free things to do in New York City
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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 2, 2025?
70 free events take place on Friday, May 2 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 2 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.
Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on May 2, 2025?
70 free events take place on Friday, May 2 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 2 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.
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!
70 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, May 2, 2025
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Workshop | Outdoor Tai Chi for All Ages
Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures. An ideal choice for participants of all ages.
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free
Free
Tour | Hell's Kitchen South? Identifying Sites, Society, and Stories
This event is a 45-minute/1 hour discovery route through Hell's Kitchen South, bounded by West 34th to the south, West 40th to the north, Eighth Avenue to the east, and Tenth Avenue to the west. The walk will highlight the 19th and 20th century sites, society, and stories of the immigrant and working class communities that shaped the area. The guide will spotlight a few notable people who are proud to remember their roots here. You'll explore to what extent this understated, unostentatious neighborhood is undergoing rebranding and redevelopments as a result of its proximity to Hudson Yards. You'll consider the potential for further transformation caused by the Governor's recommendation of Paddy's Market for the Register of Historic Places. The walk is approximately one mile. The sidewalks that have uneven surfaces can accommodate wheelchairs, but it may be bumpy (not impossible, just bumpy).
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Unexpected Wall Street
There’s much more to Wall Street – and the (former) Financial District – than finance and greed! Dutch settlement, the British, and the Revolutionary War may come to mind. Yes, the guides will talk finance on this walking tour. And you'll explore NYC’s Dutch roots, the Redcoats, and the Sons of Liberty. But this old part of New York City is also a saint’s birthplace, a Lenape hunting trail, anarchists, the invention of takeout food, vandals, an infamous ghost, the former home of a wild turkey, immigrants, and obscure monuments. It’s dark alleys and twisty streets and secrets. Wear comfy shoes and bring your camera to this spotlight on unexpected Wall Street.This is a two hour walk, slightly under 1.5 miles long. There are many benches and curb cuts along the route, so it is wheelchair accessible. There are also bathrooms along the way.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Design Museum and Sculpture Garden
The museum was designed and created in 1980's by one of the twentieth century's most important landscape architects and designers. It serves to preserve the legacy of the artist by showcasing his creations: sculptures, furniture pieces, lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, and more.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum
Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum explores the enormous impact of posters on society and culture, and how they have been adapted to contemporary use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it provides a space for inquiry for all those interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the aim of improving design literacy among the general public. Posters explore:
mass communication and persuasion
the intersection of art and commerce
control of the public domain
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Washington Heights Heritage Tour
This event is a walking tour of the Washington Heights community. Attendees will be guided from from 181st Street to 155th Street. The guides will concentrate on pointing out the landmarks and giving a brief description of each along the way. More information revealed to registered attendees via email before the event.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free
Free
Workshop | Zumba Class for All-Levels
Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
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.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Born on the Bowery: NYC's Tattoo History
The group will meet at Daredevil Tattoo for a private viewing of their museum collection that includes artwork and machines from some of the earliest and most influential tattooers over the last 100 years. Then, the guide will bring the group through the Lower East Side and Chinatown discussing the rich immigrant history of the area and the notorious slum and gangland it became. The group will walk through Chatham Square and up the Bowery where the first electric tattoo machine was invented and where the old time Bowery tattooers worked until tattooing was banned in 1961.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Columbus Circle and Central Park West
This walk starts at Columbus Circle and includes extensive discussion of its history. It then proceeds up Central Park West to the Dakota, discussing significant buildings along the way and also including some discussion of Central Park itself. It's all flat and less than a mile.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Exploring the Gardens of Fort Tryon Park
This event is a springtime walk in Fort Tryon Park, a designated NYC Scenic Landscape! On this walk in this upper Manhattan park, the group will see plants that are blooming and hear some stories they hold. After the walk, consider staying to enjoy more of the grounds, visit the nearby Cloisters museum, or dine at the restaurant in the park. W. Take A train to 190th, exit the station via elevator. After exiting station, go up the outdoor stairs. At street level, look for the Ft Tryon Park sign to your right. Walk leader will be at the pedestrian entrance to the park. This route in Fort Tryon Park includes hills and some stairs. Walk is entirely outdoors. The group will keep a slow-moderate pace to enjoy the scenery. All paths are paved. Distance is approximately one mile.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Festival | Food Festival with Local Vendors
