Friday November 24, 2017
Saturday November 25, 2017
Sunday November 26, 2017
Looking for free and cheap things to do in New York City this weekend? We have scoured the internet to find fun, interesting, artsy, tasty, active, educational and unique experiences that you can do this weekend in the city for free or cheap.
If you’re on a budget (or even if you’re not), check out the list below for ideas on what to do this weekend without breaking the bank. Whatever your interests – food, music, movies, theater, dance, comedy, classes, tours, art or games – there’s definitely something here for you!
TrumpCON | Comedy Fair/Festival
- Kraine Theater (Manhattan), Friday – Sunday evening shows ($15)
- Political comedy with a fantastic lineup that includes Trump: An American Musical, Don’t Hate Me Because I’m a Republican, and the LGBTQ Russian Disaster Roast Hour.
- Event Website
Winter Village | Fair/Festival
- Bryant Park, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Free!)
- The Winter Village features ice-skating, holiday shopping, food, and artisanal boutiques offering delicious eats and exquisite gifts, from distinctive apparel to decorative goods, local food vendors, and more.
- Open through the end of December.
- Event Website
Grand Central Holiday Fair | Fair/Festival
- Grand Central, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Free!)
- 40 vendors will take over half of the historic Vanderbilt Hall to sell artwork, clothing for all ages, men’s/women’s accessories, children’s clothing/toys and home goods. A range of products and price points guarantees that New Yorkers, commuters, and tourists alike can find interesting gift items for others as well as covet-worthy items for themselves.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Holiday Market Opening Weekend | Fair/Festival
- Union Square, 11:00AM to 8:00PM (Free!)
- A must-visit destination for unique gifts created by local craftsmen and artists.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Museum of Modern Art | Museum/Art
- 11 W. 53rd St., 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Free!)
- Free admission to the MoMA courtesy of Uniqlo
- Recurs every Friday.
- Event Website
Morgan Library & Museum | Museum/Art
- Madison Ave & 36th St., 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Free!)
- Free admission to the library and museum.
- Recurs every Friday.
- Event Website
Whitney Museum | Museum/Art
- 99 Gansevoort Street (Chelsea), 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Free!)
- Free/pay what you wish admission to the Whitney Museum.
- Recurs every Friday.
- Event Website
“The Life Aquatic” Screening with Campari | Film
- Videology Bar & Cinema (Brooklyn), 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ($22)
- With a glass of Compari, included!
- Event Website
Black Friday Beats | Music Dance
- Union Hall (Brooklyn), 10:00 PM (Free!)
- Shane MauX (pronounced “MO”) is a passionate, eclectic, and versatile DJ who is dedicated to translating your vibe into an unforgettable dance party.
- Event Website
Spend Black Friday With “Planet Earth” | Television
- Caveat (Manhattan), 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Free!)
- Watch Planet Earth and have a drink to relax from the Black Friday chaos.
- Event Website
Homespun Comedy | Comedy
- Q.E.D. (Astoria), 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM ($7)
- Homespun is a monthly standup comedy show hosted by Astoria comic Jessica Watkins. Best known for her walk across America, Watkins hosts a rotating lineup the last Friday of each month featuring the brightest comedians around.
- Event Website
Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar | Fair/Festival
- 501 Union – The Green Building, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- A unique celebration of local talent with 60+ handpicked makers, delicious food & drinks and fun activities for the whole family at Brooklyn’s most beautiful venues.
- Event Website
Arts & Crafts Fair | Fair/Festival Art
- Alice Austen House (Brooklyn), 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Free!)
- Find special holiday gifts made by local artists and artisans.
- Event Website
Shape Up NYC: Zumba | Active
- Poe Park Visitor Center (Bronx), 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Free!)
- Have fun with Zumba for fitness, health, and well-being.
- Event Website
Holiday Bazaar | Fair/Festival
- Q.E.D. (Astoria), 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Free!)
- Celebrate this Small Business Saturday and kick off your holiday shopping season with locally-crafted gifts from 25 of the neighborhood’s foremost creative makers. Expect to come across one-of-a-kind ceramics, hand-made jewelry, imaginatively designed greeting cards, eye-catching art and super delicious treats.
