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GUIDE

Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC

Free family fun, no tickets required

Free things to do with kids in NYC: story times, family days, parades, park programs and kid-friendly pop-ups. We only list events we’ve checked on the organizer’s own site, and the list updates itself as new ones are added.

149 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
TUE, NOV 10 · 8 AM–10 PM
58°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · registration required · kid-friendly · at The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Oct 30
Fitness & wellness

The Rink at Bryant Park (free-admission ice skating)

📍 The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free admission with your own skates (book a free timed slot online; released a week ahead)
Starts in 19h 28m
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 23, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Union Square, 17th St between Broadway & Park Ave South, Manhattan · official listing on grownyc.org · checked Oct 23
Farmers markets

Union Square Greenmarket

📍 Union Square, 17th St between Broadway & Park Ave South · Union Square, Manhattan
Free to walk in · produce is paid
Starts in 1d 22h
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–8 PM
58°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · at Union Square Park (south end), Manhattan · official listing on urbanspacemarkets.com · checked Oct 29
Markets & pop-ups

Union Square Holiday Market

📍 Union Square Park (south end) · Union Square, Manhattan
Free to enter; items for sale
Starts in 1w 3d
FRI, NOV 20 · 5 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at The Mall at Bay Plaza (Mall Village Courtyard), Bronx · official listing on mallatbayplaza.com · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Mall at Bay Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting

📍 The Mall at Bay Plaza (Mall Village Courtyard) · Co-op City, Bronx
Free
Starts in 2w 1d
THU, NOV 26 · 8:30 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square, Manhattan · official listing on macysinc.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

📍 Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square · Upper West Side to Herald Square, Manhattan
Free to watch from public viewing areas
Starts in 2w 6d
TUE, DEC 1 · 11 AM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · at Columbus Circle (Central Park entrance), Manhattan · official listing on urbanspacemarkets.com · checked Oct 30
Markets & pop-ups

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

📍 Columbus Circle (Central Park entrance) · Columbus Circle, Manhattan
Free to enter and browse; vendor gifts and food are extra
Starts in 3w 1d
WED, DEC 2 · 4 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Captain Roscoe Brown, PH.D. Plaza, Aqueduct Walk, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Holiday Tree Lighting

📍 Captain Roscoe Brown, PH.D. Plaza, Aqueduct Walk · Bronx
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 5w 5d
SUN, DEC 20 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park · Bronx
Free (per NYC Parks listing).

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

149 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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