Software:

Well oddly enough if you like to draw, Adobe with be releasing free beta version of Adobe Photoshop CS6! Click here to learn more.

Theatre:

Many cities host free, or cheap tickets for Shakespeare in the Park.

NYC: Central Park (arrive early! Best time to get tickets at 8-10 a.m.) hosted by The Public Theatre, Toronto's High Park Theatre is pay what you can, San Francisco has a number of venues featuring Henry V this year.

Galleries:

NYC: Met, Frick... on Sundays usually between 10am-1pm is pay what you can.

Toronto: AGO Wednesdays after 6pm or Doors Open featuring a number of venues for two days.

Washington D.C.: Smithsonian... free.. everything is free!

NEW BOOKS

ebooks: Project Gutenberg

Audiobooks are free with a library card, for a limited amount of time... many are hosting new e-catalogues