Now that my hometown is back on top of the must visit destination list, here’s how to enjoy NYC on the cheap.
Things to do include hundreds of FREE outdoor concerts, opera and movies, including the Global Citizen concert, multiple food festivals including the Feast of San Genarro, Two-for-One Broadway show tickets, and so much more.
It all helps make New York City the greatest city on the planet year-round, not just in September and October.
Nearly everything here is FREE and family-friendly, and nothing is more than $20 per person unless it is a free program with museum admission, supports a charity, or otherwise is a noteworthy special event. Some free events require registration.
Pick one, some or all and enjoy the best of New York City FREE or cheap.
This best things to do in NYC on the cheap guide is updated at the beginning and middle of each month, with at least six weeks of events to help you plan how to enjoy the greatest city on the planet.
NYC Tourism Facts
In 2023, NYC welcomed 62.2 million visitors, including 50.6 million domestic and 11.6 million international visitors.
In 2024, visitation is expected to grow to 64.8 million, a 97% recovery of pre-Pandemic 2019 record levels.
Who is a real New Yorker? It depends on who you ask.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter was interviewed recently by
Time Out New York
Top Current Events
Sept. 11, 2001
The World Trade Center redefined the city’s skyline and developed modern New York. Learn the story in a new exhibition at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The 9/11 Museum is currently open six days a week, 9am to 7pm (plus select Tuesdays). Explore at your own pace, and plan to spend at least 45-90 minutes. Bring tissues. Some exhibits are not appropriate for very young children.
- The 9/11 Museum is adjacent to the FREE 9/11 Memorial Plaza, with the famous waterfalls. That is open to the public 8am to 8pm daily.
- The museum is not free. Tickets for the 9/11 Museum can be purchased here up to six months in advance.
- NOTE – both the 9/11 Museum and 9/11 Memorial Plaza are closed to the public until 3pm on Sept. 11 for the annual commemoration ceremonies for families, first responders and others.
- The museum invites everyone to participate in an annual event by taking a photo of the sky, wherever you are. This September 11th, participate in the annual #RemembertheSky digital commemoration from wherever you are: snap a photo of the sky above you to acknowledge that the same big sky connects us all.
- FREE, but you must reserve tickets in advance: https://ow.ly/fh4k50TeiUg
- Partner organizations will be on hand to share available resources and information, including in the Museum’s Concourse Lobby, including the Victim Compensation Fund, Stars of HOPE, World Trade Center Health Program, 9/11 Environmental Action, First Responders Children’s Foundation, Voices Center for Resilience, and New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund.
Table of Silence Project 9/11 at Lincoln Center
Sept. 11 at 8am – This group of dancers honors 9/11 with a silent tribute. More than 150 white-robed dancers slowly ascend onto Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center to the sound of a conch shell’s call to action. Daniel Bernard Roumain performs a prologue on electric violin.
The Table of Silence event has been held annual the last few years and can be viewed in person or online.
- General Admission, first-come first-served.
- The event will also be streamed live for free on this web page.
Tribute in Light
Tribute in Light is a commemorative public art installation first presented six months after 9/11 and then every year thereafter, from dusk to dawn, on the night of September 11.
It has become an iconic symbol that both honors those killed and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of New York.
Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn
is the final resting place for more than 100 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and in the years that followed. In their remembrance, there is an annual gathering on one of Green-Wood’s hills overlooking the Manhattan skyline to witness the tribute lights over lower Manhattan, to share words of remembrance, and to read the names of 9/11 victims memorialized at Green-Wood. Music will anchor and guide us through the evening from sunset onward.
- NOTES OF TRIBUTE: VIEWING THE 9/11 MEMORIAL LIGHTS begins on Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00pm
- FREE, but registration is recommended.
Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the WTC
This is the first September 11 memorial service since the new Saint Nicholas, which opened in 2023 to replace the Greek Orthodox church destroyed on 9/11.
The current iteration is a house of worship, event space and national shrine for prayer, reflection and respite. In addition to its three Greek Orthodox services per week, the church hosts special holiday programming and private events and acts as a nondenominational space for prayer where visitors can light a candle, with additional community rooms for interfaith meetings.
The memorial service will be at Saint Nicholas National Shrine, 120 Liberty St. at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11
- FREE, but it is recommended you find out more on the church and service here.
Broadway Week 2-For-1 Tickets
September 3-15 – As Restaurant Week winds down, Broadway Week gears up, also for more than the one week in its name. Reserve your tickets now.
