Your library is the best plan you forgot about.

Some of the best things to do are hiding in plain sight. The New York Public Library’s events calendar is a starting point for free programs, from reading groups to workshops and talks.

Choose a branch and age group, then check the individual listing. Registration, attendance limits, and eligibility vary by program. This is a source guide, not a dated event or a guarantee of a seat.

Our rule: follow the organizer’s details, not a vague promise that everything is free. Photos are illustrative.