Spring is officially here, and the April 2025 calendar is full! With the weather getting nicer, New Yorkers are itching to get out and about and celebrate…and we have some ideas!
With both Easter and 4/20 approaching this month, there’s plenty enough ideas already, but we’ve expanded the palette to chat the best flower shows, Broadway debuts, art exhibits, and more.
Bookmark this list for April and start checking off your bucket list!
Macy’s Flower Show
Embrace the arrival of spring with the annual Macy’s Flower Show at Herald Square, which returns this April. This FREE event transforms the iconic department store into a breathtaking botanic wonderland.
Visitors can expect stunning floral displays, themed installations, and a feast for the senses as Macy’s celebrates the season in full bloom.
While this year’s theme is yet to be announced, past shows have featured partnerships with luxury brands and eye-catching exhibits.
📍 Macy’s Herald Square
🗓️ Opens Sunday, April 27th
Orchid Nights at New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show wraps up this month, with its theme of Mexican Modernism coming to a close on April 27th.
This year’s show features thousands of gorgeous blooms inspired by the bold, multicolored designs of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán.
While day tickets are available now, we suggest the incredible Orchid Nights event series instead, which happen for 21+ only on select dates. You can view the floral installation at night and enjoy cumbia sonidera music, dancing, drinks, and light bites. Orchid Nights are happening this month on April 5th, 12th, 19th, 25th, and 26th!
🌼 More information and buy tickets
Cherry blossoms in NYC
Mid to late April means it’s peak cherry blossom season, and there’s so many places around NYC to catch the pink petals.
Keep an eye on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry blossom tracker and the Central Park cherry blossom tracker in particular for up-to-date info and best viewing spots for the blossoms.
Hanami Nights at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Esplanade this April during one of their special Hanami Nights! Visitors are invited to savor the garden’s cherry blossoms, stroll in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and Cherry Walk, try out origami, and view a curated display of bonsai in the Lillian and Amy Goldman Atrium.
The special event series is a great way to view the gorgeous trees via moonlight while taking in live performances, a bar selling Japanese beer and sake, and pop-up food menus.
Hanami Nights are happening at BBG from April 22nd – 25th, from 5 – 8:30 pm.
📍 Brooklyn Botanic Garden
🌸 More information and buy tickets
Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival
New York City’s Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is set to dazzle Fifth Avenue once again, showcasing a vibrant display of elaborate costumes and fantastical hats.
This century-old tradition returns on Easter Sunday (April 20th at at 10 am), bringing hundreds of New Yorkers and visitors together for a stylish promenade from 49th to 57th Street, passing the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The event, dating back to the late 1800s, has evolved into a must-see spectacle of creativity and fashion, featuring both human and canine participants in their Sunday best.
📍 Fifth Avenue, from 49th to 57th Street
🗓️ April 20th (10 am – 4 pm)
Japan Fes
What used to be just a summer food festival has now become the world’s largest Japanese food festival, with over 300,000 visitors per year in NYC and over 1 million globally!
Japan Fes now operates year-round, including this April, when it pops up on April 5 in the East Village, April 6 on the Upper West Side, April 19 on the Upper West Side, April 20 in Chelsea, April 26 in Chelsea, and April 27 in Astoria.
Feast on delicious Japanese cuisine (which averages at $10) and shop tons of beautiful, traditional Japanese clothing, art, and novelties. There’s even Japanese performances sometimes.
Broadway Celebrates Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day in style with a free outdoor concert at Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza on Saturday, April 26th. The event will feature live performances from Broadway stars such as Tony Award Winner Shaina Taub and Grammy nominee Merle Dandridge, alongside 75+ students and environmental leaders.
Broadway Celebrates Earth Day is a unique opportunity to enjoy show-stopping performances while learning about sustainability initiatives.
📍 Times Square Pedestrian Plaza
🗓️ Saturday, April 26th (11 am – 3 pm)
Smorgasburg
The beloved food extravaganza Smorgasburg returns for its 2025 season this April with over 70 food vendors scattered across the three different locations.
Smorgasburg World Trade Center operates on Fridays, Smorgasburg Williamsburg operates on Saturdays, and Smorgasburg Prospect Park operates on Sundays.
All markets open the first weekend of April and run throughout October!
📍 Smorgasburg WTC (The Oculus, Fulton St/Church St)
📍 Smorgasburg Williamsburg (Marsha P. Johnson State Park)
📍 Smorgasburg Prospect Park (Breeze Hill)
George Clooney’s Broadway debut in “Good Night, And Good Luck”
Broadway is set to debut plenty of shows this April, but we’re super excited about George Clooney’s first-ever Broadway appearance in “Good Night, And Good Luck.”
The production (which is also set to star Ilana Glazer) is based on the 2005 film of the same name, and documents the push and pull between journalist Edward R. Murrow and U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy.
