# Free things to do with kids in New York City this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in New York City this week: we found 15 free outings, including Village Halloween Parade, Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Parade and Urban Meadow Halloween Parade and Party. Ten free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And five places never charge admission, like New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library.

- Last checked: 2026-10-28
- 15 free outings this week; 10 free days and events coming up; 5 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Hippo Playground Halloween Parade** at Riverside Park at 89th Street, Upper West Side. When: Sat Oct 31. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/hippo-playground-halloween-parade (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Urban Meadow Halloween Parade** at Urban Meadow Community Garden, Red Hook. When: Sat Oct 31. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/the-annual-urban-meadow-halloween-parade-and-party (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Community Access Thursdays at Brooklyn Children’s Museum** at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Crown Heights. When: Thu Nov 5, Thu Nov 12 and Thu Nov 19. Price: Free 2–5pm; reserve online or at the door. Official page: https://www.brooklynkids.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade** at Central Park West to Herald Square, West 77th Street and Central Park West, New York, NY. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 8:30am. Price: Free to watch from the sidewalk. The 100th parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West and ends at Herald Square. Grandstand seats aren’t sold to the public. Official page: https://www.macys.com/s/parade/faqs/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square** at Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor, 151 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001. When: Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026. Time: Book a time; reservations open daily at 6:30am, 7 days ahead. Price: Free with a reservation; photo packages from $44.99; Premium Experience $250 per group. A new Santaland this year, with a North Star Express ride to the North Pole before you meet Santa. Free reservations open Nov 20; waits after check-in run 30 to 90 minutes. Dec 2 and Dec 9 are sensory-friendly days. Official page: https://www.macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations/nyc-santaland/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting** at Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. When: Dec 2, 2026; tree up through mid-January. Time: Lighting 7–10pm. Price: Free to see from the plaza. This year’s 76-foot Norway spruce comes from West Edmeston, New York, and gets more than 50,000 lights. The lighting night is packed, so with small kids, visit on a weekday morning after Dec 2. Official page: https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Noon Year's Eve Rave at Hackensack's Johnson Free Public Library** at Johnson Free Public Library, Auditorium, 274 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free; registration required, opens Dec 1 at 9am. The auditorium becomes a kid-size dance floor with sensory-friendly lights and kid techno for ages 6 and under. It wraps up with a countdown and a balloon drop at noon. Neon or glow clothing is encouraged. Official page: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/16966517 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Englewood Public Library** at Englewood Public Library, Children's Room, Englewood, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:15am–noon. Price: Free; registration required, opens Dec 17 at 11:15am. A short party for ages 4 to 8 that counts down to noon. Register each child separately, and arrive on time because late arrivals aren't admitted after 10 minutes. Official page: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/17408997 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Nutley Free Public Library** at Nutley Free Public Library, Children's Room, Nutley, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon; ball drop at noon. Price: Free; no registration. Music, dancing and a craft for all ages before the noon ball drop. Dressing up is encouraged. Official page: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/17377735 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Summit Library** at Summit Free Public Library, Liss Meeting Room, Summit, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–12:30pm. Price: Free; registration required. Yosi plays a family concert and leads the count down to noon. If you register siblings with one email, use the Add Guest button so each child gets a spot. Official page: https://summitlibrary.libcal.com/event/17798604 (checked 2026-10-30)