Since 2011, this twofer deal has been celebrating the vibrancy and creativity of the unmatched live theater that only happens in New York City,” said Nancy Mammana, CMO and Interim CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. It has generated more than $170 million in revenue since its inception, she said.
There are several ways to get tickets – always use code BWYWKF24.
- Book them directly on the NYC Tourism website.
- Book directly with the theater, either online or in person. through such services as Telecharge.
- Book directly at the theater box office and save online booking fees.
Participating shows in the current fall 2024 Broadway Week include –
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Ongoing Summer/Fall Things to Do
FREE Ocean Beaches
NYC has more than 40 miles of sand and surf beaches in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, each and every one FREE to visit.
Beaches are open year-round, but there are no lifeguards after Labor Day.
See our complete list here.
FREE Accordions Around the World at Bryant Park
This popular annual event returns to Bryant Park in September for four nights, with FREE concerts by a global collection of musical styles and artistic expressions.
Thursday, September 5, 7pm-10pm – a three-hour Picnic Performance featuring 2024 Grammy Award nominee Dwayne Dopsie, as well as Lakou Mizik and Afro Dominicano.
Mondays, Sep 9 – Sep 23, 5:30pm-7:30pm – At these intimate shows, performers spread throughout the park and sessions are staggered so you can truly experience the range of this often overlooked instrument.
FREE Birdwatching Tours in Bryant Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 11 – Watch the birdie! Seriously – New York City is n the Atlantic Flyover, so we are lucky to be visited by thousands of birds each fall and spring. Like other tourists, they like to stop and rest, and have something to eat.
Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will’s-widow.
Once again, Bryant Park is offering FREE guided birding tours, led by environmental educator and urban naturalist Gabriel Willow.
Tours are Tuesdays at 8am and Thursdays and Fridays at 5pm during fall migration season. There’s no registration, just show up ready to look up.
- Meet at the Bryant Park info kiosk, on 6th Avenue across from 41st Street.
FREE Stargazing on the High Line
Tuesdays through Oct. 29 – Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line.
The friendly team from the Amateur Astronomers Association—with whom the High Line has been partnering since the park’s opening—is on hand with high-powered telescopes, ready to reveal the secrets of the cosmos.
No experience is necessary and the astronomers provide expert guidance. telescopes will be provided between sunset and park closure. No RSVP is required.
Note – Stargazing on the High Line is subject to cancellation due to overcast conditions or inclement weather. If a stargazing session needs to be cancelled, it is posted on the park’s website and X feed by 3pm.
- Every Tuesday from sunset (around 8pm) to 30 minutes before park closure
- On the High Line at Little West 12th St.
FREE Movies Under the Stars
Through early October – This popular annual program offers 150 FREE recent blockbuster hits, classic favorites and family-friendly films with screenings in parks in all five NYC boroughs.
Bring a picnic blanket, chairs where permitted, and get set to screen such films as Barbie, Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles and Remember the Titans.
With 150 films, we can’t list each one.
- Check the NYC Parks Movies Under the Stars website for the daily schedule, including cancellations in case the weather does not cooperate.
FREE SummerStage Concerts in NYC Parks
Through mid-October – SummerStage is back with nearly 100 FREE concerts in parks in all five boroughs, including Central Park, the Coney Island Ampitheater and Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens.
The music varies from the Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series to Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin, and Golden Oldies, plus some ticketed benefit performances.
Click here for the full schedule
FREE & Ticketed Performances at Little Island
Through September – Hudson River Park’s Little Island has announced a lineup of nine free and affordable summer programming, with nothing over $25.
The public park will also unveil a 700-seat amphitheater with Twyla Tharp’s “How Long Blues.”
The Glade, another venue in the park, will have free performances from Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August. Attendees can expect shows from curators including Suzan-Lori Parks, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Justin Vivian Bond.
Bargemusic FREE Concerts
Through September – NYC’s floating concert hall, moored under the Brooklyn Bridge is back for the 2024 season, with FREE weekend concerts.
Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge into a “wonderfully intimate wood-paneled room with thrilling views of lower Manhattan and excellent acoustics.”
This is the Spring performance schedule – the day’s program is announced at the beginning of the program.
There are no reservations, so arrive early enough to get a seat. FREE, but contributions are welcomed.
