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Free events for Saturday, 08/17/24
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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 August 17, 2024?

37 free events take place on Saturday, August 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 August 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 August . 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!

37 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, August 17, 2024

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc 9 Tours, All City Neighborhoods, Any Time Of The Day, Choose One Tour Or Many
free events nyc Third Saturdays on the Island
free events nyc FlyNYC in the Park
free events nyc Big Summer Chop & Vibes - in the Park
More Editor's Picks for 08/17/24
        

Festival | Harlem Week Block Party


Enjoy the hottest block party in the nation. A Saturday of non-stop fun on the streets of Harlem! New Yorkers and visitors are invited to come together for the things they love doing, including biking, walking, running, jumping, meditating, skipping, skating, dancing, and enjoying live music!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 am
Free

Workshop | Rooftop Yoga


Sputnik Yoga presents yoga sessions throughout the entire summer.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Workshop | Yoga in the Garden


Are you ready to rejuvenate your body and mind amidst the beauty of nature? This is an invigorating outdoor yoga session in the serene embrace of a community garden. This offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and stretch your body under the open sky. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, it is tailored to accommodate all levels, so don't hesitate to participate. Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Tour | 9 Tours, All City Neighborhoods, Any Time Of The Day, Choose One Tour Or Many


These tours take place at various times during the day, all day long. You can make reservations for as many tours as your schedule allows. See link for details. Scroll down to the middle of the page to find the daily (and almost daily) scheduled tours. Tours: SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown 3 Hour Lower Manhattan Harlem 6 Hour Downtown Combined Greenwich Village Central Park Lower Manhattan Midtown Manhattan Graffiti and Street Art Tours
   New York City, NY; NYC
9:30 am
$0-$4

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 the 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

Dance Lesson | Moves with Limon Dance - Outdoors


Led by dancers from the world-renowned Limon Dance Company, this free modern dance class is open to all levels and ages. Join us Saturday mornings this summer and revel in the joy of dance!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Park Walk | Park Tour: From Freight to Flowers


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

Fair | Street Fair


Free fun for the whole family, including arts, crafts, antiques, plants, entertainment, games, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Fair | Street Fair


Free fun for the whole family, including arts, crafts, antiques, plants, entertainment, games, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | Third Saturdays on the Island


Special indoor and out-door activities and public programs. All events are free and open to all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:30 am
Free

Workshop | Big City Fishing


Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including over 85 species in HRPK’s Estuarine Sanctuary waters. Anglers ages 5 and up are invited to participate at this program, with parental supervision required. Our River Project team provides all the necessary equipment and an on-site fishing tutorial. Participation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginners and experts alike are encouraged to join Big City Fishing for a relaxing and educational experience at the water’s edge.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Festival | House Fest 2024: Arts Celebration on the Island


House Fest is a free festival celebrating the arts community on the Island. It will bring togeth­er more than two dozen cul­tur­al part­ners for a week­end-long cre­ative cel­e­bra­tion in and around the his­toric for­mer mil­i­tary hous­es, fea­tur­ing free dance and music per­for­mances, out­door instal­la­tions, inter­ac­tive work­shops, open stu­dios, pan­el dis­cus­sions, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park


Get in a quick lesson, stay for the whole time, or just enjoy watching them put their skills to the test. They're a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons. All skill levels welcome. Equipment is provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Tour | Lilac: Historic Vessel Tour


Learn about Lilac, America's oldest and most intact Lighthouse Tender. During this tour, experts from the Lilac Preservation Project will share more about this fascinating historic vessel. Learn Lilac’s unique history and explore the 175-foot ship’s deck and its inner workings. The tour will offer a unique look into the story and mechanics of this historic vessel. Built in 1933, Lilac maintained buoys and delivered fuel and other supplies including fresh water, mail and library books to lighthouses and their keepers. The vibrant story of Lilac also includes service as a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, armed to protect the coast during WWII, and as a dormitory for cadets at a maritime academy. Lilac was even once used as a floating real estate office.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Shape Up NYC Dance Fitness


Shape Up NYC offers free fitness classes to help New Yorkers get and stay fit.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Shape Up NYC Dance Fitness - Outdoors


A fitness class to help New Yorkers get and stay fit.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Origami Meetup


OMG NYC (Origami Meetup Group! New York City) is a group 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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free

Festival | FlyNYC in the Park


Music and kites fill the air at this festival for all ages. Kite kits provided free for children (while supplies last) or bring your own favorite kite from home.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Contemporary Games Social - Outdoors