- Event Website
Historic New York: Colonial Cooking | History
- Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (Brooklyn), 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Free!)
- Fort Greene, Brooklyn, holds an important place in the history of the Colonies and the American Revolution. Learn about the traditions of colonial cooking and the people who lived in this area of Brooklyn centuries ago.
- Event Website
History of Van Cortlandt Park | Active
- Van Cortlandt Nature Center (Bronx), 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Free!)
- Learn how Van Cortlandt Park has been transformed over the past 500 years of human settlement. Once a Native American village, the parkland was converted into an eighteenth century swampy country estate before being cleared for a military training ground and passenger railroad service.
- Event Website
TrumpCON | Comedy Fair/Festival
- Kraine Theater (Manhattan), Friday – Sunday evening shows ($15)
- Political comedy with a fantastic lineup that includes Trump: An American Musical, Don’t Hate Me Because I’m a Republican, and the LGBTQ Russian Disaster Roast Hour.
- Event Website
Grand Central Holiday Fair | Fair/Festival
- Grand Central, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Free!)
- 40 vendors will take over half of the historic Vanderbilt Hall to sell artwork, clothing for all ages, men’s/women’s accessories, children’s clothing/toys and home goods. A range of products and price points guarantees that New Yorkers, commuters, and tourists alike can find interesting gift items for others as well as covet-worthy items for themselves.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Holiday Market | Fair/Festival
- Union Square, 10:00AM to 8:00PM (Free!)
- A must-visit destination for unique gifts created by local craftsmen and artists.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Central Park Tour: Stroll to Strawberry Fields | Tour
- Merchant’s Gate, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Free!)
- Highlights of this tour include: Maine Monument, the Children’s District, Sheep Meadow, Tavern on the Green, and Strawberry Fields.
- Event Website
From Freight to Flowers | Tour
- The High Line, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Free!)
- Hear the story behind New York City’s park in the sky on a special winter walking tour! Join a 45-minute long tour led by High Line Docents, knowledgeable volunteer guides who offer you an insider’s perspective on the park’s history, design, and landscape.
- Recurs Saturdays.
- Event Website
Winter Village | Fair/Festival
- Bryant Park, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Free!)
- The Winter Village features ice skating, holiday shopping, food, and artisanal boutiques offering delicious eats and exquisite gifts, from distinctive apparel to decorative goods, local food vendors, and more.
- Open through the end of December.
- Event Website
Chelsea Flea Market | Fair/Festival
- West 25th Street, between 6th Ave & Broadway, 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM ($1 admission)
- Features up to 135 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, ephemera, decorative arts, vintage clothing, jewelry, and other types of antiques (items more than 100 years old), vintage items (including Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern items), and other desirable items from the past.
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market | Fair/Festival
- West 39th Street, between 9th & 10th Ave, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Free to enter, goods for purchase)
- A place where collectors and top-notch hagglers including fashion hunters, designers, celebs, tourists, and residents shop for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, home decorations, furniture, ephemera, jewelry, and more.
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Long Island City Flea & Food | Fair/Festival Food
- 5-25 46th Avenue, LIC, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Free to enter, goods for purchase)
- The market has over 80 carefully curated vendors that sell items such as internationally inspired food & drink, antiques, art, furniture, fashion, jewelry, arts & crafts and much more
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Smorg Square | Food Fair/Festival
- SoHo, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Free to enter, food and drink for purchase)
- 75-100 food and drink vendors
- Recurs through the holidays.
- Event Website
The Green Team | Active
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Free!)
- Volunteer with the Green Team: The Green Team provides essential horticultural care to the Park, including planting, mulching, and removing invasive plants. The Green Team is a wonderful opportunity to learn about gardening, enjoy nature, and make the Park look its best.
- Recurs Saturdays.
- Event Website
Garden Highlights Walk | Tour
- Wave Hill, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Free!)
- Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights.
- Event Website
Brooklyn Brewery Tours | Tour Food
- Brooklyn Brewery, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Free!)
- Tour the brewery and learn how beer is made.