“Good Night, and Good Luck” debuted in mid-March but will be showing throughout April at the Winter Garden Theatre.
📍 Winter Garden Theatre
🎭 Buy tickets to “Good Night, and Good Luck”
Queens Night Market
Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Queens International Night Market, a cherished event featuring over 100 independent vendors offering diverse food, art, and merchandise.
Returning April 12, 2025, this family-friendly market will run every Saturday from 4 pm to midnight in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Enjoy live music, performances, and affordable food options capped at $5, making it one of NYC’s most welcoming community events.
📍 New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
🗓️ Returns April 12th
Candlelight Spring concerts
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Candlelight concerts this April, where breathtaking venues are transformed by hundreds of candles and a lush floral display.
Enjoy tributes to iconic artists like Whitney Houston, The Beatles, and more, all while surrounded by hundreds of illuminated candles and breathtaking spring blooms. Performances range in genre from classical to contemporary, you so can pick what themed-night best suits your music taste!
🕯️ Discover your next Candlelight adventure here
New York Yankees & New York Mets Baseball
April is synonymous with baseball and the MLB season is kicking off for both the New York Yankees and Mets!
The New York Yankees home opener is in late March, but they’ll have plenty of games in April…welcoming the Diamondbacks, Giants, Royals, and Blue Jays.
As for the New York Mets and their new superstar Juan Soto, their home opener lands on April 4th against the Blue Jays, while also welcoming the Marlins, Cardinals, Phillies, and Diamondbacks throughout the month.
Squid Game: The Experience
This April, step into the thrilling immersive world of Netflix’s Squid Game at Manhattan Mall. Challenge yourself in iconic games like Red Light, Green Light and Warships, and explore the meticulously recreated sets from the series.
After the adrenaline rush, enjoy the Korean-inspired Night Market, where you can savor themed food, drinks, and shop for exclusive merchandise. Tickets start at $29, so don’t miss this immersive experience while it’s still in NYC!
🔺 Buy your tickets to Squid Game: The Experience
Bronx Zoo Dino Safari
Get ready for a prehistoric adventure at the Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari, returning this April with over 60 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Starting April 12th, visitors can experience 11 new additions to the safari, including moving and roaring creatures. The enhanced experience offers new immersive elements this April, including walking through massive dino ribcages, climbing a life-sized Sinraptor fossil, and snapping photos with larger-than-life Maiasaura eggs.
📍 Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx)
🗓️ Opens April 12th
Amy Sherald: American Sublime at The Whitney
The Whitney Museum of American Art is set to debut a brand new exhibit from the captivating Amy Sherald this month.
Starting April 9th, her solo exhibition, Amy Sherald: American Sublime, will feature nearly 50 paintings showcasing her unique style, which often depicts everyday Black Americans in a powerful and intimate manner.
Sherald is renowned for her iconic portraits, including that of former First Lady Michelle Obama, and this exhibition promises to be a highlight of the art scene in NYC. The show will run until August 10, 2025.
📍 The Whitney
🗓️ Opens April 9th
Charli XCX at Barclays Center
Concert season is always happening in NYC, but the queen Charli XCX is kicking off BRAT Spring early this April.
The pop super star is performing four times at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center (April 30th – May 4th) this month, nearly a year after selling out Madison Square Garden and Brooklyn Paramount instantaneously.
📍 Barclays Center
🗓️ April 30th – May 4th
Pickleball at Wollman Rink
CityPickle is once again transforming Wollman Rink into the largest pickleball space in the Northeast starting April 4th!
This year, the iconic Central Park ice rink will convert to pickleball courts a month earlier than usual, offering daily reservations from 8 am to 9 pm! The 2025 season promises enhanced offerings, including kids’ programming, coaching, and access to private event spaces.
📍 Wollman Rink, Central Park
🗓️ Opens April 4th, 2025
Rooftop bars in NYC
With incredible weather slated for April, that means rooftop bar season is officially open for business!
From sipping cocktails amidst breathtaking views to sprawling elevated patios, there are so many sky-high spots for you and your friends to enjoy (with martini in hand!).
🍸 See our list of best rooftop bars in NYC
The Joy of Sake
The Joy of Sake comes to NYC this April, bringing with it the title of the world’s largest sake tasting outside Japan.
On April 10th, New Yorkers are invited to try out 587 competition-level sakes alongside sake-inspired appetizers from top restaurants, including Sushi by Bou, Bond St, Sakagura, Rule of Thirds, Sake No Hana, and more.
Sakes are grouped by style so attendees can explore each in depth, including recipients of silver and gold awards from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a rigorous blind tasting conducted by 10 judges from the U.S. and Japan that takes place prior to the public event.
The event arrives on April 10th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm and tickets cost $130.
