Free Events and Activities in New York City in January 2026

Three Kings Day at Essex Market
Lower East Side
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Essex Market's free community Three Kings Day event includes a toy distribution for kids ages 4-14. Children can pick out a toy from the Essex Market Toy Drive and try bites from local vendors. Website

Three Kings Day Parade at Museo del Barrio
East Harlem
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Line up with live camels, colorful puppets, parrandas, music, and dancing on this magical day. This time-honored annual parade begins at 106th Street and Park Avenue and ends at 115th Street and Park Avenue. Return to the museum to keep the party going following the parade. Website

Three Kings Day at Teatro SEA
Lower East Side
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
New York’s only Latino children’s theater celebrates one of the most important Latin American holidays for children, El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos/Three Kings Day. Website

Family Music Showcase at Lincoln Center
Midtown West
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Prepare to be dazzled by an award-winning, eclectic group of artists as they perform mini-concerts for audiences of all ages. The programming for this showcase is curated by Mayers Consulting. Website

Wollman Rink a World Record Skating Lesson Attempt
Central Park
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Wollman Rink takes on a decade-old record for the world’s largest ice skating lesson, previously set at 523 skaters in 2014. To break it, Wollman Rink is inviting 600 skaters onto the ice for a 30-minute lesson led by the talented Wollman Rink Skate School instructors. Website

Jewish Children's Book Festival
92Y, Upper East Side
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Spend the day immersed in the magic of Jewish storytelling! Children of all ages are invited to pick up free PJ Library books, meet storybook authors, explore creative workshops, enjoy hands-on crafts, and dance along to live music. Website

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, January 12-Sunday, January 18, 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Craft at Jamaica Bay Library
Canarsie, Brooklyn
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by making a craft inspired by MLK's dream of equality for all. Website

Winter Shoreline Wildlife Watch in Lemon Creek Park
Tottenville, Staten Island
Saturday, January 18, 2026
Explore the shore on World Snow Day! Raritan Bay features many species of winter waterfowl and seals can often be seen basking nearby. Use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach to view wildlife. Website

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, January 19-Saturday, January 31, 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Prospect Park
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, January 19, 2026
Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation. Website

Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. at BAM
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Monday, January 19, 2026
BAM hosts its 40th annual free Brooklyn tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and everyone is invited. The celebration brings together artists and civic leaders to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King. Website

Kindie Rock in Battery Park City
6 River Terrace, Battery Park City
Debuts Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Shake all those wiggles out at Battery Park City's weekly kid concerts. Attendance is first-come, first-served, so arrive early for one of the two sessions. Website

Slime Time STEM Project at Gerritsen Beach Library
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Make glow-in-the-dark popping slime at Gerritsen Beach Library. Please wear clothes that can get messy. Website

Gates of Equality: Martin Luther King's Story at Saratoga Library
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Urban Stages presents the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as told from his speeches and writings. This one-man show is an intimate introduction to this important historical figure. Website

KoKo NYC Makers Workshop in Battery Park City
6 River Terrace, Battery Park City
Saturday, January 24, 2026
KoKo NYC leads families in a sustainable makers workshop and inventors lab! Led by teaching artists, kids and their families can hone their skills, use real tools, and experiment with recycled materials, found objects, and textiles to bring their ideas to life. Website

New Year, New Buildings at the Skyscraper Museum
Battery Park City
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Learn how NYC’s iconic skyline is changing this year, as well as the process of approval for building something new in the city. Then create building spires out of paper, cardboard, and construction materials. Website

Owl Pellet Discovery in Pelham Bay Park
Pelham Bay, the Bronx
Sunday, January 25, 2026
The Urban Park Rangers lead kids on a nature walk in search of owl pellets. Kids learn about all about owls and dissect their pellets to see what they eat. Website

Ice Age Hike in Cunningham Park
Fresh Meadows, Queens
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Take a trip back in time with the Urban Park Rangers and hike through Cunningham Park discussing the lay of the land in prehistoric times. Rangers describe the Pleistocene megafauna of New York. Website

Rosie Revere, Engineer at the Skyscraper Museum
Battery Park City
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Young learners take inspiration from a reading of Andrea Beaty’s illustrated book, Rosie Revere, Engineer. After the story, little engineers use different materials to design and construct their very own innovative skyscraper. Website