free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 05/17/25
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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 May 17, 2025?

18 free events take place on Saturday, May 17 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 May 17 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 May . 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!

18 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, May 17, 2025

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Park Walk | Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Park


Hear the story behind New York City's park in the sky: an insider's perspective on the park's history, design, and landscape.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Park Walks, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Discover the History & Design of One of New York's Most Unique Park

Workshop | Drawing in the Park


Paint in watercolor or use pastels and other drawing materials to capture the magical vistas of the Hudson River and the unique landscape of South Cove. An artist/educator will help participants of all levels with instruction and critique. Materials provided, and artists are encouraged to bring their own favorite media.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Drawing in the Park

Fair | Street Fair 


Free activities for the whole family! With over 150+ booths of art, entertainment, fashion, food, shopping, and fun!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Fairs, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Street Fair&nbsp;

Talk | Historical Exploration of Feminism and Chinoiserie Art


Explore how the decorative style of chinoiserie shaped both European women's identities and racial and cultural stereotypes around Asian women in this critical look at the historical style and its afterlives. This event features dynamic conversations, presentations, and readings by leading scholars, designers, and writers. Free with museum admission (advance registration is required). Please note: Space is limited; first come, first served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Talks, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Historical Exploration of Feminism and Chinoiserie Art

Workshop | Dance Fitness Class for All Ages


Colorful outfits encouraged at this creative workout that fuses dance and aerobics! Space is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Workshops, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Dance Fitness Class for All Ages

Tour | Museum Tour on Stories of Making It in America


A museum educator guides a public gallery tour of the exhibition, With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America, which provides an overview of the Chinese people in America from the 19th century through the present day. Items in the museum's collection are used to highlight the major themes of the exhibit. Tours leave from the main lobby.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free
Tours, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Museum Tour on Stories of Making It in America

City Walk | Annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, Featuring 125+ Local Artists


This spring, Brooklyn will come alive with creativity with over 125 local artists exhibiting their work at 70 local businesses for the Annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk. This vibrant,self-guided, 1.5-mile art event will showcase the diverse talents of emerging and established artists at galleries, salons, boutiques, restaurants, and home decor shops. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a diverse collection of art ranging from paintings, drawings, three-dimensional art, mixed media, and photography. While enjoying Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, people are encouraged to take time to visit and support the local, small businesses and restaurants in the area. They can grab a cup of coffee for their stroll, sit and eat, pick up a unique gift, or a new spring outfit, and explore new services- all of which help to keep the businesses that make up the fabric of the neighborhood thriving.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
City Walks, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, Featuring 125+ Local Artists

Party | Play Contemporary Games & Make New Friends


Play your favorite contemporary board games! Featured games include but are not limited to Chameleon, Wavelength, Avalon, Parade, Splendor, Century Spice Road, Mountain Goats, No Thanks, Codenames, Werewords, Spyfall, Azul, Letter Jam, Dixit, In Kahootz, and Captain Sonar. A new game will be selected each week.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Partys, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Play Contemporary Games & Make New Friends
2:00 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
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Concerts, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Grammy-Nominated Chorus

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers


String ensemble 'Dari' (Salley Koo, violin, Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin, Daniel McDonough, cello, and Alexander Solomon, piano) performs six new works by Korean-American composers find common ground between performance and teaching communities, and between the new music and student communities. Premieres by Texu Kim, Juri Seo, Kyong Mee Choi, Hee Yun Kim, Leo Chang, and Matthew Pellegrino
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers

Museums | Tour - Arts and Cultural Heritage of Spain and Portugal: Goya, El Greco and Others


Explore the best items this museum has on display with this guided tour. Paintings, sculptures, ceramics, antiquities, and more by world-famous artists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Museumss, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Tour - Arts and Cultural Heritage of Spain and Portugal: Goya, El Greco and Others

