Free Things to Do in New York the Weekend of Sep 11–13, 2026

Sep 11–13 · 83 picks hand‑checked by Stumblday against organizer pages · updated Oct 5

9/11 25th Anniversary Commemoration — Friday, Sep 11 family ceremony 8:30 AM–~1 PM · Free · Financial District
Tribute in Light — 25th Anniversary of 9/11 — Fri Sep 11, dusk to dawn · Free · Financial District
"Come From Away" In Concert: Sounds of Remembrance — Sunday, September 13 showtime TBA · Free · Financial District
Ferragosto Festival — Sun Sep 13, 12-6pm · Free · Belmont
Table of Silence Project 9/11 — Friday Morning · Free · Lincoln Square
Brooklyn Americana Music Festival — Sat Sep 12, 2–10 PM (festival runs Sep 10–13) · Free · DUMBO
Notes of Tribute: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial Lights — Fri, Sep 11 7–9 PM · Free · Sunset Park
American Symphony Orchestra: 25th Anniversary of September 11th — Fri Sep 11, 7pm · Free · Midtown
Gracie Square Art Show — Saturday Sat–Sun, September 12–13 · Free · Upper East Side
Live in The Lot at Culture Lab LIC — Weekends through September 27 · Free · Long Island City

9/11 Memorial plaza, World Trade Center, Financial District, ManhattanKen Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Friday, Sep 11 · family ceremony 8:30 AM–~1 PM · plaza open to the public from ~3 PM · Tribute in Light dusk–dawnFree

9/11 25th Anniversary Commemoration

Financial District, Manhattan

The defining event of the weekend citywide: victims' families read all 2,983 names on the Memorial plaza in the morning and the plaza reopens to everyone that afternoon ahead of Tribute in Light.

Free25th AnniversaryMemorial

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#1Friday, Sep 11 · family ceremony 8:30 AM–~1 PM · plaza open to the public from ~3 PM · Tribute in Light dusk–dawn · One Day Only

9/11 Memorial plaza, World Trade Center, Financial District, ManhattanKen Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Free25th Anniversary

9/11 25th Anniversary Commemoration

The defining event of the weekend citywide: victims' families read all 2,983 names on the Memorial plaza in the morning and the plaza reopens to everyone that afternoon ahead of Tribute in Light.

Add to calendar

Tribute in Light — 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Lower Manhattan skyline, Financial District, ManhattanKing of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fri Sep 11, dusk to dawnFree

Tribute in Light — 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Financial District, Manhattan

Twin beams from 88 searchlights rise miles over Lower Manhattan for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — visible across all five boroughs, dusk to dawn.

Free25th AnniversaryCitywide views

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#2Fri Sep 11, dusk to dawn · One Day Only

Lower Manhattan skyline, Financial District, ManhattanKing of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Free25th Anniversary

Tribute in Light — 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Twin beams from 88 searchlights rise miles over Lower Manhattan for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — visible across all five boroughs, dusk to dawn.

Add to calendar

"Come From Away" In Concert: Sounds of Remembrance

PAC NYC — open-air on the World Trade Center campus, Financial District, Manhattan

Sunday, September 13, 2026 · showtime TBAFree (reservations open this…

"Come From Away" In Concert: Sounds of Remembrance

Financial District, Manhattan

Former Broadway and national tour cast members of the Tony-winning musical reunite for a free, one-time-only open-air concert on the World Trade Center campus for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

FreeOne night only9/11 25th Anniversary

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#3Sunday, September 13, 2026 · showtime TBA · One Day Only

PAC NYC — open-air on the World Trade Center campus, Financial District, Manhattan

Free (reservations open this…One night only

"Come From Away" In Concert: Sounds of Remembrance

Former Broadway and national tour cast members of the Tony-winning musical reunite for a free, one-time-only open-air concert on the World Trade Center campus for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Add to calendar

Arthur Avenue at E 187th St, Belmont, Bronx

Sun Sep 13, 12-6pmFree

Ferragosto Festival

Belmont, Bronx

Arthur Avenue becomes an open-air Italian feast — porchetta and mozzarella from the block's legendary shops, live music and a full Bronx street party.

FreeLittle ItalyStreet festival

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#4Sun Sep 13, 12-6pm · One Day Only

Arthur Avenue at E 187th St, Belmont, Bronx

FreeLittle Italy

Ferragosto Festival

Arthur Avenue becomes an open-air Italian feast — porchetta and mozzarella from the block's legendary shops, live music and a full Bronx street party.

Add to calendar

Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center, Lincoln Square, Manhattan

Friday · MorningFree

Table of Silence Project 9/11

Lincoln Square, Manhattan

More than 150 dancers in white move in silence across Lincoln Center's plaza to mark September 11.