- Recurs every Saturday & Sunday.
- Event Website
Create Your Own Holiday Wrapping Paper | Class Fun & Games
- Poe Visitor Center, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Free!)
- Adults will make their own, creative gift wrapping paper for the coming holidays. Participants will take inspiration from fall and winter seasons, as well as the holidays for each month.
- November: Fall, Thanksgiving
- December: Whimsical Winter Wonder, Christmas, and Hanukah
- Recurs Saturdays through December.
- Event Website
Union Square Park Tour | Tour
- Union Square, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Free!)
- Explore the social and political history of the Union Square neighborhood and learn about the people and events that shaped this vibrant historical community.
- Recurs every Saturday.
- Event Website
Bargemusic | Music
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, 4:00 PM (Free!)
- Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge for a one-hour, family-friendly concert by Bargemusic.
- Recurs Saturdays.
- Event Website
Trivia Night | Fun & Games
- One Star Bar (Manhattan), 7:00 PM (Free!)
- Hosted by Tony Hightower of TriviaNYC and John Chaneski of NPR’s “Ask Me Another“.
- Recurring every Saturday
- TriviaNYC Website
- Venue Website
Andy Kindler: Full of Love | Comedy
- Union Hall (Brooklyn), 7:30 PM ($12-$15)
- Comedy with Andy Kindler of Bob’s Burgers and Tosh. O.
- Event Website
“The Big Lebowski” Screening with a White Russian | Film
- Videology Bar & Cinema (Brooklyn), 9:15 PM ($22)
- With a White Russian, included!
- Event Website
The Rub | Music Dance
- The Bell House (Brooklyn), 10:00 PM ($10)
- Great dance music mixed well, affordable drinks, and real people; no dress code, no bottle service and no celebrity DJs.
- Event Website
Last Stop Laughs | Comedy
- Q.E.D. (Astoria), 11:00 PM – 12:30 AM (Free!)
- Late night stand up.
- Recurs every Saturday.
- Event Website
DJ Party | Music Dance
- Union Hall (Brooklyn), Midnight – Late (Free!)
- DJ Colleen Crumbcake (East Village Radio) spins a late night mix of heavy hitters starting at midnight to make your booty bounce! Hip Hop, Mainstream Dance Hits, Classic Soul, Old Skool, & Disco.
- Recurs most Saturday nights.
- Event Website
Arts & Crafts Fair | Fair/Festival Art
- Alice Austen House (Brooklyn), 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Free!)
- Find special holiday gifts made by local artists and artisans.
- Event Website
Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar | Fair/Festival
- 501 Union – The Green Building, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- A unique celebration of local talent with 60+ handpicked makers, delicious food & drinks and fun activities for the whole family at Brooklyn’s most beautiful venues.
- Event Website
Board Game Meet Up | Fun & Games
- Q.E.D. (Astoria), 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Free!)
- Break out the board games and bring your friends to play anything you like. This is a great chance to learn how to play new games or play ones that require extra players.
- Event Website
The World’s Fair Adventure Quest | Fun & Games Active
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Free!)
- Learn about the World’s Fair and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park as you’ve never experienced before. This challenge leads teams through the park on a part scavenger hunt, part walking tour that combines easy physical challenges, photo clues, and searches while testing your knowledge of local history.
- Pre-registration required.
- Event Website
Obscura Holiday Bazaar | Fair/Festival
- The Bell House (Brooklyn), 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM ($3)
- Weird things, curiosities, oddities! Featuring model/mortician Laura Flook.
- Event Website
TrumpCON | Comedy Fair/Festival
- Kraine Theater (Manhattan), Friday – Sunday evening shows ($15)
- Political comedy with a fantastic lineup that includes Trump: An American Musical, Don’t Hate Me Because I’m a Republican, and the LGBTQ Russian Disaster Roast Hour.
- Event Website
Winter Village | Fair/Festival
- Bryant Park, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Free!)
- The Winter Village features ice skating, holiday shopping, food, and artisanal boutiques offering delicious eats and exquisite gifts, from distinctive apparel to decorative goods, local food vendors, and more.
