free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 12/20/24
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!    Read More
25 free events take place on Friday, December 20 in New York City.
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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!

25 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, December 20, 2024

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Get dazzled by over 2 million twinkling lights!
More Editor's Picks for 12/20/24
        

Workshop | Tai Chi


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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8:30 am
free...

Workshop | Rise and Shine Yoga: Morning Flow & Meditation (Online!)


Begin your day with guided meditation and a gentle yoga flow. This virtual class combines mindful movement and breathwork through a variety of poses to awaken your mind, body, and senses. Suitable for all levels, with modifications offered.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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9:00 am
free, registration required...

Workshop | Zumba Gold Workout


Zumba Gold offers a low-impact workout set to a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes, creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system! The routines feature aerobic fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that challenge both the heart and muscles. With fun music and easy-to-follow steps, you can’t go wrong! Instructor: Melissa Perez
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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9:00 am
free

Other | Get dazzled by over 2 million twinkling lights!


Dazzling Holiday Lights: 2 million twinkling lights, including 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees, and a 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece. This is a must-see location in NYC and a perfect holiday picture background. Outdoor food vendors offer hot drinks and tasty bites. 5 pm - 8 pm: pictures with Santa, Monday - Friday through Dec. 23 on Level 3
   Manhattan, New York, NY
10:00 am
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Adult Zumba


Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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10:30 am
free...

Museums | Asian Art and Culture Museum


The museum features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional and contemporary pieces from various Asian cultures. 2 pm: guided tour.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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11:00 am
free, reservation required

Performance | Light and Sound Experience: Immersive Cinematic Wonder!


Embark on a captivating journey filled with awe, warmth, and a sense of human connection. This immersive experience inspired by Dongji, the Korean Winter Solstice celebration, takes you on a journey through the cosmos on the longest night of the year, brought to life through captivating light and sound.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
11:00 am
free, no reservation required

Fair | Winter Market: Holiday Shops, Ice Skating and Spectacular View


This is an iconic NYC holiday destination. Featuring over 200 artisanal vendors offering unique gifts, you're sure to find something special for your shopping list. Enjoy a variety of exciting food options as you shop. Ice rink is open daily; reservations required. Market Dates: 10/25 - 1/5 Market Hours of Operation: Sun - Sat: 11am - 8pm
   Manhattan, New York, NY
11:00 am
free, no reservation required

Classical Music | Bach at Noon (In Person and Online)


Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:20 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: Exhibition Tour (online)


Take a close look at the 1843 manuscript of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol through a virtual, docent-led discussion that focuses on the manuscript, as well as aspects of Dickens’ life and the history of the book. It has been a holiday tradition for many years to display the original manuscript at the library.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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12:30 pm
free

Film | Ordinary Angels (2024) with Hilary Swank


When a struggling hairdresser meets a widowed father who is working hard to care for his two daughters, she finds a renewed sense of purpose. The man's youngest daughter is critically ill and waiting for a liver transplant, so the fierce woman rallies an entire community for help. Director: Jon Gunn Cast: Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones Hilary Swank is an American actress and film producer who came to international recognition for her performances as Brandon Teena, in Kimberly Peirce's Boys Don't Cry (1999), and as Maggie Fitzgerald, an aspiring boxer, in Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby (2004). Both performances earned her widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actress. She was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting and conversation


Bring your own project or choose something from a provided collection to work on during this freeform crafting workshop. The workshop will include materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, paper crafts, and puzzles.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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1:30 pm
free, registration required

