The Best April Events in Each State

There's no need to sugarcoat it: it's been a rough couple of years for April events and festivals. In fact, for many annual April events, this year will mark their first proper appearance since 2019. This means that there's some long-overdue fun waiting to be had out there and some very excited crowds across America ready to return to their favorite events and festivals. Whether you want to smell the flowers at one of the festivals dedicated to spring blooms, ride the carnival rides at a down-home country fair, or head indoors for a concert or beer festival, you're spoiled for choice with this year's collection of April events and festivals.

Click on the slideshow to see what's happening in your region and then get started making up for lost fun.

Spend the first few weeks of April resting upon the sandy shores of the Gulf, because the back half of the month is jam-packed with fun things to do. Starting April 22, the small town of Monroeville will once again be putting on its annual performance of To Kill a Mockingbird, with one act taking place outdoors and the other inside its historic courthouse. That same weekend will also see the running of the Geico 500-one of NASCAR's most prestigious races-in Talledega (April 24) and the wild & wacky beach party that is the Interstate Mullet Toss returns to the Flora-Bama bar in Orange Beach on April 22-24. Oh, and if you wondering, they're tossing mullet fish over the state line for fun, not people sporting the haircut.

Spring has sprung, which means it's time to start thinking about enjoying the great Alaskan outdoors, so kick off the month by going to the Great Alaska Sportsman Show at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on April 1-3. Later in the month, head to Juneau for the 47th annual edition of the Alaska Folk Festival, which will take place April 4-10 at Centennial Hall. The event will feature artists from all over the spectrum of folk music with a special guest performance by Jake Blount, an award-winning fiddler, banjoist and singer.

Spring Training got off to a later start than usual, so Cactus League games will still be taking place under the Arizona sun through April 5. Elsewhere in the Grand Canyon State, Phoenix Lights EDM Festival will take place April 2-3, Country Thunder will rock Florence AZ April 7-10 and Arizona Bike Week will take place at Westworld of Scottsdale April 6-10. Last but not least, the El Puente Festival is back at the Tempe Center for the Arts on April 10 and will once again feature sensational ballet folklórico dancers and mariachi performances.

Head to Garvin Gardens near Hot Springs until mid-April to take in the multicolor magic of their tulip blooms. Over in Little Rock, Jazz in the Park will kick off its 2022 season at Riverfront Park on April 6 and the weekend of April 21-23 will see the return to Lanterns! festival to Wildwood Park for the Arts. Last but not least, close out the month with a bang in Fayetteville by experiencing the Northwest Arkansas Juggling Festival, which will run April 30-May 1.

Let's get one thing out of the way first, if you can pull it off, get yourself to Indio for Coachella (April 15-17 & April 22-24) to experience the first fest' since 2019, because it's going to be epic. Elsewhere in the Golden State, Monterey will host the nation's largest gathering of cycling enthusiasts at the Sea Otter Classic (April 7-10) and the San Francisco Film Festival returns on April 21-May 1 while the acclaimed Festival of Books will once again take place on the campus of USC April 23-24.

Start your month off right in Aspen for the Après Ski Cocktail Classic (April 1-3), which will feature artisan craft cocktails and scores of after-ski soirees. Rodeo All-Star Weekend takes over Denver April 15-16 for two days of rollicking rodeo competitions and a country concert from Wade Bowen while Boulder welcomes spring on April 24th with the family-friendly Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival. Durango hosts the always-solid Bluegrass Meltdown April 22-24.

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park kicks off the month with a bang with its annual Icebreaker event on April 1-3, so stop by for some high-octane fun. The state will play host to a plethora of fun Easter Egg hunts like the Easter Egg Hunt in the Trees at The Adventure Park in Storrs (April 8-17) while New Haven's historic Wooster Square is the place to be on April 24th for the sensational Cherry Blossom festival.

Head to Lewes from the start of the month until April 17 for the annual Tulip Festival, where the town pays homage to its Dutch heritage through hundreds of beautiful blooms. Lewes will also play host to the 2022 Great Delaware Kite Festival on April 15. Then, hop down the coast for the Dewey Beach Bacon Fest on April 22-24 or make for the Delmarva Peninsula for the Spring Birding Weekend April 20-25.

