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Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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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.

388 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th S, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Max Neuhaus — Times Square Sound Installation (Dia)

📍 Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th Streets · Times Square, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Joseph Beuys — 7000 Oaks (Dia Art Foundation)

📍 West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Manhattan · official listing on publicartfund.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Camille Henrot: Dogs at Doris C. Freedman Plaza

📍 Doris C. Freedman Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 8 AM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynarmyterminal.com · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Brooklyn Army Terminal Public Campus

📍 Brooklyn Army Terminal · Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free
Happening now
Daily · 8 AM–8 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at National September 11 Memorial, Manhattan · official listing on 911memorial.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

National September 11 Memorial plaza

📍 National September 11 Memorial · Financial District, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 10 AM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn · official listing on pratt.edu · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Pratt Institute Sculpture Park

📍 Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus · Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Free
Happening now
Every Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 10 AM–5 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Museum at Eldridge Street, Manhattan · official listing on eldridgestreet.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Museum at Eldridge Street

📍 Museum at Eldridge Street · Lower East Side, Manhattan
Paid; children under 5 free. Official pay-what-you-wish admission Mondays and Fridays.
Happening now
Daily · 10 AM–6 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Austrian Cultural Forum New York, Manhattan · official listing on acfny.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Austrian Cultural Forum: Erwin Wurm Chamber Play

📍 Austrian Cultural Forum New York · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 11 AM–5 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Housing Works Bookstore, Manhattan · official listing on shop.housingworks.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Housing Works Bookstore

📍 Housing Works Bookstore · SoHo, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Browsing is free; cafe drinks and food are paid. Net proceeds support Housing Works HIV/AIDS services.
Happening now
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
50°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at MoMA PS1, Queens · official listing on momaps1.org · checked Nov 6
Arts & culture

MoMA PS1 (Free Admission)

📍 MoMA PS1 · Long Island City, Queens
Free · registration required · Free admission for all; reserve tickets on the official visit page. Closed Tue, Wed, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Saturday opens 10 AM.
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Rudy's Bar & Grill, Manhattan · official listing on rudysbarnyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Rudy's Bar & Grill: free hot dog with a drink

📍 Rudy's Bar & Grill · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free hot dog with every drink or any purchase (the drink is paid).
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Skinny Dennis, Brooklyn · official listing on skinnydennisbrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Skinny Dennis: no-cover country nights (check calendar)

📍 Skinny Dennis · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Paid; No cover on many nights. Check the official calendar. Drinks are paid.
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Levee, Brooklyn · official listing on theleveenyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

The Levee: complimentary cheeseballs (Williamsburg)

📍 The Levee · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · Complimentary cheeseballs. Drinks and other food (chili dogs, Frito pies) are paid.
Happening now
Daily · 3 PM–11:59 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · limited spots · repeats, so you can go another time · at Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn · official listing on alligatorloungebrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Alligator Lounge: free pizza with a drink (21+)

📍 Alligator Lounge · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter; purchases optional. Dine-in and same day only; no to-go. · 21+
Starts in 38m
Daily · 4 PM–8 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · limited spots · repeats, so you can go another time · at Cozy Corner, Queens · official listing on cozycornerbar.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Cozy Corner: free pizza slice with a drink

📍 Cozy Corner · Ridgewood, Queens
Free to enter; purchases optional.
Starts in 1h 38m
SUN, NOV 15 · 5 PM–7 PM
45°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flatiron Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on nyc.flatiron-wines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free tastings at Flatiron Wines

📍 Flatiron Wines & Spirits · Flatiron, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1h 38m
Daily · 5 PM–6 PM
45°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 27, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Manhattan · official listing on cooperhewitt.org · checked Oct 27
Arts & culture

Cooper Hewitt Pay What You Wish hour

📍 Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum · Upper East Side, Manhattan
Pay what you wish 5–6 PM daily; 18 & under free anytime
Starts in 2h 8m
Daily · 5:30 PM–11:59 PM
47°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Kissa Kissa, Brooklyn · official listing on kissakissa.us · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Kissa Kissa: first bowl of popcorn is free

📍 Kissa Kissa · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · First bowl of house-spiced popcorn is complimentary (on the house). Extra bowls and other food and drinks are paid.
Starts in 2h 38m
SUN, NOV 15 · 6 PM–8 PM
45°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Astor Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on astorwines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free wine & spirits tastings at Astor Wines

📍 Astor Wines & Spirits · NoHo, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 18h 38m
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 10 AM–4 PM
44°F · Sunny
✓ 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 19h 8m
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at International Studio & Curatorial Program, Brooklyn · official listing on iscp-nyc.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

ISCP Galleries (Free Admission)

📍 International Studio & Curatorial Program · East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 21h 8m
MON, NOV 16 · 12:30 PM–2 PM
51°F · Mostly 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 1d 0h
MON, NOV 16 · 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
55°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Saratoga Library Teen Tech Center, Brooklyn · official listing on bklynlibrary.org · checked Nov 6
Painting & crafts

Teen DIY at Saratoga Teen Tech Center

📍 Saratoga Library Teen Tech Center · Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 1d 0h
MON, NOV 16 · 4 PM–5 PM
54°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Heights Library, Gaming Roo, Brooklyn · official listing on bklynlibrary.org · checked Nov 6
Painting & crafts

Brooklyn Robotics League at Brooklyn Heights Library

📍 Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Heights Library, Gaming Room · Brooklyn Heights
Free
Starts in 1d 1h
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 5 PM–8 PM
51°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Rabbit Hole, Queens · official listing on therabbithole.nyc · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

The Rabbit Hole: free hot dog with beer or wine

📍 The Rabbit Hole · Astoria, Queens
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free hot dog with the purchase of any beer or wine, Monday–Friday 5–8 PM (the drink is paid).
Starts in 1d 2h
MON, NOV 16 · 6 PM–7 PM
49°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 15, 2026
Why this place: Free · seasonal special · at Public Square and Gardens, Hudson Yards, Manhattan · official listing on hudsonyardsnewyork.com · checked Nov 15
Music & nightlife

Vessel Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Hudson Yards

📍 Public Square and Gardens, Hudson Yards · Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Free outdoor ceremony.
Starts in 1d 3h
MON, NOV 16 · 7 PM–9 PM
49°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Dweck Center, Brooklyn · official listing on bklynlibrary.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

The 1778 Treaty with the Delaware: A Roundtable at Central Library

📍 Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Dweck Center · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Official BPL Presents policy: programs at the Dweck Center are free of charge; reservations required for most adult programs.
Starts in 1d 5h
MON, NOV 16 · 9 PM–12:30 AM (NEXT DAY)
45°F · Clear
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at The Back Room, Manhattan · official listing on backroomnyc.com · checked Nov 2
Music & nightlife

Monday Night Jazz at The Back Room (free entry)

📍 The Back Room · Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free entry; tip the band. Prohibition-style drinks sold separately
Starts in 1d 5h
MON, NOV 16 · 9 PM–2 AM (NEXT DAY)
47°F · Clear
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Mood Ring, Brooklyn · official listing on moodringnyc.club · checked Nov 5
Music & nightlife

Free late-night karaoke at Mood Ring (21+)

📍 Mood Ring · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free to sing and enter; full bar service. 21+ with ID · 21+

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

388 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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