Best Free Things to Do in NYC in June

June is busting out all over, with dozens of FREE and cheap things to do in NYC.

It’s a long list that includes the annual New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, the start of Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center, the Museum Mile Festival of free museum admission, and special exhibits honoring poet Walt Whitman on his 200th birthday.

Everything on the NYCOTC list is family-friendly and almost everything is FREE.

That’s the NYCOTC motto:

Get more NYC for less money with NYC on the Cheap.

Most of these events are outdoors, rain or shine, so let’s hope for shine.

See Also

Best FREE things to do in NYC any time of year

Best Music and Dance Events in June

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

The world-renowned New York Philharmonic returns in June for its popular annual FREE Concerts in the Parks series, offering music lovers the chance to hear the word’s best classical music under the stars in parks all five boroughs, with fireworks following the performances.

Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy these iconic concerts, which have been an annual treat for New Yorkers and visitors since 1965, which makes 2019 the 54th year for this iconic NYC event, transforming parks throughout NYC into a patchwork of picnickers, and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear classical music under the stars.

• The concerts are June 11-16, a different park in a different borough each day.
• See the schedule and directions here.

Hudson River Dance Festival

The fifth annual Hudson River Dance Festival is two nights of FREE outdoor performances by NYC dancer companies, including dancers from the world-famous Ballet Hispanico, against the backdrop of the Hudson River Sunset.  The festival is a collaboration between Hudson River Park and The Joyce Theater.  

• Dormeshia: Rhythm Migration
• Taylor 2: Aureole
• doug elkins choreography, etc.: O, Round Desire
• Ballet Hispánico: Sombrerísimo
• Camille A. Brown & Dancers: New Second Line

Performances are at 7pm on Thursday and Friday, June 6 and 7, at Pier 63, Lawn Bowl, at 23rd St.  Bring your own seating.

Drums Along the Hudson

Midsummer Night Swing 2019

The fabulous and fun annual three-week outdoor dance festival at Lincoln Center with live dance bands and FREE dance instruction, starts on June 25th.

As always, there’s a star studded roster including big band swing, honky tonk, blues, salsa, funk, Motown, calypso, tango, Brazilian forro and a Saturday afternoon dance for kids.

Midsummer Night Swing 2019 opens with Grammy-winning instrumentalist and bandleader Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, who played at the very first Midsummer Night Swing and many more since then.

Also as always, Midsummer Night Swing ends with blockbuster Big Band sounds of the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra.

Click here for who else is playing, and ticket information.

Sunset on the Hudson

This FREE music and dance event returns with Friday night concerts in June, July and August by NYC artists, and the chance to dance to the music.  Bring a blanket and a picnic and also enjoy cool breezes and the sunset.

Music is 7pm to 9pm, at Pier 45 at Christopher Street In Greenwich Village