The Sunshine State will feel more like Scotland at Dunedin's annual Highland Games and Festival on April 2, while the entire first weekend of April will see the glamorous Miami Open tennis tournament come to a crescendo in South Florida. Hidden Gem small town Cedar Key will be offering up a slice of its unique "Old Florida" atmosphere at its annual Celebration of the Arts on April 8-10 and it wouldn't be Florida without some tasty fish, so head to Pompano Beach for its delicious Seafood Festival April 22-24.

Start the month in Savannah, as the city plays host to the stellar Savannah Music Festival through April 9, while over in Augusta, Masters Week takes over town April 4-10. Elsewhere, it's not officially spring in ATL without the Dogwood Festival, and the art-focused fiesta returns to Piedmont Park from April 8-10. Expect the usual array of world-class art, eclectic musical artists and tasty food the entire weekend. Elsewhere, the Atlanta Film Festival starts its annual showing on April 21, running every night until May 1.

Kick off the month on Kauai at the Steel Guitar Festival, which will run through April 2 and if you're a sports fan, you'll want to take part in-or just cheer on-the Hapaulua Half Marathon in Honululu on April 10 and head to West Oahu for the LPGA's Lotte Championship April 10-16. For something utterly unique, head to Waikiki April 22-May 1 for the Spam Jam, an ode to everyone's favorite processed pork product that will take place at local restaurants and a series of special events.

The Idaho History Museum in Boise launches Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer on April 9, while the Les Bois Film Festival-an event that features films that show off the natural splendor of the state-will also take place that same day. Elsewhere, Sandpoint is the place to be for outdoor sports lovers as Lake Pend Oreille is scheduled to host the 49th annual Spring Fishing Festival in late April.

The Windy City is the place to be in the Land of Lincoln this April and it will be celebrating its wide array of excellent restaurants during Chicago Restaurant Week (running through April 10). Make sure to take a break from eating out to stop by EXPO Chicago, which will return April 7-10 to show off contemporary art from around the world. Elsewhere, the exquisite Garfield Park Conservatory will be hosting its beloved Spring Flower Show all month long and April 22-24 will see Golden Con: Thank You For Being a Fan-the world's leading Golden Girls event-take place downtown.

Head up north to the Horshoe Casino in Hammond on April 9 to take in the sounds of some of Chicago's finest Blues artists at the 16th annual Chi-Town Blues Festival. Then, make your way to Indy's Indiana State Museum on April 10 to take in Circle City's second-most exhilarating race of the year: the Pinewood Derby. The state's sweetest event will be the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival, which will take place April 22-24 in the town of Wakarusa.

Head to Drake University in Des Moines on April 3 to take in the sounds of the Iowa Flute Festival, which will feature renowned flutist Marco Granados. Elsewhere, the capital's Wells Fargo Arena will play host to several of the state's best April Events. Highlights include the Monster Jam monster truck rally on April 9-11, multiple games for the Iowa Wild AHL hockey team & Iowa Wolves NBA G League squad and even a performance by pop star Justin Bieber on April 24.

The bewitching Tulips at Twilight returns to Topeka's Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site and Botanical Garden April 8-24 and will once again fill the evening sky with illuminated floral displays and lanterns. Dodge City's Western State Bank Expo Center will be the place to be April 8-9 as it will host the American Cornhole Major and if jazz is your thing, head to Hutchinson on April 29 to watch the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra celebrate Duke Ellington's birthday with a special performance at the historic Fox Theatre.

The Derby may not be until May, but Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington kicks off the season with its Spring Meet, which will run April 8-29 (no racing on Mondays & Tuesdays). The weekend of April 8-9 sees the Historic 54th Annual Bardstown Antique Show take place, and you'll want to be in Louisville on April 23 for the Thunder over Louisville fireworks display. That same night, Chris Stapleton will perform a charity concert alongside Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson at Kroger Field in Lexington. Then, bounce back to the 'Ville for Kroger's Fest-A-Ville on the Waterfront, which kicks off April 28 and will run until May 6.

