Free Things to Do in Bushwick

Some of the best things to do in Bushwick do not cost a thing. The neighborhood's art, parks, and DIY spirit mean you can fill an entire day without opening your wallet. Here are the free things to do in Bushwick that locals actually do.

Walk the Bushwick Collective murals

The Bushwick Collective is an outdoor mural gallery: enormous, colorful works by artists from around the world, concentrated around Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. It is free, open all the time, and constantly changing, so it is worth returning to. Give yourself an hour to wander and you will stumble onto new pieces every few blocks.

Hit gallery openings (free wine included)

Bushwick is thick with independent galleries, and most host free opening nights, often with wine and a crowd. You do not need an invitation; openings are public and welcoming, and gallery-hopping a few in one night is a genuinely great, free evening. Once a year, Bushwick Open Studios takes it further, throwing hundreds of working artist studios open to the public over a weekend.

Spend an afternoon in Maria Hernandez Park

Maria Hernandez Park is the neighborhood's backyard: good for people-watching, a picnic, a pickup game, or just reading in the sun. On weekends it fills with the whole neighborhood, which is the point.

Trade at a clothing swap

Community clothing swaps turn up regularly around Bushwick: bring a few gently-used pieces, add them to the racks, and take home whatever you love, no money involved. It is a fun, sustainable way to refresh your closet and meet people.

Catch free comedy and open mics

Plenty of Bushwick bars and backyards run free comedy shows and open mics, usually tip-based. String lights, cheap drinks, and a rotating cast of comics working out new material make for a low-stakes, high-fun night.

Browse vintage and record shops

Window-shopping is its own activity here. The neighborhood's vintage and thrift shops and record stores are half art-installation, half store, and nobody minds if you browse for an hour and buy nothing.

Day parties and pop-ups

In warmer months, keep an eye out for free outdoor day parties, block events, and pop-ups. They are some of the best times to be in Bushwick, and many are free to walk up to, though the good ones are usually spread by word of mouth rather than posted far in advance.

The catch with free events

The one hard part about free things to do in Bushwick is timing: a gallery opening gets announced two days out, a day party posts the morning of, an open mic changes venues. That is exactly why we round up the week's best events, free ones included, into one short list. Drop your email below to get it, or see what's on this week. For more, read our full guide to things to do in Bushwick.