Don’t let April showers dampen your mood. Between the blooming cherry blossoms, cheering baseball fans, and colorful displays of fashion and art, you’ll be reminded of all the reasons to love spring in New York.
Here are five things to do in New York City this April:
1. Check out the Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
Put on your Sunday best and admire spring fashion at its most joyful at the Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival. The parade—popularized by the 1948 movie starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire—runs along Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street, but the area around St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the place you’ll want to post up to see people and their pets decked out in creative, colorful costumes and bonnets.
April 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Midtown | Free
2. Hear—and Judge—America’s Best College Singers
Fans of The Voice and America’s Got Talent, take note: You can help crown the next top collegiate vocalist at The American Pops Orchestra’s (APO) NextGen National Vocal Competition. Ten finalists across the country will be competing for mentorship, exposure, and cash prizes, and the audience is invited to vote for their favorite singer.
April 12, 2 p.m. | Lincoln Center | Free
3. Go Off-Off Broadway for the Fringe Festival
Half the fun of the New York City Fringe Festival is picking a performance to see. House of Waffle, based on a viral Reddit thread about a “runny eggs incident,” and the endearing Apoloholics: Based on True Stories of People Who Apologize Too Much, are just two of 75 experimental musicals, one acts, and solo shows to choose from.
April 1 – 19 | Citywide | Tickets $5 – $25
4. Play in the Streets on Earth Day
Pop-up performances and public art will take over select streets throughout the city during the annual Car-Free Earth Day. The marquee event, Broadway Sings for Earth Day, is close to the Lincoln Center campus and features singers from Tony-winning shows in Times Square.
April 25 | Citywide | Free
5. Root for the Home Team
Even if you’re not a Yankees fan, seeing one of the best players in baseball is a bucket-list must. Watch Aaron Judge and his fellow Bronx Bombers take on the Marlins, Athletics, Angels, or Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in the first month of the season.
Various dates in April | Bronx | Grandstand tickets start at $5.55