Play your favorite contemporary board games every Saturday afternoon. 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

Festival | Summer in the City: Music, Arts and Crafts, Food


This event offers a full day of activities. With performances from local, national and international artists, Harlem Broadway Row (Day 1), the highly anticipated adult urban fashion show, health testing stations and hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors, and games.  Scheduled performances beginning at 1 PM
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | Cyrano (2021) with Peter Dinklage


Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles everyone with his ferocious wordplay and brilliant swordplay. However, he's convinced his appearance renders him unworthy of the affections of the luminous Roxanne, a devoted friend who's in love with someone else. Director: Joe Wright Cast: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ben Mendelsohn Peter Dinklage is an American actor best known for portraying Tyrion Lannister on the HBO television series Game of Thrones (2011-2019), for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series a record four times. He also received a Golden Globe Award in 2011 and a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2020 for the role.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free

Film | Lady L (1966) with Sophia Loren and Paul Newman


At the end of a long, adventurous life, Lady Lousie Lendale tells the story of her rise from laundress to mistress of gambler and anarchist Armand Denis, before marrying the suave aristocrat Lord 'Dicky' Lendale. Director: Peter Ustinov Cast: Sophia Loren, Paul Newman, David Niven Sofia Loren is an Italian actress, active in her native country and the United States. With a career spanning over 70 years, she was named by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest stars of classical Hollywood cinema. Loren's performance as Cesira in the film Two Women (1960) directed by Vittorio De Sica won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first actor to win an Oscar for a non-English-language performance. Paul Newman was an American actor, film director, racing driver, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Silver Bear, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free

Musical | The Socialization of a Social Worker or The Fight for Social Justice: Outdoor Musical Theater


A rip-roaring original musical which tells a story of a humanitarian case worker learning to overcome despair and find strength for today’s challenges through people power. Book, lyrics and direction are by Crystal Field. The musical score is composed and arranged by Peter Dizzoza. In the play a social worker, transferred to a New York City hospital, burns with hope that he will help make things better for the growing immigrant population which is being cast upon New York. But he is surrounded by red tape in every direction. He is tempted to give up when he meets a bunch of New York City activists who are campaigning for the future of homeless children. They show him that even among the homeless population there is power for change, but that no one can do it alone, and that the power to instill change lies within our neighborhoods. They lead him through an odyssey of homeless life in the subways, the horror and terror of the January 6 insurrection, the heroism of the DC Police, and the causes of women’s rights, abortion and affordable housing. He learns that politicians are not perfect, even the good ones, and that they can be swayed by collective people power. Ultimately, he learns that change is driven by civil society mobilization. This means that every day is a new day and that everyone must vote when election time comes, learn the lessons of January 6, and not succumb to the hatred and resentment.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | Island Birds & Bees Tour


A tour highlighting the birds and bees around the Island. Since 2018, The Bee Conservancy has established a Bee Santuary, complete with native flower beds, honey bee hives, and native bee homes. In additiion to bees, nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round.  
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Birdwatching | Island Birds Tour


Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | Shoreline Stroll


The peninsula, which opened in 2023, is the largest stand-alone recreational space in the park with its 5.5 acres of incredible public green space. From a sandy shoreline beach with tide pools to a pine grove, pile field and salt marsh, it is also one of the most fascinating sites to learn about local ecology. You’ll have the chance to learn more about these fascinating ecosystems from the River Project team. Grab your binoculars and try to spot some of the shorebirds seen regularly dabbling in our salt marsh, or see if you can spot some of the resident hawks that use the light poles as a perch to find their next meal.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Performance | Tree Hole (your secret is safe with me): Performance Art Outdoors


Artist Chang Yuchen presents Tree Hole (your secret is safe with me), a performance-based public program in dialogue with Pamela Rosenkranz’s Plinth commission, Old Tree. During the program, Chang Yuchen will perform as a “tree hole” adjacent to Old Tree. Visitors are invited to share their secrets with her, which she promises to keep safe. Like a tree, Yuchen will be mostly silent, offering responses such as eye contact or advice only upon request. She understands English and Mandarin but is open to all languages, ensuring confidentiality. The performance is inspired by the medieval Irish folktale “The Emperor’s Donkey Ears,” in which a barber learns his emperor secretly has the ears of a donkey. The emperor threatens the barber that if the secret is leaked, he will have him beheaded. The barber, unable to bear the weight of knowing this secret alone, whispers it into the hole or hollow of a tree. Versions of this tale exist worldwide: in Greek mythology as King Midas and a field of reeds, in Ireland as Labhraidh Loingseach and a large willow tree, and in Korea as Gyeongmun and a bamboo. The specific plant varies, but the theme of emotional release and companionship with nature remain. In China, the “tree hole” has recently become a metaphor for anonymous confessions on deactivated social media accounts due to internet regulations.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Forum | Death Cafe: A Discusson on Death


