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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.

396 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Starts in 14h 39m
Every Tue · 12 PM–3 PM
58°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
Starts in 1d 13h
WED, NOV 11 · 11 AM–3 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center (in Williamsbridge Ova, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Boogie Down Service Project

📍 Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center (in Williamsbridge Oval) · Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 13h
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ 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 2d 13h
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–12 PM
58°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Craft & Chill

📍 Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park) · Detective Keith L Williams Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2d 14h
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
59°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ 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.
Starts in 2d 16h
THU, NOV 12 · 2 PM–2:45 PM
57°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 4d 16h
SAT, NOV 14 · 2 PM–4 PM
47°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Queensbridge Library Tech Lab, Queens · official listing on queenslibrary.org · checked Nov 3
Painting & crafts

Build, Design, Create: Protect the Egg at Queensbridge

📍 Queensbridge Library Tech Lab · Long Island City, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; library card login to register; teens
Starts in 4d 17h
SAT, NOV 14 · 2:30 PM–4 PM
47°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Louis Armstrong Center (Jerry's Place), Queens · official listing on louisarmstronghouse.org · checked Oct 30
Arts & culture

Hot Five Centennial Listening Session, Part 3

📍 Louis Armstrong Center (Jerry's Place) · Corona, Queens
Free; reserve a free ticket through the museum's ticketing page
Starts in 5d 0h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10 PM–2 AM (NEXT DAY)
42°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Cassette, Queens · official listing on dice.fm · checked Nov 1
Music & nightlife

Ridgewood Rendezvous Drag Show at Cassette (21+)

📍 Cassette · Ridgewood, Queens
Free · registration required · Free DICE ticket; tips for performers encouraged. 21+. · 21+
Starts in 5d 13h
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–4 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Oct 28
Arts & culture

Community Archiving Day at Queens Museum

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free event; optional books and zines cost extra.
Starts in 5d 16h
SUN, NOV 15 · 2 PM–4 PM
50°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 1
Arts & culture

ArtAccess Open Studio for Teens and Adults with Disabilities

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free ArtAccess program; RSVP recommended on the dated listing. Register in advance to arrange participation.
Starts in 6d 15h
MON, NOV 16 · 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

📍 Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center · Belmont, Bronx
Free · registration required · Free for adults 50+; registration encouraged
Starts in 1w 0d
TUE, NOV 17 · 2 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Bronx Museum, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

Lifelong Studio Printmaking: First Session for Adults 55+

📍 The Bronx Museum · Concourse, Bronx
Free for adults 55+; registration and commitment to all sessions required. Enrollment must be confirmed by the museum.
Starts in 1w 1d
WED, NOV 18 · 4 PM–5 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
WED, NOV 18 · 6 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Noguchi Museum, Queens · official listing on noguchi.org · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

Noguchi Talks: Alanna Heiss and Martin Puryear

📍 The Noguchi Museum · Long Island City, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; reservation required (space is limited), RSVP by email per the museum's page
Starts in 1w 2d
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 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Travers Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 1
Painting & crafts

Outdoor Skills: Knot Tying in Travers Park

📍 Travers Park · Jackson Heights, Queens
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 2 PM–4 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Free Adult Printmaking Workshop at Queens Museum

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free adults-only class; no registration required.
Starts in 1w 6d
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 3w 2d
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 3d
1st Fri · 10 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd, Queens · official listing on noguchi.org · checked Nov 3
Arts & culture

Free First Friday at the Noguchi Museum

📍 The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd · Long Island City, Queens
Free admission · advance reservations highly recommended
Starts in 3w 3d
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 3d
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 3d
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 4d
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 5d
SUN, DEC 6 · 2 PM–4 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

New New Yorkers Printmaking Workshop at Queens Museum

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free workshop for adults; no workshop registration
Starts in 3w 5d
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 5w 0d
TUE, DEC 15 · 3 PM–4:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Oak Ridge, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Painting & crafts

Elf on the Shelf kids' craft at Oak Ridge

📍 Oak Ridge, Forest Park · Woodhaven, Queens
Free
Starts in 5w 2d
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 5d
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 4d
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

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

396 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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