EVERYTHING FREE FOR A FUN NYC SUMMER!
Summer of 2025 is here and if you live or are visiting New York City you know it may be packed with high prices and crowded venues. From beautiful parks alive with music and art installations to free outdoor film screenings under the stars, the city offers endless no-cost adventures for every taste. Whether you’re picnicking on the High Line, joining a dance party at a public plaza, or wandering through vibrant street fairs, you’ll discover that it is possible to celebrate the life of the city on a budget. Dive into our list of favorite free activities and unlock the very best free experiences NYC has to offer this summer!
Bryant Park Movie Nights
FREE CINEMA/THEATRE NIGHTS
Perfect events for any cinema junkies or lovers of the arts!
Bryant Park Paramount+ Movie Nights
When: (June 10 - August 12)
Where: Manhattan
Bryant Park is one of the longest running free movie nights, showing cult classics and new movies every Monday. Make sure to arrive before the lawn opens at 5pm if you want to snag a good spot and bring blankets or grab food at any of the nearby eateries like Chipotle or Le Pain Quotidien.
The Shakespeare in the Park’s “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”
When: June 11, 2025 - July 29th, 2025
Where: All FIVE BOROUGHS
The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit celebrates its 15th year with the beloved romantic comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Enjoy performances in parks across all 5 boroughs. No tickets required, but register on their website for more information!
When: May 24, June 28, July 26, August 23
Where: Manhattan
This summer there are there are movies screened on the flight deck starting at sunset featuring classic “ship-themed” films.
Central Astoria Summer Movie Series
When: July 28 - August 18
Where: Queens
Starting at 7pm on Monday evenings bring a blanket and snack and enjoy fun movies at Astoria Park’s Great Lawn.
Starlight Cinema: Enchanted Forest
When: September
Where: Bronx
The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance hosts a Family friendly movie series with additional community building activities and games beforehand. They moved it towards the end of summer due to avoid peak bug season!
When: June 13th - August 27th
Where: Brooklyn
Across multiple areas in Brooklyn you will be able to catch tons of movies from PG through Rated R. Locations for this year are shown Coney Island Beach, Fort Greene Park, McCarren Park, and Prospect Park.
MOVING YOUR BODY: YOGA AND DANCING
FREE NYC YOGA!
Trying to stay active this year? These classes make working out fun!
When: May 28th- September 17
Where: Manhattan
Register online for Tuesdays and Wednesday at the Bryant Park Lawn. Bryant Park Yoga presented by Halara is free to the public. Bring your mat and water and enjoy one hour of yoga with New York City’s top instructors. Please register for each class at the links below!
When:June 1st- September 28th
Where: Queens
Sundays from 10-11am, Socrates offers free classes of Vinyasa Yoga, there is no RSVP or pre-registration required and the classes are designed for all experience levels. Bring your own mat or towel.
When: June- September
Where: Manhattan
Healthy on the Hudson classes are free and open to the public from June to September, they offer a variety of free fitness classes in conditioning, flow yoga, and HIIT classes on weekdays. check out their website calendar for other free weekly events.
When: June-October
Where:Manhattan
Summer on the Hudson takes place along piers across 61st Street to 172nd Street along the Hudson River, from May to October.There is a variety of activities including yoga, silent discos, music nights, wet lab discovery sessions and birding walks.
When: May 29th- August 28th
Where: Brooklyn
Join hundreds of Brooklynites on Thursdays from 7 – 8 pm on the Long Meadow to celebrate yoga and wellness in our treasured Prospect Park.
This outdoor yoga series is sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian.
Bring your own mat or towel, a bottle of water and friends. All levels are welcome. Please sign the waiver prior to your first class.
ON THE WATER ACTIVITIESYou can’t help but love joining in these activities on the water. Plus you get the ultimate NYC backdrop!
When: June through September
Where: Manhattan
The Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26 has free kayaking for all ages; Double kayaks for parents with children under 12. No reservations needed, but get there early as it is first come, first serve.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse
When: May- August
Where: Brooklyn
Wednesdays- Sundays at Pier 4 in the Brooklyn Bridge Park you can Kayak, Reservations are recommended and open up 2 weeks in advance. you can also check out their kayak polo sports events.
When: May 31 - August 30th | 1pm-6pm
Where: Bronx
Free community birding, rowing, and sailing at Hunts Point Riverside Park in the Bronx. No reservations are required. All participants must sign a liability release waiver!
Kayaking on the East River