There also are ticketed concerts – check the link for the schedule
FREE Friday Evenings at the Rubin Museum
Fridays through October 6 – Don’t miss your chance to experience free K2 Friday Nights before The Rubin closes to become a digital and virtual museum without walls.
Enjoy free admission, 2-for-1 drink specials. See below for information on the final exhibit, honoring contemporary artists, and my review of the exhibit.
- The Rubin Museum is at 150 W. 17th St. in Chelsea.
Final FREE Friday of the Season at Intrepid Museum
Friday, Sept. 27 – -The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum offers special astronomy-themed programming aboard the storied WWII aircraft carrier Intrepid, including presentations by NASA astronauts and officials, and in drop-in activities that include creating an astronaut portrait and building a lunar rover.
Local astronomers are on hand with high-powered telescopes to help visitors navigate the night sky and answer questions about astronomy and stargazing.
- Doors open at 5pm. Last entry to the Museum is at 8:30pm.
- The Intrepid is at 41st St. and the Hudson River. There is an elevated crosswalk across the West Side Highway.
Scroll down for more FREE museum admission intel.
Last Chance For These Museums and Exhibits
Collecting Inspiration at the Met
Through Oct. 20 in Gallery 199 – Edward Moore was the creative force who led Tiffany & Co. to unparalleled originality and success during the second half of the 19th century. He amassed a vast collection of decorative arts of exceptional quality and in various media, from Greek and Roman glass and Japanese baskets to metalwork from the Islamic world.
These objects were a source of inspiration for Moore, a noted silversmith in his own right, and the designers he supervised.
The exhibition Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co. features more than 180 extraordinary examples from Moore’s personal collection, alongside 70 magnificent silver objects designed and created at Tiffany & Co. under his direction.
The Met Roof – Every year the Met commissions an artist for a rooftop display. This year, it is Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj who has transformed The Met Roof with a sprawling sculptural installation.
On Friday and Saturday evenings through Autumn, you can also enjoy cocktails and snacks, with a stunning sunset view of Central Park.
- The Met Roof is FREE with museum admission.
Final Exhibition at the Rubin Museum
The home of Himalayan and East Asian art is closing permanently in October 2024 to become a “museum without walls”, offering virtual tours and workshops and loaning its treasures to other museums around the world.
Fittingly, the final exhibition is a look ahead, focusing on current artwork by modern Himalayan and East Asian artists, all focusing on their cultural heritage in new ways, including some artists born here in New York City.
Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now is a museum-wide exhibition featuring artworks by 32 contemporary artists, many from the Himalayan region and diaspora. Explore all six floors of the Rubin Museum, which has been transformed with new commissions and recent works in dialogue with objects from the Rubin’s collection, inviting new ways of encountering traditional Himalayan art.
I was most impressed by the museum-wide exhibit, which is dominated by a six-floor fabric sculpture blazing with color and dotted with traditional symbols and animals.
The building – with an architecturally-significant five-story circular staircase – used to be an upscale department store. A museum spokesperson told me the building would be sold, probably in 2024. I told her I hope the sale contract requires that the building NOT be razed for a high-rise condo.
- The Rubin Museum is at 150 W. 17th St. in Chelsea.
Fotografiska New York
Through Sunday, Sept, 29 – The photography museum is closing its location at 219 Park Avenue South to move to a new, larger space.
The museum’s well-regarded restaurant Verōnika and the Chapel Bar close in June.
According to Crain’s, the architecturally stunning building is being put on the market. The property was last listed in 2022 for $135 million, but it did not sell.
Constructed between 1892 and 1894 for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church, the ornate building features a Flemish Renaissance Revival style and a striking limestone facade.
The building, known as the Church Missions House, was part of an area formerly known as “Charity Row.” It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Following its closure in September, the museum will host an exhibition covering a century of NYC nightlife photography in a temporary space.
No details of a new location for the museum have been announced yet.
Responsibility of Memory: The Role of Art in Holocaust Remembrance
Holocaust Remembrance Day was in May, but this virtual art exhibit remembering Yom HaShoah is on-going, sponsored by The Holocaust and United Nations Outreach Programme
The FREE online exhibit features three generations of artists whose lives were impacted by the Holocaust and whose art was shaped by this experience – including artists who survived Auschwitz Birkenau and Terezin.
There are full descriptions of each painting, along with bios of each artist represented in the exhibit.
The exhibition was curated by the Center for Persecuted Arts and Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and is sponsored by the German Federal Foreign Office with support from of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations.