Spring festivals abound in Louisiana, with April 8-10 seeing the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival return with its combination of concerts, rides and crowning of "strawberry royalty" while the Laotian New Year will be celebrated in Iberia Parish April 15-17 with traditional dances and great Southeast Asian food. The French Quarter Festival will once again take over New Orleans' most famous district on April 21-24 while April 29 is the kick-off of the city's legendary Jazz and Heritage Fest.

Start out your month with a bang at the sixth annual Bangor on Tap beer festival on April 2 then make your way to Portland on April 8 to take in the Brentano String Quartet at the Portland Chamber Music Festival. Or, if you prefer higher octane events, make for the Monster Truck Nitro Tour's stop in Portland on April 23. End your month at the Maine Pottery Tour (April 30 - May 1) as this special event sees pottery and ceramics studios around the state opening up their doors to guests.

The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival takes over the Maryland State Fairgrounds April 8-9, while the Maryland Film Festival will take place in Baltimore on April 27-May 1. Make your way to Ocean City to end your month on a high note at the Maryland International Kite Expo, which will take over the coastal skies April 29-May 1.

There's nothing like Boston in the spring as the Red Sox return to Fenway and the city celebrates Patriot's Day with the running of its world-famous Boston Marathon (April 18). The city will also host the PAX East-the East Coast's largest gaming festival-from April 21-24 and Boston Design Week will kick off on April 25 and run through early May.

Michigan's beloved rite of spring, Butterflies Are Blooming at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is back and will run through April 30. Anyone that enjoys music will get a kick out of Zehnder's 27th Annual Ragtime Festival in Frankenmuth (April 20-23) and if you like fun, games, beer tents and walleye, then head to the Freeland Walleye Festival April 28-May 1.

The Minnesota Craft Beer Festival will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 9th while the Twin Cities will also host the return of Art in Bloom-the annual celebration of flowers and art-at the Minneapolis Institute of Art on April 28-May 1. Elsewhere, end the month on a high note in the riverside town of Winona at the Mid West Music Fest, which will take place April 29-30.

Oxford will once again host the state's best springtime celebration of food, music and art at the Double Decker Arts Festival on April 22-23, while up north, the "Crossroads of the Blues" Clarksdale will host the annual Juke Joint Festival on April 23. Down on the coast, the 27th annual Crawfish Music Festival will take over the Mississippi Coast Coliseum on April 20-24 and Earth, Wind & Fire will perform at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi on April 29-30.

The Show-Me State knows how to ring in spring and Kansas City kicks off the fun with its celebration of independent films from around the nation and the world at the KC Film Fest International on April 6-10. Head to St. Louis on April 7 to see the Cardinals play their home opener, a day that is an unofficial holiday in the 'Lou. The smell of barbecue will waft over Springfield on April 22-23 during the Ozarks BBQ Festival at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and if you prefer the aroma of flowers, head to the small town of Charleston for the 54th annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival on April 21-24.

Start your month at the Big Sky Resort rocking out to the sounds of bluegrass at the 14th Annual Big Sky Big Grass Festival which will run through April 3 and feature acts like Keller Williams and the Sam Bush Band. Bozeman is the place to be April 25-May 1 as they celebrate Downtown Bozeman Restaurant Week with special menus at eateries across a spectrum of culinary styles.

Omaha's CHI Health Center is the place to be for a series of solid concerts throughout the month with Bon Jovi playing on April 1, Kid Rock on April 8 and Santana on April 9. Head to Lincoln on April 9 to see the Cornhusker football team play their Spring Game, an event that serves as a preview of the upcoming season and an excuse for the locals to do some celebrating. Then head to Sycamore Farms in Waterloo April 29-May 1 for the first weekend of Junkstock, the state's most unique vintage fair & food festival.

Kick off the month in Vegas by seeing Billie Eilish at T-Mobile Arena on April 1 or head for Resorts World to see Carrie Underwood perform her Reflection residency on April 1-2. Starting April 14, Lady Gaga will be performing a jazz & piano show at the Park MGM and John Legend will kick off his "Love in Las Vegas" residency at the Zappos Theater on April 22. Football fans will want to head to town April 28-30 for the annual NFL Draft.