New York City's favorite outdoor food market, Smorgasburg, is back. Enjoy a variety of eats and treats from local vendors.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Harlem River Bridge Walk
This tour will explore a few of the Harlem River Bridges and see how things are connected with amazing views of the Harlem River. Attendees will walk over the Third Avenue bridge then over the Madison Avenue Bridgeto the 145th Street Bridge and finally zig zag over the Macombs Dam Bridge. Along the way, the group will explore specific points of interest including a street that was once a canal, the Harlem Hellfighters, a park which used to be an industrial site, a view of Yankee Stadium,and the only relic left which connected to the former Polo grounds, and much more. Be prepared to get a different perspective of how Manhattan and The Bronx are connected and explore some of the history of the Harlem River. Wear comfortable shoes, bring bottle of water and a camera. The group will be crossing bridges and streets with pedestrian onramps, steps and inclines. This is not wheelchair accessible. Around two miles, maybe a little more with crossing bridges.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Hike | Hike the Hudson River Trail
This will be a walk along the car-free, traffic-light free Hudson River Trail. It will connect two disasters: it will start at the World Trade Center, and will be a two mile walk to Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers, where the Titanic was to arrive in 1912. There are over 20 talking points along the way, including: How close were the World Trade Center towers to the original edge of the island? Why do they call the Hudson “the river that runs both ways”? The Hudson River along Manhattan is not actually a river… what body of water is it? What was Robert Moses going to do to the West Side Highway, and how did Jane Jacobs stop him? How long has the New York City street grid system been in effect? This is a completely flat hike, no stairs at all
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | In the (Upper) Heights
Easy jaunt through the historic and relaxed northern section of the highest altitude neighborhood in Manhattan. The group will take in about 10 sites encompassing over 200 years of American history…. Ending with a special treat!
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Life and Death of Abraham Lincoln in New York Historical Walk
This "uptown" walking tour (Uptown in Lincoln's day) explores Lincoln-related sites in what was then the north of the city. A particular theme of the walk is how New York mourned the death of Abraham Lincoln. The group will walk his funeral route, an extant remainder of a synagogue where one of the first eulogies to Lincoln was given, and the site of the place where Lincoln dined after his Cooper Union address--no it wasn't an alehouse. Along the way the group will discuss many Lincoln connections with New York. While this walk should be fully ADA accessible, note that there will be street crossings and possible unexpected barriers.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Pigeon-Lovers Tour
Pigeons (Rock Doves) are indelibly intertwined with NYC. From their introduction in the 1600s, pigeons have found ways to thrive in the largest city in America. Led by the author of The New York Pigeons, the group will walk along a route that will show where pigeons live their lives, look for food, and sleep at night. The guide will discuss the 8,000 year history of the human-pigeon connection, pigeon anatomy, feather variations and behavior. The group will visit many pigeon haunts, including Grand Army Plaza, the Plaza Hotel, the Pulitzer Fountain, and Maine Monument. Binoculars or a camera & telephoto lens recommended. The walk should be about 3/4 of a mile on flat sidewalks.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Stuff in Soho Sidewalks
In a city full of towering skyscrapers, everyone looks up--but on this tour, you'll be looking down! Soho's sidewalks are packed with endless bits of history and art that most people step right over. On this tour, the group will see old vault lights, sneaky engravings, and other sidewalk oddities that tell the story of the neighborhood--its industrial past, artistic heyday, and everything in between. This walk takes place on fairly well-paved sidewalks. However, please note that this neighborhood can get quite busy, especially on weekends.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | The Art & Architecture of Park Avenue (In Person AND Online)
Every day, over 700,000 New Yorkers pass through Midtown along Park Avenue to and from Grand Central Terminal. This is a neighborhood where in a few blocks you can see many of the forces that have shaped the city. There are icons of architecture (Midtown Modernism) and capitalism such as Lever, Seagram, and the Chrysler building. There are icons of real estate such as the Grand Hyatt and Helmsley. Under construction is one of the city’s tallest office buildings Chase. There are great clubs and great churches. This walk will showcase some of the art and architecture along Park Avenue and tell some of the stories about its past, its present, and perhaps future. The tour is available as a guided tour, as well as a virtual tour.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | Upper West Side Walk
Wear walking shoes and bring water for this leisurely hour tour. Attendees will stop at:
Museum Of Natural History
Beresford Apartments
Believers Castle
Shakespeare Garden
Bethesda Fountain
Strawberry Fields
The Dakota
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Tour | William Cullen Bryant: Visionary Who Planted the Seeds for Central Park
This walk in Central Park will focus on William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) who was one of the most prominent figures in New York City history. He was a poet, journalist, nature lover, abolitionist and visionary. In 1844 he advocated for the establishment of a large public park, leading to the eventual creation of Central Park. The guide will focus on Bryant’s life and legacy and will be a fascinating journey through time, exploring his contributions to the park, the environmental conservation movement and American literature. We will stop at sites where Bryant officiated at special events and visit the Hallett Nature Sanctuary to sense the serene natural beauty that he felt deeply and that helped form his poetry. The walk is about one mile long and includes some steep inclines and stairs with no handrails.
