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20 things to do in NYC this month

From the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival to cherry blossom season coming in bloom, there are plenty of activities in New York City this April.

Erin Cavoto
Written byErin Cavoto

Looking to take advantage of the spring weather in New York City? There are a ton of exciting things to do in NYC this month. From cherry-blossom peeping to pickleball in Central Park, there are several outdoor activities in NYC right now for making the most of a sunny spring day. Or, check out a seasonal festival like Broadway Celebrates Earth Day in Times Square.

Stuck with April showers? Check out our roundup of the best Broadway shows in April for the perfect indoor, rain-safe plans.

1.

So in Love… With Broadway exhibit at the Museum of Broadway

2.

Cherry blossom season

3.

Inspired by MetroCard exhibit

4.

Rooftop Cinema Club by Candlelight

5.

Schmigadoon! cocktail crawl

6.

Showstoppers: The Art of Stage and Screen Exhibit

7.

Macy’s Flower Show

8.

Raphael's Raphaelísimo Tour

9.

Broadway Celebrates Earth Day

10.

Artist Party: Marcel Duchamp

11.

Indieplaza 2026

13.

Reel Wild New York Film Festival

14.

Movies Under the Palms

15.

La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival

16.

CityPickle at Wollman Rink

17.

Teatro Fest 2026

18.

The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic's Concrete Jungle

19.

Mamma Mia! brunch

20.

Visit the MoMA PS1 for free

1.

So in Love… With Broadway exhibit at the Museum of Broadway

Date and venue: For a limited time at the Museum of Broadway

Devoted to all forms of love, the newest exhibit at the Museum of Broadway brings together some of the greatest stage duos of all time, from Romeo and Juliet to Elphaba and Glinda. Celebrating romantic love, forbidden love, platonic love, and everything in between, this exhibit is sure to dazzle any theatre lover.

Get Museum of Broadway tickets now.

Get tickets

2.

Cherry blossom season

Date and venue: Early to late April at various locations

Through mid-April, New York City’s cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, and there are several ways to see them. Central Park has cherry blossom trees all over, but a few areas with especially impressive displays are the Great Lawn, Cherry Hill, Sheep Meadow, Pilgrim Hill, and around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. In addition to Central Park, other places to see them in Manhattan include Riverside Park and Sakura Park in West Harlem, Little Island at Hudson River Park, and Roosevelt Island.

3.

Inspired by MetroCard exhibit

Date and venue: Through October at Grand Central Transit Museum

Although the MetroCard has been phased out, it lives on at Grand Central’s Transit Museum — but probably not in the way you expect. The free Inspired by MetroCard exhibit at Grand Central features art inspired by and created with MetroCards. Sculptors, painters, collage artists, fashion designers, and more turned this once ordinary part of NYC daily life into gorgeous works of art. Learn more online.

4.

Rooftop Cinema Club by Candlelight

Date and venue: April 2-30 at Rooftop Cinema Club

For an alternative to your typical movie night, check out Midtown’s Rooftop Cinema Club, which will showcase all of its April movies in a warm, candlelit glow for a super-cozy experience. Tickets include a comfy lounge chair and headphones so you can hear the movie clearly — all against the gorgeous NYC skyline. This month, Rooftop Cinema Club is holding a “Don't Judge a Book By Its Movie” series, which shows popular film adaptations of books. Tickets are available online.

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09:00

Breakfast at Liberty Bagels

Regularly named one of the city’s best bagel shops, the unassuming Liberty Bagels is the perfect spot to get a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.

10:00

Macy’s Herald Square

One of the world’s largest stores, Macy’s is a sight to behold, especially when it’s decked out for the holidays.

5.

Schmigadoon! cocktail crawl

Date and venue: Through April at Lady Blue, Dolly’s, and Mom’s Midtown

Schmigadoon! is taking over the Theatre District with a bar crawl inspired by the hit new musical. Three bars — Lady Blue, Dolly’s, and Mom’s Midtown ± are offering specialty cocktails throughout April, inspired by the show.

The Town Square Spritz at Lady Blue has red berry, peach, and sparkling wine; Doc’s Order at Dolly’s is a twist on an old-fashioned with rye, honey, lemon, and peach; and The Ride of Your Life at Mom’s Midtown is tequila-based with lime, agave, grenadine, and grapefruit. When you show your same-day Schmigadoon ticket at each spot, you’ll receive 10% off your full bill.

Get Schmigadoon! tickets now.

Get Schmigadoon! tickets
Schmigadoon! cocktail crawl

6.

Showstoppers: The Art of Stage and Screen Exhibit

Date and venue: Through May 10 at Helicline Fine Art

Film and theatre buffs alike will want to check out the Showstoppers: The Art of Stage and Screen exhibit at the private Helicline Fine Art gallery. The exhibit has art and design from Broadway productions throughout the 20th century, such as My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera, and more, along with caricatures by Al Hirschfeld and Sam Norkin and paintings of Broadway theatres. You can book an appointment online.

7.

Macy’s Flower Show

Date and venue: April 23 to May 10 at Macy’s in Herald Square

Step into the Macy’s store in Herald Square to be transported into a stunning floral landscape during its annual Flower Show. This free experience sees the store decked out in towering floral displays, greenhouses, and even sculptural birds that appear to fly overhead. There’s also a free spring-themed Lego build you can RSVP to join in advance.

