 20th-century poet, dramatist, and critic, William Butler Yeats, hosted by poets Timothy Donnelly and Lynn Melnick.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 5
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Signing | Bestselling Journalist Discusses & Signs King of Kings
New York Times journalist Scott Anderson discusses and signs his new book, King of Kings. From the author of the New York Times bestseller Lawrence in Arabia comes a stunningly revelatory narrative history of the Iranian Revolution, one of the most momentous events in modern times. This groundbreaking work exposes the jaw-dropping stupidity of the American government and traces the rise of religious nationalism, offering essential insights into today's global unrest. A purchase of King of Kings from this bookstore is required to join the signing line at this event. Please call ahead and speak to a bookseller and reserve your copy.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 5
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author Discusses & Signs His New Novel, Likeness
Samsun Knight celebrates and discusses his new book, Likeness: a story that explores "How do we come to know each other, how do we gather and bind, how do we deepen and endure and go on, what arrangements are we making for love?" (Charles D’Ambrosio). Samsun will be joined in conversation by Eskor David Johnson, author of Pay as You Go. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Samsun will also sign copies of Likeness purchased at this bookstore.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 6
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Inside Scoop with Nonfiction Authors: Amelia Earheart's Marriage with Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon In 1928, a young social worker and hobby pilot named Amelia Earhart arrived in the office of George Putnam, heir to the Putnam & Sons throne and hitmaker, on the hunt for the right woman for a secret flying mission across the Atlantic. A partnership—professional and soon otherwise—was born. The Aviator and the Showman unveils the untold story of Amelia's decade-long marriage to George Putnam, offering an intimate exploration of their relationship and the pivotal role it played in her enduring legacy.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 6
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Prize-Winning Author Discusses & Signs Her New Book, Atomic Hearts
Megan Cummins celebrates and discusses her new book, Atomic Hearts: an unforgettable story of the relationships that shape us beyond all reason and the ways it might be possible to pull ourselves back from the brink. Megan will be joined in conversation by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, author Alice Sadie Celine. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Megan will also sign copies of Atomic Hearts purchased from this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore cafe the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Aug 7
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
Author Reading | Emerging Writers Read Original Material
This event highlights emerging writers from the MFA and MA programs at the City College of New York. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of any book or any product in the bookstore cafe the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Aug 8
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
Poetry Reading | Poetry & Music in the Park
Enjoy a summer evening in the park with music and poetry. This program features two poets and a musician to explore and highlight the connections between poetry and music. Line-Up: m.s. RedCherries, Danez Smith, and Speedy Ortiz
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Aug 8
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Poetry Reading | Poetry in the Park: Contemporary Writers
Award-winning poetry by established and emerging poets throughout the summer. Featuring: Francisco Delgado, Didi Jackson, Rachel Trousdale, Marion Wrenn
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 12
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author Discusses & Signs Her New Book, Dog
P&T Knitwear is pleased to welcome C. Mallon to celebrate and discuss her new book, Dogs: a singular, devastating debut novel, that traces the fallout of one catastrophic night in the lives of five high school wrestlers, asking what can survive in the blast radius of latent trauma and violence. C. will be joined in conversation by Alexander Sammartino, author Last Acts. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, C. will also sign copies of Dogs purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 12
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Author Reading | Bestselling Author Discusses & Signs Her New Book, Open Wide
Jessica Gross celebrates and discusses her new book, Open Wide: an increasingly obsessive radio host tests the boundaries of her boyfriend's love in this unforgettable dark comedy that is by turns romantic, horrific, and profound. Jessica will be joined in conversation by Kyle McCarthy, author Everyone Knows How Much I Love You. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Jessica will also sign copies of Open Wide purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards your purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 13
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
Author Reading | Inside Scoop with Nonfiction Authors: Identity & Race with Martha S. Jones
Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir Journeying across centuries, from rural Kentucky and small-town North Carolina to New York City and its suburbs, The Trouble of Color is a lyrical, deeply felt meditation on the most fundamental matters of identity, belonging, and family.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 13
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Book Signing | Author Signs Book Documenting London's Skate Scene
Stacks is British photographer Dan Boulton’s latest exploration of London’s Southbank skate scene—a project he began in 2005. The Southbank Centre Skatepark built underneath a complex of Brutalist cultural centers including The Royal Festival Hall and The Hayward Gallery has been the beating heart of London’s skateboarding scene for over forty years. Mixing archival images with recent, more personal work , the book reflects on time, change, and generational ties. It’s both a return and a progression, capturing the evolving spirit of Southbank and Boulton’s own journey through photography and fatherhood.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Aug 14
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Paris Review Writer Discusses & Signs His New Book, The Frequency of Living Things
Nick Fuller Googins celebrates and discusses his new book, The Frequency of Living Things: a heartbreaking American epic about three sisters who unearth lifetimes of family tensions as they are forced to rescue one of their own from peril, testing the limits of sacrifice, sisterhood, and forgiveness. Nick will be joined in conversation by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, author Mutual Interest. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Nick will also sign copies of The Frequency of Living Things purchased from this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore cafe café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Aug 14
