Wanderlist: 70+ Awesome Things To Do In DC In April

The biggest event happening in DC throughout April is the Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes a month full of activities to celebrate the flowers in bloom. But that's not the only thing happening in the nation's capital during the month. The city is  abuzz with festivals, outdoor events, and all types of off-the-beaten-path cultural activities for visitors and locals to enjoy. From drive-in movies and art walks to late-night museum events, check out our roundup of the best things to do this month to experience DC to the fullest.

Legend:

• ​🆓 ​:        This is a free event​
• 🎟:         Donation or paid ticket required
• ​👤:         This is an in-person event
• 💻:         This is an on-line/streaming event
• 🌸           Cherry Blossom event

Ending Soon

Sound Patterns. The relationship between  martial arts and the African diaspora will be explored through the original works of seven artists and their respective mediums at Anacostia's Honfleur Gallery in partnership with Shaolin Jazz. Featured artists include: Terence Nicholson. Aniekan Udofia, Imani K. Brown, Maurice James Jr., Asad “Ultra” Walker, Kojo Boateng and Christopher Everett. 🆓👤 Ends April 8

Black Like Me. Zenith Gallery presents a group exhibit of African-American artists, Featuring Artists: Wesley Clark, Julee Dickerson Thompson, Bulsby “Buzz” Duncan, Francine Haskins, Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Carolyn Goodridge, Bernie Houston, Hubert Jackson, Chris Malone, Kristine Mays, Ibou N’Diaye, Curtis Woody. 🆓 👤​Ends April 15

Clyde's. From two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the comedy ​Clyde's tells the story of a truck stop sandwich shop othat offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop's callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff members are given purpose and permission to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. 💲👤 Ends April 16

Welcome to the jungle. Shakespeare Theatre and Woolly Mammoth team up to bring you an immersive experience that takes you to  refugee camp, The Jungle, which sprung up in the French city of Calais in early 2015 and was dismantled by the French police the following year. 💲👤 Ends April 16

RiverRun Festival. Kennedy Center hosts the RiverRun Festival, a dynamic festival spanning World Water Day (March 22) to Earth Day (April 22), celebrating the world’s rivers, the cultures they have spawned, with a series of art installations, musical performances, talks and workshops, more. 🆓💲👤 ​Ends April 22

New This Month

Yumi Kurosawa Trio. Asian Art Museum hosts performances by award-winning koto player and composer Yumi Kurosawa, accompanied by Naho Parrini on violin and Eric Phinney on percussion and tabla. Part of the Cherry Blossom Festival 🆓👤🌸April 1

Blooms at the Wharf. The Wharf returns with Bloomaroo, it's signature event with fun-filled cherry blossom themed activities and specials. Visitors will enjoy cherry blossom themed food and drink specials at area restaurants, retail specials, and fun activities on and off the water, for everyone in the family. 🆓👤🌸April 1

Lantern Walk. Beat the crowds and enjoy an  evening stroll beneath the blossoms with one hour Ranger-led guided walk around the Tidal Basin. 🆓👤🌸April 1

Wordplay.  Planet Word and the North American School Scrabble Championship for a drop-in day of Scrabble game play, tactics and demonstrations. Also includes “A Brief History of Scrabble” book reading with Q&A. 🆓👤April 1

Japanese Culture Day. Learn about Japanese culture with Japanese cultural and linguistic professionals and activities including demonstrations of the Japanese instruments, calligraphy, origami and tiara making with the cherry blossom princesses and more! 🆓👤🌸 April 1

Cherokee Days Festival. Three federally recognized Cherokee tribes showcase the shared history and culture of the Cherokee people through storytelling, crafts, and music and dance performances. 🆓👤April 1 - 2

Hip Hop and the Bard. Discover the unexpected ways Shakespeare and Hip Hop intersect, and try your hand at the open mic at The Bard, the Griot, and the Hip Hop Tradition. 🆓👤 April 1 - 6

CBD Tea + Wellness. Tea lovers, this class is for you! Elevated Tea Co and Hill Center touch on the ritual of tea and the healing benefits of hemp-derived CBD to combat common ailments. 💲👤 April 2

Let's Hear It For the Girls. The R&B Club digs into the music of girl groups from The Ronettes, The Supremes, and Labelle, to En Vogue, TLC, and Destiny’s Child. Be ready to have a good time, discuss great music, and sing-along. 💲👤 April 2

Last Supper. Don't miss your chance to see the stunning "Last Supper" mural created by DC artist Akili Ron Anderson depicting Jesus and his disciples are depicted as African American men , unknown until it was discovered at Studio Acting Conservatory in 2019. 🆓👤 April 3 - 8 

