Festivals and events in New York: Cheap NYC activities

The West Indian Day Parade and carnival, the culmination of New York Caribbean Carnival Week, is consistently one of the best things to do over the summer. The event draws close to two million people, so, yeah, you could consider this the most exciting Labor Day Parade NYC has to offer. Spend Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend milking what's left of the season at one of New York's beaches, then use Monday to fully immerse yourself in rich Caribbean culture and heritage. It’s bound to be one of the best summer parties in New York this year. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Labor Day weekend When is the West Indian Day Parade? The West Indian Day Parade is Monday, September 7, 2026 (Labor Day) starting at 11am. Where is the parade? During the seven-hour New York carnival, steel-pan and calypso bands in elaborate costumes march down Eastern Parkway, and vendors sell homestyle island eats along the route in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. The 2026 route marches on Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza.  What can you do before the event? The pre-parade parties typically begin at 6am with J’Ouvert (daybreak in French), an irreverent festival held before the parade, though this year's timing hasn't been announced. What happens during the West Indian Day Parade? The procession always features skin, feathers and sequins, with flags and music that celebrate the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Saint...

It’s that time of year again. Thousands of people—tennis fans, clout chasers and everything in between—descend onto a tiny speck of Queens for three weeks of sporting hoopla dubbed The U.S. Open Tennis Championships. You’ll undoubtedly see folks all over your social media feeds who have shelled out hundreds of dollars for a ticket, dressed up to take pictures around the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, hung out in exclusive suites, eaten bloatedly priced food and bought this year’s signature cap. And if you scroll long enough, you might also see some people who—get this—actually really love tennis and the athletes competing on the courts. Before the main draw of the US Open Tennis Championships, there’s a week-long stretch of festivities that allows you to experience so much of what’s amazing about the tournament. It’s called Fan Week—and it’s free! Here’s what you can do at the storied grounds from August 23 to 29 without emptying your wallet—plus a few high-priced extras, if you want to splurge. US Open Fan Week: Free Events and Experiences Sponsored booths From Cadillac to Emirates and Dobel tequila to Lavazza coffee, the US Open draws major sponsors. And rather than just showcasing their logos on a poster, each company has different kinds of activations set up around the grounds for fans to experience. Don’t miss the free samples of La Roche-Posay sunscreen, first pick at the Polo Ralph Lauren stores and much more. Plus get an up-close look at the Tiffany & Co....

Free and cheap tickets to New York City's best museums? They exist! One of the benefits of living in or visiting NYC is the plethora of incredible cultural institutions at your fingertips. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA and the Guggenheim are among the finest in the world. The only downside: pricey admissions fees. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad—especially if you actually live here and have to spend most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay the annual fee up front. There is a workaround. Most museums offer some free hours throughout the week or month, and some have pay-what-you-wish admission—you just have to know where and when they are. In our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission hacks in NYC, we’ve got the info you need—whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

Getting around New York City isn't necessarily cheap or easy. A quick cross-town Uber ride can cost over $30. A cross-town bus ride is a fraction of the price but will take you a lot longer. And getting from borough to borough can prove to be even more of a feat.  When we chose this year's coolest neighborhood in NYC, we knew that getting there could be a challenge. In some ways, that semi-remoteness is what makes Red Hook so alluring, after all. The bus is an option, bike share works and the NYC Ferry will get you there (no subway service, unfortunately!). Believe it or not, though, there's an even more direct, totally free option that comes way of the kind merchants of Sweden: the IKEA Ferry. Never heard of it? Allow us to explain.  RECOMMENDED: This vibrant Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood is officially the coolest in NYC for 2025 What is the IKEA Ferry? The IKEA Ferry, operated by NY Waterway, offers boat transportation from two points in Manhattan to IKEA along the waterfront on the southwestern edge of Brooklyn.  Photograph: By yuriyt / Shutterstock Where does it pick up and drop off? The IKEA Ferry has two Manhattan stops. The first is in Midtown West at 39th Street's Pier 79 (that's 459 12th Avenue). The second is in Lower Manhattan at Pier 11/Wall Street (that's Pier 11 at South Street). In Brooklyn, it stops at IKEA (1 Beard Street).  When does it run? The IKEA Ferry runs on the weekends from morning until early evening approximately every hour-and-a-half. You...