An informal, group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes. The purpose of Death Cafe is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:30 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Francesc Tosquelles: Avant-Garde Psychiatry and the Birth of Art Brut: Exhibition Tour


Co-curators behind the scenes of Francesc Tosquelles: Avant-Garde Psychiatry and the Birth of Art Brut, which explores for the first time in the United States the legacy of Catalan psychiatrist Francesc Tosquelles. The four curators will walk through the exhibition's artworks, archival documents and films, opening up a new window on psychiatry and its connections to art, literature and French theory.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Summer Exhibition 2024: Group Show


This show brings together a range of perspectives, showing how art continuously changes while maintaining a dialogue between the past and present. From historical works to the avant-garde contemporary works that challenge and redefine traditional forms, this exhibition showcases artists that push the boundaries of conceptual thinking alongside more traditional, representational artists. Placing artists from different periods alongside each other invites us to consider the ways art has evolved, not just in configuration, but in concept.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Party | Big Summer Chop & Vibes - in the Park


Get your dance moves ready for all-ages Big Summer Chop & Vibes. In West Africa, a chop bar is a roadside bar/restaurant that serves as a meeting place for the community. It brings people together through food and music to exchange information, ideas and connect with each other. African Chop House was inspired by the sounds, smells, and visuals that surrounded us growing up in African home. "Come Chop" is a pidgin expression inviting friends and family to come eat. There will be diaspora sounds and delicious food selections for purchase by African Chop House.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Concert | Celebrating Nigeria's Alternative Music Scene - in the Park


The Lagos-based Palmwine Festiva,l celebrating Nigeria's nascent alternative music scene, returns with its good vibes, bright music, and delicious food. Founded by the Nigerian rap duo Show Dem Camp--whose sound is indebted to the Ghanaian genre Highlife, fusing African meter and western jazz melodies--the fest this year features the Cavemen, a Highlife duo comprising the siblings Kingsley Okorie (bass) and Benjamin James (drums). Their latest LP Love and Highlife is a rumination on culture, community, and humanity that features trumpeter Etuk Ubong and Made Kuti, the multi-instrumentalist son of Afrobeats legend Femi Kuti.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Concert | Poetry and Music Collective - in the Park


Marija Abney founded The Soapbox Presents in 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd, using free arts programming from some of NYC’s most talented artists to build a platform—both literally and figuratively—for Black and brown expression. The program has featured such artists as Mahogany L. Browne (Lincoln Center’s first poet-in-residence) and arranger, composer, and pianist Sean Mason (a featured guest of the Wynton Marsalis Quintet), and has been acknowledged by the United Nations for their work in their inaugural International Day of People of African Descent. The collective has performed at The Apollo, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Afropunk Festival, and on the stoops and sidewalks of New York City, and this year they’ll bring their energy to Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Play | Twelfth Night: Shakespeare's Shipwrecked Stranger -- in the Park


This lush production pulls on the heart strings when a young woman is shipwrecked on a strange land and must disguise herself as a man to survive. It’s a story of loss, identity and, finally, love hard won. There’s also music and singing! With the Hudson Classical Theater Company.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Annual Dance Festival - Outdoors


This Dance Festival is New York City's longest-running free public dance festival. Each year, the Festival draws a combined audience of over 12,000 in-person and over 35,000 virtual viewers. It runs from Aug.11-17 and features dance performances and workshops. See link for full details.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Concert | Dance Music from Around the World - in the Park


The Jalopy Theatre and School of Music is a multi-faceted arts space showcasing evolving folk and traditional music and art from New York City, the Americas, and the world. Jalopy's programming supports artists, fosters multi-generational community, and provides enrichment and education about our shared musical heritage. Performers: Cristina Vane, Slavic Soul Party!, and Guachinangos
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Star Gazing


A summer evening in Manhattan is made complete with the stars, planets, and moon in full view. Manhattan provides a great backdrop as we peer heavenward to see celestial wonders with the help of the Amateur Astronomer's Association.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
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Musical | Broadway Actors in a Tony Winner's Musical Comedy

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