Free events in Valley Stream, NY

Enjoy a guided bird walk at Massapequa Lake that highlights migrating waterfowl along with other bird species. The walk is led by a member of SSAS, is free, and is open to the public. Younger participants are especially encouraged to attend. If it rains, the walk will not take place. To register, text Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498 with your name and a contact number in case of cancellation. Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The lake is at the southern end of Massapequa Preserve, situated between Lakeshore Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.

Celebrate the season at Riverview Farmers Market’s yearly fall harvest celebration with live music, performances, and family-friendly activities. The lineup features OMG Bubbles, live sets by the Chris Gomez Trio and Mood Merchant, and juggling by Sean Blue. Children can enjoy free art activities with the Educational Arts Team throughout the event. Presented with support from Impact Jersey City Heights.

Enjoy a free-entry skating session at the rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2. Everyone gets in at no cost, and rentals are available if needed. Skates are $8 and skate mates are $6. It is a simple, active outing that works well for kids, friends, and groups.

This farmers market runs twice a week, with market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A complete vendor schedule is available online to help plan a visit.

This free social gaming night brings people together at Manny’s Sweet Treats in Mineola for a relaxed evening of play and conversation. New and experienced players can dive into timeless titles, strategic favorites, tabletop adventures, and collectible card games. Attendees may bring their own games or choose from a growing in-house selection. Manny’s Sweet Treats, a Long Island dessert spot known for inventive sweets and a friendly setting, serves waffles, crepes, ice cream, shakes, and other specialties that pair well with game night. Expect a welcoming community vibe focused on connecting over games and desserts.

Presented by Bachata Heaven Social, this night blends bachata and salsa at Lancer's Night Club in Newark, NJ. It features a Salsa On 1 lesson and a Sensual Bachata lesson led by a Daniel and Desiree Sensual Bachata certified instructor, followed by social dancing with music by DJ Carliita and JdaBachata. There is no cover, and a free class is included. Parking is available in a lot and on the street, and $12 mixed drink specials are offered.

Connect with other parents at a free, peer-led breastfeeding support meeting guided by a certified lactation consultant. Bring your baby, from birth up to one year old, and take part in a casual group conversation with practical resources and encouragement. All new mothers are welcome, no matter where they delivered. Registration is required; call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434 to reserve a spot for you and your baby. The group meets at the Mercy Family Care Center, next to the Emergency Department. Spanish spoken.

A NYCC screening spotlights Niú Lái / 牛来 (2026), a Chinese animated feature about a cow trapped in an intricate dream who must learn to be brave. The film is shown in Mandarin with English subtitles. Admission is free with a one drink minimum, and a New York Comic Con ticket is not required for entry. Arriving early is recommended for the best seating.

Spend an evening focused entirely on bachata, with space to practice the moves you picked up during the week. The lineup includes Level 1 and Level 2 classes, followed by a social dance that is free to attend. Expect 100% bachata throughout, with no salsa or merengue. Walk-ins are welcome for the classes at $15 per class, and registration is available for one or both since they are designed to connect. Open to beginners and seasoned dancers, the night features music by JDABACHATA and DJ Carliita. Free parking is available at Lancers Night Club.

Admission is free for everyone at this pier-side roller skating event. Skates are available to rent for $8, and skate mates can be rented for $6. It suits families, children, groups, and anyone seeking a budget-friendly way to roll, with skating set against a city skyline backdrop.

A free, family-friendly trunk or treat at Presbyterian Church of Sweet Hollow offers a safe community outing. Costumes are welcome as participants move from car to car to collect treats and small surprises for Halloween fun. The festivities will proceed regardless of weather.

Girls Who Code comes to the Sci-Tech & Esports Hub in Jersey City with a free weekly series that helps girls explore technology through hands-on coding, creativity, and teamwork. Sessions focus on building problem-solving skills and confidence while highlighting pathways in STEM. No prior experience is needed, only curiosity and a desire to learn. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Browse the farmers market midweek or on Saturdays, with vendors scheduled on both days. A complete vendor schedule is available to help you plan your visit.

Backyard Bees is on hand each Saturday at the CCE Nassau Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park, a community-focused marketplace that highlights nearby growers, wholesome foods, and learning. Browse seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, meat, seafood, fresh bread, honey, and locally crafted goods while enjoying weekly themes, family-friendly activities, easy photo spots, and convenient parking. Cozier and calmer than many larger markets, it offers an unhurried Saturday morning experience centered on healthy living, support for small farms, and community connections.