New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free
Free
Open Studios | Creative Climate Exhibition
This exhibition showcases visual and installation-based works that highlight community resilience, environmental justice, and our deep interconnection with nature. By sparking emotion and conversation, this exhibit aims to inspire individual and collective action for a just and livable future. Drop in anytime.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Piano in the Park: Ragtime, Stride, and Jazz
A five, six, seven, eight… Come on down and swing along to the best ragtime, stride, and jazz the Big Apple has to offer. At this performance, Terry Waldo plays lively music. Ragtime expert & stride pianist, Terry Waldo is the protégé of the late Eubie Blake. He has produced over 40 albums and written the definitive book on ragtime, This Is Ragtime. His 26-part radio series with the same title, produced for National Public Radio, fueled the 1970's ragtime revival. He may currently be heard on his new podcast, This Is Ragtime.
New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | Joker: Folie a Deux (2024): Jukebox Supervillain Musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga
Failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Upon his release, the two of them embark on a doomed romantic misadventure. Director: Todd Phillips Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor known for playing dark and strange characters. Over the course of his career, he's received an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy, and two Golden Globes. Lady Gaga is an American actor and musician who rose to fame as a pop singer in the late 2000s. She's actually the first woman to win an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Grammy all in one year.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Harlem Sculpture Gardens in St. Nicholas Park
This tour is a relaxed stroll through St. Nicholas Park to see the outdoor exhibition Harlem Sculpture Gardens. At this local public park, visitors will see eight works by artists David Sheldon, Peter Miller, Fitgi Saint-Louis, Bridget Conway, Joseph Bochnyski, Ayala Naphtali, David Karoff and Richard Brachman. All of the sculptures are abstract in nature, and various materials have been used for fabrication. West Harlem’s cultural, demographic, and natural history are the inspiration for the show. Learn how resiliency measures were incorporated to stem climate change impacts. Understand the importance of seeing diverse art in a neighborhood of color and that local residents spurred this effort. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately to weather forecasts. This walk is not conducive to wheel chairs. There are steps involved.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | The History of Garbage & Rats in NYC
Where there are people, there is garbage. Where there is garbage, there are rats. This walking tour in the financial district will explore New York City's filthiest topics: how the city is built on trash; when the first brown rats arrived; garbage strikes; rat population control; where has/does the trash go; and legends, myths, and true stories that are the stuff of nightmares. And... is there really one rat for every person who lives in NYC? No guarantees that the group wil run into any of the City's least popular denizens, but wear open-toed shoes or flip flops on this journey into alleys, parks, and subway stations at your own risk. The walking tour will be slightly over 1.5 miles. Although some streets and alleys are quite narrow, a motorized wheelchair can access the entire route. There are no stairs, and the group will be outdoors the entire time. After approximately one mile, the group will stop in a small park with benches, but otherwise there will be no places to sit and rest during the tour. The tour begins and ends near several subway stations.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Walking in the Footsteps of New York's Founders
Ever since New York was founded, its strength and beauty have drawn people from around the world, seeking to be part of a truly spectacular city. Underneath this facade, however, is an interesting history revealing itself in small bits and overlooked hints. This walk will explore New York's history through the story of Battery Park, on Manhattan's southern tip. What were the forces that shaped the city, making it what it is today? The park holds clues to some of the pillars that the city stands on today, and character traits that were formed by the city's (and its dwellers) struggle for survival in its early years. Wear your comfy walking shoes as the group walks around the park, admires its monuments, takes a look at the bay, and continuse to Bowling Green and the Museum of Native Americans. Did anyone say Alexander Hamilton? He'll be there too! The walk is relatively slow paced. Dogs are NOT ALLOWED. Battery Park is accessible, considering some of the paths are dirt pathways. In any case, the guide will make it work for anyone who joins the tour!
