The River To River Festival takes place each summer from June through August in a many public venues in Downtown New York City (from Chambers Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan). The website lists tons of free things to do including live music, concerts, dance, shows, tours, and speaking engagements.

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Free movies and popcorn Monday nights at 8pm! Please bring your own folding chairs and blankets. The movies are family friendly. Also Wednesdays 7-9pm enjoy free modern dance and salsa lessons at the plaza throughout the summer.

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Free lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for the live music!

Thursdays at 8am re-energize your body and mind with weekly fitness opportunities with yoga classes sponsored by lululemon athletica and led by Union Square-based studios.

Thursdays at 12pm you can and the kids can enjoy family-fun music, and dance, caricature artists,
face-painting, puppeteers and more!

Thursdays at 6pm listen to light selections from talented musicians from New York City and beyond.

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TV Shows offer free music performances in the summertime all over the city.

• ABC Good Morning America Concerts every week in Central Park (used to be at Bryant Park) at 7am. Performances are usually at 8:30am.
• NBC Today Show Concerts every week at Rockefeller Plaza at 7am.

Excellent nationally-known artists perform and they usually play one or two songs! Admittance is first come first served.

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The South Street Seaport holds a summer music festival full of free outdoor shows.  Starts with a Guest DJ and bands go on around 7pm.  Bands this year include Superchunk, Polvo, Obits, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

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New York City has plenty of clean swimming pools that can help you cool down on a hot day. Some of them can get crowded but it’s worth it.  Some even give free swimming lessons!  About.com lists the best free swimming pools in NYC.

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