Skate beneath the historic Brooklyn Bridge while taking in the iconic views of the Manhattan skyline at Roebling Rink. Photo courtesy of venue

Christmas Weekend 2024 in NYC Top Things To Do: Make Music NYC, BCM Birthday & Hanukkah

Until January 5, The Paley Museum has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland.

Santa Photos, Classic Films, and More Holiday Magic at PaleyLand

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights attract throngs of visitors to the Brooklyn neighborhood each holiday season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

Christmas in New York: 49 Holiday Activities To Do in NYC Before Your Kids Grow Up

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Holidays in NYC: Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, & Seasonal Fun

The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids

One of the most spectacular holiday displays in NYC, Shine Bright features over 2 million holiday lights illuminating the entire neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Hudson Yards

Christmas Vacation in NYC: 38 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do with Kids

Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2024. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

Macy's Santaland NYC: When and How to See Santa at Herald Square in 2024

Toys for Tots brings Christmas joy to children in need. Photo courtesy of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Toys for Tots 2024 Drop-Off Spots in NYC and More Places to Donate Toys

Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom

Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 49 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC

Enjoy the Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland experience at the Apollo for free. Photo courtesy of the Apollo

36 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC for Kids

The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is an iconic NYC holiday destination. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2024: A Local Parent's Inside Tips

Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Calypso, Carols, and Cocoa: The Dumbo Holiday Lighting. Photo by Hassan Mokaddam

Best Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC with Fun Activities for Kids, Plus Menorah Lightings, Too

Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical takes the stage at the Queens Theater. Photo by Jeremy Daniel/TheaterWorks USA

22 Best Things To Do in NYC December 2024 with Kids

Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!

The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025

Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop

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Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

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Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin

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The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!

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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun

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Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier

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Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.

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The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC

Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum

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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

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There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids

Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC

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Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC

See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

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No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

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Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.

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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader

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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette

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58 Best Free Things To Do in NYC this May with Kids

Join the BAM DanceAfrica Community Workshop for fun-filled, interactive instruction. Photo courtesy of BAM

5/2/24 - By Drew Kristofik

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day—and everything in between—we've got the lowdown on the best free things to do in NYC this May.

Summer's unofficial start might not happen until month's end, but we're shutting down spring with plenty of free fun, including Free Comic Book Day and the Big Swim at the beginning of the month, mid-May fun like the Submerge Marine Science Fest and the massive Spring Fest in Brooklyn Bridge Park. At month's end, Fleet Week takes center stage.

Read on for more than 50 free things to do this May in New York City, including fun events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Find more top May activities on our list of the best things to do this May.

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As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including address and time. And keep in mind, in NYC, really cool things to do with kids often book quickly. In the case of these FREE events, arrive as early as possible.