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends
Freeform crafting and conversation! Bring your own project or choose something from the collection to work on. The organizers have materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, and paper crafts. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | Flight (2012): Drama Film Starring Denzel Washington
A veteran pilot lands a jetliner after a disastrous malfunction and is hailed as a hero, but a subsequent investigation reveals a darker story. Director: Robert Zemeckis Cast: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman Denzel Washington is an American actor, and filmmaker known for his dramatic roles. In 2020, he was named "the greatest actor of the 21st century" by the New York Times. He's very accomplished, receiving two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award, plus two Emmys and a Grammy Award. He was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
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
Free
Tour | 250 Years of History along the East River
The group will lead participants through the evolution of Sutton Place, York Avenue, and the ever-changing landscape that grew near the banks of the East River. “Meet” the former famous residents of this tony area, visit a 1799 carriage house-turned day hotel-turned museum that once belonged to the daughter of President John Adams, discover the site of the worst maritime disaster in NYC history and learn about one of America’s first spies who helped spark a famous spy ring created by George Washington. Once a vast expanse of farmland that later drew the masses of crowded, lower Manhattan up to the “country” for a relaxing escape, this UES neighborhood brims with historic highlights spanning well over 250 years. Fully accessible, no stairs, approx. 2 miles on flat sidewalks.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Culture & History of Tompkins Square
Nowhere in NYC is so much history, culture, and activity packed into such a tiny urban footprint. And yet so little is known about Tompkins Square Park. No more! During this compact, comfortable stroll, led by the East Village Community Coalition’s Artist-in-Residence, the group will learn about New York’s first dog run and the beloved Halloween Dog Parade; the memorial to the greatest human disaster in NYC before 9/11; the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival; the American birth of Hare Krishna; the open space where live rock meets punk rock meets salsa meets drag (Wigstock!), and the group will drop by monuments to statesmen and soldiers, see birders, ballers, and more. Attendees will even find out about the mystery man who lends the Tompkins name to this vibrant little corner of New York. Bring eyes, ears, and perhaps a camera to capture the City in microcosm. Leisurely paced stroll of approximately eight blocks, with frequent stops, benches available, and entire route accessible to wheelchairs. Some uneven paving.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Midtown Mural Architecture & History
The abstract mural came into its own In post-World War II New York as both architects and artists were interested in the mural as a way to integrate Architecture and Art. This tour will examine murals from the 1950s to the 1980s in mostly midtown commercial buildings and POPS (privately owned public spaces). Artists whose murals that will be explored include Hans Hoffman, Harry Bertoia, Josef Albers, and Sol Lewitt. The tour will stop at buildings in the forties and fifties from Third Avenue to 10th Avenue. The group will also walk through pedestrian passageways and, in the process, understand how changes in transportation and zoning impacted the establishment of plazas and pedestrian passageways. The tour will be mostly at street level, without having to go on stairways. Yet, there will be a good amount of walking; approximately 2 miles in total.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | NYC Speaks: Language Tour
New York City’s 700 languages make it a global hub for language exchange and evolution, with countless everyday terms originating in or molded by the city. This tour brings you to the city’s most linguistically rich neighborhood across its history–the Lower East Side–on a journey to uncover the origins behind its slang, sayings, and speech. Together, the group will explore more than language’s relationship to place; it will communicate across the city’s cultures to see how they all form a new one. The total distance of this tour is about 2 miles (3.5 km). While the route is accessible, with wide sidewalks, stops in large parks, and little topographic relief, please consider that the group will be walking for two hours.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | Urban Forest of the Lower East Side
Did you know that New York City is home to over 600,000 street trees? These resilient trees, growing from small sidewalk beds, provide essential environmental benefits that help keep New Yorkers healthy. The Lower East Side Ecology Center leads an engaging tree walk to explore the vital role of street trees, learn how to identify common species, discover why certain trees are selected for urban planting, and uncover the connection between street trees and environmental justice. This walk will be led by the Ecology Center’s very own Street Tree Care Coordinator, Maddy Lopez-Molina. Attendees should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The tour will be completely outdoors. There will be public restrooms available at Tompkins Square Park. The walk distance will be under 1 mile with frequent stops to observe and discuss the trees. The group will remain on city sidewalks and within Tompkins Square Park.