## Free this week

- **Village Halloween Parade** at Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Sixth Avenue, New York, NY. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 7pm. Price: Free to watch. Ages: 4–99. The 53rd year of the city’s giant costumed parade up Sixth Avenue, rain or shine. It runs after dark and the crowds are huge, so it’s best for older kids on shoulders. Official page: https://halloween-nyc.com/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Parade** at St John’s Lutheran Church, 155 Milton St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10am–2pm; free parade at 12:15pm. Price: Parade free; party $25 per child in advance. Ages: 0–10. Town Square BK’s 23rd year of a costumed kids’ parade through Greenpoint, with a ticketed Spooktacular party before and after. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/town-square-bks-23rd-annual-greenpoint-childrens-halloween-p (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Urban Meadow Halloween Parade and Party** at Urban Meadow Community Garden, 19 President Street, Brooklyn, NY. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11:30am–1:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. The Underground Horns brass band leads a costumed procession through Red Hook, then everyone heads back to the garden for the party. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/the-annual-urban-meadow-halloween-parade-and-party (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Hippo Playground Halloween Parade** at Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Riverside Park, West 89th Street and Riverside Drive, New York, NY. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 3:30–5:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Costumed kids gather at the monument at 89th Street and parade up to Hippo Playground, with music from Ramblin’ Dan. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/hippo-playground-halloween-parade (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Creepy Crawly Halloween in Prospect Park** at Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park, Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10am–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. A day of Halloween nature fun at the Audubon Center, with critters that creep and crawl. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/creepy-crawly-halloween (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Early Childhood Pumpkin Patch in Coney Island** at Surfside Community Garden, 2829 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Halloween morning in a community garden for the smallest kids and their grown-ups. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/pumpkin-patch-early-childhood-family-event (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Haunted Heights at Morningside Park** at North Lawn, Morningside Park, North Lawn, Morningside Park, New York, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–12. A free Halloween afternoon on the park’s North Lawn in Harlem. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/haunted-heights-halloween-at-morningside-park (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Haunted House and Hallow Gala at Shirley Chisholm Rec Center** at Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, 3105 Farragut Pl, Brooklyn, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. A haunted house and Halloween party in the rec center gym. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/haunted-house-and-hallow-gala (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Wicked Walker at Walker Park** at Walker Park Field House, Walker Park, Staten Island, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3:30–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–12. A family haunted house at Walker Park, then a pumpkin patch and more Halloween fun outside. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/wicked-walker-family-fun-halloween-event (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Family Halloween at Hamilton Fish Park** at Hamilton Fish Recreation Center, Hamilton Fish Park, New York, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 4–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–12. Games, contests with prizes, crafts, free candy and popcorn on the Lower East Side. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/family-halloween-themed-activities (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Mad Monster Lab at Bowne Park** at Bowne Park Field House, Bowne Park, Queens, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 4–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. A Halloween evening at the field house in Bowne Park. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/mad-monster-lab-haunted-house-fall-festival (checked 2026-10-28)
- **WBO Haunted House** at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 6–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 4–12. Creaky stairs and dusty cobwebs lead into the rec center’s yearly haunted house, free and open to families. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/wbo-haunted-house (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Halloween Mask-Making and Haunted Cottage at Fort Tryon** at Margaret Corbin Circle, Fort Tryon Park, Margaret Corbin Circle, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 5:30–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. Make a Halloween mask, then visit the haunted cottage in Fort Tryon Park. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/30/halloween-maskmaking-haunted-cottage (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Animal Masks with the Urban Park Rangers** at Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park, Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Bronx, NY. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 1–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–10. Rangers talk about the animals that live in Crotona Park, and kids make a mask of one to wear. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/autumn-animal-crafts-and-exploration (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Trick-or-Treating at Greene Avenue Garden** at Greene Avenue United Neighbors Community Garden, 490 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 4:30–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Neighborhood trick-or-treating at a Bed-Stuy community garden next to Herbert Von King Park. Official page: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/10/31/halloween-trickortreating (checked 2026-10-28)

## Always free

- **New York Public Library**, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Free baby, toddler and preschool story times at the neighborhood branches. Official page: https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Brooklyn Public Library**, Brooklyn. Free story times and play programs at Central Library and the branches. Official page: https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?event=true (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Queens Public Library**, Queens. Free story times for babies and preschoolers at branches across Queens. Official page: https://www.queenslibrary.org/calendar (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Queens County Farm Museum**, Floral Park, Queens, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway. A working farm with fields, animals and a historic farmhouse. General admission is free most days of the year. Official page: https://www.queensfarm.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Thursday afternoons**, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213. Free every Thursday 2–5pm. Official page: https://www.brooklynkids.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-28)

## Free library storytimes

- **New York Public Library**: Weekday mornings at most branches. Free baby, toddler and preschool story times in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Calendar: https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar
- **Brooklyn Public Library**: Weekday mornings. Free story times at Central Library and the branches. Calendar: https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?event=true
- **Queens Public Library**: Weekday mornings. Free story times at branches across Queens. Calendar: https://www.queenslibrary.org/calendar

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in New York City this weekend?
This week we found 15 free outings for ages 0–6, including Village Halloween Parade, Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Parade, Urban Meadow Halloween Parade and Party and Hippo Playground Halloween Parade. See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in New York City?
Hippo Playground Halloween Parade: Sat Oct 31. Urban Meadow Halloween Parade: Sat Oct 31. Community Access Thursdays at Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Thu Nov 5, Thu Nov 12 and Thu Nov 19. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in New York City?
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, Noon Year's Eve Rave at Hackensack's Johnson Free Public Library and Noon Year's Eve Party at Englewood Public Library and 2 more are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in New York City?
New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, Queens County Farm Museum and Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Thursday afternoons don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Are library storytimes free in New York City?
Yes. New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 28, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).