Frick Madison Photo Joseph Coscia Jr.
Frick Madison is Closed Permanently
After three years at its temporary space called Frick Madison at 945 Madison Ave. while Henry Clay Frick’s historic and ornate Fifth Avenue mansion underwent a massive renovation, the artwork returns “home” to East 70th Street, and reopens before the end of 2024.
It will take that long for curators and designers to re-install the precious items, which includes works by Fragonard, Holbein, Rembrandt, Turner, Vermeer, and Whistler, as well as significant sculptures, Chinese porcelain, Oriental carpets, bronzes, and other decorative arts objects.
I really enjoyed seeing the luscious historic collection in the stark, modernist setting of Marcel Breuer’s iconic building, formerly home of the Whitney Museum of American Art, before it moved downtown to new digs in Chelsea. The “brutalist” architecture made the romantic, ethereal artworks feel so much more romantic and ethereal.
The building has been purchased by Sotheby’s, to become an exhibit area for auctions and offices.
ICYMI – News Worth Noting
The Vessel at Hudson Yards is Open Again
- The famous honeycomb sculpture has re-opened after shutting down in January following three suicides, but it is no longer FREE to visit.
- The 150-foot Vessel now has safety netting to safeguard visitors, and the once-free architectural sculpture now costs $10 per person.
- Visitors must buy at least two tickets and will not be allowed to visit alone.
- Hudson Yards is “installing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline signage and messaging” and increasing security, CNN reported.
IKEA will open in the heart of the Fifth Avenue shopping district
- Ikea will be the prime anchor of a new office tower being constructed at 570 Fifth Avenue, between West 46th and 47th Streets, at the edge of the Diamond District.
Serendipity 3 is opening in Times Square.
- The famous ice cream parlor will keep it’s Upper East Side location open, and add this new one.
- Read the full story, with photos, in this MarketWatch article.
Citi Bike
Lyft, the rideshare company which now owns and operates the bike share program, has raised rates again, especially for the popular battery-assisted e-bikes.
- Unlocking a Citi Bike now costs $4.79.
- E-bike fees are now approximately $10 for 15 minutes.
- A day pass for a manual bike is now $19.
See Also
More FREE Things to Do in NYC
Things to Do in Staten Island
Best NYC Airport Transportation
NYC Free & Cheap in September
Taste of Iceland
September 5 through September 7 – The cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with events showcasing the best of Icelandic culture, including food and beverage, music, literature, art and design, nature, wellness, and more, with a combination of FREE and ticketed events at different locations across New York City.
Venues include including AP Space, Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), Pianos, Platform by the James Beard Foundation (Platform by JBF), Scandinavia House, Pier 57 Market Hall and The Ivory Peacock.
FREE events include a concert, sponsored by Rekjavik, Iceland’s capital city, and a cocktail class, sponsored by Reyka Vodka.
See the full schedule at www.inspiredbyiceland.com.
Ferragosto Festival on Arthur Ave.
Sunday, Sept. 8 – This is a one-day annual street fair celebrating the historic and culinary center that remains an authentic Little Italy in the Bronx, with food, entertainment, food, games, and food.
The event takes place on Arthur Avenue between East 187th Street and Crescent Avenue, and the stage featuring live entertainment is located on East 186th Street between Arthur Avenue and Hughes Avenue.
Participating restaurants include Artuso Pastry Shop, Emilia’s Restaurant, Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue, Marie’s Fresh Roasted Coffee & Gifts, Mario’s Restaurant, Morrone Pastry Shop, Pasquale’s Rigoletto Restaurant, Prince Coffee Shop, Zero Otto Nove and many more. Local shops including Calabria Pork Store, Vincent’s Meat Market and Teitel will also be open during the festivities, stocked with imported cheeses, olive oils and tomatoes from the motherland, and fresh cut meats and salamis.
Additional parking for the event is available at Fordham University (685 E Fordham Rd) for a $10 parking fee with a free shuttle to and from the event from 11am-7pm.
Visit Bronx Little Italy to learn more about the neighborhood and other events throughout the year.
- Noon to 6pm, rain or shine, so let’s hope for shine.