Breeze Hill in Prospect Park gets a Caribbean makeover on Sunday, September 6, as Smorgasburg teams up with I Am CaribBeing for a full day of food, music and community. The afternoon will feature DJs, live steel pan, Caribbean vendors and an all-ages arts and crafts experience, plus special guest chef Scotley Innis serving up jerk chicken. Smorgasburg favorites including Wah Gwaan, Tanty Darlene’s Kitchen and Tosh’s Patties will also be dishing out some can't-miss meals. The party runs 11am to 6pm at Smorgasburg Prospect Park. Admission is free.

Opera under the stars? Yes, please. The Metropolitan Opera’s free Summer HD Festival returns to Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza September 2 through 7, screening five productions from the company’s Live in HD series on a giant outdoor screen. The lineup begins with Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (Act I on Sept. 2, II–III on Sept. 3), followed by Bellini’s I Puritani on September 4, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin on September 5, Gabriela Lena Frank’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego on September 6 and Puccini’s La Bohème on September 7. Admission (and a feeling of superiority for spending your evening engaged in such a lofty pursuit) is free, with about 2,500 first-come, first-served seats each night.

Every summer, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC: Shakespeare in the Park, presented at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. The Delacorte was closed for much-needed renovations in 2024, but returned last year. The popularity of the series means that tickets aren’t always easy to come by—but if you persevere, you can get seats. What is Shakespeare in the Park? Created by the late Joseph Papp in 1962, the Public Theater's series offers free, large-scale productions of works by William Shakespeare (as well as the occasional musical or non-Shakespearean drama). The productions often feature some of the most talented actors of our day. Past casts have included including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George C. Scott and Denzel Washington. What is being performed this season? Shakespeare in the Park seasons usually include two productions. The first this year is the teen-romance tragedy Romeo and Juliet, staged by Public Theater resident director Saheem Ali with a cast that includes aniel Bravo Hernández, Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens, Deirdre O'Connell, Francis Jue and LaChanze. The second is The Winter's Tale, a sweeping story of jealousy, love,...

Every week feels like a fantastical celebration at Coney Island with its spectacular showing of fireworks each Friday night through September 4. Grab a Nathan's Famous frank and snag a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to celebrate the end of the summer's last few work weeks. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45pm and launch in front of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks. The show is presented by the Alliance for Coney Island.

Make your outdoor eating this Labor Day weekend a little more musical—and a lot fancier than hot dogs on the grill. At Smorgasburg Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is throwing a free community party on Saturday, September 5. Pull Up a Plate features live bands and DJs all day, $9 “Smorgin’ on a Budget” specials from vendors and an Instrument Zoo where music lovers of all ages get hands-on. Java Street Community Garden will also be on hand with gardening info, composting tips and a signature shiso gimlet just for the event. It runs from 11am to 6pm and is free to enter.

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

As New York City's largest free literary festival, this annual celebration brings together hundreds of spectacular writers from across the globe for more than a week of talks and shopping to satisfy the borough's brainiacs. Activities run September 20-28 with writers in a variety of genres: international and local, for adult and young readers, working in fiction and nonfiction, poetry, prose, and graphic storytelling. Events are free, but you’ll definitely want to bring some money to buy some new books to take home.  While activities run for the entirety of the nine-day celebration, the centerpiece festival day on Sunday, September 27, takes place in the parks and plazas surrounding Downtown Brooklyn’s Borough Hall and other venues. Multiple stages will overflow with conversation as authors come together to converse, read and sign books throughout the day. Featured authors include fan favorite Joyce Carol Oates, Namwali Serpell and Douglas Stuart. There's also Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and journalists Quiara Alegría Hudes, Colson Whitehead, Tracy K. Smith, Cristina Rivera Garza, Julia Angwin and more. Festival Day also stages the largest book market in the Northeast with more than 250 publishers, offering readers the possibility to discover new authors, independent publishers and literary organizations. Don't miss the Virtual Festival Day (Sunday, Sept. 20) and Children’s Day (Saturday, Sept. 26). Plus, more bookend events will take place across the five boroughs and...

