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GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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66listings
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New York City247Manhattan106Brooklyn96Queens21📍 BronxStaten Island10📍 Lower New YorkLong Island16Westchester & Rockland15Lower Connecticut3📍 New Jersey

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Whatpick as many as you like

🎨 Arts & culture51🎶 Music & nightlife7🖌️ Painting & crafts8
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Free and cheap date ideas in NYC: gallery nights, free concerts, walking tours, tastings and markets worth wandering. Pair any of these with a walk and you’ve got a night out. For paid ideas, see Date night.

491 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Starts in 30m
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9 AM–4:45 PM
58°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at New Jersey State Museum, New Jersey · official listing on nj.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

New Jersey State Museum Free Admission

📍 New Jersey State Museum · Trenton, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1h 0m
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
58°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Washington’s Headquarters Museum, New Jersey · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Washington’s Headquarters Museum in Morristown

📍 Washington’s Headquarters Museum · Morristown, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1h 0m
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
58°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Paterson Museum, New Jersey · official listing on patersonmuseum.com · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Paterson Museum Free Admission

📍 The Paterson Museum · Paterson, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1h 30m
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–5 PM
56°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site, Westchester · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon

📍 Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site · Mount Vernon, Westchester
Free
Starts in 1h 30m
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 10 AM–4 PM
56°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Trailside Nature Museum, Westchester · official listing on parks.westchestergov.com · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Trailside Nature Museum in Cross River

📍 Trailside Nature Museum · Cross River, Westchester
Paid · Official: no additional museum admission; park pass not required.
Starts in 2h 30m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Bronx Museum of the Arts (Always Free)

📍 Bronx Museum of the Arts · Bronx
Free
Starts in 3h 30m
Every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
60°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Heckscher Museum of Art, Long Island · official listing on heckscher.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Heckscher Museum of Art (free admission)

📍 The Heckscher Museum of Art · Huntington, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3h 30m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers (always free)

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3h 30m
Every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
60°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Guild Hall, Long Island · official listing on guildhall.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Guild Hall Museum Free Admission in East Hampton

📍 Guild Hall · East Hampton, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3h 30m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
56°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Neuberger Museum of Art, Westchester · official listing on purchase.edu · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Neuberger Museum of Art

📍 Neuberger Museum of Art · Purchase, Westchester
Free
Starts in 5h 30m
THU, NOV 12 · 2 PM–2:45 PM
57°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Wave Hill, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Public Gallery Tour

📍 Wave Hill, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 8h 30m
Every Thu · 5 PM–7 PM
54°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Long Island Museum, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Long Island Museum Free Thursday Evenings

📍 The Long Island Museum · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free at the listed days and hours · Official hours page: museum admission is free after 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Starts in 1d 5h
FRI, NOV 13 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
46°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Long Island Museum Studio, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Oct 25
Arts & culture

Stitch & Chit-Ch(at) at the Long Island Museum

📍 The Long Island Museum Studio · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free program · no registration required · ages 12+
Starts in 1d 9h
FRI, NOV 13 · 6 PM–9 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · at Bronx Documentary Center Annex, Bronx · official listing on bronxdoc.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Photographs and Films of Harvey Wang at BDC Annex

📍 Bronx Documentary Center Annex · Melrose, Bronx
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; Official BDC events page: events are free and open to all.
Starts in 2d 4h
SAT, NOV 14 · 12:30 PM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Fairfield University Art Museum, Lower Connecticut · official listing on events.fairfield.edu · checked Oct 26
Painting & crafts

Fairfield University Art Museum Family Day

📍 Fairfield University Art Museum · Fairfield, CT
Free
Starts in 2d 4h
Every Sun, Sat · 1 PM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Museum of Bronx History, Bronx · official listing on bronxhistoricalsociety.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Museum of Bronx History

📍 Museum of Bronx History · Norwood, Bronx
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; members free. No one is turned away.
Starts in 3d 5h
SUN, NOV 15 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park , Westchester · official listing on ypl.org · checked Nov 4
Music & nightlife

Vincent Herring Quartet

📍 Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park Avenue · Yonkers, Westchester
Free; advance registration strongly encouraged. Seating is limited.
Starts in 4d 4h
MON, NOV 16 · 12:30 PM–2 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Bronx · official listing on nypl.org · checked Nov 3
Painting & crafts

