After a long winter and tastes of spring, Boston is back and blooming again this April. There are plenty of things to do this month, from spring-themed art tours and picnic adventures to tea parties and baseball games. And even when the April weather in Boston gets a tad stormy, we’ve included plenty of rainy-day activities too. Check out our favorite activities this month and get out there and enjoy the weather(when it cooperates)!
1. Enjoy a sultry Dining in the Dark experience
Let your senses come alive as you intimately get to know your food and your fellow diners. This blindfolded dining experience heightens your taste and smell, for a meal you’ll certainly remember. The unique dining experience encourages presence and connection with food and fellow diners.
2. Relax and enjoy the sounds of classical music under candlelight
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a whole new light with these sensational concerts located in historical Boston venues. Throughout April, the Candlelight Concert series will feature a wide variety of themed repertoires, from Taylor Swift to Whitney Houston. Highlights of the concert series this month include:
And if you’re overwhelmed by the plethora of stellar options, you can always opt for a Candlelight gift card (for you or someone you love) and make the decision later!
3. Cheer on runners at the 129th Boston Marathon
April is all about marathons and ballgames here, and whether you’re running or watching the Boston Marathon, it’s a thrill. Catch some adrenaline from the contagious energy of the crowds and the impressive energy of the runners. The race starts in Hopkinton, MA and carries for exactly 26.2 miles to finish in Copley Square on Boylston Street.
Check out some of our recommendations on the best places to watch the race on April 21!
4. Treat yourself to the perfect spring break
Generally, the week of Marathon Monday coincides with spring break for most of Massachusetts with some outliers, and of course working folk who have to make their own spring break! Whether its a week off or a few days, the city will be booming with a bunch of family-friendly activities to enjoy in mid-April!
5. Sail around the Public Garden on a swan boat
Swan boats debut on April 16! They are a hit with tourists, and if you’re a Bostonians who hasn’t been one a ride yet, 2023 is the year to appreciate these beauties! Each boat is hand assembled every single season for this historic family-owned swan boat business!
6. …or cruise around on real ocean waters at the Cape
AutoCamp Cape Cod offer the best of both worlds, oceanside fun with a little sprinkle of glamping! Enjoy land and sea during their spring break for an adventure the whole group will love. Activities include:
- Seaside bikes
- Campfire s’mores
- Stargazing
- Exploring Downtown Falmouth
7. Pop over to Nantucket for the annual Daffodil festival
No need to go all the way to Europe to appreciate endless fields of flowers. We’ve got a similar show right here in Massachusetts! From April 24-27 thousands of yellow blooming daffodils will bring joy and light to the island of Nantucket! Stay at The Brant while you’re on the island. And don’t forget your Elin Hilderbrand book!
8. Cozy up with one of these rainy-day activities
A notoriously wet month, April brings plenty of rainy days to the city. You can reenact a scene from the Notebook, or you can also stay dry and cozy and opt for one of these lovely rainy-day activities to enjoy:
- Take an cooking class
- Dine at a cozy restaurant complete with a fireplace
- Make your very own hand-tufted rug
9. Satisfy every tooth with a custom cheeseboard
April is a month of celebrations, new beginnings, picnics, pre-graduation festivities and more! Jump on the cheese board craze with the local business, Chic Cheese Chick, offering custom cheeseboard delivery within 24 hours to a 35-mile radius of Needham. Pro tip, cheeseboard delivery also makes a lovely way to spend a rainy day!
10. Go on a self-guided food adventure with clues and mystery picnics
Enjoy the lovely springtime weather and go on an adventurous culinary experience! This mystery picnic date includes solving puzzles and riddles sent to your smartphone to figure out the location of your stunning secret picnic spot. You can go on this 3-hour picnic extravaganza with anyone—it’s up to you!
11. Grab a free cone from Ben and Jerry’s
Free cone day is Tuesday, April 8! Ben and Jerry’s at Faneuil Hall Market is setting to break their Free Cone Day distribution record of 9,945 cones! Be part of history and grab a cone at one of the 8 Ben and Jerry’s locations around Boston!
12. Admire the blooming beauty of Boston
Signs of spring are around every corner – the snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and the sun is setting later in the evening. And if you look closely, the first spring flowers are peaking their heads out of the ground, too! Soon enough, Boston will be in full bloom, so check out our guide on 8 places to see flowers in bloom this season. Keep your eyes peeled for new flashes of color every week!
Boston’s Public Garden is the perfect place to spend a sunny day in April. After you’ve tiptoed through the tulips and admired the cherry blossoms!
13. See cherry blossoms in bloom at 5 spots in Boston
DC isn’t the only place you can see cherry blossoms in the Northeast—we’ve got some beautiful ones here in Boston, too! They’re expected to bloom in early April, so don’t miss spring’s best flower and check them out at one of these 5 spots, including:
- Charles River Esplanade
- Boston Common and Public Garden
- Arnold Arboretum
14. Challenge yourself to a wild night of intelligent games
On a rainy spring day, have an adventure right at Level 99. The space is full of 43 physical and mental challenges that will have you laughing, screaming and maybe even crying.
Find Level 99 Natick Mall at 1235 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760
15. Catch the Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park
Whether you’re in the stands or watching at your favorite sports spot, you’ll be sure to have a good time enjoying America’s favorite pastime.
On April 4, our beloved Red Sox make their return to Fenway Park with dozens of home games in April!
16. Catch a new movie on the big screen
We can’t wait to see the newest movie releases on a screen larger than our laptops! This spring, there are plenty of anticipated films, like Someone Like You. Get your tickets to the hottest films in Boston here with an exclusive discount.
17. Have afternoon tea at the Boston Public Library
Care for a spot of tea? Level up your weekend brunch plans and have a tea party at the Boston Public Library instead. The Courtyard Tea Room has all the tiny cakes and crumpets that you could desire, and the location is killer too. You can make a reservations at their website.
18. Head to Monster Jam at Gillette
Adrenaline-filled fun is back when Monster Jam® returns to Gillette Stadium on April 12. At Monster Jam®, athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill.
19. Clean up the Charles River for Earth Day
The 26th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup returns to Boston! Since 1999, Charles River Cleanup volunteers have gathered each Earth Day to pick up litter, remove invasive species, and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles and 1,100 acres of Emerald Necklace parkland. Register for the cleanup on April 25 and 26!
20. Enjoy the dazzling Magnolia blooms around the city
Cherry Blossoms aren’t the only showstoppers! Magnolia’s also add a vibrancy to Boston’s skyline in spring! Here are some of the best places to admire them.
21. Take a free yoga class
Boston Yoga Union is hosting a slow flow and restore yoga class designed to support those living with, or survivors of cancer, and hosted by cancer survivor, Becky Sail for National Cancer Prevention Month. The class is free, but any contributions made will be donated to Dana Farber. Find it Saturday, April 12 from 1-2:30 PM. Learn more and register here.
22. Enjoy a free opera show from Boston Lyric Opera
The traveling opera show will be hosting live musical performances around the city this month. Check out the full calendar of events.
23. Take care of the Charles on the 26th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup
The 26th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup will take place on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025, and registration is now open! This much-loved event brings together over 3,500 volunteers each year to rejuvenate the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths surrounding the Charles River and its tributaries, ensuring the areas remain clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.