Weekly roundup (December 17)

Note for anyone new here: This is from my weekly newsletter. Want the top events from this week in your inbox every Wednesday? Subscribe to the NYC for FREE newsletter here!

December 17, 2025 | Issue #137

NYC FOR FREE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Note from Rebeka:

This week: enjoy a warmer few days in NYC with some final pop-ups of the year: Planet Oat x Emily in Paris, Ben & Jerry’s free ice cream, The Workshop by Google Gemini in Bryant Park and more. Remember that free museums are a great option for a free indoor activity!

– Rebeka

FEATURED EVENTS (THIS WEEK):

🍨Ben & Jerry's Free Bar Drop (December 17):  Ben & Jerry's is dropping NEW Ice Cream Bars! Over 150 participating Scoop Shops nationwide will be droppin' Bars to fans for FREE to celebrate!

🍪bareMinerals x Homemade ish (December 17): You are invited to the first ever bareMinerals x Homemade ish pop up. Snag a Cookie, Blonzer, and Lip Combo if you're among the first 150 guests.

🍩Angelina Bakery Union Square Grand Opening (December 17): Come celebrate the Grand Opening of the newest Angelina Bakery location with a final day of giveaways!

🍪Brookfield Place Milk and Cookies (December 17 - 24): Each day at 4:30 PM, a surprise "Cookie of the Day" will be revealed from one of Brookfield Place eateries, paired with milk to make it extra merry.

🇫🇷Planet Oat White Chocolate Raspberry Oatmilk Creamer x Emily in Paris Pop-Up (December 18): Planet Oat is launching a new coffee creamer and is celebrating with a Parisian bakery pop-up experience at L'Appartement 4F

🐕‍🦺Holiday Refresh with Minties FreshBites (December 18): Before the holiday hustle hits full wag, Minties is giving NYC pups a minty-fresh glow-up at Union Square’s West Plaza!

🤳The Workshop by Google Gemini (December 18 - 21): Google Gemini is hosting a holiday pop up in Bryant Park: craft personalized gifts for your loved ones, a hot chocolate station, and more

🐶Modelones 10-Year On the Go: the Puppy Santa Express (December 20): Join Modelones as they wrap up Modelones 10-Year On the Go celebration with something truly special: the Puppy Santa Express! 

🐾Bluey's Aussie Christmas (December 20 - 21): Bluey’s Aussie Christmas comes to Hudson Yards with Bluey-themed games, activities, and a photo booth with free keepsakes.

MORE EVENTS (THIS WEEK):

💋Saie Beauty Launch (December 17)

🎁Porcelanosa Holiday Pop-Up (December 17 - 21)

🕎The World's Largest Menorah Lighting (December 17 - 21)

🇯🇵Hashi Market Grand Opening (December 17)

❄️WinteRamble in Lincoln Square (December 17)

2️⃣6️⃣2026 Numeral Arrival in Times Square (December 18 - 23)

🍸Firehook Crackers x Via Carota Craft Cocktails Holiday Aperitivo (December 18)

☕️Diaspora Co. Holiday Pop Up (December 19 - 21)

🌮Talkin’ Tacos Greenwich Village Grand Opening (December 19)

🎥Murmrr & Crown Hill Theatre Holiday Double Feature (December 19)

☕️Truvia x The Elk Coffee Pop Up (December 20, 27)

❄️ASOS Winter Wonderland (December 20 - 21)

🎅🏼Santa Claus at Clementine Bakery (December 20)

🚂Holiday Nostalgia Rides (December 21, 28) 

🧘World Meditation Day (December 21)

🎊New Year's Eve Wishing Wall (through December 28)

🖼️ES DEVLIN: CONGREGATION (through January 4)

🚂New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show (through February 2026)

😆PAC-MAN Celebrates 45th Anniversary (through January 18)

ON THE RADAR:

👋Times Square Good Riddance Day (December 28): An annual event in Times Square to say goodbye to what frustrated you and usher in a new start for the new year, inspired by a Latin American tradition.

🎊New Year’s Eve Confetti Test (December 29): Times Square prepares for the release of 3,000 pounds of confetti at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

🎉New Year's Eve in Times Square (December 31): It’s free to watch the iconic ball drop on New Year’s Eve - just get there early!

MISC, RECURRING & DEALS:

🖼️Free Museums: Most major museums have dedicated days & hours where there is free entry every week/month!

🕯️Candlelight: Christmas Special ft. “The Nutcracker” & More: Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations. Enjoy a holiday and winter theme in Brooklyn

🤑 Rakuten: Get Cash Back during the holidays by shopping at stores like Nike, Bloomingdales, lululemon & more (often 10%+). Plus, new users can get $50 (limited time!) after using the Rakuten app or browser extension to make their first purchase of $50+. Sign up here.

🙇🏽‍♀️ Get $225 for a Focus Group: Earn $225 in rewards to help to shape the future of technology! Sign up for a 3 hour in-person study in Midtown Manhattan and get $225 for your time and participation.