📍 Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St)
🗓️ April 10th (6:30 – 9:30 pm)
The Frick Collection reopening
A revitalized The Frick Collection on the Upper East Side is set to reopen on April 17th after a multi-year renovation!
The museum will unveil its restored first-floor galleries and introduce new second-floor galleries to the public for the first time. Additionally, visitors can enjoy state-of-the-art education rooms, a 220-seat auditorium, and enhanced amenities.
📍 1 E 70th St
Stranger Things: The First Shadow debut on Broadway
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to make its Broadway debut, offering a glimpse into Hawkins, Indiana circa 1959.
This prequel based on the Netflix series explores the origins of the Upside Down through the eyes of young Henry Creel, aka Vecna. Opening night lands on April 22, 2025, at the Marquis Theatre!
📍 Marquis Theatre (210 W 46th St)
🗓️ Opens April 22, 2025
Brisket King NYC
Barbecue lovers rejoice. Brisket King NYC returns to Pig Beach BBQ on April 23, 2025, marking its 13th year as a premier BBQ event.
This year’s lineup features over 20 chefs and restaurants, offering a diverse range of brisket dishes from traditional Texas-style to global flavors like Korean and Caribbean jerk.
The event promises an exciting competition with returning champions like Leland Avellino (Avelino Family Barbecue) and newcomers like Darius Burke (Takeover Barbecue) vying for the Brisket King® title, accompanied by a wide selection of drinks and desserts. Tickets start at just $55!
📍 Pig Beach BBQ (35-37 36th, Astoria, Queens)
🗓️ April 23rd
🎟️ More information and buy tickets
Opening of Davis Center at the Harlem Meer
Central Park’s highly anticipated Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is set to open on April 26th, marking a significant milestone in the park’s development.
This $160 million project will transform the northern end of Central Park, offering year-round access to world-class facilities and programming. The center will feature a rec center, the Gottesman Pool (which converts to an ice rink in winter), and various free and low-cost activities for the community.
📍 Central Park
🗓️ Opens April 26th, 2025
Outdoor art installations
This year, New York City continues to enhance its urban landscape with an array of captivating outdoor public art installations, providing visitors with free alternatives to traditional museums and galleries. These open-air exhibitions offer a unique way to experience art while exploring the city’s vibrant outdoor spaces. Here’s some of our favorites:
- Iván Argote’s “Dinosaur” on the High Line, featuring a massive 16-foot-tall pigeon sculpture overlooking 10th Avenue
- “The Gates” in Central Park, a reimagined AR version of the former orange gates installation on iPhone that used to grace the famous park.
NY Auto Show
NYC’s annual car show, the New York International Auto Show, returns to Javits Center this April, celebrating its 125th anniversary!
Expect over 1 million square feet of exhibits, including hundreds of vehicles, cutting-edge concept cars, and interactive experiences like the expanded EV test track and Camp Jeep.
📍 Javits Convention Center
🗓️ April 18th – 27th, 2025
🎟️ More information and buy tickets
The Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, Ensemble at The Met
The Met is set to debut its new rooftop exhibit for the spring/summer, and for 2025 they’ve tapped Ohio-born artist Jennie C. Jones.
Her outdoor sculptural installation Ensemble is “set to explore the sonic potential of stringed instruments as well as their formal possibilities.” Museum-goers can expect a unique auditory experience from strings…as she uses materials to absorb and reflect sound into different ways. The exhibit gets unveiled on April 15th!
📍 The Met
🗓️ Opens April 15th, 2025
🎟️ More information and buy tickets
Bottomless brunch (preferably outside)
Start your April with a bang by booking the best bottomless brunches New York City has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to enjoy endless mimosas or a lively atmosphere with unique brunch cocktails, the city has something for everyone. Bottomless brunch is literally the answer to any “What should we do this weekend?” question.
🥞 See our list of best bottomless brunches in NYC
Reading clubs around NYC
Looking to connect with fellow book lovers? These NYC reading clubs are the perfect way to engage with a literary-minded community!
From indie bookstores to unique themed bars, there’s a club for every genre and interest.
📚 See our list of best reading clubs in NYC
Clubbing in NYC
Warm April weather means we back outsideee, and we’re hitting the club! NYC’s nightlife scene is unparalleled, and there’s so many venues to suit every taste.
From warehouse raves to intimate lounges, the city’s best nightclubs cater to all music preferences and atmospheres. Between world-class sound systems, stunning light shows, and top DJs, it’s the only way to kick off April and start the spring/summer vibes right.
🪩 See our list of the best nightclubs in NYC
Dine on the waterfront
As temperatures rise in NYC, there’s no better way to beat the heat than by enjoying a meal or drink along the waterfront.
From historic boats with stunning sunset views to secluded seafood spots on surrounding islands, NYC offers a variety of waterfront dining options with incredible views. It’s the perfect place for food, refreshing drinks, and that bit of spring fever!