FreeDanceManhattan

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#5Friday · Morning · One Day Only

Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center, Lincoln Square, Manhattan

FreeDance

Table of Silence Project 9/11

More than 150 dancers in white move in silence across Lincoln Center's plaza to mark September 11.

Add to calendar

Dumbo Archway Plaza, DUMBO, Brooklyn

Sat Sep 12, 2–10 PM (festival runs Sep 10–13)Free

Brooklyn Americana Music Festival

DUMBO, Brooklyn

The 12th annual roots-music festival's flagship free day: nine acts under the Manhattan Bridge from 2 PM, all ages, no ticket needed.

FreeLive musicOutdoor

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#6Sat Sep 12, 2–10 PM (festival runs Sep 10–13) · One Weekend Only

Dumbo Archway Plaza, DUMBO, Brooklyn

FreeLive music

Brooklyn Americana Music Festival

The 12th annual roots-music festival's flagship free day: nine acts under the Manhattan Bridge from 2 PM, all ages, no ticket needed.

Add to calendar

Notes of Tribute: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial Lights

Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Fri, Sep 11 · 7–9 PMFree ($10 suggested donation)

Notes of Tribute: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial Lights

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Green-Wood's free 25th-anniversary gathering: words of remembrance and live music from sunset on a hilltop with a clear view of the Tribute in Light.

Free9/11 25th AnniversarySkyline View

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#7Fri, Sep 11 · 7–9 PM · One Day Only

Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Free ($10 suggested donation)9/11 25th Anniversary

Notes of Tribute: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial Lights

Green-Wood's free 25th-anniversary gathering: words of remembrance and live music from sunset on a hilltop with a clear view of the Tribute in Light.

Add to calendar

American Symphony Orchestra: 25th Anniversary of September 11th

Bryant Park, Midtown, Manhattan

Fri Sep 11, 7pmFree

American Symphony Orchestra: 25th Anniversary of September 11th

Midtown, Manhattan

The American Symphony Orchestra closes Bryant Park's Picnic Performances with a free lawn concert marking 25 years since 9/11 — bring a blanket.

FreeClassicalSeason finale

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#8Fri Sep 11, 7pm · One Day Only

Bryant Park, Midtown, Manhattan

FreeClassical

American Symphony Orchestra: 25th Anniversary of September 11th

The American Symphony Orchestra closes Bryant Park's Picnic Performances with a free lawn concert marking 25 years since 9/11 — bring a blanket.

Add to calendar

Carl Schurz Park, Yorkville, Upper East Side, Manhattan

Saturday · Sat–Sun, September 12–13, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM (rain or shine)Free to attend

Gracie Square Art Show

Upper East Side, Manhattan

The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy's 51st annual juried art show brings 100+ painters, photographers and sculptors to the East River waterfront, with free kids' art workshops both mornings.

FreeArt fairFamily-friendly

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#9Saturday · Sat–Sun, September 12–13, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM (rain or shine) · One Weekend Only

Carl Schurz Park, Yorkville, Upper East Side, Manhattan

Free to attendArt fair

Gracie Square Art Show

The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy's 51st annual juried art show brings 100+ painters, photographers and sculptors to the East River waterfront, with free kids' art workshops both mornings.

Add to calendar

#10

Culture Lab LIC, Long Island City, Queens

Weekends through September 27; sets typically start late afternoonFree

Live in The Lot at Culture Lab LIC

Long Island City, Queens

Free outdoor concerts in Culture Lab's Long Island City lot - two or three bands a night and the season closes this weekend.

FreeLimited Run

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#10Weekends through September 27; sets typically start late afternoon · Limited Run

Culture Lab LIC, Long Island City, Queens

FreeLimited Run

Live in The Lot at Culture Lab LIC

Free outdoor concerts in Culture Lab's Long Island City lot - two or three bands a night and the season closes this weekend.

Add to calendar

More this weekend

#11

Lee Bul: The Anatomy of Every Setting Sun

Hauser & Wirth, 542 West 22nd Street, Chelsea, Manhattan

On view through Oct 24, 2026Free

Lee Bul: The Anatomy of Every Setting Sun

Chelsea, Manhattan

Korean icon Lee Bul fills Hauser & Wirth with major new sculptures — cyborg bodies and glittering future ruins probing technology, nature and history.

FreeArtSculpture

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#11On view through Oct 24, 2026 · Limited Run

Hauser & Wirth, 542 West 22nd Street, Chelsea, Manhattan

FreeArt

Lee Bul: The Anatomy of Every Setting Sun

Korean icon Lee Bul fills Hauser & Wirth with major new sculptures — cyborg bodies and glittering future ruins probing technology, nature and history.

