New York City has a reputation for being among the most expensive cities in the world, but there’s a plethora of fun events and ideas within the Big Apple that take little to no money to experience. Take advantage of these free ways to enjoy fall in the city:

• Autumn Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center
  For two weekends, you can enjoy juried craft displays from throughout the U.S. at this free festival, along with continuous entertainment and craft demonstrations. Admission is free, and you can purchase food and art.
• Columbus Day Parade
  On October 10th, enjoy the annual parade up Fifth Avenue. The parade will feature Italian folk dancers, high school marching bands, and professional performers from both the U.S. and Italy.
• Marco Polo Festival
  Enjoy this tradition on October 15th on Grand Street, between Mott and Mulberry streets. This festival pays tribute to the communities of Chinatown and Little Italy and celebrates the ongoing cooperation between them. The day’s events include a parade, both instrumental and opera performances, and acrobatic feats.
• Diwali in Times Square
  What better place to celebrate a festival of lights than in Times Square? This Indian festival features dance competitions, fashion shows, Bollywood celebrities, a digital fireworks display, and a broadcast ceremony featuring the lighting of diyas (lights in clay vessels). Recognized by the Hindu community as a time for good to conquer evil, it’s also a time to pray to Lakshmi — goddess of light and prosperity.
• Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
  If you love to dress up your canine companion for the holidays — or just enjoy seeing pups in costume — head over to the East Village on October 22. Of course, the annual highlight has to be the runway competition, featuring hundreds of costumed doggies.
• Village Halloween Parade
  When you’re talking about costumes in the village, you can’t possibly forget about the annual Halloween parade. The route goes up Sixth Avenue, from Spring Street to 16th Street. Be sure to get there early and enjoy the dazzling spectacle we’re famous for.
• “Taino Music with Irka” and “La Musica Taino con Irka”
  Located in lower Manhattan, The National Museum of the American Indian is hosting programs taught by Dominican singer/songwriter and world music artist, Irka Mateo. Offered in both English on Wednesday mornings and in Spanish on Wednesday afternoons throughout the fall, these programs teach children ages two and up about Taino culture through songs, stories, movement, and hands-on activities. Registration on the museum’s website is required for this free program.
• Brooklyn Botanical Garden
  On Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, admission to the beautiful botanical garden in Brooklyn is completely free. Although the spring and summer blooms are gone, there is stunning fall foliage to be seen, and it serves as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
• Fridays at the MoMA
  On Friday nights from four to eight p.m., admission to the Museum of Modern Art is absolutely free. Whether you plan a fall date night or bring the whole family, this is a unique chance to enjoy some innovative art for no cost at all.
• Explore Central Park
  If an organized event isn’t your thing, take an afternoon to enjoy the tranquility and the beauty of Central Park in the fall. Central Park receives around 42 million visitors every year, but because the park is so expansive, you’ll never feel overcrowded. Whether you want to see the carousel, visit Alice and her friends, watch the tranquil Conservatory Water, reflect at the Strawberry Fields Memorial, or take a trip to the Central Park Zoo, there is always something to enjoy in Central Park — and most of it won’t cost you a dime.

No matter what kinds of activities you enjoy, there’s no excuse not to enjoy how great New York is in the autumn. Take advantage of these wonderful free ideas the whole family can appreciate for seasons to come.