Film | It Ends With Us (2024) with Blake Lively, Jenny Slate, and Hasan Minhaj


Lily Bloom moves to Boston to open her own business, which has long been a dream of hers. When she meets charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, the two form an intense connection and fall deeply in love. But as time passes, she sees sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents' relationship. Then suddenly, Atlas Corrigan, Lily's first love, re-enters her life, and her relationship with Ryle begins to unravel. Lily must make an impossible choice. Director: Justin Baldoni Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar Blake Lively is an American actress who had her breakthrough role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and its 2008 sequel. Lively achieved recognition for her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen in the CW teen drama television series Gossip Girl (2007–2012). Jenny Slate is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and writer. Slate's breakout role came with her leading performance in the coming-of-age comedy-drama film Obvious Child (2014), She also appeared in the critically acclaimed science-fiction film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Hasan Minhaj is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, and television host. Much of his comedy involves Indian culture and the modern American political landscape through the use of satire, observational comedy and dark comedy. His Netflix series Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj won an Emmy Award, and in 2019, he was listed in Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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2:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Concert | Holiday Caroling


The Broadway Carolers will perform. With over 25 years of experience, Broadway Carolers perform across the region and are committed to bringing light into people's lives during the holiday season.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
2:30 pm
free...

Opening Reception | Threads of Being and Guardians of the Forest: Clay, Metal, Acrylic Pieces


Helen Draves presents Threads of Being. The exhibition holds significant symbolic and metaphorical weight for the artist, capturing the complexity of life. Steel artist Youngkwan Choi presents "Guardians of the Forest." The collection explores the paradoxical nature of firearms--their ability to both destroy and protect.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Museums | American History and Artifact Collections


Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. Last admission is at 7 pm.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required

Classical Music | Holiday Music for Chorus (In Person AND Online!)


Trinity Youth Chorus; and Peyton Marion, conductor, perform Benjamin Britten's (1913-1976) A Ceremony of Carols.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, reservation required

Other | Holiday Under the Stars: Dazzling Light Shows


A new, glimmering “Holiday Under the Stars” season is brimming with 300,000 twinkling lights and illuminated stars that transform into a kaleidoscope of colors. Glowing, color-changing stars will dance to choreographed light shows every 30 minutes from. Additionally, stars will sparkle at the entrances, with brilliant photo moments and shimmering garland throughout.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free...

Museums | Modern Art: From The 19th Century to the Present Day


Experience the exhibits in the museum galleries which include paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and much more.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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5:00 pm
free, reservation required

Screening | Black Lives Rising Dance Film Festival


This festival celebrates the diversity of the Black experience through the art of dance captured on camera.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:00 pm
free

Workshop | Family Friday: Math-Based Fun Activities for All Ages


Family Fridays aims to unite family members of all ages to participate in a variety of engaging mathematical activities, fostering interest and excitement for both kids and adults.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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6:30 pm
free, registration required

Classical Music | Holiday Music for Chorus (In Person AND Online!)


Trinity Youth Chorus; and Peyton Marion, conductor, perform Benjamin Britten's (1913-1976) A Ceremony of Carols.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
6:30 pm
free, reservation required

Workshop | Gentle Yoga (online)


Start your weekend off right with a 60-minute Friday evening yoga class. A gentle, low-impact practice to help improve flexibility, release tension, and energize the body. Ideal for all levels, come join us for a relaxing and invigorating star to your weekend. Instructor: Michele Griffin
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free

Concert | Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl: Concert on Film (online thru Dec 27)


Celebrate the centennial birthday of composer Henry Mancini with Michael Buble, Cynthia Erivo, saxophonist Dave Koz, Monica Mancini and host Jeff Goldblum, featuring Mancini’s signature songs and clips from his beloved movies and TV shows.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:00 pm
free...

Concert | An Evening of Experimental Electronic Music 


Composers Itza Garcia and Tobias Fandel invite you to an evening of experimental electronic music performance in the heart of Manhattan. Founded in 2024 by Itzá García and Tobias Fandel as a concert and exhibition event, "Overdrive" aims to bring artistic practices into contact with contemporary and cutting-edge media technologies, challenging the established boundaries of artistic disciplines.
   Manhattan, New York, NY
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7:30 pm
free...
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Complimentary Tickets

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

Dance Performance | Iconic Dance Company

Regular Price: $30
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | "Virtuoso" Pianist Performs Works by Liszt & More

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Jazz | Jazz Orchestras at a Major NYC Hall

Regular Price: $50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Performance | Erotic Burlesque Show

Regular Price: $135
CFT Member Price: $0.00