8.

Raphael's Raphaelísimo Tour

Date and venue: April 30 at the Beacon Theatre

Spanish pop singer Raphael will visit the Beacon Theatre this April on the Raphaelísimo Tour, performing music from his extensive discography that spans six decades. The International Latin Music Hall of Famer's charismatic stage presence and wide vocal range make his live performances a treat for fans.

Get Raphael tickets at the Beacon Theatre now.

Get tickets

9.

Broadway Celebrates Earth Day

Date and venue: April 25 at Duffy Square in Times Square

Hosted by the Broadway Green Alliance shortly after Earth Day on April 22, the event features free performances from Broadway stars as well as local schools and community groups. Hear songs from & Juliet, Chicago, Wicked, and more, plus additional Earth Day exhibits to explore. The event kicks off at 11 a.m.

10.

Artist Party: Marcel Duchamp

Date and venue: April 30 at the Museum of Modern Art

Known for constantly pushing the boundaries of what is considered “art,” Marcel Duchamp’s sculptures are some of the most well-known modern art pieces. To celebrate the MoMA’s new Marcel Duchamp exhibit, the museum is hosting a party with DJs, pop-up performances, hands-on activities, and other events inspired by the artist. There will even be a Marcel Duchamp and Rrose Sélavy (the artist’s female alter ego) lookalike contest. Tickets are available online.

11.

Indieplaza 2026

Date and venue: April 18 at Rockefeller Center

Free concert? Say less! On Record Store Day, Rough Trade and Rockefeller Center are teaming up to present Indieplaza, the fifth annual free music festival with performances from rock, pop, and indie bands, as well as DJ sets throughout the day. Plus, because it’s Record Store Day, you can also shop limited album releases from artists like Paramore, Olivia Dean, Weezer, and many more, at Rough Trade and select record stores across the city. Learn more and RSVP online.

13.

Reel Wild New York Film Festival

Date and venue: April 23-26 at AMC Lincoln Square 13

Celebrating wildlife and wild places, the Reel Wild New York Film Festival will return with a juried panel to give out awards. During the four-day festival, see documentary and narrative films from around the world, highlighting conservation, climate change, and places and communities affected by these issues. Find the full schedule and tickets online.

14.

Movies Under the Palms

Date and venue: April 24-25 and May 1-2 at Brookfield Place

Brookfield Place will screen four free, family-friendly movies this April and May for its Movies Under the Palms event. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, opening one hour before the movie.

The movie schedule includes Hook on April 24, Ratatouille on April 25, and sing-along screenings of Annie on May 1 and The Wizard of Oz on May 2. Find more info online.

15.

La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival

Date and venue: April 9 to May 10 at various venues

Supporting the East Village’s La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, the Moves! Dance Festival showcases contemporary dance performances in various styles, plus film screenings and public symposiums to discuss dance and its involvement with political and social issues. Find the full schedule online.

16.

CityPickle at Wollman Rink

Date and venue: April 21 through fall at Wollman Rink in Central Park

Trade your ice skates in for sneakers, because the Wollman Rink in Central Park is transforming into a huge spread of outdoor pickleball courts. Opening April 21, the Wollman Rink pickleball courts will be bookable from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. daily, and reservations start at $80 an hour. If you’re new to the sport, you can book time with a coach to teach you the ropes. Get more info and tickets online.

17.

Teatro Fest 2026

Date and venue: Through April 30 at various theatres

Theatres across the city are coming together for Teatro Fest, a celebration of Latino theatrical programming, offering plays, musicals, and more performances that showcase Latino storytelling, art, and music. From experimental shows to dance performances, there is a wide variety of events to enjoy in Spanish and English. See the full lineup online.

18.

The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic's Concrete Jungle

Date and venue: Now through April 26 at New York Botanical Garden

Now that the Holiday Train Show is over at the New York Botanical Garden, it’s time for the next highly-anticipated exhibit: the Orchid Show. This year, NYBG’s theme is Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle, using stunning orchids to recreate New York City, from subway stations to slice shops.

Mr. Flower Fantastic is a popular flower artist known for blending florals and street style, so there’s possibly no person better equipped to turn NYC into a flower-filled extravaganza. It’s easy to get to from the Theatre District — just a subway or Metro North ride from Grand Central.

19.

Mamma Mia! brunch

Date and venue: Sundays through May 24 at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Mamma mia, here we go again — to brunch! The famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner, featuring singing waitstaff, is kicking off a ticketed brunch event inspired by the hit musical. With themed dishes liked “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Chicken + Waffles” and “Chiquitita Chilaquilies,” you can turn your day into a Mamma Mia! celebration by seeing the show at the Winter Garden Theatre next door afterward. Tickets to the brunch are available online.

Mamma Mia! brunch

20.

Visit the MoMA PS1 for free

Date and venue: Now through 2028 at MoMA PS1

For the first time, all visitors, not just New Yorkers, can go to the MoMA PS1 for free. Just a short 7 train ride from Times Square, the Queens art museum, an offshoot of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown, highlights rotating exhibits throughout the year.