Editor’s Note: Again, thank you to all who found me after my appearance on #TheRehearsal with Nathan Fielder. The Cheap Chick in the City could still really use your help, esp since she only recently started a new job and is still navigating the NYC housing market, so if you want to buy her a cup of coffee or a cup of orange juice, no pulp 😉 or just support the website, you can Venmo her via @Patricia-Couture-3. Every little bit helps, thank you!
Here’s a link to my recent post, which still has some great free NYC summer events.
Now on to this week’s free NYC summer events (sorry no pics, wanted to publish ASAP!):
Saturday June 22nd, 2024
“Summer Solstice and Nature Center 20th Anniversary Planting Celebration”
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Avenue at Brielle Avenue, Staten Island
“Summer is upon us- and that means plenty of sun. Let’s celebrate the sun, the plants that grow from the sun’s rays, and the colorful variety of birds and insects who benefit from these plants. Try your hand at some crafting activities, including an upcycled suncatcher, and plant something to take home- and something that can be appreciated by all visitors to the Greenbelt this summer- and next. This program is sponsored in part by the City Gardens Club of New York City.”
Cost: Free! Get tkts here.
“Ukelele Workshop at East 4th Street Community Garden” (This event repeats every week on Saturday between 6/22/2024 and 6/29/2024.)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
East Fourth Street Community Garden, 171 E 4th Street, Brooklyn
“Join the garden group at East 4th Street Community Garden for a ukelele workshop! This is designed for adults and older kids who are keen to learn or already dabbling in playing the ukulele and would benefit from a supportive community.
Additional Event Dates: 6/29, 7/20, 7/27.”
Cost: Free!
“Birding: Hawk Watch”
11 a.m.
Avenue A and St. Marks Place in Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
“New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. We offer birding programs throughout the year. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.”
Cost: Free!
“Get Well at SNFL! A Community Resource Fair”
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) Mid-Manhattan Library, Event Center, 455 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
“Join us at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on June 22nd from 11am to 4pm for our Wellness Community Fair! This exciting event will feature over 40 community organizations and vendors offering a wide array of free health resources and programs. From origami demonstration and relaxing coloring activities to physical activities like chair yoga, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to browsing the various tables and presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from the FDNY, Alcoholics Anonymous, US Veterans Affairs, Workforce1, New Women New Yorkers, Science of Spirituality, Little Shop of Kindness and many more. Whether you’re looking to explore holistic wellness practices or simply want to connect with local community resources, this fair is the perfect opportunity to discover new ways to enhance your well-being.”
Cost: Free! For more info and to get tkts, go here.
“Feel Free Art Festival”
12 to 4 p.m.
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx
“Feel free to paint. Feel free to dance. Feel free to express yourself. This festival is to allow all people to have the opportunity to enjoy culture and arts. Join us for art workshops for all ages and musical performances.”
Cost: Free!
“Sana Sana Summer Market“
12 to 7 p.m.
El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, the Bronx
“The Sana Sana Summer Market returns to El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 on Saturday. All are welcome to immerse themselves in a celebration of community, culture and healing. Over 25 vendors will offer a diverse array of local artisanal crafts, makers, holistic services and products that honor and celebrate culture. This year, the market will reintroduce wellness programming focused on healing through movement including a rejuvenating dance session, a workshop in chakra meditation, a Yoni steam bath and more.”
Cost: Free to attend!
“Now Playing! “Theater Studies” Acting and Theater Study for Adults”
12:30 to 2 p.m.
Riverside Library, 27 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan
“This program will take place in person. This class is designed for the beginning adult actor seeking experience and feedback. The class highlights ways to make your performance more natural and spontaneous.
Attendees will work with ensemble building games, script analysis, scene study, and stage production.
No experience is necessary.”
Cost: Free! Get tkts here.
“4th Annual Historic Harlem Parks Juneteenth Festival: St. Nicholas Park”
1 p.m.
West 135th Street Plaza in St. Nicholas Park, Manhattan
“Join us for live music, visual arts, performances, yoga and meditation by Good Vibes in the Park.”
Cost: Free! (or $25 for shirt) For more info and to get tkts, go here.
“BROOKLYN ZINE-IN: MAKE ZINES, MAKE HISTORY“
1 to 4 p.m.
CENTER FOR BROOKLYN HISTORY, 128 PIERREPONT STREET, BK
“Whatcha mean, What’s a ZINE? A zine is a self-created and self-published work. Typically made using Do-It-Yourself methods of collage, drawing, stamping, and using found materials. Zines can be about anything and can be made by anyone!
Join us in partnership with Booklyn, Inc. for a Brooklyn Zine-In where you will learn how to make your own zine, pick up free copies of zines and limited edition stickers, view special zine-related materials from the Center for Brooklyn History’s collection and contribute to the Brooklyn Zine-In Community Zine, a collection of stories from BPL staff and patrons. All zine-making materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any of your own images, stickers, stamps, markers, or other materials that you’d like to use.
Registration is encouraged, but not required.”
Cost: Free! Get tkts here.
