April in New York

April in New York City is a vibrant and exciting time as the city begins to fully embrace spring. The warmer weather brings outdoor festivals, cultural celebrations, and plenty of opportunities to explore the city’s parks and gardens as they come into bloom. From art shows to food festivals, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your ultimate guide to the top events happening in New York City in April.

Cherry Blossom Festivals

• Dates: Throughout April (peak bloom varies)
• Locations:
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
  • Sakura Park, Riverside Drive and 122nd Street, Manhattan
  • Roosevelt Island, Manhattan
• Description: One of the highlights of spring in New York is the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Sakura Matsuri Festival is one of the city’s most popular cherry blossom festivals, celebrating Japanese culture with performances, workshops, and beautiful cherry blossoms. Other great spots to see cherry blossoms include Sakura Park in Harlem and Roosevelt Island. Enjoy picnicking under the blossoms and taking in the beauty of spring.

Tribeca Film Festival

• Dates: Late April through early May
• Location: Various venues in Manhattan
• Description: The Tribeca Film Festival, founded by Robert De Niro, is one of NYC’s premier film events, featuring a diverse range of films, including documentaries, shorts, and feature-length movies. The festival also hosts panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and interactive virtual reality experiences. Film buffs can enjoy premieres and screenings of some of the year’s most anticipated movies, making it a must-attend event for cinephiles.

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival

• Date: Easter Sunday (usually early to mid-April)
• Location: Fifth Avenue, from 49th to 57th Streets
• Description: The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is a quirky and colorful tradition that takes place along Fifth Avenue on Easter Sunday. Participants don elaborate bonnets and costumes, celebrating the arrival of spring in a playful, whimsical manner. Unlike a traditional parade, this is more of a strolling event where people walk up and down the avenue, showing off their festive attire. It’s a fun and family-friendly event, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a beautiful backdrop.

Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

• Dates: Late February through late April
• Location: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx
• Description: The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden is an annual event that showcases thousands of vibrant orchids arranged in stunning displays. Each year, the garden’s conservatory is transformed with a new theme, highlighting the beauty and diversity of orchids. The show also features live performances, evening events, and workshops for gardening enthusiasts. It’s a perfect outing for nature lovers and a beautiful way to celebrate spring.

Earth Day Celebrations

• Date: April 22
• Location: Various locations across NYC
• Description: Earth Day in New York City is marked by various eco-friendly events, including festivals, clean-up projects, and educational activities. Earth Day New York in Union Square is one of the biggest celebrations, featuring live performances, green product exhibitions, and interactive displays promoting sustainability. There are also park clean-ups, tree-planting initiatives, and environmental talks happening across the five boroughs. It’s a great opportunity to engage in activities that help protect the planet while enjoying the city’s outdoor spaces.

NYC Hot Sauce Expo

• Dates: Early April
• Location: Brooklyn Expo Center, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
• Description: For spice lovers, the NYC Hot Sauce Expo is a fiery, fun-filled event featuring hundreds of hot sauce vendors from around the world. Attendees can sample a wide variety of hot sauces, from mild to scorching, and watch crazy competitions like the Carolina Reaper Pepper Eating Contest. The expo also offers food vendors, cocktail demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to purchase some of the hottest sauces on the market.

New York International Auto Show

• Dates: Mid to late April
• Location: Javits Center, 429 11th Avenue
• Description: The New York International Auto Show is a massive event for car enthusiasts, showcasing the latest cars, trucks, and concept vehicles from top automakers. Held at the Javits Center, the auto show features exhibits from over 30 manufacturers, with opportunities to see cutting-edge automotive technology, electric vehicles, and futuristic concept cars. It’s a great event for anyone interested in the auto industry or simply looking to see what the future of driving holds.