Add to calendar

#12

Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, Pier 2 Dock, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Saturdays through Sep 26Free

Free Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Twenty minutes on the East River in the protected embayment off Pier 2 - boats, vests and instruction provided and it costs nothing.

FreeLimited Run

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#12Saturdays through Sep 26 · Limited Run

Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, Pier 2 Dock, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

FreeLimited Run

Free Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Twenty minutes on the East River in the protected embayment off Pier 2 - boats, vests and instruction provided and it costs nothing.

Add to calendar

#13

Japan Fes — Chelsea Japanese Food Festival

JAPAN Fes street fair, Chelsea, Manhattan

Sat Sep 12 + Sun Sep 13, 10am-6pmFree entry

Japan Fes — Chelsea Japanese Food Festival

Chelsea, Manhattan

Ramen, takoyaki, onigiri and matcha sweets pack a Chelsea block for two days as JAPAN Fes rolls through its 10th-anniversary season — free to browse.

FreeFree entryStreet food

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#13Sat Sep 12 + Sun Sep 13, 10am-6pm · One Weekend Only

JAPAN Fes street fair, Chelsea, Manhattan

Free entryFree entry

Japan Fes — Chelsea Japanese Food Festival

Ramen, takoyaki, onigiri and matcha sweets pack a Chelsea block for two days as JAPAN Fes rolls through its 10th-anniversary season — free to browse.

Add to calendar

#14

Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground, Van Cortlandt Park, BronxHugo L. González · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fridays through Oct 2, 5:30-9:30pmFree

Starlight Cinema in Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance opens its fall outdoor movie season on the Parade Ground with a free screening of Babe. Music and movie-themed crafts start at 5:30 p.m., with the film at last light.

FreeOutdoor movieFamily-friendly

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#14Fridays through Oct 2, 5:30-9:30pm · Limited Run

Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground, Van Cortlandt Park, BronxHugo L. González · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

FreeOutdoor movie

Starlight Cinema in Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance opens its fall outdoor movie season on the Parade Ground with a free screening of Babe. Music and movie-themed crafts start at 5:30 p.m., with the film at last light.

Add to calendar

The whole weekend, in one email.

Friday at 5pm, one email. Unsubscribe anytime.

#15

King Jagiello Plaza, Central Park, Manhattan

Sun, Oct 11, 2026 · 4:00pmFree

Central Park Swings

Central Park, Manhattan

Free Sunday-afternoon social dancing on the plaza above Turtle Pond - swing, jump blues, hot jazz and cha chas, with lessons in the breaks.

FreeOne Day Only

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#15Sun, Oct 11, 2026 · 4:00pm · One Day Only

King Jagiello Plaza, Central Park, Manhattan

FreeOne Day Only

Central Park Swings

Free Sunday-afternoon social dancing on the plaza above Turtle Pond - swing, jump blues, hot jazz and cha chas, with lessons in the breaks.

Add to calendar

#16

The Museum of Modern Art, Midtown, Manhattan

Friday, September 11, 5:30–8:30 PMFree for NY State residents (…

Uniqlo Friday Nights

Midtown, Manhattan

MoMA's free Friday evening for New York State residents — and the last evening chance to see Frida and Diego: The Last Dream before it closes September 12.

FreeFree NightMuseum

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#16Friday, September 11, 5:30–8:30 PM · One Day Only

The Museum of Modern Art, Midtown, Manhattan

Free for NY State residents (…Free

Uniqlo Friday Nights

MoMA's free Friday evening for New York State residents — and the last evening chance to see Frida and Diego: The Last Dream before it closes September 12.

Add to calendar

#17

Father Duffy Square, Times Square, Manhattan

Friday, September 11, 1–2 PMFree

Unforgotten: Butoh for 9/11

Times Square, Manhattan

Vangeline Theater's annual butoh memorial for 9/11, performed free in Father Duffy Square on the 25th anniversary — seven dancers with live cello.

Free9/11 CommemorationDance

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#17Friday, September 11, 1–2 PM · One Day Only

Father Duffy Square, Times Square, Manhattan

Free9/11 Commemoration

Unforgotten: Butoh for 9/11

Vangeline Theater's annual butoh memorial for 9/11, performed free in Father Duffy Square on the 25th anniversary — seven dancers with live cello.

