After a long winter, 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 30 favorite activities this month and get out there and enjoy the weather(when it cooperates)!
1. Spring into action at an out-of-this-world Space Adventure
Get lost in outer space as you explore everything from a library of 300 NASA artifacts to an interactive launch that takes you through the day in the life of an astronaut. Spark your curiosity with life-size space gear and rockets and immerse yourself in an Apollo control room simulation. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen before and here only for a limited time before it takes off for good!
Learn more and get tickets to Space Adventure!
Find it at 121 Webster Ave Chelsea, MA 02150
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 Fleetwood Mac to Coldplay. Highlights of the concert series this month include:
- Favorite Anime Themes at First Church
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More
- A Tribute to Beyoncé at First Church
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 127th 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 17!
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’s spring break festivities offer the best of both worlds, oceanside fun with a little sprinkle of glamping! Enjoy land and sea during their spring break April specials which will run April 15-21. Festivities include:
- Seaside bikes
- Campfire s’mores
- Twinkle star-lit movie nights
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 27-30 thousands of yellow blooming daffodils will bring joy and light to the island of Nantucket! Stay at a local hotel like Faraway and enjoy the island in addition to the on-site dining experience from Sister Ship, whose reservations open on April 1!
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 a date or a group of friends—it’s up to you!
11. Grab a free cone from Ben and Jerry’s
Free cone day is Monday, April 3! 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. Visit the MFA for the Art in Bloom event
To celebrate one of the prettiest times of the year, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston will be showcasing dozens of massive floral arrangements inspired by the paintings in their own collection. Returning for the first time since 2019, the Art in Bloom event will take place this year from Friday, April 29, to Sunday, May 1. You won’t want to miss this multi-sensory artistic experience!
14. 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
15. 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
16. Catch the Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park
On March 30, our beloved Red Sox make their return to Fenway Park with dozens of home games in April! 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.
17. 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 Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Air! Get your tickets to the hottest films in Boston here with an exclusive discount.
18. 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.
19. Shop artisan makers at the CambridgeSide pop-up
CambridgeSide, in partnership with J. Perry Fine Art, will celebrate spring with a special pop-up vendor market on Saturday, April 1. The Pop-Up Market will feature home décor, jewelry, fashion, and personal care items from locally owned businesses. Featured vendors include August Sun Candles, Queens Essentials, Larry Pierce Fine Art, MAE E FILHA, One Piece at a Time and more!
Find it at 100 CambridgeSide Place Level 1 from 11 AM – 8 PM on April 1
20. Check out the free Arts Thursdays ‘Light Up the Museum’ events
Join the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture for endless fun on April 27! Come with a date, come with friends, or make new friends while strolling through the galleries. Participate in activities, enter raffles to win museum gifts and memberships, and enjoy a special 10% discount at the museum shop. Guests can find free parking at the 52 Oxford St garage.
Find it April 27 from 5 PM- 9 PM
Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge
22. Celebrate Ramadan and Eid with special festivities
The latter half of Ramadan falls in April with Eid-Al-Fitr most likely falling on April 22. Check out our list of 5 places serving up Ramadan iftar all month long!
23. Jam out at a Boston Calling Preview featuring the Q-Tip Bandits
For the second straight year, Boston’s celebrated food hall, High Street Place, is teaming up with the city’s iconic music festival, Boston Calling, to host Boston Calling Night at High Street Place! Enjoy a live performance courtesy of local indie-rock pop band, The Q-Tip Bandits!
Find it at High Street Place on April 6 from 6 PM to 11 PM
24. Gather for a night of laughs and charity with your favorite Boston comedians
Some of your favorite Boston comedians, that you’d probably recognize from your Instagram feed, will perform live at an Alzheimer’s Association “The Longest Day” fundraiser! The show will include everything from improv to stand-up and sketch! A portion of all ticket sales will be devoted to end Alzheimer’s.
Find it April 7 at 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Doors open and pre-show festivities commence at 8:30 PM with showtime at 9:30 PM
25. Experience an immersive screening and inspired prix fixe menu of Titanic
The New Bedford Whaling Museum will host a special 25th anniversary screening of James Cameron’s Titanic with food and activities inspired by the film. After the 1 PM screening, Little Moss Restaurant will debut a 14-course prix fixe menu which will re-imagine the sumptuous final meal served in first class from that fateful night. Reserve your visit and by April 1 if you’re looking to join the dinner!
Find it at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740
26. Hop into Easter brunch with these flavorful menus
Easter is on Sunday, April 9! Dozens of restaurants around the city will celebrate with special menus! Pazza on Porter in Eastie will have an Easter Bunny on deck along with a photographer taking complimentary photos, while serving their regular brunch menu from 12-3 PM! Special Easter menus are available at the Ritz-Carlton and Bambara Kitchen & Bar at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. Options include everything ffrom Wagyu Brisket Hash to Juicy Lamb Skewers with Mint Chermoula.
27. Catch Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show at the Wang Theatre
The family-friendly affair showcases Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, the Heelers embark on their very first live theater show in the U.S. featuring puppetry, live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm!
Find it Friday, April 7th 11 AM and 4PM and Saturday, April 8th at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 5 PM at the Boch Center Wang Theatre at 270 Tremont Street
28. Enjoy a communal Passover Seder
Passover begins on April 5! Here are a few places commemorating with special seders:
- The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, MA will serve a special menu of seared halloumi, matzo ball soup, sumac chicken matzo tiramisu or coconut saffron custard and more as a 3-course option April 5-13
- Clover Food Lab will offer special Passover boxes which can be picked up or delivered to you
- Mamaleh’s will offer plenty of Passover options like matzo ball soup, tzimmes, brisket, passionfruit cheesecake for pickup April 4-6
29. Support a local non-profit at this special fundraiser
Local non-profit, Christopher’s Haven, that provides temporary housing for families when their child is going through a cancer diagnosis, hosts its annual fundraiser at City Winery on Thursday, April 27. The fundraiser will include a silent auction to raise money and awareness so they can continue to provide affordable housing for families of children battling cancer at nearby hospitals.
The event will be emceed by Sue Brady and Fast Freddy from Mix 104.1. There will be passed hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment from Ryan LaPerle, and a silent auction featuring several items, including a private 5-course for 10 at the winner’s home, tickets to Boston sporting events, a private yoga class with catering by Playa Bowls, and more! Individual tickets cost $150 and can be purchased at christophershaven.org.
Find it in the West End at 80 Beverly Street, Boston, MA 02114 on April 27
30. Check out the Art of the Brick exhibit before it busts out of Boston
This revolutionary LEGO exhibit will leave the city after April 23! Enjoy dozens of installments entirely crafted from LEGO bricks.
Find “The Art of the Brick” at 343 Newbury Street from November 18, 2022, to April 23, 2023