Creative Aging: Paper Doll Making at Belmont Library

📍 Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center · Belmont, Bronx
Free · registration required · Free for adults 50+; registration encouraged
Starts in 5d 3h
Every Tue · 12 PM–3 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Secaucus Public Library, New Jersey · official listing on bccls.libcal.com · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Senior Movie at Secaucus Public Library

📍 Secaucus Public Library · Panasonic Room - Secaucus, New Jersey
Free
Sold out
TUE, NOV 17 · 2 PM–5 PM
53°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Bronx Museum, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Lifelong Studio Printmaking: First Session for Adults 55+

📍 The Bronx Museum · Concourse, Bronx
Free for adults 55+. Registration is full. Email education@bronxmuseum.org to request a waitlist spot.
Starts in 6d 7h
WED, NOV 18 · 4 PM–5 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Mosholu Library, Bronx · official listing on nypl.org · checked Nov 3
Painting & crafts

Informal Creative Writing for Adults at Mosholu Library

📍 Mosholu Library · Norwood, Bronx
Free
Starts in 6d 10h
WED, NOV 18 · 7 PM–8:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Online via Zoom, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Stealing America: Free Virtual Lecture with Linford D. Fisher

📍 Online via Zoom · Online — Stony Brook organizer, Long Island
Free for all; advance registration required.
Starts in 1w 0d
THU, NOV 19 · 4:30 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Bodies of Flora: In Conversation

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1w 1d
FRI, NOV 20 · 6 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Levittown Public Library, Long Island · official listing on levittown.librarycalendar.com · checked Nov 7
Music & nightlife

Party Through the Decades

📍 Levittown Public Library · Levittown, Long Island
Free
Starts in 1w 1d
FRI, NOV 20 · 7 PM–11 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at 18th Ward Brewing (New Rochelle Taproom), Westchester · official listing on 18thwardbrewing.com · checked Oct 31
Music & nightlife

Free live music: Tim Brown at 18th Ward Brewing New Rochelle

📍 18th Ward Brewing (New Rochelle Taproom) · New Rochelle, Westchester
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free show; drinks for purchase
Starts in 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Lower Connecticut · official listing on thealdrich.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Aldrich Museum Third Saturday Free Admission

📍 The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum · Ridgefield, Lower Connecticut
Free
Starts in 1w 3d
SUN, NOV 22 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park , Westchester · official listing on ypl.org · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

Dance, Dance, Dance! with the Library Jazz Band

📍 Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park Avenue · Yonkers, Westchester
Free; advance registration strongly encouraged. Seating is limited.
Starts in 1w 4d
MON, NOV 23 · 12:30 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Bronx · official listing on nypl.org · checked Nov 3
Painting & crafts

Creative Aging: Paper Doll Making at Belmont Library (session 2)

📍 Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center · Belmont, Bronx
Free · registration required · Free for adults 50+; registration encouraged
Starts in 2w 3d
SUN, NOV 29 · 7 PM–8:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 9, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Guild Hall, Long Island · official listing on guildhall.org · checked Nov 9
Arts & culture

Feel Good Films: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

📍 Guild Hall · East Hampton, Long Island
Free community screening; organizer offers advance reservations
Starts in 2w 6d
WED, DEC 2 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Memory Disco: Home for the Holidays at the Long Island Museum

📍 The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free; registration required; for people living with dementia and their care partners
Starts in 3w 0d
THU, DEC 3 · 5 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

SparkNight: LOVERULES Art Party

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 1d
FRI, DEC 4 · 4:30 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Rankin Hall, Saint Peter's University, New Jersey · official listing on saintpeters.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Rankin Arts: Tradition. Technology. Transformation - December Exhibition

📍 Rankin Hall, Saint Peter's University · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 1d
FRI, DEC 4 · 5 PM–10 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Art House Gallery, New Jersey · official listing on arthouseproductions.org · checked Nov 7
Painting & crafts

9th Annual Affordable Art Show Opening Reception

📍 Art House Gallery · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 1d
FRI, DEC 4 · 6 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Bronx Museum, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

Bronx Museum First Friday: Winter Holiday Market

📍 The Bronx Museum · Concourse, Bronx
Free admission; optional RSVP; vendor purchases cost extra
Starts in 3w 2d
SAT, DEC 5 · 11 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Village of Port Jefferson, Long Island · official listing on portjeffarts.org · checked Oct 26
Arts & culture

Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival

📍 Village of Port Jefferson · Port Jefferson, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3w 2d
SAT, DEC 5 · 11 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Parrish Art Museum, Long Island · official listing on parrishart.org · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Winter Welcome Day - Free Admission

📍 Parrish Art Museum · Water Mill, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3w 2d
SAT, DEC 5 · 1:30 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at West Nyack Free Library, Nyack & Rockland · official listing on westnyacklib.libcal.com · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Saturday Film at West Nyack Free Library

📍 West Nyack Free Library · West Nyack, Nyack & Rockland
Free
Starts in 3w 2d
SAT, DEC 5 · 2:30 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Rediscovered Voices: Women Composers from the Soviet Republics

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 2d
SAT, DEC 5 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pleasantville, Westchester · official listing on shalompcs.com · checked Oct 26
Arts & culture

Pleasantville Public Menorah Lighting

📍 Pleasantville, Westchester
Free
Starts in 3w 3d
SUN, DEC 6 · 12 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 4
Arts & culture

Long Island Museum Winter Open House

📍 Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free for everyone; no registration required.
Starts in 3w 3d
SUN, DEC 6 · 2 PM–4 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Port Jefferson Free Library, Long Island · official listing on portjeff.librarycalendar.com · checked Oct 26
Painting & crafts

Dickens Festival Carols & Crafts

📍 Port Jefferson Free Library · Port Jefferson, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3w 3d
SUN, DEC 6 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park , Westchester · official listing on ypl.org · checked Nov 4
Music & nightlife

Mimi Hilaire Trio

📍 Grinton I. Will Library, Will Auditorium, 1500 Central Park Avenue · Yonkers, Westchester
Free; advance registration strongly encouraged. Seating is limited.
Starts in 3w 3d
SUN, DEC 6 · FROM 5:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, New Jersey · official listing on saintpeters.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

The Fourteenth Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols

📍 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 4w 1d
FRI, DEC 11 · 4 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Valley Cottage Library, Community Room, Nyack & Rockland · official listing on bridgemusik.com · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

BridgeMusik Winter Lights at Valley Cottage Library

📍 Valley Cottage Library, Community Room · Valley Cottage, Nyack & Rockland
Free; organizer offers advance registration; availability unconfirmed
Starts in 4w 1d
FRI, DEC 11 · 7 PM–8:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Big Red Books, 120 Main Street, Nyack & Rockland · official listing on visitnyack.org · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

An Evening of Poetry at Big Red Books

📍 Big Red Books, 120 Main Street · Nyack, Nyack & Rockland
Free admission; RSVP requirements and seating unconfirmed
Starts in 5w 0d
THU, DEC 17 · 2 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Nov 9, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 9
Arts & culture

In the Moment Art-Making Workshop at the Long Island Museum

📍 The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free; preregistration required; for people living with memory loss and their care partners
Starts in 5w 0d
THU, DEC 17 · 4 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Wave Hill, Bronx · official listing on wavehill.org · checked Oct 26
Arts & culture

Wave Hill Winter Solstice Wishes

📍 Wave Hill · Riverdale, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5w 1d
FRI, DEC 18 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Long Island Museum Studio, 1200 Route 25A, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Stitch & Chit-Ch(at) at the Long Island Museum

📍 The Long Island Museum Studio, 1200 Route 25A · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free program; no registration required; ages 12 and up
Starts in 5w 2d
SAT, DEC 19 · 10 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Lower Connecticut · official listing on thealdrich.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Aldrich Museum Third Saturday Free Admission

📍 The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum · Ridgefield, Lower Connecticut
Free
Starts in 5w 3d
SUN, DEC 20 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Crotona Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Painting & crafts

Handmade nature ornaments workshop

📍 Crotona Nature Center · Crotona, Bronx
Free
Starts in 6w 2d
SAT, DEC 26 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Painting & crafts

Nature's Workshop: Winter Landscape Watercolor at Crotona Nature Center

📍 Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park · Crotona Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 9w 2d
SAT, JAN 16 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Sachem Public Library, Long Island · official listing on sachem.librarycalendar.com · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Ukulele Jam Session

📍 Sachem Public Library · Holbrook, Long Island
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

491 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

How are these listings checked?

Every listing links to the organizer's own page: the venue, the city agency or park, or the official ticket or RSVP page. We don't copy listings from other event sites.

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