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GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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.

403 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–3:30 PM
61°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn · official listing on bbg.org · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Brooklyn Botanic Garden daytime pay-what-you-wish (through Jan 15)

📍 Brooklyn Botanic Garden · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Suggested donation · pay what you wish · Daytime admission pay-what-you-wish through January 15 while Lightscape is installed; evenings are separate paid Lightscape tickets
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
61°F · Mostly 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
61°F · Mostly 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.
Starts in 1h 36m
Daily · 3 PM–8 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Brooklyn Heights Promenade skyline walk (free)

📍 Brooklyn Heights Promenade · Brooklyn Heights
Free
Starts in 1h 36m
Daily · 3 PM–11:59 PM
61°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 2h 6m
Daily · 3:30 PM–6 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Hunter's Point South Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Hunter's Point South Park skyline sunset walk (free, Long Island City)

📍 Hunter's Point South Park · Long Island City, Queens
Free
Starts in 2h 6m
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Sat · 3:30 PM–9:30 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn · official listing on petescandystore.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Free live shows at Pete's Candy Store (check calendar)

📍 Pete's Candy Store · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 2h 36m
Daily · 4 PM–8 PM
61°F · 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 4h 6m
Daily · 5:30 PM–11:59 PM
60°F · 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 1d 22h
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 3w 4d
SUN, DEC 6 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr), Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Doggie Day Hike in Prospect Park

📍 Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr) · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 3w 4d
SUN, DEC 6 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Baisley Pond Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 5
Tours & walks

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Baisley Pond Park

📍 Baisley Pond Park · South Jamaica, Queens
Free
Starts in 3w 4d
SUN, DEC 6 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brower Park Playground, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 5
Tours & walks

Discovery Hike: Winter Wildlife at Brower Park

📍 Brower Park Playground · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
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 · 2 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Nov 9, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brooklyn Bridge Park Visitor Center at the Boathouse, Pier 5, Brooklyn · official listing on bargemusic.org · checked Nov 9
Music & nightlife

Bargemusic Holiday Concert: Bach Sonatas

📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park Visitor Center at the Boathouse, Pier 5 · Brooklyn
Free admission; no tickets or reservations

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

403 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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