Theater | The Imaginary Invalid: Moliere's Comedy-Ballet Starring Broadway Actor


Argan is ill. But is he? Argan is dying. But aren't we all? Argan wants absolute control. But is that ever achievable? After a series of upside down attempts to snap him out of it, a solution is found. But will it save him? The Imaginary Invalid is the last play that legendary French playwright Moliere wrote and was originally conceived as a Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance, and music are intertwined. It explores the fear of disease and the exploitation it breeds through infinitely humorous dialogue and in-your-face satire. This production will feature original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt, original music by cellist Johnathan Moore, and stars Tony and Olivier Award nominee Sahr Ngaujah. Director and Translator: Lucie Tiberghien Choreographer and Dancer: Cal Hunt Composer and Cellist: Johnathan Moore Cast: Dante Bonner, Mary Bacon, Rory Furey-King, Doron JePaul, Naomi Lorrain, Sahr Ngaujah, Shayvawn Webster
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Theaters, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, The Imaginary Invalid: Moliere's Comedy-Ballet Starring Broadway Actor

Play | New Original Play: The Ana Project


Ana, arrived in NYC alone, as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic in 1960, to attend college and develop her talent as a math prodigy. She worked nights at a textile factory in Manhattan and fell in love with a charming stranger. She helped the rest of her family emigrate from the Dominican Republic to escape a violent dictatorship and they struggled with the transition to their new life in the US, when Ana's life and dreams fell apart. Years later, Ana tries to help her daughter avoid the same mistakes as the generations of women clash in irreconcilable differences and are drawn together again by the love that binds them. Playwright: Dacyl Acevedo
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:30 pm
Free
Plays, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, New Original Play: The Ana Project

Classical Music | Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers


String ensemble 'Dari' (Salley Koo, violin, Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin, Daniel McDonough, cello, and Alexander Solomon, piano) performs six new works by Korean-American composers find common ground between performance and teaching communities, and between the new music and student communities. Premieres by Texu Kim, Juri Seo, Kyong Mee Choi, Hee Yun Kim, Leo Chang, and Matthew Pellegrino
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Music on the Water: Premiering Six Ensemble Works by Korean-American Composers
7:00 pm
Regular: $25
Member: $0
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Concerts, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Stabat Mater and More at a Magnificent Church

Theater | The Imaginary Invalid: Moliere's Comedy-Ballet Starring Broadway Actor


Argan is ill. But is he? Argan is dying. But aren't we all? Argan wants absolute control. But is that ever achievable? After a series of upside down attempts to snap him out of it, a solution is found. But will it save him? The Imaginary Invalid is the last play that legendary French playwright Moliere wrote and was originally conceived as a Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance, and music are intertwined. It explores the fear of disease and the exploitation it breeds through infinitely humorous dialogue and in-your-face satire. This production will feature original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt, original music by cellist Johnathan Moore, and stars Tony and Olivier Award nominee Sahr Ngaujah. Director and Translator: Lucie Tiberghien Choreographer and Dancer: Cal Hunt Composer and Cellist: Johnathan Moore Cast: Dante Bonner, Mary Bacon, Rory Furey-King, Doron JePaul, Naomi Lorrain, Sahr Ngaujah, Shayvawn Webster
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Theaters, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, The Imaginary Invalid: Moliere's Comedy-Ballet Starring Broadway Actor

Play | New Play from Kennedy Center-Featured Writer: We the People of these Fifty Acre Woods


Inspired by A.A. Milne's classic characters, the beloved 100 Acre Wood is in the midst of a civil war. Throughout this multi-year conflict, childhood friends Winnie, Christopher, and H.P. Piglet find themselves on different paths. H.P. struggles with the moral dilemmas of being a soldier, Christopher discovers what can happen when the powerless gain power, and Winnie is on the run for dodging the draft. Part war epic, part whimsical absurdism, this play looks at how people justify violence, the lengths you'll go to defend what you believe in and if fire is fought with fire - will the acres just burn to the ground? Playwight: Andrew Michael Reid
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Plays, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, New Play from Kennedy Center-Featured Writer: We the People of these Fifty Acre Woods

Classical Music | Radio City Music Hall-Featured Orchestra Performs Works from Aaron Copland and More


The New York Repertory Orchestra--with featured soloists John Frisch, English horn, and Peter Kuan, trumpet--performs three pieces from the Romantic period through today. Program Aaron Copland (1900-1990) Quiet City Katie Jenkins Hiraeth Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) Symphony No. 6 (Sinfonia Semplice)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Concerts, May 17, 2025, 05/17/2025, Radio City Music Hall-Featured Orchestra Performs Works from Aaron Copland and More
Complimentary Tickets

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

Classical Music | Sacred Choral Works at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Musical | Hit Show Musical Parody

Regular Price: $58.50
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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