April Events and Festivals in the United States

Easter Events and Celebrations

In 2018, Easter Sunday falls on April 1, and many schools across the United States will be closed the following Monday in observation of this religious holiday. Although the exclusive White House Easter Egg Roll is held two Saturdays before Easter in March, many local community centers and churches will be hosting their own egg hunts on Easter Sunday.

You'll also have a chance to see the Easter Bunny in cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Phoenix on Easter Sunday, or go out in any city for a special holiday family brunch at one of many local restaurants. Wherever you happen to be for Easter, check local event calendars for festivals, parades, and celebrations near you. Chances are, there will more you can do this holiday than sit at home with family.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival

While there are many places in the United States to observe the blooming flowers and trees in nature, there's nothing quite like the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. During this month-long celebration, you can catch a parade, numerous food fairs, and a  Japanese cultural festival to celebrate the bloom of the hundreds of pink and white cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin of the National Mall.

In 2018, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from March 17 through April 15, with a variety of events planned every evening throughout the month. Among the many signature events to expect this year at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, you won't want to miss the Petalpalooza fireworks display and festival at the Southwest Waterfront Wharf.

Major League Baseball Season

Major League Baseball Parks across the United States open their gates and turnstiles for the first baseball game of the season in April. Fans turn out in droves, and it is a tradition that the sitting President throw the first pitch of the season. Although the first game of the year takes place on March 29, 2018, there will be 12 games on Sunday, April 1, and plenty of games throughout the month all over the country.

You can access a full list of April baseball games on the official MLB 2018 regular season schedule, with over 100 games happening this month.

Earth Day Events and Activities

On April 22, communities around the world will come together to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up city parks, picking up litter from public spaces, and raising money for environmental charities and causes. Earth Day was founded in 1969 as a day of conservation and is now celebrated throughout the world.

Many cities in the U.S. plan Earth Day festivities, such as benefit concerts, lectures, and museum exhibits on environmental issues. Washington, D.C. puts on one of the nation's biggest Earth Day concerts and associated conservation awareness activities, and in years past the March for Science has been held on this day. For more information about Earth Day in the U.S. and around the world, visit the Earth Day website.

Arbor Day: Plant a Tree in Your Community

Another holiday environmentalists will love is Arbor Day, a day in which citizens are encouraged to plant trees. Arbor Day takes place on April 27, 2018, and has been observed in the United States since 1872. Although it is not an official national holiday where government offices and commercial businesses are closed, it is a day when many environmental organizations, volunteer groups, and U.S. parks take time to educate others about the importance of planting and caring for trees.

Although you won't find nearly as many benefit concerts and festivals for Arbor Day, you can celebrate this special day of awareness by planting a tree in your own community. Many schools, churches, and environmental groups around the United States take place in this activity, check your local event calendars for details on how you can get involved.

Wine, Food, and Film Festivals

When it comes to celebrating the culture and culinary arts, April is a great month for wine, food, and film festivals across the United States.

During the third week in April, you can attend the Miami Wine and Food Festival, where you can taste beers and wines along with hors-d'oeuvres created by the city's top chefs. Also starting the same week, you can head to New York City for the Tribeca Film Festival, one of the nation's top-rated film festivals that draws big names like Oprah and Tom Hanks to independent film premiers the last two weeks of April.

If you're looking for something a little more sweet and savory, stop by the Vidalia Onion Festival in Vidalia, Georgia during the last week of April and the first week of May. The festival pays tribute to the local variety of sweet yellow onion that happens to be Georgia's state vegetable. Often touted as one of the best food festivals in the United States, the festival features an onion recipe contest, concerts, an airshow, and lots of opportunities to sample onion dishes.