Adams Morgan Art Walk. Enjoy art by local artists on display in business storefronts as Adams Morgan turns into a neighborhood-wide public art gallery.  All art on display will be for sale.  🆓👤 April 4 - 28

Folger Play Premiere. Don't miss the world premiere of Our Verse in Time to Come, a newly commissioned play by the Folger Shakespeare Theatre, that incorporates original music, a live DJ, rap performances, and interactive collaboration with the audience to tell a story about the past, present and memories. Registration required 🆓👤 April 3 - 23

Spring Sake Festival. Kanpai! Join in the first annual Spring Sake Festival and sample 70 different imported and craft sake and order your favorites to take home. 💲👤🌸 April 6

Library Happy Hour. Experience the Library of Congress after-hours for happy hour drinks and food as you  enjoy the beautiful architecture while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs. 🆓👤April 6

Pizza + Dough Making Class. Skip the frozen pizza and learn to make your own pizza dough and different styles of pizza including: Napoli traditional, Philly style red, and french onion pissaladière in this Hill Center cooking class. 💲👤 April 7

Drive-in Movie Night. The Drive-in at Union Station returns for its 11th year with a series of eight movie on the first and third Friday of every month through July 21st. Screenings include WALL-E, King Richard, Top Gun Maverick and Coco. 💲👤 April 7

Jazz and Blossoms. Enjoy a park jam at Franklin Park with Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and producer Bilal to celebrate the beauty and nature in the city against the backdrop of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 🆓👤🌸 April 8

Petalpalooza. Enjoy a day-long celebration of DC's famous cherry blossoms with art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations through the Petalpalooza Art Walk, and a  spectacular fireworks display. 🆓👤🌸 ​April 8

Mystery Music in Dupont Circle. Discover new music at a SoFar Sounds concert held at a secret DC location. 💲👤April 8

DC Beer Fest. DC's largest beer festival, featuring over 80 breweries, food trucks, bands, dueling pianos, and much more, throughout Nats Park. 💲👤 April 8

Outdoor Painting. Observe guest artists as they paint on the Kennedy Center grounds as they pay homage to working en plein air in order to better capture the beauty of nature on canvas. 🆓👤Apr. 8, 9, 15 & 16

Marion Anderson Under the Stars. Join the National Park Service at the Lincoln Memorial in remebrance of the historic night in 1939 when famed contralto Marion Anderson sung under the stars, at the Lincoln Memorial, 🆓👤April 9

Ramen Head. Asian Art Museum hosts a documentary screening that explores the history of ramen, a classic Japanese comfort food, as it introduces you to renown chef Osama Tomita whose ramen attracts people are more than willing to travel over an hour just to try his famous soup. The screening will be introduced by chef Hiro Mitsui of Ramen by Uzu. Registration required 🆓👤🌸 April 9

Japanese Lantern Lighting. Located among the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, the Japanese Stone Lantern is approximately 375 years old and was given as a gift by Japan in 1954. Join NCSS and the National Park Service for the traditional lighting of the lantern. 🆓👤🌸 April 9

Boiler Room. Experience new plays still in development and discover new voices through workshops and public readings at Keegan Theatre's Boiler Room series. 💲👤 April 10 - May 15

Shop Till You Drop. Discover the history of DC department stores and how they offered women a modicum of freedom on A Tour of Her Own virtual tour. 💲💻​ April 11

Dancing After Dark. Enjoy a spring evening at Hillwood and view the documentary A Ballerina's Tale, highlighting ballet dancer Misty Copeland. 💲👤 April 12

DC + Me Community Project. DC residents are invited to take part in a collaborative, three-part project in partnership with the DC Public Library and The Folger Shakespeare Library to create a performance-based biography of their community's past, present and future. The writings will be part of the Folger’s ‘DC & Me’ Installation series. 🆓👤​April 12 - 14

NGA Garden Party. Don your best fascinator and celebrate spring at National Gallery of Art's after-hours Garden Party.  Learn about connections between art and nature with special pop-ups, try your hand at print-making, enjoy art on the Roof Terrace, and create wearable flower art. Registration required; opens April 6. 🆓👤April 13

Nü Androids. Italian duo Gioli & Assia play a DJ set at Culture that blends techno, dance, house, indie, and pop music, 💲👤 April 13

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The annual springtime parade celebrating the cherry blossoms returns to take over  Constitution Avenue with colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers. 💲👤🌸April 15

Women of the Titanic Memorial. Visit the Titanic Memorial and hear the stories of how Nellie Taft, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and the Women’s Titanic Memorial made a difference. 🆓👤 April 15

Lincoln Assassination Cemetery Tour. Take trip back in time -- 158 years ago to be exact -- and learn about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and visit the graves of individuals related to the murder at Congressional Cemetery. 💲👤 April 15

