What’s Free to Do in New York: Lunar New Year, Celebrating Frederick Douglass, and Shea Butter Grooves Dance Class

We’re nearing the end of February, but it’s still Black History Month and there’s an abundance of cool stuff happening this weekend all over the city that you can dig into without hurting your wallet. 

Check out our rundown. 

Here’s what’s free. 

MANHATTAN

Lunar New Year Celebration at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

Sunday, Feb. 22, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York

Bring the whole family and celebrate the Year of the Horse at Lincoln Center's Lunar New Year celebration! For the third year running, experience the exhilarating energy of the Tai Look Lion Dance Company, a Chinatown favorite. Immerse yourself and enjoy an exuberant family-friendly storytime session. 

Fashion, Culture & Style on the Runway

Pelham Fritz Recreation Center

Friday, Feb. 20, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., 18 Mount Morris Park West, New York, NY 10027, Manhattan

Highlighting the unique perspectives of local designers and artists while bringing the community together in a dynamic atmosphere. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an inspiring showcase of creativity and talent.

Brooklyn

Shea Butter Grooves

Fit4Dance NYC

Friday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. 21 Snyder Ave., Brooklyn, 

This multi-genre dance class is in celebration of joy across the African diaspora. We’ll move through the infectious rhythms of the Caribbean, the pulsing energy of Detroit-style house music, the funk and attitude of hip hop, and the feel-good grooves of reggae and R&B.

Farmhouse Family Day: Historic Harvests

Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum

Sunday, Feb. 22, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 5816 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn

Learn about indigenous foodways in New York through hands-on cooking activities! Expand your palette by exploring traditional foodways of the Northeast. Join us for a weekend of hands-on cooking, learning and tasting historic dishes.

QUEENS

Freezin’ Season: Frederick Douglass Birthday

King Manor Museum in Rufus King Park

Friday, Feb. 20, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Queens

Frederick Douglass chose to celebrate his birthday on Feb. 14. At King Manor, the birthday celebration might be a few days late, but he will be celebrated nonetheless! Come for a reading circle and make your own bookmark inspired by Douglass. 

NYRR Open Run Black History Month Run: Highland Park

Cleveland Street and Jamaica Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Have a walk or run, then enjoy treats in celebration of Black History Month! NYRR Open Run brings free, 5K weekly community-led runs to neighborhood parks across the greater New York City area. The program is free and open to runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels.

BRONX

Black History Month: Nature Poetry

Crotona Nature Center

Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1702 Crotona Ave., Bronx

Come celebrate Black artistic and intellectual history on a poetry and nature hike through Crotona Park! Attendees will be able to enjoy the great outdoors while experiencing the nature poetry of some of the greatest African-American poets, such as Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes.

Family Art Project: Fan of Lunar New Year!

Wave Hill

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 4900 Independence Ave., Bronx

Celebrate the Year of the Horse by learning about their role in the Chinese zodiac. Then, assemble and decorate a fan inspired by horses and other symbols of the holiday.

At 11:30 a.m., families can enjoy a holiday-inspired storytime program in the Gund Theater.