BMDCW is planning a friendly Berner walk at Sandy Hook in New Jersey, with park entry free and a leash requirement of six feet or less. The route is set to head toward Lot E, with the possibility of continuing to a bayside viewpoint, and participants can choose to walk on the beach or use the shared paved pathway. After the stroll, the plan is to go to a dog friendly restaurant for lunch. Mule Barn Tavern on Sandy Hook offers outdoor seating, and if the weather feels too chilly there is an option to visit Tommy’s Tavern in nearby Sea Bright, which has a screened porch and heaters. Well behaved dogs are welcome. Those interested in exploring more can visit the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse and additional paths and beaches such as North Beach, which can offer views of New York City on a clear day.

This meal ministry works in collaboration with Brooklyn Community UMC to offer a welcoming, seated, family-style meal for anyone who arrives. Adults and kids can help together. Volunteers meet at Brooklyn Community UMC to prepare donated food and handle setup, then serve the meal, followed by cleanup. For details, contact jjennings308@gmail.com.

Rescheduled because of weather, the third installment of SummerJam is a no-cost celebration marking the close of summer. The event highlights projects created in summer programs, with games and snacks adding to the festive atmosphere. It features live sets from bands and DJs, face painting, games, dancing, and art displays, plus a preview of the DramaJam Troupe's fall production of Shrek the Musical. No registration is required.

Twin Towers Karate Academy welcomes new students of all ages to learn karate in East New York, Brooklyn. Classes are led by Chief Instructor Shihan E. Lee Ireland, who brings more than 50 years of martial arts and self-defense experience to every lesson. New participants receive their first month at no cost, tuition is $40 per month after that, and a complimentary uniform is available for the first 50 enrollees. Age-based sessions serve kids, teens, and young adults, with tumbling and karate for younger students and karate for older groups. Additional programs include adult self-defense, cardio kickboxing, and stretching and fat-burning fitness. Family package discounts are available, and free parking is provided.

Experience Argentine Tango at Coney Island Library with Russian-speaking instructor Koba Shonia. This free class is held in Coney Island, Brooklyn, and the library is located near West 19th Street. For confirmation of details or possible updates on the day of the class, contact the venue at 1-718-265-3220.

A free, hands-on building workshop brings kids and adults together on the grounds of the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum. Participants can learn new skills while creating projects with guidance from master carpenters from The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City. All tools and equipment are provided, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Part of Artsfest 2026, this in-person experience blends creativity, learning, and teamwork for all ages.

Leonardo State Marina’s Nature Center is the setting for a yearly Halloween celebration filled with free, family friendly activities. Expect Halloween themed games, hands on crafts, and prizes throughout the event. Highlights include a costume contest for kids and a separate contest for pets. All ages are welcome. A parent or guardian must remain with anyone under 16 during all programs. The Nature Center is the small building inland from the marina office. Please park in the large central lot across the street and avoid parking on the grass in front of the marina office or the Nature Center. This festival is weather dependent, and any changes will be posted on Facebook. For questions, contact the naturalist team at saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov or scullymaureen04@gmail.com.

Focused on building mass cleanup drives in each borough, this event aims to move beyond one-off efforts and establish a consistent rhythm of action. The vision is to turn No Excuse Saturdays into a recurring citywide tradition, with coordinated cleanups happening across all boroughs.

Whether you are brand new to Pokémon or a veteran player, this relaxed play session invites you to learn the game, face off with others, and trade cards in a welcoming environment. People of any age and experience level can take part. Stop in, grab a seat, and get into the action. Entry is free.

Open Streets on Amsterdam Ave turns the stretch from W. 96th to W. 110th into a lively community scene with neighbors, games, live music, food and drinks, and ways to get moving. At its center, the International Makers Market between W. 106th and W. 107th showcases locally owned small businesses offering jewelry, textiles, handmade clothing, organic body care, home decor, indie art, and more. Supported by Columbus-Amsterdam BID, OnAirMkts LLC, and NYC DOT.

This event at Riverbank State Park features a screening of the film No Dancing Allowed, followed by a dance class in jazz and house hip hop led by Paulette Brockington, then a social dance to wrap up the program. Admission is free, with support in part from the Swing Out! Community Fund.

Enjoy a street dance with a free Lindy Hop lesson followed by a social mixer set to high-energy music.

Experience a guided music meditation of call and response chanting with Lainie Ligowski at Revolution Yoga in Rockville Centre. No singing background is required, just bring your voice and an open heart. Instruments are welcome if you have one to bring. The gathering is donation based and open to all.

An evening of steppin and line dancing fills Harlem Aloft with R&B and soul, welcoming beginners, non-dancers, and new faces. The first hour offers a free introductory class, then enjoy more dancing in a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Admission is $10 with electronic payment available at the door. The celebration also honors Wanda Pellot’s birthday with a touch of Puerto Rico. Presented by the New York Steppers, the original Chicago-style steppers set for NY, NJ, and the Northeast region.