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Free use of books, newspapers, and magazines at the Bryant Park Reading Room, plus author appearances, writing workshops, book clubs, and much more!
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Select weekdays at 12:30pm
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Tuesdays at 6pm
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Wednesdays at 12:30pm
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Select dates at 3pm
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Mondays at 12:30pm
Bryant Park's Reading Room is an outdoor space for the public to enjoy newspapers, books and magazines in the park. No digital readers, we have actual printed matter! Bonus: the Reading Room hosts programs with author signings, writing workshops, and much more.
Look for the yellow umbrellas on the north side of the park near the 42nd Street plaza.
Open daily, April to September, 11am-7pm to lend books, magazines, and newspapers for reading in the park.
Reading Room is open to all ages, and kids are welcome!
Find reading material for kids in their own colorful rack or join us for StoryTime.
Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates
Visit our calendar or scroll to the bottom of this page for all upcoming events, including author talks, history panels, writers workshops, and much more!
Books on Broadway
May 7, 12, 26 (more dates TBA)
Select Weekdays, 12:30pm–1:30pm
Backstage looks at Broadway, featuring the cast and crew who make it happen. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.
Select dates in May
12:30pm-1:30pm
Thursday, May 7: Hadestown
with Joshua Colley (Orpheus) and Jordan Tyson (Eurydice)
Tuesday, May 12: Death Becomes Her
with Betsy Wolfe (Madeline Ashton)
Tuesday, May 26: Death of a Salesman with Christopher Abbot (Biff Loman) and Ben Ahlers (Happy Loman)
Quiet Reading
May 12, June 9, July 7, August 11, and September 15
Select Tuesdays, 3pm-5pm
Silent reading hour followed by lively book discussions with fellow book lovers.
Poetry
May 26 – September 15
Tuesdays, 6pm-7:15pm
Award-winning poetry by established and emerging poets. Hosted by Jason Schneiderman, poet and professor.
May 26: Arden Levine, Chet'la Sebree, Darrel Alejandro Holnes, and Monica Ferrell
June 2: A Celebration of Sonnets with Dora Malech and Phillis Levin
June 9: Anne Marie Macari, Francisco Aragon, Maggie Dietz, and Yanyi
More dates TBA!
Authors
May 27 – August 26
Wednesdays, 12:30pm–1:45pm
Best-selling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.
May 27, 2026 – August 26, 2026
Wednesdays, 12:30pm-1:45pm
May 27: Writers Read hosted by Ed McCann
June 3: Memoir with writers Jeffrey Banks, Stefan Merrill Block, and Ian Jarvis
June 10: Seriously Funny with writers Jenny Hagel and Maeve Dunigan
June 17: Masters of Suspense with writers Alison Gaylin, Ed Lin, and Kimberly McCreight
June 24: Summer Picks with writers Hilary Davidson, Connor Martin, and Camille Perri
July 8th: Frankie Grande
Read on the Lawn Day
June 1
Monday, 6pm-8pm
Bryant Park’s first reading party! Grab a book, a picnic blanket, and a friend. Join silent reading sessions with ambient music, followed by lively book discussions with fellow book lovers.
Pre-registration recommended. Registration to be announced. Produced in partnership with Reading Rhythms.
Nature Talks
June 5 – September 11
Select Fridays, noon–1pm
A new lecture series giving a fresh perspective on the surprisingly abundant living things all around us in New York City.
June 5 – September 11
Fridays, noon-1pm
June 5: Ecological History of NYC with Eric Sanderson - Vice President of the New York Botanic Garden and author of Mannahatta and the upcoming Before New York: The Natural Geography of the City
June 19: NYC Fungi and Lichens with Wilton Rao - Naturalist and mycology expert with the New York Mycological Society
July 3: Exploring NYC Wildlife with Ryan Mandelbaum - Author of Wild NYC, science writer, nature educator, and wildlife photographer
July 17: Native Bees of NYC with Sarah Kornbluth - Invertebrate Zoology Field Associate at the American Museum of Natural History
July 31: Nature and Humanity with William Bryant Logan - Arborist and author of Oak: The Frame of Civilization; Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of Earth; and Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees
August 14: Herbalism and Urban Gardening with Madeleine Beirne - Herbalist and gardening educator with GrowNYC
August 28: NYC Wildlife Rehabilitation with The Wild Bird Fund - Nonprofit rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in NYC
September 11: Socio-Environmental History of Parks with Georgia Silvera Seamens - Founder and director of Local Nature Lab, urban community forester, and science writer
Reel Talks
June 15 – August 17
Mondays, 12:30pm–1:30pm
Talks on movies, cinema culture, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur.
2026 Reel Talks lineup coming soon!
Non-Fiction
July 1 – September 2
Wednesdays, 7pm–8pm
Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. Produced in partnership with The New York Historical.
2026 Non-Fiction lineup coming soon!
StoryTime
July 7 – August 25
Tuesdays, 10:30am–11:30am
Meowsic, stories, and fun with Cali Co Cat and friends. Ages 2 – 8.
Writers Workshop
July 9 – August 13
Thursdays, 6:30pm–8pm
Workshops geared to improve your writing skills. Produced in partnership with Gotham Writers.
July 9, 2026 – August 13, 2026
Thursdays, 6:30pm-8pm
July 9: Poetry Writing with Mary Donnelly
July 16: Creative Writing 101 with Arlaina Tibensky
July 23: Screenwriting with C.C. Webster
July 30: Fiction Writing with Susan Breen
August 6: Humor Writing with Alexander Steele
August 13: Essay & Opinion Writing with Kelly Caldwell
2026 BookClub lineup coming soon!
Crossword Tournament
September 19
Saturday, 10:30am-2pm
Crossword enthusiasts compete to finish original puzzles.
Writers Workshop Teens
September 20
Sunday, noon–1:30pm
Essay-writing tips for high schoolers and young adults. Produced in partnership with Writopia Lab.
Puzzle Meetups
June 14 – July 5
Saturdays, noon-3pm
Work with fellow jigsaw puzzle lovers on new pieces, hosted by Puzzle People of NYC.