Add to calendar

#18

Sixth Avenue, 23rd–34th Streets, Chelsea / NoMad, Manhattan

Sunday, September 13, 2026, daytime (avenue fairs typically run about 10 AM–6 PM)Free

6th Avenue Autumn Fair

Chelsea / NoMad, Manhattan

Eleven blocks of Sixth Avenue close to cars from 23rd to 34th Street for the weekend's largest street fair — food stands, crafts and bargains from Chelsea to Herald Square.

FreeStreet fair

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#18Sunday, September 13, 2026, daytime (avenue fairs typically run about 10 AM–6 PM) · Limited Run

Sixth Avenue, 23rd–34th Streets, Chelsea / NoMad, Manhattan

FreeStreet fair

6th Avenue Autumn Fair

Eleven blocks of Sixth Avenue close to cars from 23rd to 34th Street for the weekend's largest street fair — food stands, crafts and bargains from Chelsea to Herald Square.

Add to calendar

#19

8th Avenue, 14th to 23rd Street, Chelsea, ManhattanTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Saturday, September 12, 2026Free

8th Avenue Chelsea Festival

Chelsea, Manhattan

Nine blocks of 8th Avenue go car-free from 14th to 23rd Street for one of the weekend's biggest Manhattan street fairs — food rows, vendor tables and all of Chelsea to wander off into.

FreeStreet fairChelsea

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#19Saturday, September 12, 2026 · One Day Only

8th Avenue, 14th to 23rd Street, Chelsea, ManhattanTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

FreeStreet fair

8th Avenue Chelsea Festival

Nine blocks of 8th Avenue go car-free from 14th to 23rd Street for one of the weekend's biggest Manhattan street fairs — food rows, vendor tables and all of Chelsea to wander off into.

Add to calendar

#20

Woodside Avenue, 65th Street to Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, QueensTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Saturday, September 12, 2026Free

Woodside Queens Festival

Woodside, Queens

Woodside Avenue closes from 65th Street to Roosevelt Avenue for Queens' big Saturday street festival — vendor rows and food stalls in the heart of Little Manila, right on the 7 line.

FreeStreet fairQueens

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#20Saturday, September 12, 2026 · One Day Only

Woodside Avenue, 65th Street to Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, QueensTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

FreeStreet fair

Woodside Queens Festival

Woodside Avenue closes from 65th Street to Roosevelt Avenue for Queens' big Saturday street festival — vendor rows and food stalls in the heart of Little Manila, right on the 7 line.

Add to calendar

#21

Junction Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue to 35th Avenue, Corona, Queens

Sunday, September 13, 2026Free

Junction Boulevard Festival

Corona, Queens

Corona's big annual street fair takes over Junction Boulevard from Roosevelt to 35th Avenue on US Open men's-final Sunday — a Latin-flavored boulevard of food, music and vendor rows.

FreeStreet fairQueens

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#21Sunday, September 13, 2026 · One Day Only

Junction Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue to 35th Avenue, Corona, Queens

FreeStreet fair

Junction Boulevard Festival

Corona's big annual street fair takes over Junction Boulevard from Roosevelt to 35th Avenue on US Open men's-final Sunday — a Latin-flavored boulevard of food, music and vendor rows.

Add to calendar

#22

Brooklyn Heights Back to School Party on Car-Free Montague Street

Car-Free Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Sunday, September 13, 12–4 PMFree

Brooklyn Heights Back to School Party on Car-Free Montague Street

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Montague Street goes car-free for a free back-to-school block party — obstacle course, crafts, storytimes and a dance party pitched at the 0–12 set.

FreeFamilyOpen Streets

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#22Sunday, September 13, 12–4 PM · One Day Only

Car-Free Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

FreeFamily

Brooklyn Heights Back to School Party on Car-Free Montague Street

Montague Street goes car-free for a free back-to-school block party — obstacle course, crafts, storytimes and a dance party pitched at the 0–12 set.

Add to calendar

#23

7th Annual La Colmena's Mexican Independence Day Parade

Port Richmond Avenue, Port Richmond, Staten Island

Sun, Sep 13 · 12–2pmFree

7th Annual La Colmena's Mexican Independence Day Parade

Port Richmond, Staten Island

La Colmena's seventh annual parade brings Folklórico dancers, live music and floats down Port Richmond Avenue for Mexican Independence Day — free and all ages.

FreeParadeAll ages

Submitted byStumblday Editors

Add to calendarView Details

#23Sun, Sep 13 · 12–2pm · One Day Only

Port Richmond Avenue, Port Richmond, Staten Island

FreeParade

7th Annual La Colmena's Mexican Independence Day Parade

La Colmena's seventh annual parade brings Folklórico dancers, live music and floats down Port Richmond Avenue for Mexican Independence Day — free and all ages.

Add to calendar

#24