Weekly roundup (May 7)

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May 7, 2025 | Issue #105

NYC FOR FREE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Note from Rebeka:

May is here and pop-ups are in full swing! This week: enjoy lots of free food and snack events (Keebler, Aesop, McDonald’s, Thin Cookies), beauty pop-ups (Fenty Beauty, LOOPS, California Naturals), and floral installations / bouquets for Mother’s Day (Rockefeller Center, Thayers, Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest).

PS: the Google Map may look a little different. Emojis are now based on broader event categories. Now that its Spring, there are more events each week and we want to fit more into the Map!

– Rebeka

UPCOMING EVENTS (THIS WEEK):

🌳Keebler Sampling Tree (May 7): The Keebler Elves are setting up a Sampling Tree in New York City with free E.L. Fudge Choco Vanilla Cookies!

🍩Krispy Kreme Real ID (May 7): If the DMV is on your calendar this week… Krispy Kreme’s got your back (and your sweet tooth) with a FREE Original Glazed doughnut — no ID or purchase needed.

💃Bryant Park Dance Party (May 7 - May 15): Dance Party returns to Bryant Park and celebrates its 11th anniversary season, with free dance lessons and live music on Wednesdays + Thursdays

🐶The Honest Kitchen's Feed them the Best Pop Up (May 7): In line National Pet Week, The Honest Kitchen is hosting a pop-up dedicated to your four-legged companions with samples, pet portraits & more

🍬Sanders Candy Pop-Up (May 7):  Sweet celebrations on wheels!  The Sanders pop-up truck is hitting the road for its 150th Anniversary.

🧴Destination Healthy Skin: Free Skin Cancer Screenings (May 7): May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month & The Skin Cancer Foundation is offering free skin checks by dermatologists!

💐Spring is Blooming at Rockefeller Center with Van Cleef & Arpels (May 7 - 18):  Discover the exquisite collection of large-scale floral installations throughout Rockefeller Center and free programming on weekends in May.

👚FIGS Nurses Week Wellness Pop-Ups (May 7 - 8):  Throughout Nurses Week, FIGS will pop up at NYU hospital locations, creating moments of rest, relaxation, and gratitude for the nurses who give so much.

💐Zyrtec x Lewis Miller Flower Flash (May 7):  April showers bring May flowers – even underground! ZYRTEC and iconic florist Lewis Miller are bringing blooms to the streets of New York City.

🍟McDonald’s The Sauce Drawer Tour (May 8 - 10): McDonald's is celebrating its new McCrispy Strips & Creamy Chili Sauce with a pop-up event!

🥖Aesop For the Hands That Raise Us on Mother's Day (May 8 - 11): Enjoy a Mother's Day gesture with free loaves of bread and pastries at Aesop stores

🥥Nostalgia Mall by Vita Coco (May 9 - 10): Relive your favorite early Y2K tradition, a shopping day at the mall, for one weekend only, with a photo booth, shopping, and Vita Coco Treats.

👄Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Shop (May 9 - 11): Fenty Beauty and Shopify are bringing you a Gloss Bomb takeover with exclusive drops and giveaways!

🎶 THE IMAGINARY INVALID: Molière's Comedy-Ballet in Prospect Park (May 8 - 25): Enjoy free performances and live original music of this French Comedy-Ballet.

💧Thorne Just Add Water Pop-Up (May 8): Thorne, a science-backed wellness brand, is taking over Flatiron Plaza with a water installation, giveaways and more.

☕️ Dunkin' Grand Opening - 425 Madison Ave (May 8): A new Dunkin’ is opening in Midtown, Manhattan. Enjoy VIP coffee card giveaways (first 100), swag, spin the wheel & more!

🧴 Dr.Jart+ Korean Skin Mart - Meatpacking (May 9 - 10): Discover K-Beauty at your convenience. Plus, play games, win prizes and try the new Every Sun Day Sunscreen Stick.

🎥 Charlie Cale's Back on Her BLSHT Rest Stop (May 9 - 10): Peacock is popping up a Poker Face-inspired rest stop activation to celebrate the launch of Season 2.

🧴California Naturals x The Hive Pop-Up (May 10): California Naturals has teamed up The Hive in Hoboken, NJ, to bring you a Coconut Cream Cinny, and is offering visitors free mini shampoos & drinks to celebrate!

💐 Thayers Mother’s Day Flower Truck (May 10): As the Mother of all Toners, Thayers is kicking off Mother’s Day with product samples and fresh flower bouquets.

🥤Fever-Tree Mercadito (May 10):  Fever-Tree is kicking off the tequila season and giving away drinks so you can shake up Palomas, Salty Chihuahuas, and Mules at home 

💐Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest (May 10): Join at City Point & Albee Square for a family-friendly celebration with a free Mother's Day Flower Bar, performances, face painting, dance parties, and more.

🍪 Thin Cookies NYC Grand Opening (May 10): Thin Cookies is finally here! First 100 get a free cookie + DJ, merch and more at the grand opening.

🍦Bakery by Textbook x Oatly Ice Cream Social (May 10): Bakery by Textbook is throwing it down with a Bed-Stuy Block Party with Oatly, featuring free soft serve ice cream!

🍴T-Swirl Crepe Mother's Day (May 11): Treat Mom to a free sweet crepe on Mother’s Day! 

🧴LOOPS NYC Pop-Up (May 12 - 13): LOOPS is having a coffee truck giving out free hot & iced coffee—plus an eye-conic LOOPS surprise!

🇮🇹 Italy on Madison (May 13 - 15):  Join the Italian Trade Agency and celebrate Italian heritage at a three-day sensory journey through Italian design, fashion, beauty, food and lifestyle. RSVP for unique events spanning each industry + a gift bag with Italian products! (Sponsored)

🪑Wayfair Chair-Ades (May 13): Ready to turn your Tuesday into game night? Wayfair is taking over Grand Central Terminal from 7AM-7PM with Chair-Ades—a twist on charades where chairs take center stage. Play games, win prizes, get design inspo, & enjoy surprises at this one day pop-up! (Sponsored)

ON THE RADAR:

🧴Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Inflammatory Haus (May 16 - 18): A first-of-its-kind townhouse takeover exploring skincare science, hydration, nutrition, movement and mindfulness for full-body wellness and longevity. ​

👶🏻The Mini Mart Pop Up with ByHeart (May 16 - 18): Join for a whimsical neighborhood mom-and-pop baby corner shop designed to make life a little easier for on-the-go parents

🧴The Song of Skin Hotel  (May 16 - 18, 23 - 25):  You’re invited to a dreamy, two-weekend pop-up in New York City where luxury skincare meets curated discovery.

MISC, RECURRING & DEALS:

🎓 Graduation Freebies: 2025 Graduates can experience Edge, Vessel and Top of the Rock for free!
💄 Luxury Makeup Testing: Foundation testing is extended for one more final week through May 16! Participants will receive full-size products as gifts, a $100+ cosmetics gift card and more. Last chance to sign up + sign up a friend for more $$!