This post covers things to do in Washington DC in April, including a top 10 list and some honorable mentions full of activities, events, and entertainment. It is updated for 2024.
The weather is warming up a bit. Some afternoons are starting to move into the 60s, making it comfortable to do more outdoors.
Read our master post on things to do in DC for more activities at any time of year.
Disclosure:While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See thefull text.
Where possible we link to websites that often offer discounted ticket prices (like StubHub). While we are unable to confirm their prices are the best, they are all verified ticket resellers .
TOP EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN APRIL IN DC
For more ideas on popular things to do in DC, check out our other posts:
- Bus Tours
- Arlington Cemetery
- Walking Tours
- Things to Do in DC
Some of the items listed in this post are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1. Springtime Walking Tours
As winter is finally over and the blossoms start to bloom, we start to offer more walking tours throughout the week!
Some tours return from hibernation: Embassy Row, Old Town Alexandria, and Arlington Cemetery.
And we offer more evening tours to take advantage of the later sunsets, such as the and Adults Only True Crimes Georgetown tours.
OurLincoln Assassination tour also returns to the after-dinner hours.
Our Arlington National Cemetery tour goes back to its regular hours, and for the first part of April only, we offer a Cherry Blossoms on the Basin tour.
See when they are offered on our schedule of tours.
2. Cheer on a Local Sports Team
The month of April is a great time to see some of Washington's sports teams in action.
In addition to baseball, there are several other sports you can enjoy.
Baseball
Basketball
Hockey
Soccer
Check here for even more sporting events in DC in April.
3. Go to a Concert
There will be several great concerts in and around Washington, DC throughout the month of April.
Some of these events will occur in Baltimore, Tysons, and Silver Spring, all an hour or less from DC.
Concerts
- Nicki Minaj | April 1st, 2nd
- Laufrey sponsored | April 25th, 26th
Music Festivals
- Project GLOW | April 27th, 28th
- Washington, DC International Music Festival | April 12th-16th
Check out this list of even more concerts in the area in May.
4. Attend a Theatrical Performance
If you're interested in going to the theater this month, there will be plenty of great musicals, plays, and even ballet performances to see in the DC area in April.
Musicals/Plays
- Stomp | April 7th, 6th, 7th, 26th, 27th | Tysons, VA
- Unknown Solder | April 2nd-27th | DC
Family-Friendly
- Peter Pan | April 9th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st | DC
Other
Check here for even more shows in the Washington, DC area in April.
5. Look into a Tourist Pass
If you’re looking to save money and make the most of your time in Washington DC, you should consider purchasing an attraction pass.
By purchasing a pass upfront, you can get savings on tickets to some of the most popular attractions in the area.
Sometimes these savings can reach 50%!
Attractions you can see with these passes include:
- CitySights Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- International Spy Museum
- The Capital Ferris Wheel
- George Washington’s Home
Did you know that you could join our highly rated and ticketed Ghosts and Scandals tours for free with the DC Explorer Pass?
With warmer weather, our late evening Adults Only tours are a perfect night out activity in a city that closes at 5 pm!
Get free admission to our tours and many top DC attractions with a Tourist Pass.
If you know which pass you want, you can purchase one here: Day Pass - Washington Sightseeing | Flex Pass - Washington Sightseeing
6. Enjoy an April Festival or Event
In addition to the Cherry Blossom Festival, Filmfest DC, and the Cannabis Festival which are detailed out below, there are many other festivals and events in the DC area in April.
- National Park Week | April 20th-28th | Shenandoah National Park and many others
- Jazz Appreciation Month at the Smithsonian - Duke Ellington Concert | April 5th | Museum of Natural History
- Virginia Cider Festival | date TBA | Centerville, VA
- International Pillow Fight Day | April 6th | National Mall
- Arlington Festival of the Arts | April 27th | Arlington, VA
7. Cherry Blossom Festival
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is Washington DC’s top draw in Springtime and is expected to last from March 20th - April 14th, 2024.
The festival is planned far in advance so the dates of peak bloom of the Cherry Blossoms themselves can fall anytime from mid-March to mid-April, depending on the weather. This means the dates are subject to change.