- East 186th Street between Arthur Avenue and Hughes Avenue, Bronx
2024 Bus Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, September 8 – Bus-lovers, get revved up!
The New York Transit Museum’s 2024 Bus Festival is rolling into Brooklyn Bridge Park on September 8th. Explore vintage buses, enjoy family-friendly activities, shop for bus-themed souvenirs, and enjoy picture-perfect views of retro buses and the Manhattan skyline from Emily Warren Roebling Plaza under the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Bus Festival is free, and is being held rain or shine, from 10am – 3:30pm,
- RSVP at nytransitmuseum.org/BusFestival for the chance to win a family membership.
Taste of Times Square
Monday, Sept. 9 – Taste of Times Square makes a grand return. In addition to tastes from local restaurants, there is live music and more.
Indulge in delicious offerings from participating participating restaurants and businesses including – Applebee’s Grill + Bar, Barbetta Restaurant, Blue Fin, Brooklyn Chop House, Burger & Lobster, Carmine’s Italian Restaurant – Times Square, Dim Sum Palace, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Hard Rock Cafe New York, Havana Central, Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine, Junior’s Restaurant, The Lambs Club, Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Mari. Ne Handroll, Palermo Argentinian Steak House, Pink Taco, Rosie O’Grady’s, Sony Hall , Spice Symphony, The Long Room, The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at The Edition Hotel, Tony’s Di Napoli, Toloache, Virgil’s Real BBQ – Times Square, and more.
Register in advance with a credit card to get a wristband to purchase “tastes” from participating restaurants. Each “taste” will be priced under $10, with most ranging between $3 and $6.
See also – Where to Eat in Times Square at Locally-Owned Restaurants Not National Chains
Taste of Times Square kicks off a month-long promotion of all the restaurants in Times Square, celebrating the “happiest hour” with deals and promotions at establishments after 8pm when Broadway is in full swing – plus 2-for-1 Broadway show tickets.
- Entertainment is FREE, food is not.
- tsq.org/taste
Feast of San Genarro
September 12-22 – It’s called “the feast of all feasts” because it takes over Little Italy and parts of Chinatown for ten days every fall with food, entertainment, food, cooking demonstrations, games, food, parades, and more food. Since this celebrates the Patron Saint of Naples, there also are religious events.
It’s the granddaddy of all food festivals. Mangia.
San Genarro website with daily schedule of events.
More Food Festivals in September
Vegan Night Market – September 3
- Back for the second year after a successful launch in 2023. Held at Columbus Circle
- Noon to 8 p.m. every first Tuesday through October.
The Bronx Vegan Bazaar – September 4, 18
- Stop by at 1 Fordham Plaza from noon to 6 p.m. for savory vegan delicacies combined with curated yoga and dance experiences.
Taiwan Fest – September 7
- Opportunity to try some of Taiwan’s most traditional street foods, includingBahtsang, a bamboo tamale, Bawan, a Taiwanese-style glutinous meatball, and Lobapng, braised pork over rice.
- The festival is held at the Culture Lab LIC from 2 to 8 p.m.
Uptown Night Market – September 12
- Held under the arches at West 133rd Street and 12th Avenue, the open-air market runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and features over 60 vendors.
- The market runs through October and is held every second Thursday.
- Admission is free but RSVPs are encouraged.
New York Latin Food Festival – September 13, 14
- Held at Pier 76 from 4 to 10 p.m., the two-day festival highlights Latin and Caribbean cuisine and showcases the traditions and rhythms of Latin America.
- Live performances include salsa, reggae, rumba, jazz, Latin pop, and hip-hop.
- There will be family-friendly activities throughout the event.
Queens Night Market – September 14
- Whether your taste buds or your curiosity is craving Brazilian, Cambodian, Ethiopian, Peruvian, Sudanese, Tibetan, or Venezuelan, you’ll find it as this popular Asian-style night market.
- impressive lineup of 72 food vendors plus live performances and artisans/makers.
- 4 p.m. to midnight, behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadow Corona Park.
Thai Fest – September 14, 22
Enjoy dishes like Crab Fried Rice, spicy KraPow, sweet Mango Sticky Rice, flavorful Garlic Noodles, and tangy Tom Yum Ramen. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- September 14 – 8th Avenue, 20th–22nd Street
- September 22 – Astor Place
12th Annual Momo Crawl – September 15
- Dubbed the “Biggest momo event of the year”, the Momo Crawl allows participants to sample momos from over 25 Tibetan, Nepalese, and South Asian restaurants for $1 a piece after purchasing a $15 Momo Crawl Passport.
