Free things to do in NYC this week

Free things for October 19 to 25, 2026, in all five boroughs. We checked each one on its official page. At the bottom, 2 more that cost under $10.

Monday, October 19

  • Learn petanque in Washington Square1 to 4 PM, Manhattan

    A French game like bocce. They lend you the metal balls.

    Petanque court, Washington Square ParkA, B, C, D, E, F, M to W 4 St-Wash Sq

    See the official page
  • Resume and job search help2 to 4 PM, Brooklyn

    One on one help with your resume, cover letter or interview.

    Central Library, Business and Career Center2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza

    Drop in. First come, first served.

    See the official page

Tuesday, October 20

  • Jobs NYC hiring hall10 AM to 2 PM, Manhattan

    Meet employers who are hiring now. Some interview on the spot.

    Jobs NYC Center, 2 Lafayette St4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall

    Pick a time slot online. Bring photo ID and printed resumes. Doors close at 1:30.

    See the official page
  • Job fair in Spanish in Corona2 to 4 PM, Queens

    Meet hiring managers. Bring your resume.

    Corona Library, 38-23 104 St7 to 103 St-Corona Plaza

    See the official page
  • High Line tour5 to 6:30 PM, Manhattan

    A volunteer guide shows how an old freight track became a park.

    The High Line, top of the Gansevoort St stairsA, C, E to 14 St, or L to 8 Av

    No sign-up. The first 20 people get in.

    See the official page

Wednesday, October 21

  • Salsa night in Washington Square6 to 9 PM, Manhattan

    A free salsa lesson, then an open dance floor.

    Garibaldi Plaza, Washington Square ParkA, B, C, D, E, F, M to W 4 St-Wash Sq

    See the official page
  • Family movie in Carroll Park7 to 8:30 PM, Brooklyn

    Hotel Transylvania on the ballfield. Bring a blanket.

    Carroll Park ballfieldF, G to Carroll St

    Register on the Parks site. Canceled in heavy rain.

    See the official page

Thursday, October 22

  • Talk to a small business counselorSessions from 10 AM to 5 PM, Brooklyn

    A one on one session with a small business counselor.

    Central Library, Business and Career Center2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza

    Request a session online first. A counselor confirms your time.

    See the official page
  • Wave Hill is free on Thursdays10 AM to 5:30 PM, Bronx

    Gardens on a hill over the Hudson.

    Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave1 to Van Cortlandt Park-242 St, then the free Wave Hill shuttle

    See the official page
  • Food service job interviews10:30 AM to 1 PM, Brooklyn

    Butter Beans Kitchen interviews on the spot. Pay starts at $17 an hour.

    Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall

    Workforce1, the city’s job center, runs it. Bring photo ID and a resume. Dress for an interview.

    See the official page
  • Garden workshop at Snug Harbor1 to 3 PM, Staten Island

    Hands on help with raised beds, seeds and planting.

    Snug Harbor Sustainability Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace1 to South Ferry, then the free ferry and the S40 bus

    Sign up through the official page below.

    See the official page

Friday, October 23

  • Learn to juggle in Greeley Square2 to 3 PM, Manhattan

    A teacher shows you how, even if you’ve never tried. They bring the gear.

    Greeley Square Park, Broadway and 33rd StB, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W to 34 St-Herald Sq

    See the official page
  • Outdoor movie in Owl’s Head Park7 to 8:15 PM, Brooklyn

    The Nightmare Before Christmas on the lawn. Bring a blanket.

    Lawn, Owl’s Head ParkR to Bay Ridge Av

    Register on the Parks site. Canceled in heavy rain.

    See the official page

Saturday, October 24

  • Día de Muertos party in Bed-StuyNoon to 4 PM, Brooklyn

    Dance classes, then the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company at 2 PM.

    Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, 670 Lafayette AveG to Bedford-Nostrand Avs

    Register on the Parks site. Costumes welcome.

    See the official page
  • Community day at the Bronx Museum1 to 7 PM, Bronx

    Art making and a book giveaway, then free food and music.

    The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand ConcourseB, D to 167 St

    Just walk in.

    See the official page
  • Foam axe throwing and archery1 to 2 PM, Bronx

    Throw foam axes and shoot magnetic arrows. Park rangers show you how.

    Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park East and Charlotte StBx11 bus to Claremont Pkwy and Crotona Park East

    No sign-up.

    See the official page
  • Stargazing in Inwood Hill Park7 to 10 PM, Manhattan

    Look through telescopes at Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon. Amateur astronomers bring them.

    W 218th St and Indian Rd, Inwood Hill Park1 to 215 St

    No sign-up. Called off if the weather is bad.

    See the official page

Sunday, October 25

  • Canoe on Prospect Park Lake11 AM to 12:30 PM, Brooklyn

    Paddle with the Urban Park Rangers while the leaves turn.

    Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect ParkB, Q to Prospect Park

    No sign-up. First come, first served. Ages 8 and up.

    See the official page
  • Learn to fish in Crotona Park1 to 2:30 PM, Bronx

    Park rangers teach you to cast. They bring the rods.

    Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park East and Charlotte StBx11 bus to Claremont Pkwy and Crotona Park East

    No sign-up.

    See the official page
  • Dog costume parade in Van Cortlandt ParkParade at 3 PM, Bronx

    Watch dogs march in costume. Face painting and spooky stories too.

    Van Cortlandt House Museum lawn, Broadway and W 246th St1 to Van Cortlandt Park-242 St

    No dog needed to watch. Enter your dog on site from 2 to 2:45 PM.

    See the official page

Always free

  • Staten Island FerryManhattan

    No ticket and no OMNY tap. It runs 24 hours a day.

    Whitehall Terminal1 to South Ferry, or R, W to Whitehall St

    See the official page
  • The Bronx MuseumBronx

    Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM.

    The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand ConcourseB, D to 167 St

    See the official page
  • Tree art show at the Arsenal9 AM to 5 PM, Manhattan

    Art about trees by 11 artists. Open weekdays until November 6.

    Arsenal Gallery, Central Park, 5th Ave and 64th StN, R, W to 5 Av-59 St

    See the official page
  • Green-Wood CemeteryBrooklyn

    A hilltop walk with harbor views. Open 7 AM to 7 PM.

    Main entrance, 5th Ave and 25th StR to 25 St

    See the official page
  • Socrates Sculpture ParkQueens

    Outdoor art on the Long Island City waterfront. Open 9 AM to sunset.

    32-01 Vernon BlvdN, W to Broadway, then walk west to the river

    See the official page

Under $10

  • Old Stone House in Park Slope$3 suggested, Friday to Sunday, October 23 to 25, noon to 4 PM, Brooklyn

    A museum on the Battle of Brooklyn, plus an art show upstairs.

    Old Stone House, 336 3rd StR to Union St, or F to 4 Av-9 St

    Just walk in. Can’t spare $3? Go in anyway.

    See the official page
  • Dog costume contest at Snug Harbor$5 admission, Saturday, October 24, 2 to 4 PM, Staten Island

    Dogs in Halloween costumes, a contest with prizes, then a parade.

    South Meadow, Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace1 to South Ferry, then the free ferry and the S40 bus

    Free for Harbor Hounds members. Buy a ticket through the official page below.

    See the official page

Where we checked these

10 sites
  1. bklynlibrary.org
  2. nycgovparks.org
  3. nyc.gov
  4. queenslibrary.org
  5. thehighline.org
  6. wavehill.org
  7. bronxmuseum.org
  8. siferry.com
  9. green-wood.com
  10. socratessculpturepark.org

Checked October 17, 2026. Plans change. Check the official page before you go.