Cherry Blossom Collage. Cut, tear and glue six mini-collages inspired by DC's springtime cherry blossoms. 💲👤🌸 April 15

Japanese Street Festival. Get ready for two days of Japanese culture from food to performances at the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. Featuring J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts, food and beverages and retail vendors.  💲👤🌸 April 15 - 16

Welcome to the Jungle. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Shakespeare Theatre Company co-present The Jungle, an immersive experience about the migrant crisis and a group of refugees from Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan and a host of other countries at a camp in France. As the group dreams of crossing the English Channel to begin a new life, stories of loss, fear and hope are shared in an unforgettable tale of what people are capable of when they come together. 💲👤Now to April 16

Spain Culture Week. Experience the Spanish culture in the nation’s capital with a week-long series of events including literature, theater, music, heritage and public diplomacy. 💲🆓👤April 17 - 22

Trivia Under the Stars. From sports and pop culture to geography and politics, test your knowledge  in the heart of NOMA at Wunder Garten. 💲👤 April 18

Attic Sessions. Eat, drink and admire the rooftop views at Wild Days as Eaton Radio showcases live  music and DJ talent, featuring a range of musical genres and diverse headliners. 🆓👤 April 18

Night Mother. Anacostia Playhouse stages the Pulitzer Prize-Winning Drama ‘night Mother,  a story of a young woman who announces to her aged mother that she plans to kill herself later that evening. The night evolves as the despair that led Jessie to her decision is revealed. 💲👤April 19 - May 14

Spy Movie Preview. For your eyes only, get an advance screening of Citadel, episodes 1 and 2, the upcoming Amazon Prime Video spy-thriller series from the Russo Brothers starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Stanley Tucci. 🆓👤 April 19

Die Laughing. See if you can figure out whodunit at DC Improv's murder-mystery comedy show where one contestant will lose their life at the taping of the popular game show Clash of the Couples; a show where couples test their love as they compete for cash and prizes. 💲👤April 19

SAAM After 5. Chill out in the amazing Kogard Courtyard while listening to Arco Belo,  a high-energy musical improv group that blend  avant-garde chamber music, creative jazz, Brazilian music, and Jewish diasporic music. Registration encouraged 🆓👤April 20 

Art Walk. Explore Dupont Circle's local arts community and businesses with Artwalk Dupont featuring a gallery walk, live music and more. 🆓👤​ April 20

Book Festival. Shop thousands of gently used books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl all on sale for $6 or less.Sales benefit nonprofit Turning the Page.🆓👤April 20

Filmfest and Chill. The largest and longest-running annual international film festival in DC, Filmfest DC returns with another varied lineup featuring quite the genre exercise: comedies, dramas, thrillers, shorts and documentaries will all be on display. 💲👤 April 20 - 30

Georgetown Foodie Tour. Learn about political and cultural history of Georgetown as you take your taste buds on a tour of eateries that have been featured on the History Channel, and many other important publications. 💲👤April 21

Hirshhorn Arts Night. Hirshhorn partners with The European Union for  a unique after-hours pop-up experiernce celebrating the importance of artistic expression in a post-pandemic society with talks, interactive performances, music, projection, and augmented reality. Registration required 🆓👤 April 21

Farm Hand. Volunteer at THEARC Farm and help the farm team harvest, wash, and pack our produce for Saturday's CSA and farmers market. 🆓👤 April 21

Guided Forest Bathing Walks. Connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds. 💲👤 April 21

Lincoln and the Bardo. Join Andréa Seiger and John Dean, author and photographer of 111 Places in Washington That You Must Not Miss guidebook for a walking tour in historic Oak Hill Cemetery, the setting of George Saunders prize-winning Lincoln in the Bardo. 💲👤April 22

On Your Bike. Celebrate Trails Day and Earth Day with a ranger-guided bike tour around the National Mall. 🆓👤 April 22

Georgetown House Tour. You'll experience some serious house envy on the 90th Georgetown House Tour where you'll visit historic homes and landmarks in a variety of styles that highlight the charm and history of the neighborhood. 💲👤April 22

National Cannabis Festival. Get lit (pardon the pun!) at the 6th annual Cannabis Festival celebrating the culture of the cannabis community with a  concert day featuring Two Chainz, Backyard Boys and Foots + Coles, education sessions, yoga, games, contests, food and drinks.💲👤 April 22

Crypt music. Celebrate Earth Day with an intimate concert featuring a few of D.C.’s best musicians in Congressional Cemetery's historic 1903 Chapel. Don’t miss one of DC’s best kept secrets, with professional musicians playing in a beautiful setting. 🆓👤 April 22

