The Best FREE Things to Do in NYC

Free things to do in NYC

Find the best events on Jul 15 for any age group

Find fun free things to do

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Tuesday Dec. 16, 2025

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5 – 8 pm

Here Comes Santa Claus

Ages: All
Free

The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson YardsNew York City

25 Days Santa Sighting

5 – 8 pm

Santa Claus at the New York Marriott Marquis

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

New York Marriott MarquisManhattan

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5 – 8 pm

Here Comes Santa

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Hudson YardsHudson Yards

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5:30 – 7:30 pm

Juggling Classes

Ages: All
Classes
Free

Bryant ParkMidtown Manhattan

Manhattan Nightly Lighting of World’s Largest Menorah

5:30 pm

Nightly Lighting of World’s Largest Menorah

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Grand Army Plaza – Fifth AvenueManhattan

Hanukkah2025-Ashreynu-Cover

5:30 – 8 pm

Chanukah Gelt Together + Mini Arts Market

Ages: All
Art
Community

AshreynuAstoria

2024 Nordstrom NYC Holiday

6 pm

Santa Snow Show and Elf-ies with Santa

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Nordstrom NYC FlagshipManhattan

Largest Menorah picture with partial crowd

6 pm

Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah Lighting

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Brooklyn’s Largest MenorahBrooklyn

6 pm

Menorah Lighting – Menorah Chapels

Ages: All
Community
Free

Menorah ChaplesStaten Island

6 pm

Cedarhurst Menorah Lightings

Ages: All
Community
Free

Andrew J. Parise ParkCedarhurst

Wednesday Dec. 17

Festival of Trees 2023 Flyer (2)

All day

Port Jefferson Festival of Trees

Ages: 5 – 8
Free
Holiday

Port Jefferson Village CenterPort Jefferson

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Various

Photos With Santa at Queens Center

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Queens CenterQueens

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8 am – 10 pm

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant ParkManhattan

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8 am – 11 pm

The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Ages: All
Attractions
Free

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant ParkManhattan

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9 am – 7 pm

Gingerbread City

Ages: All
Christmas
Classes

The Gingerbread City at The SeaportDowntown Manhattan

10 am – 7 pm

POP MART’s SKULLPANDA You Found Me Pop-Up Experience

Ages: All
Free
Markets

SKULLPANDA You Found Me Pop-UpManhattan

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10 am – 9 pm

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo

The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson YardsNew York City

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10 am – 8 pm

Holiday Under the Palms at Brookfield Place

Brookfield PlaceTribeca

Manhattan Selfies with Santa

10 am – 7 pm

Selfies with Santa

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Brookfield PlaceTribeca

santa corner

10 am – noon

Santa’s Corner

Ages: 5 – 8
Christmas
Free

Bryant ParkManhattan

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10 am – 8 pm

Santaland at Bloomingdale’s

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Bloomingdale’sManhattan

Holiday music

10:15 – 10:45 am

Holiday Music with P.S.203 Chorus at Kings Plaza

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Kings Plaza Shopping CenterBrooklyn

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11 am – 6 pm

FAD Market: Holiday Pop-up [Dumbo]

Ages: All
Art
Community

Empire StoresBrooklyn

Santa Visit Event Souvenir Photograph

Various

Santa Claus visit at Tanger Outlets Riverhead

Ages: All
Christmas
Community

Tanger Outlets RiverheadRiverhead

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Noon – 8 pm

Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Bryant Park 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018Manhattan

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Noon – 7 pm

IKEA House Warming

Ages: All
Free

IKEA House WarmingManhattan

Noon – 6 pm

Holidays on Atlantic Avenue

Ages: All
Christmas
Community

Brooklyn

Hicks-Nurseries-Santa-2024

1 – 8 pm

Hicks Nurseries Pictures with Santa

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Hicks NurseriesWestbury

WNT-Santa-This-Saturday-2025

1 – 4 pm

Meet Santa at Willy Nilly Trading

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Willy NillyBay Shore

2024 Nordstrom NYC Holiday

2 pm

Santa Snow Show and Elf-ies with Santa

Ages: All
Christmas
Free

Nordstrom NYC FlagshipManhattan

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3 – 4 pm

Faber Recreation Center Youth Drop-In Programs Seasonal Crafts

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Community

Faber ParkStaten Island

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3 – 6 pm

Jennifer’s Playground Free Afterschool Program

Ages: 5 – 12
Community
Free

Jennifer’s PlaygroundStaten Island

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