- The passports can be picked up at the venue as early as 11:45 a.m. on September 15.
- The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Diversity Plaza and along 37th Road between 74th and 75th Street in Queens. Proceeds support Students for a Free Tibet.
Philippines Fest – September 21
The very first running Filipino street fair in the U.S. showcases the vibrant Filipino culture through handcrafted products, art, and food. But that’s not all — you’ll also enjoy cultural and FilAm performances. So, head over to Woodside in Queens between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and join in on the fun!
Taste of Seaport – September 21
Taste of the Seaport is a culinary festival whose proceeds support education for public schools, including professional development, cultural enrichment programs, and more.
- Noon to 5 p.m. at the Seaport on Pier 16 and Pier 17.
Brooklyn Night Market – September 30
Nestled in Industry City, the Brooklyn Night Market showcases 65 vendors with food and drinks from all corners of the world.
- 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Industry City, 220 36th Street.
Dragon Fest – September 8, 14, 22, 28
This is the place to sample everything from soup dumplings to a crispy Peking duck bun.
- September 8 – Astor Place
- September 14 – 8th Avenue (20th-22nd Street)
- September 22 – Astor Place
- September 28 – Broadway (114th-115th Street)
Japan Fes – September 7, 14, 15, 28
Enjoy a wide range of culinary delights and unique variations of traditional Japanese dishes, from Grade A wagyu steaks to cute dog-shaped taiyaki. The festival features vendors from all across NYC and even out of state. The festivals run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- September 7 – Upper East Side (3rd Avenue, 84th – 85th Street)
- September 14 – Chelsea (8th Avenue, 15th – 16th Street)
- September 15 – Upper West Side (Broadway, 93rd – 94th Street)
- September 28 – Upper West Side (Broadway, 115th – 116th Street)
Latin Night Market – September 4, 11, 18, 25
The Latin Night Market features flavors, sounds, and sights of South and Central America. With 50 vendors showcasing Latin cuisine and a diverse musical lineup, this event is the ultimate celebration of community and the rich tapestry of Latin culture.
- The night market runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Quisqueya Plaza.
FREE Corn Craze Family Day at NMAI
Saturday, Sept. 14 – Celebrate Native American Heritage, Hispanic Heritage Month and the fall harvest with stories, lessons, and activities featuring corn, also known as maize.
Learn about the various types of corn and their uses with discussions and demonstrations of the processes of drying, grinding, and roasting with artist Karla Saenz (Rarámuri descent) and chef Diana Wangeman. Take part in various hands-on family-friendly activities, including coloring pages, making corn husk figurines, buttons and magnets, and more
Karla Saenz (Rarámuri descent) is a multidisciplinary artist and activist who bridges nature, Indigenous wisdom, sustainability, and spiritual expression through collective and regenerative art-making practices. She will be discussing the importance of maize within these communities and demonstrate art using corn husks.
Diana Wangeman was born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she learned the traditional practice of processing corn from her mother, chef and owner of the restaurant Tierra Antigua in Oaxaca. As the owner of the Brooklyn, NY, restaurant Sobre Masa, Wangeman raises awareness about ancient forms of maize cultivation and responsible business practices.
- FREE, Noon-5pm at the National Museum of the American Indian in Battery Park
FREE Chess in the Park Rapid Open Tournament
Saturday, Sept. 14 – With roughly 900 players and 2,000 spectators throughout the day, this is one of the largest FREE annual chess events in NYC, maybe the world. . This is Chess in the School’s largest free annual event serving young chess players of all experiences from across the five boroughs.
Register for a playing slot and more information at the link. Check mate!
- 10:45 am-4:30 pm, Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain
FREE Morningside Lights Lantern Parade
Saturday, Sept. 21 – This annual event features hand-made paper lanterns, on parade through the streets of Morningside Heights, around Columbia University.
Morningside Lights is produced by Columbia University’s Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts.
In the week leading up to the procession, all are invited to attend free community arts workshops to create the lanterns.
Daily lantern-building workshops are September 14-20 at Miller Theatre at Columbia University. Here’s more about how to get involved.
- It’s FREE to attend, no tickets or registration required.
- The route begins in Morningside Park at 116th Street and Morningside Avenue at 8pm, arriving on campus around 8:45pm.
FREE Global Citizen Festival in Central Park
Saturday, Sept. 28 – It’s the biggest concert of the year, in Central Park. The Global Citizen Festival returns with a stellar lineup for 2024, including – Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Jelly Roll, Rauw Alejandro, Benson Boone and RAYE. Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman will host the event.
