There are a gazillion FREE and budget-friendly things to do in New York City any month of the year, and October is no different, especially if you like FREE wine tastings, FREE photo exhibits, and all the FREE Halloween events - both for families and for adults ony.
Some events require advance registration to manage space, so if you are interested, sign up.
Get more NYC for less money with NYC on the Cheap.
See also
Complete guide to NYC Halloween events for kids
Best NYC Halloween events for adults only
What to do in NYC Oct. 1![nyc free wine tastings]()
Santa Margherita’s Follow the Vine
Take the subway to Italy for this FREE showcase of the wines of Santa Margherita, in Grand Central Terminal.
Explore the deep rooted Italian heritage and experience the brand’s love story, during its Follow the Vine event, where you’ll be transported to Santa Margherita’s Italian vineyards, including the opportunity to walk through a maze of vines and learn about the origin of their wines and winery.
Signature cocktails and food/wine pairings will be served, featuring the brand’s full range of wines including Pinot Grigio, Prosecco Superiore, Sparkling Rosé and Chianti Classico Riserva.
- FREE, but an RSVP is required and you must be 21+ to participate
- Noon to 7pm on Oct. 14 and 15, in Vanderbilt Hall.
What to do in NYC Oct. 15/16
![nyc free concerts]()
New Sounds Live
- FREE, 7:30pm both days at Brookfield Place
- Seating is first come, first served.
- More info here.
What to do in NYC Oct. 17
Voices of a People’s History of the United States
This Lincoln Center commission commemorates Howard Zinn’s seminal book, A People’s History of the United States, with a FREE music and spoken-word performance that bring to life the words of ordinary people engaged in struggles for freedom and justice:
Those who fought to end slavery and Jim Crow, protested war and the genocide of Native Americans, created unions and the eight-hour workday, advanced women’s rights and gay liberation, and struggled to right the wrongs of the day.
A galvanizing and engaging lineup of performers delve into original source materials from the rebels, dissenters, and visionaries of our past—and present.
Performers include: Jeffery Ellis-Lee, Jean Grae, Brian Jones, Hari Kondabolu, Leta Renée-Alan, Aparna Nancherla, Ethan Pimentel, Susie Pourfar, Marvin Sewell, Imani Uzuri, Aparna Nancherla, Staceyann Chin, and Megalyn Echikunwoke, among others.
- FREE, 7:30pm at the David Rubenstein Atrium
- Seating is first come first served
What to do in NYC Oct. 17-20
Margaret Mead Film Festival
The 43rd Margaret Mead Film Festival features blockbuster schedule of global films and panel discussions, all focused on our cultural similarities.
There are 27 feature films, 17 shorts and more representing 34 countries, including exploring voter suppression, refugees along the Southern border, women’s rights in Saudi Arabia including racecar driving, the promise of artificial intelligence, and a panel about collaborating with indigenous communities.
The 2019 Margaret Mead Film Festival is Oct 17-20 at the American Museum of Natural History
The theme of this year’s festival is “Breaking the Narrative,” presenting stories that disrupt stereotypical representations of cultures, and include 17 U.S. premieres.
What to do in NYC Oct. 16-20
FUJIFILM Printlife Photo Exhibition
In 2018, Fujifilm launched a global initiative to remind people of the joys of printing personal photos. To inspire them, Fujifilm asked people to send in digital photos for a chance to have them printed and displayed in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. Fujifilm Print Life Photo Exhibition is the result.
The exhibition will include visual slices of life from across the land and beyond.
- FREE in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall
- October 16, 4pm–8pm; October 17–19, 8am–8pm; October 20, 8am–5pm.
- More information can be found here.
What to do in NYC on Oct. 17
Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People
See this wonderful bio-pix about the man who may be the most famous newspaper publisher in history, and his life and legacy, including creating a world-famous prize for top journalists that bears his name. Certainly one of the great immigrant success stories in US history.
A Jewish immigrant from Hungary, Joseph Pulitzer began as a gifted journalist before becoming a successful publisher and businessman. Pulitzer was famous in his own time for his outspoken and cantankerous editorial voice and his newspapers’ striking illustrations, visual style, national circulation and financial success.
Against the context of America’s explosive growth as a world force during the Gilded Age, Pulitzer emerges as the country’s first media titan, reshaping the newspaper to bear witness to and even propel that transformation. Joseph Pulitzer championed what he regarded as the sacred role of the free press in a democracy, and those ideals continue to have importance and resonance today.
Narrated by Adam Driver, the documentary tells the story of Pulitzer’s life and accomplishments through a combination of archival footage, reenactments and interviews with authors, journalists and scholars. Liev Schreiber is the voice of Pulitzer, Tim Blake Nelson is the voice of Teddy Roosevelt and Rachel Brosnahan is the voice of investigative journalist Nellie Bly (Brosnahan is the Emmy-award winning actress who portrays The Marvelousl Mrs. Maisel).
The screening is followed by a conversation with Director Oren Rudavsky about Pulitzer’s accomplishments and legacy.
- $15 general; $12 CJH/Partner members, seniors, students; $20 at the door.
- 6:30pm at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th St.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.