Head to the Seacoast Rep Theater in Portsmouth through April 3 to watch La Cage aux Folles, the musical that inspired the film The Birdcage. The beloved annual Storytelling Festival takes place in Portsmouth on April 8 and April 16 & 17 will see the Conway Scenic Railroad roll out its beloved annual Easter Bunny Express event.

Start your month off with a rite of spring in the Garden State: the Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park in Newark (April 2-10). Elsewhere, Hoboken will hold its third annual Mac & Cheese Festival on April 9, the same weekend the New Jersey Horror Con & Film Festival takes over Atlantic City (April 8-10).

Learn all about the wonders above and have some down-to-earth good times at the Las Cruces Space Festival on April 7-10. April is an important month for Native culture as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center hosts American Indian Week from April 25-May 1 and the Gathering of the Nations Pow Wow-one of the nation's most enthralling Native American festivals-will take place on April 28-30 at the Tingley Coliseum and the New Mexico Fairgrounds.

You only have until May 1 to see thee The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham's Kaleidoscope at the New York Botanical Garden, so be sure to put that atop your April to-do list. Other awesome Empire State events include NYC's Gateways Music Festival on April 22-24-which will feature classical musicians of African descent playing at venues throughout the city-and the Candor Daffodil Festival in the Finger Lakes region on April 30.

Wilmington's beloved NC Azalea Festival is back and this year will take place from April 6-10 and feature world-class entertainment and scores of fun events. Greenville will be the sight of light plundering, live music and plenty of good times during the annual Piratefest, which will take place on April 8-9. Over in Loch Norman, April 9-10 will be the dates for the annual Highland Games celebration and the 34th annual Mebane Dogwood Festival takes place on April 24 and will once again feature carnival rides, live music, tasty food & a wide range of crafts.

Head to Minot on April 8 for the 31st Annual Spring Big One Art & Craft Fair and then on April 9 make for Devils Lake for the-ND Ice Hole Extravaganza, the largest indoor cornhole tournament in the state. End the month with a bang at the Alreus Center in Grand Forks as The Professional Bull Riders Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour comes to town on April 30.

First and foremost, two of the state's best beer festivals have been rescheduled from January and will both take place this month: Cincy Beerfest (April 1-2) and Columbus Beerfest (April 15-16). The International Street Fair returns to Athens on April 9, which is a unique event that features food, interactive booths and performances from student groups representing dozens of nations. Last but not least, the Polish spring festival Dyngus Day returns to Cleveland on April 18-the day after Easter-at Gordon Square.

Make tracks for Tulsa April 6-10 for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Spring Show, which will show off some serious equestrian skills. The weekend of April 8-9 will see the Western Heritage Awards take place at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City and the days surrounding it will be filled with fun activities for the public. Elsewhere, the Festival of the Arts-dedicated to putting the performing and visual arts front and center-will take place in OKC's Bicentennial Park from April 19-24.

The Tulip Festival will run through the entire month at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in the small town of Woodburn, showing off fields of colorful tulips and hosting fun activities for the whole family. In Portland, the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival will take place on April 7-9, and April 18-24 might just be the best week of the year for foodies as it's when the annual Portland Pizza Week takes place.

Music lovers will want to head to Reading from April 1-10 for the 31st annual edition of the Berks Jazz Fest, which will bring some of the best names in jazz to town including Wynton Marsalis, The Joey DeFrancesco Trio and the SF Jazz Collective. In Philadelphia, the city's much-anticipated Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival returns not only as a celebration of blossoms but as a three-day concert festival (April 8-10) dedicated to exploring the intersection of Japanese and African-American culture.

Spend the first third of the month in Newport as their rock-solid Restaurant Week will take place at venues all over down from April 1-10. April 13 marks the kick-off of the Asian Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence-a captivating evening display of illuminated lanterns-while beer lovers will want to head to Fort Adams State Park on April 30 for the Newport Beer Festival.