Art Loop. Enjoy DC's art institutions as American University Museum at the Katzen Art Center, The Kreeger Museum, Dumbarton Oaks, Jackson Art Center, Addison/Ripley Fine Art, and Klagsbrun Studios get together for Do The Loop, a day of indoor and outdoor art programming. Each location will host unique programming throughout the day. 🆓👤 April 22

Hidden Georgetown. Discover hidden gems, secret spots, and delightful hideaways on an off-the-beaten-path walking tour of Georgetown. 💲👤 April 23

Nosebleed. Aya Ogawa’s The Nosebleed delves into the sh*t show of parenthood, as both a parent and a child – and what it takes to forgive, with surprises like a healing ritual for the audience and a transcendent appearance by a 20th century icon. 💲👤 Now - April 23

Angels in America. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning drama Angels in America is an epic drama dealing with two couples whose relationships are on the rocks; the former because of Prior’s AIDS diagnosis and Louis’ inability to cope with illness, and the latter because of Joe’s closeted homosexuality and Harper’s incessant fears and hallucinations. Now - April 23

Creative Art Jam. Join in or just hang out at Sessions at Art of Noize, an open mic jam session for instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, spoken word artists, dancers, anyone willing to share their art. Participants will perform alongside a DJ. WPFW and Eaton Radio host Aphrosoul. 💲👤April 23

Mystery Music in Petworth. Discover new music at a SoFar Sounds concert held at a secret DC location 💲👤April 26

Mingus at 100. In collaboration with the Library of Congress and DC Jazzfest, celebrate the 100th birth year and the legacy and contributions of prolific jazz composer Charles Mingus with a night of live music performed by the Mingus Dynasty Quintet. 🆓👤 April 27

Black Baseball in DC. View photographs and artifacts from local neighborhood and organized teams that explore ​the unique history of Black baseball in DC. 🆓👤April 27

Renwick Handi-Hour: Try your hand at making your own terrarium at Renwick's Handi-Hour and  explore the the gallery's permanent collection with an art scavenger hunt. Libations and snacks available to purchase. Must be 21 or older. Tickets available beginning April 10. 💲👤 April 27

Cocktail Crafting Class.  Grab a jigger and learn to make cocktails with Republic Restoratives, plus you'll recipes to take home. 💲👤 April 27

Georgetown French Market.  C'est tres bien as the Book Hill neighborhood of Georgetown transforms into a  Parisian-inspired open-air market where you'll find  discounted goods at 30+ local merchants,  food, and  entertainment.💲👤 April 28 - 30

Giz Go-Go Musical. Follow the yellow brick road and go see The Giz Go-Go Musical, an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, showcasing Washington, D.C. culture and history. 💲👤 
​April 28 - 30

DC Chocolate Festival. Chocolate lovers, this one is for you! La Maison Française at the Embassy of France hosts the 6th annual DC Chocolate Festival featuring chocolate confections, treats, beverages, and craft chocolate bars from across the local area and the world. 💲👤 ​April 29

Glow On. Project GLOW kicks off the festival season with three curated stages of music, interactive art installations and a collection of globally-recognized artists to the District, featuring Tiesto, Kygo, Gryffin, NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead, and more. 💲👤 April 29 + 30

Female Muralists and Graffiti Artists. Join Planet Word for a conversation with mural artist MISS CHELOVE, mixed-media artist Nekisha Durrett, and muralist, community arts educator, and filmmaker Michelle Angela Ortiz as they answer these questions and explore the connections between art and language. 💲👤 April 30

Drag Storytime. Bring a chair or blanket to Unity Park in Adams Morgan for Drag Queen Storytime. Hosted in partnership with the Adams Morgan Partnership BID, The Line Hotel, and DC Public Library, the library will be on hand with additional books, information about local libraries, their famous “book bike” and more! 🆓👤April 30

NGA Jazz Duo. Celebrate International Jazz Day  at National Gallery of Art with pianist Donal Fox and vibraphonist Warren Wolf in a high voltage performance teeming with depth, swagger, and improvisational grace. Registration required; opens  April 21 🆓👤 April 30

Shout Sister. Inspired by Gayle F. Wald’s book, the Shout, Sister, Shout!, musical tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe — one of America’s most influential rock, R&B, and gospel crossover singers and guitarists who became a pioneer of the women’s movement for racial and sexual equality and a musical legend who redefined the national and international music scene in the 1930s, ’40s, and beyond. 💲👤Now - May 13

Pixelbloom: Timeless Butterflies.  Step into a virtual world of cherry blossoms and butterflies as pixels burst into full bloom as ARTECHOUSE reimagines spring in immersive digital design. 💲👤🌸 Now - June 11

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