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Poetry Reading | Poetry Open Mic: Share Your Work or Listen to Emerging Writers
Participants can share their original work for up to five minutes. Space is limited to 15 readers; show up on time to get a slot!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Aug 15
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author/Illustrator Discusses Their New Book: When the Tides Held the Moon
Join Author and Illustrator Venessa Vida Kelley as they discuss their new book, When the Tides Held the Moon. Synopsis: In this beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy, a young Puerto Rican immigrant goes through a journey of love and self-discovery after capturing a merman for a Coney Island sideshow act in turn-of-the 20th century New York. With lush illustrations and buoyant prose, Venessa Vida Kelley blends historical fantasy with epic romance at the turn of the 20th century in this unforgettable New York fairytale of queer identity and found family.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Aug 15
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Emerging Writers Reading Series Featuring Debut Memoir Hotshot
This reading series showcases writers from multiple MFA programs around New York City. This event's featured writer is River Selby, author of Hotshot: a fierce debut memoir of a female firefighter navigating the personal and environmental dangers of wildfire fighting. Other readers include Katherine Nolan, Sarah C. Sturgis, Sammy Bittman, Osahon Okundaye, and Sarah Bess Jaffe. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of any book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Aug 15
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Poetry Reading | Bi-Weekly Readings & Reflections
Participate in this poetry gathering and engage with contemporary poetry through readings, conversations, and reflections.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Aug 17
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author Discusses & Signs Nonfiction Book Mother of Methodone
Dr. Melody Glenn celebrates and discusses her new book, Mother of Methadone: the stories of two doctors battling the opioid epidemic half a century apart to reveal the origins of today's public health crisis, and a call to remove the stigma against addicts, addiction, and treatment providers. Dr. Glenn will be joined in conversation by Maia Szalavitz, author Undoing Drugs. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Dr. Glenn will also sign copies of Mother of Methadone purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 19
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Author Reading | Two Authors Discuss & Sign Their New Books: Notes From a Regicide & Simplicity
Isaac Fellman presents his book Notes From a Regicide: a heartbreaking story of trans self-discovery with a rich relatability and a science-fictional twist; and Mattie Lubchansky to present her book Simplicity: a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Isaac and Mattie will also sign copies of their books purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 20
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Author Reading | Inside Scoop with Nonfiction Authors: Marcus Rediker on the Underground Railroad
Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea A definitive, sweeping account of the Underground Railroad’s long-overlooked maritime origins, from a pre-eminent scholar of Atlantic history and the award-winning author of The Slave Ship.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 20
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Author discusses & Signs Her New Novel, Ghost Fish
Stuart Pennebaker celebrates and discusses her new book, Ghost Fish: a tender coming-of-age novel about a young woman haunted by her sister’s death, who starts to believe that her beloved sibling has returned to her—in the form of a ghost fish, for fans of Sweetbitter and Our Wives Under the Sea. Stuart will be joined in conversation by Emma Stephenson. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Stuart will also sign copies of Ghost Fish purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Aug 26
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
6:30 pm
$5, tickets required
Author Reading | Author Discusses & Signs her New Book, Hothouse Bloom
Austyn Wohlers celebrates and discusses her new book, Hothouse Bloom, which follows a young woman who renounces her painting career and all her human relationships to become one with her late grandfather’s apple orchard. Austyn will be joined in conversation by Bud Smith, author of Teenager. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Austyn will also sign copies of Hothouse Bloom purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 27
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
Author Reading | Inside Scoop with Nonfiction Authors: Victor Luckerson on America's Black Wall Street
Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street In Built from the Fire, journalist Victor Luckerson tells the true story behind a potent national symbol of success and solidarity and weaves an epic tale about a neighborhood that refused, more than once, to be erased.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Aug 27
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Author Reading | Harper's Bazaar Writer Discusses & Signs Their New Book: Mounted
Bitter Kalli celebrates and discusses their new book, Mounted: a series of astute essays, exploring the work of Black artists and influencers from Beyoncé to filmmakers Tiona Nekkia-McClodden and Jeymes Samuel and the author's own life-long relationship to equines. Bitter will be joined in conversation by Jessica Lynne, founder of editor of ARTS.BLACK. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Bitter will also sign copies of Mounted purchased at this bookstore. Cost of a $5 general admission ticket can be applied towards the purchase of the featured event book or any product in the bookstore café the night of an event. Masks are required at this event.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Aug 28
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
6:30 pm
$5, ticket required
Poetry Reading | Bi-Weekly Readings & Reflections
Participate in this poetry gathering and engage with contemporary poetry through readings, conversations, and reflections.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Aug 31
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Join the Club!
Today's Events
All 1013 Events
Events This Week
Events This Weekend
Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
All events are free unless otherwise stated. All programs subject to change. Please confirm before going.Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
© Copyright Club Free Time. All rights reserved.