No matter where you are or where you work in New York, you’re probably stressed out. As great as our fair city is—with so many amazing things to do, fabulous restaurants and top-notch bars—it’s hard to find time to chill out. Taking a weekend getaway or relaxing on a nearby beach are good ways to relax, but often we need serenity NOW (and let’s face it: sometimes planning that beach trip or weekend getaway can lead to even more stress!). A relaxing spa treatment can be just the thing for a quick fix. Problem is, most of us can’t afford the luxurious spas that promise instant bliss. Fortunately there are a number of spots for affordable spa treatments in NYC. Whether it’s a facial, a massage, a mani-pedi or a body scrub, one to two hours at a spa will give you the re-set you need. You’ll feel refreshed and glowing in no time. RECOMMENDED: Find more spas in NYC

Prepare to become an international cinephile with El Museo del Barrio's Noches de Cine: New Latine Cinema, a free five-film series curated by Ecuadorian-American writer and director Sebastián Rea. Running monthly through December, the series brings contemporary films from Latin America, the Caribbean and the Latine diaspora to El Museo’s historic theater at 1230 Fifth Avenue. The lineup opens with Joel Alfonso Vargas’s Mad Bills to Pay (August 20). On September 24, a marathon of short films from across the Americas will be on view. Then comes Jayro Bustamante’s La Llorona (October 29), Simón Mesa Soto’s Un Poeta (A Poet) (November 19) and William D. Caballero’s TheyDream (December 17). All screenings are free and start at 6:30pm, with advance registration encouraged.

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer in the city, but when you need to beat the heat, why not give free kayaking in NYC a try? We’ve got plenty of water, from the Hudson River to the East River Estuary, and these waterways offer some of the best views of many of New York’s attractions. If you own your own kayak, you’re all set to paddle. For the rest of us, there are many organizations around the city that aim to reconnect urbanites to nature and the aquatic ecosystems that surround us. Groups of boaters and paddling enthusiasts lead small groups around New York’s waterways, offering a cool, relaxing and educational adventure. Best of all? It’s free! NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island all have boating opportunities for you this summer. Most are first-come-first-served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out. After all that paddling, treat yourself to a hearty NYC brunch. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

With New York City named as the second-most expensive city in the world, you know we’re on the hunt for deals. While it basically costs $20 just to walk outside here, sometimes it’s worth the splurge if you’re visiting some of the best restaurants in NYC or seeing that hyped-up Broadway show. But more often than not, we have to choose between going out and paying rent, which just freaking sucks. That’s why Time Out New York is dedicated to helping you find cheap eats and happy hour deals as well as plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. The good news is that you don’t have to skip NYC’s top attractions or events at its beautiful parks. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC 

New York is a hotbed of artistic expression. The city’s art museums—including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—display some of the best artists spanning centuries. And with more than 1,000 galleries, you can check out the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums from painting to sculpture. You’ll find the best galleries in NYC concentrated in Chelsea, but also Brooklyn and Queens to the Upper and Lower East Sides of Manhattan. Visit NYC’s legendary art galleries and you’ll see some of the best artists from around the world.

Grand Bazaar is one of NYC's oldest and largest marketplaces where you can buy vintage treasures, antiques, clothing and more goodies from more than 150 local merchants. Photographers, jewelers and furniture designers sell their best on Sundays between 10am and 5pm on the Upper West Side (77th Street at Columbus Avenue), rain or shine. Each week offers a different theme, from featuring women-owned businesses to focusing on handmade items to spotlighting international wares. The market runs both indoors and outdoors each week all year long. As a testament to the beloved Grand Bazaar's staying power, the market is celebrating 40 years in 2025. Grand Bazaar also has a mission to give back with 100% of its profits from booth rentals supporting four local public schools, helping with everything from school supplies through teaching assistants.