There will be several other events iun
- Petalpalooza |April 6th
- Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K Run | April 6th
- Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Walk | April 7th
- Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival | April 13th-14th
Our Blossoms on the Basin Cherry Blossom tour runs during peak bloom dates, and registration is required in advance.
Find more information on the Cherry Blossom Festival here.
TIP: Follow along with us on our YouTube Channel and Instagram
8. FilmFest DC
FilmFestDC is the oldest film festival in DC and serves to promote work from the international film community.
An 11-day festival, over 65 films from 35 countries are expected to be screened.
In the past tickets have been $10 per person ($5 for students). Some events are free of charge and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The festival runs from April 18th - 28th, 2023.
For more information, visit the website.
9. See a Comedy Show
If you need a good laugh, consider going to see a professional stand-up comic!
There will be several comedians performing in the Washington, DC area throughout April.
Stand Up Comedy
- Ilana Glazer | April 25th
- Trevor Noah | April 24th-27th
- Wanda Sykes | April 20th
- Whose Live Anyway | April 14th
Speaking Tour
- David Sedaris | April 13th
Comedy Theatres
Check this list ofother comedy showsin the DC area in April.
10. DC Emancipation Day
Before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he freed the 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia on April 16, 1862.
To honor this event, you can participate in a few Emancipation Day events around the city such as a parade, a concert, fireworks, and more over the weekend of April 15th and 16th.
NOTE: Emancipation Day itself is a citywide holiday so schools and some businesses will be closed.
You can find more details on the official website.
Visit a Museum
DC is home to over 70 museums. The Smithsonian alone has 21 museums and galleries!
There's plenty to enjoy for kids and adults alike.
Here are just a few of the museums you might choose to visit in April.
- International Spy Museum
- Museum of the Bible
- Phillips Art Collection
- Glenstone Art Museum
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
- Dumbarton House Museum
- Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
- President Lincoln's Cottage
- National Building Museum
- National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
- Planet Word Museum
- Tudor Place Historic Home in Georgetown
You can also read our post on DC museums here.
See the National Symphony Orchestra Live
There will be several chances to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform at the Kennedy Center in April.
These fantastic musicians often perform the works of great composers such as Revel, Schubert, and Mendelssohn.
Tickets can be purchased here.
White House Garden Tours
Twice a year the White House Gardens open to the public. Free timed-tickets are given out on the morning of the tour day and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The White House Garden Garden Tour dates have not yet been announced for 2024, but this event happens each year over an April weekend.
You can stroll through the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the White House Kitchen Garden, and the South Lawn of the White House.
Read our post on White House Garden Tours!
Also, if you'd like to see more flowers, April 20th-27th is Historic Garden Week in Virginia.
National Cannabis Festival
The 8th Annual Cannabis Festival takes place at RFK Festival Grounds on April 19th and 20th.
The festival is a celebration of the legalization of marijuana and includes live music, an exhibitor fair, food vendors, awards, and panel discussions.
This year's concert line-up includes Wu-Tang Clan with Redman, Proverbs Reggae Band, Thundercat, and more.
Visit the Orchid Exhibit
Get ready to be enthralled and amazed! The United States Botanic Garden hosts its annual orchid exhibition, one that bursts with diverse, vibrant beauty from all around the world
The exhibit reveals an impressive selection of orchids, ranging from familiar to rare varieties.
There will be a stunning array of Paphiopedilum, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum,and more, some in traditional pots and planters and others arranged in artful displays that emphasize their unique beauty
You'll want to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity of seeing thousands of these mesmerizing flowers on full display.
In addition to admiring the stunning orchids, you can also take part in a variety of educational programs at the Botanic Garden.
From guided tours and workshops on caring for these beautiful flowers to lectures that explore their ecology and biology, they have something for everyone.
In the past, this tour took place between February and April. 2024 dates haven't been announced as of January, so check here for updates.
RELATED POSTS:
- Things to Do Any Time of Year
- How’s the Weather in April?
- Where to Store Your Luggage
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Free Things to Do in DC