In addition to the performers, Global Citizen Festival will feature presentations from Dr. Jane Goodall, Chris Martin, Antoni Porowski, Bill Nye, Bridget Moynahan, Charlamagne Tha God, Danai Gurira, Eric Adjepong, Gavin DeGraw, Jordan Fisher, Kal Penn, Liza Koshy, Doctor Mike Varshavski, Nomzamo Mbatha, Osi Umenyiora, Rachel Brosnahan, Rhett & Link, Sophia Bush and Vladimir Duthiers.
You can get FREE tickets, which require action such as emailing your Congressional representative about the importance of environmental sustainability or vaccinating babies against malaria or polio, or providing them with food.
In the Global Citizen App, you can take part in speaking up on issues by signing petitions, posting tweets, reading stories and more, earning “actions.” When you reach a certain number of actions, you can enter the raffle for a pair of tickets to the show. The more actions you earn, the more you can enter!
If you can’t do that, there are VIP tickets available for purchase. General Admission (starting at $99), Global VIP (starting at $250), and Ultimate VIP (starting at $3,000).
Or, you could hang out near the Great Lawn and at least hear the music, if not see the performers. Last year, the concert was livestreamed on several networks, but there’s no word about that this year.
Keep an eye on globalcitizenfestival.com, download the Global Citizen app or follow Global Citizen on social media for all the latest information on how you can join in and take action as part of Global Citizen Festival.
- Gates open at 2pm. The show begins at 4pm.
Boo at the Zoo
Sept. 28 to Oct. 27 – One of the best kid-friendly Halloween festivals returns to The Bronx Zoo, with all kinds of spooky and festive family-friendly festivities, including costume parades, Halloween crafts, pumpkin carving demos, magicians, a pumpkin trail, and more!
- Boo at the Zoo is FREE with zoo admission. Click here for the full schedule of Boo at the Zoo events
One of the largest zoos in the USA, the beloved Bronx Zoo has been celebrating its 125th anniversary in throughout 2024, with a combination of new exhibits and a yearlong schedule of special events – including – .
Animal Chronicles: A NEW temp exhibit includes a walking trail of more than a quarter mile featuring life-size and gigantic, immersive eco-sculptures that showcase key achievements in the Bronx Zoo’s history of saving animal species and connecting New Yorkers to wildlife.
- Animal Chronicles will be available daily and is included with admission.
Monthly Birthday Celebrations: Weekend celebrations will be spread throughout the park on select days from April through September, including parades, performances, crafting, scavenger hunts, tours, Wildlife Theater, and much more.
- Each month features a different theme.
- Ticket prices are $37.75 for adults, $33.25 for seniors 65+ and $28.75 for children 3-15.
- Purchase tickets online here.
Wednesdays are FREE limited-admission
- Online reservations for timed tickets open on Mondays at 5 pm at the link.
- These tickets are for park entry only; individual-attraction tickets cost $7/person, per attraction.
- All visitors age 3 and up are required to have a ticket, and to reserve you must register with a valid email address.
- Limited tickets; first-reserved, first-served,
More Zoo News
Prospect Park Zoo
The Prospect Park Zoo is open again after being forced to close for eight months due to flood damage caused by the storm last September, which left 25 feet of water in the buildings’ basements. No animals were harmed during or after the flooding. Repairs have cost an estimated $20 million of federal funds, and repair projects are continuing even after the re-opening.
There are some new young animals, including baboons Bandari and Nyani and Pinnelopi the porcupette plus Turtle Time and Conservation stations, sea lion feedings with narration, and more.
The animals are happy to have their humans, back, too.
- Adult tickets are $9.95, seniors are $7.95, children ages 3-12 are $6.95, and children 2 and under are free.
- Reserve tickets here
NYC FREE & Cheap in October
PaleyFest NY 2024 Celebrates TV
October 16-22 – This annual, multiday festival at The Paley Museum in midtown Manhattan celebrates and showcases today’s biggest stars and hottest shows in television programming with a sneak peak at the upcoming season and screenings of favorite shows from the past.
PaleyFest NY also include conversations featuring behind-the-scenes scoops and insights, untold stories, funny anecdotes, and more, including appearances by the cast and crew of the Outlander series and a reunion of the cast of The Walking Dead.