Every summer, people flock to Central Park in New York to score Shakespeare in the Park tickets. This beloved free annual tradition is produced by the Public Theater at the open-air Delacorte Theater. Sure, you could stay at home and stream Shakespeare movies, but the live outdoor theater experience is unique—and certainly one of the best free things to do in NYC. As has been the case since Shakespeare in the Park began in 1962, the Public distributes free tickets, but it takes some dedication to get your hands on them. After two years in which distribution shifted largely to a digital lottery, the traditional in-person lineup in Central Park has returned as one of six different ways to get tickets. RECOMMENDED: Complete guide to Shakespeare in the Park 1. In Central Park at the Delacorte Tickets are distributed in front of the Delacorte Theater on a first-come, first-served basis at 12pm on the day of the show, so you’ll have to wait in line—likely for a long time—if you want to get in. But it's worth it. Before you go, you'll need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID. Click here do that. Central Park doesn’t open until 6am, and although the Public Theater doesn’t condone it, it is legal to camp out before then by the park entrance at Central Park West and 81st Street. A line monitor from the Public will escort any early birds in when the park opens. We recommend this option only for the very desperate; otherwise, arrive no later than 10am—though we recommend much...

Don’t scoff, jaded New Yorker—there are a lot of free things to do in NYC today. We understand: When you live in the most expensive city in the world, it’s hard to imagine how anything in this town could be gratis. But guess what? Every event on this list is free and actually awesome! That’s right, we found the free art exhibitions, comedy shows, cultural celebrations and NYC park activities, so you can have the time of your life without paying a dime. Whether you’re looking for fun date ideas or something to do with visiting relatives, we got you. Do you want more great stories about things to do, where to eat, what to watch, and where to party? Obviously you do, follow Time Out New York on Facebook for the good stuff.RECOMMENDED: See all free things to do in NYC

Under the sticky heat of the afternoon sun yesterday, dozens of fully nude models and artists (some of them nude, as well), gathered in Union Square for the final NYC Bodypainting Day. Each painter brought their artistic vision to life on the exquisite canvas of the human body, with some designs featuring intricate patterns and others with bold sweeping decorations.  Artist Andy Golub founded the annual event a decade ago and said this year would be the last for NYC Bodypainting Day in this form. It's likely that the news of the last hurrah attracted some of the throngs of onlookers who gathered around to watch the painters at work. Other attendees stumbled upon the event as they passed through the park, some suppressing surprised gasps or nervous giggles.  RECOMMENDED: This NYC vegan dinner party requires you to have dinner naked The event celebrates the human body in all of its beautiful shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities and ages (ranging from the 20s to the 80s at the event). Artists carefully wield paintbrushes to cover their subjects from head to toe in theatrical makeup.  "I wanted people to take a moment and really celebrate humanity," Golub told Time Out New York. "I think the event is really about spreading joy and feeling joy." When thinking back on the first bodypainting day, Golub describes it as "magical" with "this incredible feeling of positivity."  Ten years later, that energy imbued this year's event as well. While this is farewell to NYC Bodypainting...

PaddlesIn search of public options for curious newbies, I visit NYC's holdout nonprivate dungeon. The simple setup, found behind a marked door under an inconspicuous Chelsea awning, isn't intimidating. There's a bar selling soft drinks and a few rooms full of contraptions catering to individual interests—such as a chair to help fetishists get a faceful of a partner's feet. Unadorned corridors of cages and Saint Andrew's crosses are scattered around. My friend and I arrive just before 3am on a Saturday, as the space was converting from a well-lit coed atmosphere to the darker men-only party. Still, a half-dozen suburban types linger on a stage with a giant mirror behind it, setting up one last "scene" (a fantasy scenario). Everyone I meet is helpful, down-to-earth and eager to talk, including the Brit who'd arrived in town with a mind to getting caned. He met a German couple outside the club, took them for a drink and convinced the woman to do the honors. There's no pressure here; everything that you do or have done to you is consensual. Quietly watching is permissible; if you witness an act between two people who intrigue you, etiquette dictates you wait until they're through to approach them. There's no penetration or booze—stipulations that have helped the club avoid being shut down—so it's about leaving your street clothes at the door ($2) to reveal your leather skivvies; purchasing a cat-o'-nine-tails ($50--$70) from a spread of switches, whips and paddles on a lighted...