- Open through the end of December.
- Event Website
Grand Central Holiday Fair | Fair/Festival
- Grand Central, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Free!)
- 40 vendors will take over half of the historic Vanderbilt Hall to sell artwork, clothing for all ages, men’s/women’s accessories, children’s clothing/toys and home goods. A range of products and price points guarantees that New Yorkers, commuters, and tourists alike can find interesting gift items for others as well as covet-worthy items for themselves.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Holiday Market | Fair/Festival
- Union Square, 11:00AM to 7:00PM (Free!)
- A must-visit destination for unique gifts created by local craftsmen and artists.
- Recurs through Christmas Eve.
- Event Website
Historic New York: Brooklyn Bridge | Tour
- Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 1, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Free!)
- Explore the history of the Brooklyn Bridge, from the time when it was first built to the present day, and also discover Brooklyn Bridge Park, the modern park which shares its namesake.
- Event Website
Central Park Tour: Mid-Park Welcome Tour | Tour
- Alexander von Humboldt statue, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Free!)
- Highlights of this tour include: Balcony Bridge, Oak Bridge, the Lake, the Ramble, and Belvedere Castle.
- Event Website
Chelsea Flea Market | Fair/Festival
- West 25th Street, between 6th Ave & Broadway, 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM ($1 admission)
- Features up to 135 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, ephemera, decorative arts, vintage clothing, jewelry, and other types of antiques (items more than 100 years old), vintage items (including Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern items), and other desirable items from the past
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market | Fair/Festival
- West 39th Street, between 9th & 10th Ave, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Free to enter, goods for purchase)
- A place where collectors and top-notch hagglers including fashion hunters, designers, celebs, tourists, and residents shop for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, home decorations, furniture, ephemera, jewelry, and more
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Grand Bazaar | Fair/Festival
- 77th St. & Columbus Ave., 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Free!)
- Recurring every Sunday.
- The largest curated weekly market on the Upper West Side: indoors & outdoors, local artist, designers, and antique/vintage dealers sell one-of-a-kind and limited edition art, antique watches, vintage collectibles and fashion, handmade jewelry and furniture.
- Event Website
Smorg Square | Food Fair/Festival
- SoHo, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Free to enter, food and drink for purchase)
- 75-100 food and drink vendors
- Recurs through the holidays.
- Event Website
Long Island City Flea & Food | Fair/Festival Food
- 5-25 46th Avenue, LIC, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Free to enter, goods for purchase)
- The market has over 80 carefully curated vendors that sell items such as internationally inspired food & drink, antiques, art, furniture, fashion, jewelry, arts & crafts and much more.
- Recurs weekly.
- Event Website
Brooklyn Brewery Tours | Tour Food
- Brooklyn Brewery, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Free!)
- Tour the brewery and learn how beer is made.
- Recurs every Saturday & Sunday.
- Event Website
“Lost In Translation” Screening with Suntory Whisky | Film
- Videology Bar & Cinema (Brooklyn), 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM ($22)
- With a glass of Suntory Whisky on the rocks, included!
- Event Website
Trivia Night | Fun & Games
- Arts & Crafts Beer Parlor Soha (by Columbia), 7:00 PM (Free!)
- Recurring every Sunday
- Each week features an “On This Day In History” round, a rapid-fire “Name Threes” round, the best-curated audio round in the city, and tons of prizes, including books, theater tickets, & other prizes (many of them drinkable).
- TriviaNYC Website
- Venue Website
Magtag Variety Hour | Comedy
- Q.E.D. (Astoria), 8:30 PM ($7)
- Looking to experience a zany and hilarious hour of pure silliness? Oh yeah you are! Come join comedian Maggie Lalley as she hosts a ragtag bunch of the silliest stand ups, musicians, improvisers, poets, and storytellers in NYC. And don’t you worry, there will be prizes! Silly ones of course.
- Event Website
Andy Kindler: Full of Love | Comedy
- Union Hall (Brooklyn), 8:00 PM ($10)
- Michelle & Jordan welcome guests to break down the what, the how, the where and the why #ADULTING is the puberty you opt into.
- Event Website