PaleyFest NY is named for William S. Paley, founder of CBS and The Paley Center for Media. Tickets go on sale in September.
FREE Open House New York
Oct 18-20 – Experience the unique opportunity to explore more than 200 of New York City’s iconic buildings and landmarks during this annual event, celebrating its 22nd year in 2024.
It is a mix of in-person tours, self-guided explorations, and digital content of skyscrapers, power plants, artist studios, and everything in between.
The festival is FREE, but many events require advance registration to manage space.
With more than 200 events, we can’t list them all.
- Visi the Open House New York website to search by location or type of event.
See Also
Best FREE Things in NYC Year-Round
Late Night Shows Taped in New York City
The late night shows taped in NYC are one of the most popular tickets in town. Here’s how to get FREE tickets to be in the audience.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Jon Stewart Returns to The Daily Show
FREE Weekly & Monthly Museum Admission 
FREE Monday Admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
First Monday of the Month – This great opportunity is only for NYC residents. You will have to show proof of NYC residency for free admission.
Everybody can get FREE admission every Monday, from from 5:30pm to 7pm.
Simply log onto 911memorial.org from 7am on the Monday morning of your intended visit and book your free tickets.
Tickets are always free to 9/11 families, and the outdoor memorial plaza is always free.
Free Admission to Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Friday, Sept. 7, Oct. 4
UNIQLO NYC Nights are the first Friday of each month, 4–8 pm.
New York City residents get free admission courtesy of UNIQLO, but everyone can enjoy an evening out in our galleries with paid admission.
See new art in the galleries, enjoy music by DJs from The Lot Radio, grab a drink at the pop-up bar, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, see a film in the theaters, and enjoy the spring weather in the lovely outdoor sculpture garden.
Free First Fridays at Neue Galerie, Friday, Fri., Sept. 7, Oct. 4
First Fridays at Neue Galerie offer free admission and extra hours to closing, the first Friday of the month.
Visitors are admitted free at 5 p.m. and the galleries remain open until 8 p.m. No registration is required, and admission is first-come, first-served.
The Book Store and Design Shop stay open late, too.
Free First Fridays at Poster House, Friday, Fri., Sept. 7, Oct. 4
Poster House is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the global history of posters. First Fridays free admission is all day, 10am to 9pm
Every First Friday is different, with tours, workshops, performances, and activities, to further engage visitors with the exhibitions.
- Poster House is at 119 West 23 St. in Chelsea. tel. 617-447-7453
Free Fridays & Sundays at the Whitney Museum of American Art
The Meatpacking District art museum has dropped its “pay-what-you-wish” system on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on the second Sunday of every month, when admission will be free for all visitors.
Second Sundays offers free all-day admission to visitors and special programming for families. On the second Sunday of every month, guests can enjoy all-ages arts & crafts activities, tours, classes, and other special events connected to exhibitions on view at the Whitney or significant community events like Earth Day or Pride Month.
Also on view will be the museum’s permanent collection exhibitions, featuring artists such as Edward Hopper, Kara Walker, Georgia O’Keeffe, Kevin Beasley, Faith Ringgold, Lee Krasner, Jasper Johns, Alexander Calder, Jacob Lawrence, Carrie Mae Weems, Andrea Carlson, and Clarissa Tossin.
The Whitney hopes free admission will make the museum more enticing to potential visitors and open the doors to a wider audience.
Free admission tickets must be reserved in advance.
Free Saturdays at the Jewish Museum
There is FREE admission every Saturday.
My personal favorite is the ongoing “Scenes from the Collection” exhibit, with the delightful yellow sculpture shown here. From one side, it spells OY, the German and Yiddish phrase for “uh-oh”. From the other side, it spells YO, now used by multiple cultures in NYC as a greeting.
Which one do you use – OY, or YO, or both?
- The Jewish Museum is at 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St.
Free Tours of Hart Island
Hart Island is now open to the public. Since 1869, more than 1 million New Yorkers have been laid to rest on the island.
NYC Parks is now offering visits twice per month so New Yorkers can learn about its important history and see the beauty of the island and enjoy picture postcard views of the city.
You can put your name in the lottery for a free walking tour here.
- Tours are Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm
This NYC Best Things to Do Calendar is updated at the beginning and middle of each month.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is the author or editor of numerous NYC guidebooks and apps.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA),
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA)
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
This is great! I love exploring my city and being made aware of what’s going on and where to go!