Macy’s Flower Show

• Dates: Late March through early April
• Location: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W 34th Street
• Description: The annual Macy’s Flower Show transforms Macy’s Herald Square into a floral wonderland, featuring stunning displays of flowers, plants, and gardens throughout the store. Each year, the show takes on a new theme, with floral installations that reflect the theme in creative and imaginative ways. It’s a beautiful event for both flower lovers and shoppers, offering a fragrant escape in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Five Boro Craft Beer Fest

• Dates: Late April
• Location: Varies each year (typically Brooklyn or Queens)
• Description: The Five Boro Craft Beer Fest is a celebration of local and regional craft breweries, offering unlimited tastings of beers from over 50 breweries. This event brings together beer enthusiasts for an evening of great brews, live music, and food from local vendors. The event’s focus is on small-batch, independent brewers, so it’s a great opportunity to sample unique and hard-to-find beers from NYC and beyond.

10. New York City Ballet Spring Season

• Dates: April through June
• Location: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
• Description: The New York City Ballet’s Spring Season kicks off in April, offering a stunning lineup of classic and contemporary ballet performances. From the iconic works of George Balanchine to new pieces by emerging choreographers, the spring season at Lincoln Center is a highlight of NYC’s cultural calendar. Dance enthusiasts and newcomers alike can enjoy world-class performances in one of the city’s most prestigious venues.

Smorgasburg

• Dates: Every weekend in April
• Locations:
  • East River State Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Saturdays)
  • Prospect Park, Brooklyn (Sundays)
• Description: Smorgasburg, NYC’s largest outdoor food market, kicks off its spring season in April, offering a wide variety of food vendors selling everything from artisanal treats to creative street food. Whether you’re craving lobster rolls, ramen burgers, or vegan desserts, Smorgasburg is the place to indulge in some of the city’s best bites while enjoying the spring weather. The market takes place in East River State Park on Saturdays and Prospect Park on Sundays.

Brooklyn Folk Festival

• Dates: Mid-April
• Location: St. Ann’s Church, Brooklyn Heights
• Description: The Brooklyn Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of folk music, featuring performances by local and international artists. The festival includes a wide range of folk styles, from traditional American folk and blues to global folk music. In addition to live performances, the event offers workshops, film screenings, and the annual Banjo Toss Contest, where participants try their hand at tossing a banjo for distance!

Pillow Fight NYC

• Date: Early April (usually the first Saturday)
• Location: Washington Square Park, Manhattan
• Description: Pillow Fight NYC is a fun and quirky event that brings together hundreds of people for a massive, friendly pillow fight in Washington Square Park. Part of the global International Pillow Fight Day, this event is free, and participants are encouraged to bring their own soft pillows and let loose in a playful battle. It’s a unique way to spend an afternoon in the city, and it’s a great event for people of all ages.

PEN World Voices Festival

• Dates: Late April to early May
• Location: Various venues across NYC
• Description: The PEN World Voices Festival is an international literary festival that brings together writers, poets, journalists, and thinkers from around the globe. The festival includes readings, panel discussions, debates, and performances that explore issues related to literature, politics, human rights, and freedom of expression. It’s a fantastic event for book lovers and those interested in global issues, with events held at venues across the city.

Spring Fairs and Street Festivals

• Dates: Throughout April
• Locations: Various locations across NYC
• Description: April marks the start of New York City’s street fair season, with markets and festivals popping up across the boroughs. Popular events include the Hester Street Fair on the Lower East Side, the Astoria Spring Street Fair, and the Brooklyn Flea. These markets offer a variety of artisanal goods, vintage finds, local food vendors, and live entertainment. They’re a great way to spend a weekend afternoon and discover unique local products.

Tips for Attending April Events in NYC

• Check Weather Conditions: April can be unpredictable in terms of weather, so be prepared for both sunny days and rain showers. Dress in layers and bring an umbrella if you’re heading to an outdoor event.
• Arrive Early for Popular Events: Events like the Easter Parade and the Cherry Blossom Festivals can attract large crowds, so it’s best to arrive early to get a good spot or secure tickets in advance if needed.
• Public Transportation: With events happening across the city, using the subway and buses is often the fastest and most convenient way to get around, especially for major events like festivals and parades.

Conclusion

April in New York City is filled with exciting events and activities that embrace the arrival of spring. Whether you’re attending the Tribeca Film Festival, strolling through the city’s blooming parks, or enjoying a quirky event like the Pillow Fight, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the city shakes off the winter chill and comes alive with energy.