Every September 11 since 2003, two colossal pillars of blue light have illuminated the night sky, filling the gap in the skyline where the Twin Towers once stood. This art installation called Tribute in Light will once again beam into the clouds this September 11, marking 24 years since the terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people in New York City and changed the world as we know it.  New Yorkers can view Tribute In Light from just about anywhere, as it can be seen for miles on a clear night. But all are also invited to the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to see the lights from the Twin Towers once stood. Before the lights officially turn on, we got a sneak peek at the testing process and learned 10 interesting facts about Tribute in Light that you might not know. RECOMMENDED: Ways to mark September 11 in NYC this year 1. Tribute in Light dates back to 2002 Though it is a signature autumn event nowadays, the iconic tribute was actually first presented in the spring. Tribute in Light debuted in the spring of 2002, six months after 9/11 even while recovery and relief efforts at Ground Zero were still underway. It became an annual tradition on September 11 as of 2003. 2. It was created by a team of artists Several artists and designers came together to create the concept. While it may look simple, it's not, as Beth Hillman, president of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, told us. Lights were designed specially for this use, as it's difficult to send beams of light this extraordinarily high...

When anyone asks where my favorite place in NYC is, the answer is obvious: Governors Island. The 172-acre island, partially made from the cast-off rocks from the Lexington Avenue Subway, is the verdant backyard that New Yorkers desperately need. It's completely car-free so cycling is a breeze, the views of the harbor, the city and the Statue of Liberty are breathtaking and its acres of open land give beleaguered city residents a chance to spread their limbs without clobbering the person next to them. In recent years, the island has woken from its slumber as a former military site—an identity it's held since 1995 when the Coast Guard left—and has become a destination for culture with a burgeoning arts program as well as an oasis for recreation in a city where open space is extremely limited. It has become especially a summer activity for those seeking an escape from the concrete, but in 2021, The Trust for Governors Island announced that the park would be open year-round for the first time. Now, New Yorkers and tourists can enjoy the giant park any time of year. With this major change, the island is staying open later and has way more to offer than ever before, from multiple dining options with bars to the new QC NY Spa and the Collective Retreats glamping grounds. It's becoming a New York City neighborhood in its own right. Below, we've created and tested out a 24-hour itinerary for those who want to spend a full day at Governors Island. Note: It takes multiple visits to...

Groups! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t try almost everything on the menu in one sitting without 'em! Ok, maybe some can, but many will, at one point, still need to find restaurants perfect for large parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big promotions, belated or pre-lated holidays and general getting the band back together events.  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island each have options for your next fête, and these are our favorites for those expanded occasions. Most allow you to book space for up to six via conventional platforms, save for noted exceptions that go up to about ten, and all have room for more when you connect via email or phone. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

New York’s ever-changing skyline acquired another sky-high attraction for Gothamites to climb in 2019: Vessel. The 150-foot-tall, 60-ton landmark, located at sleek cultural destination Hudson Yards, resembles a honeycomb, although some New Yorkers say it looks like a waste can. Others say the larger-than-life art installation designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York’s version of the Eiffel Tour. As for what we say? The gleaming bronze-toned structure looks like a good excuse to get your steps in and snap some pics for Instagram. We climbed the spiral staircase made up of 154 interconnecting staircases, almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings—the various outlook points offer panoramic views of the Hudson River, the West Side skyline and the ever-expanding Hudson Yards campus, all of which appear mighty dreamy at sunset. Bonus: New Yorkers can visit for free on select days; here's how.