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
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.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required
Birdwatching | Evening Birding in the Park with NYC Audubon
Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call New York home during migratory season with guided tours by NYC Audubon, led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow. This park is a hotspot for avian visitors and birders alike. Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will’s-widow!
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Lecture | Eyeing Moscow from Kishinev:Brezhnev on Stage in Moldavia
The Columbia campus is currently open only to Columbia-affiliated guests (with a CUID). Outside guests who register to attend a public event will be allowed to enter campus for the event if we provide their names and emails to Public Safety the day before. Please be sure to register for any events at least 48 hours ahead of time and you will get an email from caladminnoreply@columbia.edu with a unique QR code giving you access to the campus. Don't forget to bring your ID with you. Donald Raleigh speaks about Brezhnev's 26-month tenure as first secretary of the Communist Party of Moldavia between 1950 and 1952, focusing on the problems he encountered in this non-Slavic republic, how he dealt with them, and his leadership style. Drawing on Moldavian archives, Raleigh shows how, despite some temporary setbacks reflecting infighting among Stalin's would-be successors in Moscow, Brezhnev's success in running Moldavia, his first such assignment, secured him a coveted, if for now precarious, slot within the USSR's top leadership. Donald J. Raleigh is an author and the Jay Richard Judson Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum
This museum is an assemblage of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints inside a historic building. Registration opens 7 days in advance & does sell out.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum
Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more! Throughout the night, there will be a few "15-minute tours," highlighting different parts of the collection.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Party | Play New Games like Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC)
Curious about a board game or looking to try something new? The Games Hosts will be teaching how to play a wide range of fun board games. Many come to play the social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower (BOTC).
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Friday Evening at the Art Museum
This special, all-ages evening celebrates the art and the city. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, and see a film in the theaters. Museum stores and café will be open, too, so you can grab a bite, get drinks, or shop for unique design objects. Free for New York State residents but must be reserved in advance (up to two adults), and are subject to availability and proof of residency. Tickets are released one week in advance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Author Reading | Bestselling Author Speaks on Her New Book: Story of a Murder
Join Author and Historian Hallie Rubenhold as she discusses her new book Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen with fellow author Abbott Kahler. In this epic examination of one of the most infamous murders of the twentieth century, bestselling author of The Five, Hallie Rubenhold, gives voice to those who were never properly heard–the women. On February 1, 1910, the vivacious, diamond-adorned music hall performer Belle Elmore suddenly vanished from her home, causing alarm among her friends, the entertainers of the Music Hall Ladies’ Guild. Their demands for an investigation would lead to the unearthing of a gruesome secret and trigger a fevered international manhunt for Belle’s husband, medical fraudster Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen. Ethel Le Neve, Crippen’s typist and lover, who fled with Crippen in disguise, has always hidden in the shadows of this tale–was she really just “an innocent young girl” in thrall to a powerful older man? And was there an equally sinister story behind the death of Crippen’s first wife, Charlotte? Brimming with twists and featuring a carnival cast of eccentric entertainers, star lawyers, zealous detectives, medics and liars, Story of a Murder offers an electrifying snapshot of Britain and America at the dawn of the modern era. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Dreamscapes of Stone and Sky
Los Angeles-based artist Jonathan Ryan presents a new body of work that expands his exploration of the California landscape through the lens of abstraction and the spiritual. Known for his abstracted landscapes, Ryan transforms familiar scenes—such as geologic forms, deserts, and celestial elements—into surreal, dreamlike spaces. His work seamlessly blends the real and the imagined, utilizing color, texture, and perspective to create altered terrains where the familiar intertwines with the unknown.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Dreamy Interiors and Disrupted Idols