April is the perfect time to visit the Palmetto State as temperatures are right in the pleasant zone and there's plenty of sunshine to go around. Head to Charleston April 2-10 for the Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women's only tennis tournament in North America. The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival returns April 19-23 while the Lowcountry Strawberry Festival in Mt. Pleasant returns better than ever with two full weekends of fun (April 8-10 & April 14-16) featuring acrobatic dogs, pig races, rides and a bevy of tasty berries.

Deadwood is the place to be the second and third weekends of April (April 8-9 & April 14-15) for the Forks, Corks & Kegs, one of the state's leading food, wine and beer festivals. Rodeo lovers need to head to Brookings for the 66th annual Jackrabbit Stampede (April 8-9), where once again some of the best college rodeo athletes from the region will show off their skills.

The small town of Cleveland, Tennessee is the place to be on April 9 for the first-ever Hot Slaw & Art Ya'll Festival which will showcase local vendors, artisans and plenty of the local favorite food item: hot slaw. Head to Nashville for some great laughs during the Nashville Comedy Festival (April 18-24) where acts will include Nikki Glaser, Bill Burr, Eddie B, Taylor Tomlinson and Joshua Black among others. End the month in Memphis for the Beale Street Music Festival (April 29-May 1), which serves as the grand kick-off to the tremendous Memphis in May celebration.

The nation's oldest kite festival will once again take to the skies over Zilker Park in Austin on April 3 and the following weekend will see poets from around the world arrive in town for the Austin International Poetry Festival (April 8-9). April 8-10 is also the perfect time to head for the beach in Port Aransas as they will be hosting their annual SandFest, which will once again feature scores of stunning sand sculptures. And last but not least, you have until April 10th to take in the beauty of the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail in Tyler.

Once again, the St. George Art Festival (April 15-16) will bring together music, dance, art and theatre for a fun, family-friendly event. Just up the road in Hurricane the next weekend (April 20-23), you can experience the Washington County Fair, which will feature a petting zoo, carnival rides, demolition derby and a concert from Walker Hayes. Don't forget that Bulbs & Blooms at the Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City will be going all month long, promising colorful spring flowers no matter when you visit.

The weekend of April 22-24 will be all about that syrup in St. Albans, as the famous Maple Syrup Festival makes its triumphant return. Expect a photo contest, "Sap Run" race, maple cooking contests, parade, pancake breakfasts and plenty of great food and live entertainment. Nope, it doesn't get any more Vermont than this.

Stop by the Richmond Raceway Complex on April 8-10 for the Bizarre Bazaar's 30th annual Spring Market and you'll be treated to a shopping experience like no other while Northern Virginia is a great place to base yourself to get in on the fun of Washington DC's National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run through April 17. Stop by Norfolk for the NATO Festival (April 28-May 8), which pays respect to the NATO alliance and all its member countries.

Start your month off in Seattle by taking in one of the unique shows at the Moisture Festival (held through April 10), which lays claim to being the "world's largest comedy and variety" festival. The Seattle International Film Festival returns April 14-24 and the Washington State Fair will hold its spring edition April 14-16 & April 21-24 with concerts, rodeos, mouthwatering food and motorsports. Last but not least, end April in the wonderful town of Wenatchee for the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, which kicks off April 28 and lasts through early May.

Webster County will once again host whitewater enthusiasts from around the nation at the Webster Wildwater Weekend River Festival (April 1-2 at Bakers Island Park). Elsewhere, the 89th annual Wheeling Jamboree will take place on April 2 and feature Lionel Cartwright.

Kick off your month with a trip to the 48th Annual Stevens Point Festival of the Arts, which will take place on April 3. The Wisconsin Film Festival will take over Madison April 7-14, with the town also hosting the 44th annual Spring Jefferson Auto Swap Meet & Car Show-dedicated to 60s Muscle Cars-on April 22-24.

Start April by rocking out at the Rendezvous Festival in Jackson Hole on April 1-2, which will feature headliners Fitz & The Tantrums and Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals. Then, make your way to Cheyenne for its annual Restaurant Week (April 3-9), which will offer diners the chance to try a range of cuisines at downtown eateries and to cap the month, watch iconic band Chicago perform at the Cheyenne Civic Center on April 24.