“THE FORTUNE SOCIETY’S CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL”
1 to 6 p.m.
SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens
“Celebrate community, liberation and healing through the Arts with the Long Island City-based non-profit dedicated to building people, not prisons. Enjoy family-friendly festivities, including hands-on art-making workshops, live music, spoken word performances, food for purchase and more. More details to come!
Bring some sunblock, grab a blanket or chair, and hang out with us on the waterfront! The event is free, no RSVP required.”
Cost: Free!
“LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Pride Colors in Nature”
1 p.m.
Eton Place Parking Lot in Willowbrook Park, Staten Island
“Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with NYC Parks. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park in search of some species of plants and animals featuring the colors of the LGBTQ+ pride flag, among others.”
Cost: Free!
“Make Your Own Book Sculpture with Sally Young”
2 to 4 p.m.
Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Avenue, Manhattan
“Come and celebrate the city’s oldest public library with East Village artist and poet Sally Young. Join Sally as she guides you through the process of constructing your own book sculpture. Participants will work on the back and front cover, which they can take home to fill in the pages with their own stories and poems. Materials are available on a first come, first served basis.
Ottendorfer Library turns 140!”
Cost: Free!
“Purgatory’s Big Queer Street Day Pride Party“
2 to 8 p.m.
675 Central Avenue, BK
“have you been stretching/eating/hydrating cuties?? you have 4 days until BIG QUEER STREET DAY to prepare yourself to boogie in the streets~~
🌈✨Las Mariquitas is nyc’s queer and trans salsa band leaving feverish dancers in their wake
@mariquitas.band
🌈✨Big Girl blends groove-infused rock, raw intimacy, & playful punk vibes for a larger-than-life live set
@big_girl_irl (pic by @sydneytateb )
🌈✨Tony & the Kiki IS the yassification of rock n’ roll 💅
@tonyandthekiki.”
Cost: Free! “But donations from those who can afford it are appreciated.”
“Spring Into Summer Party at Java Street Community Garden”
2 to 5 p.m.
Java Street Community Garden, 59 Java Street, Brooklyn
“Come to Java Street Community Garden for their annual Spring into Summer fundraiser to enjoy the garden and help support the garden group!”
Cost: Free!
“Drama: THE QUEEN OF FOURTEENTH STREET”
3 p.m.
Jefferson Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan
“Legendary theatre artist and queer icon Eva Le Gallienne lives again in THE QUEEN OF FOURTEENTH STREET, an original audio drama by Barrie Kreinik…join us at the Jefferson Market Library for a live reading by the actors who recorded the audio drama, followed by a Q&A moderated by Helen Sheehy, the author of the New York Times Notable book, Eva Le Gallienne: A Biography.”
Cost: Free!
“4th Annual Historic Harlem Parks Juneteenth Festival: Marcus Garvey”
4 to 8 p.m.
Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan
“NJMH Juneteenth Black Music and Dance Celebration is an outdoor music and dance celebration rooted in community, movement, and sounds from the Black Diaspora.”
Cost: Free!
“WE ARE NATURE: A Vibrant Tapestry – Solstice Celebration”
7 p.m.
NOoSPHERE Arts, 520 Kingsland Avenue, Brooklyn
“Celebrate Solstice & the new outdoor rooftop season with NOoSPHERE Arts! Dance, poetry, site-specific art installation & live DJ music set!”
Cost: By donation, for more info and to get tkts, go here.
The “Queens Dominican Day Parade 2024” is today from 12 to 3 p.m. on 37th Avenue from 69th St to 89th St, in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Coney Island USA Presents “The 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade” today @ 1 p.m. *Cheap Chick Recommends*
Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd, 2024
The “3rd Annual PLG Arts Fest” is 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“East Harlem Open Studios” is happening. 1 to 6 p.m.
Sunday June 23rd, 2024
“One Love Little Caribbean Day”
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Audubon Center at the Boathouse in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
“Spread Love, the Brooklyn Way with I AM CARIBBEING and Prospect Park Alliance. Pull up with your friends, family and neighbors for a day filled with Caribbean Culture + Community + Commerce with a Carnival workshop, dance class, cuisine, music and more.”
Cost: Free! For more info and tkts, go here
“Brooklyn Natural Hair Fest 2024“
12 to 6 p.m.
1368 Fulton Street, BK
“Where Brooklyn’s natural beauty meets cultural celebration. A day of salons chats, brand giveaways & a hair braiding show!”
Cost: For more info and tkts, go here.
“LIC Garage Sale & Community Swap”
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
M. Wells, 43-15 Crescent St, Long Island City, Queens
“During our markets at the restaurant over the years, we noticed the crafty folks and their success at vending the old, the used, the overstock, and the vintage. It’s great fun sifting through the tables while listening to good music, chilling at the bar cart, grabbing lunch, and hanging out.
In honor of our Annual Block Party (we’ll reprogram that once we navigate the construction on the block!), we will have a DJ, Games, Raffles, other Activities, and snacks and drinks from our Brunch & Bar cart all day.”
Cost: Free! Get tkts here.