Richard Hawkins--whose work is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Hammer Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, among others--presents a new series of paintings that reinterpret classic interiors and landscapes through bold figuration and vibrant color. Known for blending art historical reference with pop cultural fixations, Hawkins channels the influence of Pierre Bonnard while infusing his signature motifs--ethereal figures, lush detail, and layered symbolism. These works invite viewers into scenes where traditional beauty collides with charged, contemporary desire.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Frames of Connection
In this exhibition, San Francisco Bay Area artist Sarah Blaustein explores the psychoanalytic concept of the “analytic third,” the intersubjective space between therapist and patient where ideas are activated and shared. Blaustein’s new paintings invite viewers to engage in self-reflection, encouraging a deeper connection to their humanity through the act of closer observation and introspection.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Jazz | Jazz Festival: Arab Music Ensemble
Jazz performance by the Arab Music Ensemble.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Monoprints and Collages from a Cinematic Underworld
This exhibition features a new series of monoprints and collages that explore emotional expression through the lens of classic horror film tropes. Drawing on the visual and narrative language of psychological thrillers and supernatural cinema, the works explore themes such as vulnerability, transformation, and grief. By combining precise figurative techniques with layered, improvisational printmaking processes, Robin F. Williams incorporates recurring motifs and reuses materials to create connections between works. The result is a collection that invites viewers to consider the intersection of personal experience and cultural imagery. Included in the exhibition is a non-figurative series inspired by the visual effects found in analog film and photography, as well as a printed exhibition poster designed in the style of a movie advertisement, available while supplies last.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | More than a Memorial: Ground Zero
On this Jane’s tour, the group will explore public art and architecture around the perimeter of the 9/11 Memorial intentionally designed as a void to see what was returned and what was created anew. Twenty years on, the skyline and the canyons of Lower Manhattan have been reshaped. There are numerous steps, ramps, elevated walkways and escalators involved in this moderate level urban walk.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Tour | New York Writers Tour & Writing Session
The group will explore the areas that accommodated poets like Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes and Edgar Allan Poe, whose writing provide an intimate glimpse of history during their lifetime. On this tour, the group will discover how to tell their own climate stories–in their own words. Climate change may be the defining issue of this era. Throughout this 90min/2 hr tour, attendees will pause between sites to read, write, and connect with nature. This tour will likely include sitting on the ground, climbing steps, and walking on uneven terrain. Please bring what you need to be comfortable, ex: water bottle, sneakers, sit-upon cushion. Writing exercises may include reading, listening and writing; all experience levels welcome. Will be conducted in English. Please feel free to bring your own notebook and supplies, otherwise basic supplies (pens and worksheets?) will be provided.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Queer Cinema: Five Works from the Nonfiction Avante Garde in 16mm
Representation as an aesthetic and a political imperative has often dominated discourses of “queer cinema”. In documentary and nonfiction forms, this tendency frequently doubles in measure. Avant-garde practices offer queer cinema a path out of this representational deadlock; where identity can be reimagined and renegotiated. This screening embraces this expansive framework of queer reality at the junction of portraiture and destabilization found in five distinct cinematic voices. These works, presented in their original 16mm format, make use of experimental and expressive montage, found footage, self-conscious performance, and radical sincerity.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Opening Reception | Reimagining Sculpture Through Pop and Precision
Rachel Harrison--whose work is held in significant international collections including MoMA, the Whitney, Tate Modern, and Centre Pompidou--debuts a new series of sculptures and mixed-media works. Known for her inventive juxtapositions of pop culture references, commercial objects, and vivid materials, Harrison challenges expectations around form, meaning, and display. Blending abstract assemblage with echoes of Minimalism, Pop, and Conceptual Art, her latest works expand on a decades-long investigation into how we interpret objects about art history, mass media, and myth-making. This new presentation builds on her critically acclaimed Whitney survey Life Hack and recent solo exhibitions at institutions such as Astrup Fearnley Museet and MoMA.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Play | Contemporary Performance Art
Original capstone projects across a range of theatrical forms presented by graduating MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance students from The New School. Performances activate the space with experimental works that reflect each artist's creative vision at this stage in their development. Weekend 2: Unsay Written & Directed by Moirah Zhang the starry eyed Written & Directed by Lars Monanaro Lacuna Written & Directed by Catalina Cofone Polack
