Free things for November 2 to 8, 2026, in all five boroughs. We checked each one on its official page. At the bottom, 2 more that cost under $10.
Monday, November 2
New music by Juilliard composers7:30 PM, Manhattan
Students play brand new pieces, written by students. You hear them first.
No tickets. Come 30 to 60 minutes early to get a visitor badge.
See the official page
Tuesday, November 3
Soul music and dance at Juilliard Station5:30 PM, Manhattan
A singer, a jazz band and two dancers, right after work. Songs by Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder.
No tickets. First come, first served. It fills up, so come early.
See the official pageFree arcade night in Bushwick7 to 11 PM, Brooklyn
Indie rhythm and dance games, all free to play. A Scrapeboard contest starts at 9. 21 and up.
Just walk in. 21 and up.
See the official page
Wednesday, November 4
The Bronx Zoo for free, if you book ahead10 AM to 4:30 PM, Bronx
Free all day on Wednesday, but you need a ticket. Tickets open Monday at 5 PM.
Reserve at bronxzoo.com from Monday at 5 PM. Don’t go without one.
See the official pageLunchtime singing in Alice Tully Hall1 PM, Manhattan
Juilliard singers do art songs in a big Lincoln Center hall. It’s an hour, at lunch.
No tickets needed. Just walk in.
See the official pageViolin and piano at Juilliard Station5:30 PM, Manhattan
Bach, Ysaye and Franck, played by students after work.
No tickets. First come, first served. Come early.
See the official page
Thursday, November 5
Wave Hill is free on Thursday10 AM to 4:30 PM, Bronx
Gardens over the Hudson, free all day. A free gallery tour starts at 2.
Just walk in.
See the official pageMuseum of the Moving Image is free2 to 6 PM, Queens
Galleries about movies, TV and video games, free on Thursday afternoons.
No reservation needed.
See the official pageJuilliard’s concerto finals4 PM, Manhattan
Students play for a spot as a soloist with the orchestra. Bartok’s second violin concerto.
No tickets. Come 30 to 60 minutes early to get a visitor badge.
See the official pageTrue stories night at Astoria Bookshop7 to 8 PM, Queens
Locals get up and tell true stories. It happens the first Thursday of the month.
Just walk in.
See the official pageMutts comic book launch at Greenlight7:30 to 8:30 PM, Brooklyn
The Mutts cartoonist talks and signs. RSVP free, and pick the ticket without the book.
Free RSVP on Eventbrite. Pick the free ticket, not the one with the book.
See the official pageImprov sketches at Demon Time8:30 PM, Brooklyn
Brand new improvised sketches from the Brooklyn Comedy Collective. 21 and up.
Free tickets. 21 and up.
See the official page
Friday, November 6
Poster House is free on Friday10 AM to 9 PM, Manhattan
A museum just for posters, open till 9.
Free all day. Just walk in.
See the official page70s silent disco in Harlem5 to 8 PM, Manhattan
Headphones on, dance to the 70s. Dress up if you want.
RSVP by email to Lasharn.Cooper@parks.nyc.gov by Thursday.
See the official pageThe Whitney is free on Friday night5 to 10 PM, Manhattan
The whole museum is free from 5 to 10.
Book a free ticket ahead. Spots are limited.
See the official page
Saturday, November 7
Fall leaf art in Crown Heights11 AM to noon, Brooklyn
Park rangers help you collect leaves and make art with them.
No sign-up. Just show up.
See the official pageAntiques appraisals at a Bronx garden party1 to 6 PM, Bronx
Bring an old thing and learn what it is. Soup, crafts for kids, and a food drive.
Just show up. Bring a can for the food pantry if you can.
See the official pageSalt marsh walk on Randall’s Island1 to 2 PM, Manhattan
Rangers show you the salt marsh by the East River.
Register on the Parks page. Sign-up ends Saturday.
See the official pageA new play read out loud in Riverside Park5 to 7 PM, Manhattan
A writer hears her neighbors’ secrets through the kitchen vent. A staged reading.
Free ticket on Eventbrite.
See the official page
Sunday, November 8
Owls of Staten Island10:30 AM to noon, Staten Island
Meet the owls at the Greenbelt Nature Center. Get a free ticket on Eventbrite first.
Free ticket on Eventbrite.
See the official pageMushroom hunting in Prospect Park11 AM to noon, Brooklyn
A ranger helps you find and name wild mushrooms.
No sign-up. Just show up.
See the official pageSmash your old pumpkin in the East VillageNoon to 3 PM, Manhattan
Whack your jack-o-lantern with a mallet so it turns into compost. Drumming at 1:30.
Just show up with your pumpkin.
See the official pageTour the castle in Fort Totten1 or 2 PM, Queens
A real Gothic castle from 1887, in Fort Totten Park. Free, but book a tour ahead.
Free, but book a spot ahead on the historical society’s page.
See the official pageMeet two artists in Flushing Meadows1 to 2:30 PM, Queens
Two artists show you their new park sculptures.
No sign-up. Just show up.
See the official pageFall colors in Central Park’s North Woods1 to 2:30 PM, Manhattan
A ranger hike through the woods most people skip, with a waterfall.
No sign-up. Just show up.
See the official page
Under $10
Old Stone House in Park Slope$3 suggested, Friday to Sunday, November 6 to 8, noon to 4 PM, Brooklyn
A museum on the Battle of Brooklyn, plus an art show upstairs.
Just walk in. Can’t spare $3? Go in anyway.
See the official pageSnug Harbor’s studio art show$5, Friday to Sunday, November 6 to 8, noon to 7 PM. Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM, Staten Island
Paintings and photos by artists who work in Snug Harbor’s old buildings.
Pay at the door.
See the official page