“The New Smith Street Music + Arts Festival“
12 to 9 p.m.
Smith Street between Bergen and Union, BK
Check out this fun local street fair with music, arts, food, and even a circus!”
Cost: “Music and circus are free, but vendors and restaurants will charge.”
“Pups on the Patio: Waggytail Rescue Adoption Meet & Greet”
12 to 2 p.m.
Arlo Williamsburg, 96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
“Meet the pups on the Patio of Arlo Williamsburg! Waggytail is a rescue organization dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need. At the event, you can meet the pups, apply to adopt, and learn about foster and volunteer opportunities.
You are encouraged to come dressed in your finest rainbow attire in celebration of Pride month. The pups will be joining in on the celebrations with their own colorful accessories! 🌈”
Cost: Free!
“Salsa Sundays at Orchard Beach 2024”
12 to 5 p.m.
Parking Section 5 at Orchard Beach, The Bronx
“Salsa Sundays at Orchard Beach, a laid-back outdoor salsa dance party.”
Cost: Dancing is free, but it does cost $ to park a car.
“Broadway at 92NY Chorus Sings the Women of Broadway”
1 p.m.
Kaufmann Concert Hall, in 92ndY, 1395 Lexington Ave, Manhattan
“Join us for the concert of the Broadway at 92NY Chorus — founded by Robbie Capp in 1994, it remains the only community chorus in New York devoted to classic repertory from the American musical theater, stage and screen.
This spring, we salute women composers, lyricists, and librettists of Broadway and Off-Broadway.”
Cost: Free! Get tkts here.
“ATLANTIC TERMINAL SOUL SUNDAYS”
1 to 4 p.m.
ATLANTIC TERMINAL PLAZA, BK
“Get ready to groove and vibe with Soul Sundays at Atlantic Terminal’s outdoor plaza! Join us for Soul Sundays with DJ Ace throughout the summer and celebrate the rich culture of old school hip hop in a lively outdoor setting. Whether you’re a hip hop aficionado or just looking for a fun way to spend your Sunday afternoons, Soul Sundays at Atlantic Terminal Plaza is the place to be.”
Cost: Free!
“Kew Gardens Historical Homecoming Day”
1 to 3 p.m.
Sobelsohn Playground in Forest Park, Queens
“Celebrate historic Kew Gardens with historic photos and postcards, games, arts & crafts and lectures with local historians.
Sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman and Kew Gardens Civic Association.”
Cost: Free!
“LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Nature Is For All Hike”
1 p.m.
56th Road and 146th Street in Kissena Corridor Park, Queens
“Find a safe space in nature on this exploration hike. Learn more about the queer way that nature has evolved in parks, including unique adaptations of different plant and animal species.”
Cost: Free!
“The Legacy of the Chicaba a.k.a. Moko Jumbie!”
2 to 5 p.m.
Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
“Join Prospect Park Alliance, JouvayFest Collective, BUSH WO/MAN Conversations Project and 2J & Friends to learn about the significance of these legendary African masquerade characters and how they have circulated through the diaspora across the Caribbean and other Carnival cultures around the world.”
Cost: Free!
“Everything by Valerie Green/Dance Entropy”
3 p.m.
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, Queens
“In celebration of the summer solstice, Everything is a dance performance installation evoking the ever-expanding universe, transforming the performance space into a constellation of stars and human bodies in various states of formation and explosion. Inspired by astrophotography, string theory, interconnectivity and meditations on space and time, the new dance work, conceived and directed by Valerie Green, weaves together a visual, physical, and emotional translation of the cosmos.”
Cost: Free!
“Marine Park Alliance Presents: Terrapin Stations”
3 p.m.
Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, East 33rd Street and Avenue U, Brooklyn
“Meet “Pepper,” the Rangers’ pet diamondback terrapin, then walk to the best views for observing basking behavior during terrapin nesting season with NY program director of the American Littoral Society Alexandra Kanonik.”
Cost: Free!
“Queens Symphony Concert – The Loving Heart”
4 p.m.
Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Rd, Queens
“Join us for an amazing repertoire of amazing Music by the Queens Symphony Concert.”
Cost: Free!
“Riverside Opera Company Free Concert in the Park”
4 p.m.
Great Lawn in Conference House Park, Staten Island
“Join us for a FREE concert in Conference House Park. Along with the Conference House Association, the Riverside Opera Company will be presenting Black Voices – Opera, Broadway, Jazz and Spiritual Vocals live!! FREE concert open to the public. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy wonderful music in a beautiful setting. Don’t forget to bring a friend. Enjoy!”
Cost: Free
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All events were available @ time of posting. The Cheap Chick in the City is not responsible if events become sold out.
The Cheap Chick in the City will continue to tweet via @cheapchicknyc, so be sure to check there for SOME cheap and non-free things to do in New York City.
The Cheap Chick in the City is also available for special personalized messages etc. tips, advice, and ideas/suggestions via the Cameo app including birthdays and graduations!
P.S. And yes folks, I am VERY real 🙂
Cheap Chick in the City 