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Forum | World Voices Festival: Translation Slam
The Translation Slam puts different translations of the same text side by side and invites the translators, authors, and audience members to join in a lively critical debate of how each version meets its creative challenges. A new text, previously untranslated into English, will be provided by German author Daniel Kehlmann. Translating Kehlmann's work from German will be translator Geoffrey C. Howes and a second translator. A translation of Kehlmann's work will also be provided by ChatGPT. Translations will vie for audience approval and the event will end with a brief Q&A.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
7:00 pm
Regular: $52
Member: $0
Regular: $52
Member: $0
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Classical Music | Choirs Performs Guiseppe Verdi's Requiem and Premiere of Pulitzer-Prize Winners' Work
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Dessoff Choirs is joined by Trinity Choir, Downtown Voices, and NOVUS to perform Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem and the world premiere of a new choral work by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tania Leon. Angela Meade, soprano; J'Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano; Won Whi Choi, tenor; Kevin Short, bass-baritone.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Irish Singing Circle
Singer/songwriter Terre Roche leads this singing program with the beautiful backdrop of the setting sun over the Hudson. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned crooner, the singing circle is perfect for mellow melodies and healthy harmonizing.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Japanese Art and Culture
The gallery showcases both traditional and contemporary Japanese art, including amine designs and theatrical production elements that evolved in the 17th century.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Modern Latin American and Chinese Musical Landscapes for Guitar and Piano
Guitarist Dr. Jose Maldonado and pianist Dr. Weiwei Zhai perform a series of pieces from Chinese and Latin American composers of the Modern and Contemporary musical periods. Program Manuel Maria Ponce (1882-1948) Preludio para guitarra y clavecin Ernesto Cordero (1946-) Cinco Preludios Ernesto Cordero (1946-) Allegro Moderato, Concierto Evocativo Jianzhong Wang (1933-2016) Liuyang River Jianzhong Wang (1933 - 2016) Song of the Yue Boatman Jianzhong Wang (1933 - 2016) (arr. Weiwei Zhai & Jose Maldonado) Ancient Chinese Song Alonso Torres Matarrita Recordando un Bolero, Concierto de los Litorales
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Concert | American Premiere of Genre-Bending Album: Escalator Over the Hill (1971) with Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble (In Person AND Online!)
This event is a special presentation of a rarely seen, iconic work. The New School Studio Orchestra & Vocal Ensemble presents the U.S. premiere performance of Carla Bley's landmark 1971 album, Escalator Over the Hill. Released in 1971, this album announced itself as a "Chronotransduction" -- an invented term meaning, roughly, "a transference of time" -- but was otherwise thought of as a jazz opera, in the vein of rock operas like Tommy or Jesus Christ Superstar. Except the music on Escalator Over the Hill goes well beyond the usual boundaries of genre. In addition to bracing bursts of free jazz, there are cabaret songs, snatches of country music, deep dives into jazz fusion, an excursion into Hindustani pop, elements of ambient music and nods to New York minimalism. Not to mention a fair amount of stuff that simply falls under none of the above." -TIDAL Magazine Program Carla Bley (1936-2023) Escalator Over the Hill Space is limited.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | U.S. Premiere: Carla Bley’s Escalator Over the Hill
The New School Studio Orchestra presents the U.S. premiere of Escalator Over the Hill, Carla Bley’s genre-defying 1971 opus. This ambitious work blends free jazz, cabaret, country, fusion, Hindustani pop, and experimental soundscapes into a theatrical song cycle. Bley, who passed away in 2023, composed the album with poet Paul Haines and a roster of legendary collaborators including Jack Bruce, Don Cherry, and Gato Barbieri. This performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the work live, decades after its release.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
8:00 pm
Regular: $40
Member: $0
Regular: $40
Member: $0
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8:00 pm
Regular: $79
Member: $0
Regular: $79
Member: $0
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Jazz | Jazz Festival: Bluegrass Ensemble
Jazz performance by the Bluegrass Ensemble.
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
9:30 pm
Regular: $10
Member: $0
Regular: $10
Member: $0
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9:30 pm
Regular: $35
Member: $0
Regular: $35
Member: $0
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Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Classical Music | Sacred Choral Works at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $50CFT Member Price: $0.00
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