Spring has officially arrived, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been anticipating all the fun events that warmer temperatures bring!
This month we’re sharing some really great events and activities that are taking place throughout the state.
From ghost tours to art walks to polka to Vikings, we hope you’ll find this list of things to do in April in Ohio helpful.
And do us a favor. If your favorite event isn’t on this list, leave a comment below and tell us about it so we can check it out.
Ongoing Ohio Events Throughout April
- Robins Theatre in Trumbull County features a wide variety of acts in April, including tributes to Taylor Swift, Rolling Stones, and Abba.
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens hosts the 30th Annual Blooms and Butterflies through the end of early July in the Pacific Island Water Garden. This is a fun opportunity to observe hundreds of butterflies as they float through the tropical plants.
- The Ohio State Reformatory will host ghost walks and ghost hunts this month.
- The ghost walk, scheduled for Friday, April 12, and Friday, April 26, is a two-hour guided night tour of the facility.
- The ghost hunt, scheduled for Saturday, April 13 and April 27 is a public paranormal investigation for adults 18 and older only!
Things to do April 4 through April 7
- The Buckeye Imagination Museum in Mansfield celebrates First Friday on April 5; the museum has extended evening hours with special programs and classes. Regular admission fees apply. Learn more about this amazing children’s museum in this post. —-> Buckeye Imagination Museum: Where Imagination Runs Wild
- April 5 brings the First Friday Concert Series to downtown Middletown. Head to Governor’s Square for live music starting at 6:00; local restaurants will be offering specials as well.
- The Artist Colony of Zanesville presents the First Friday Art Walk, a great opportunity to stroll through local galleries and meet the artists. Enjoy live music, food, and drink specials, and of course, art!
- There’s a First Friday in Dayton, too! This free art hop features exhibit openings, street performances, live music, roaming entertainers, plus dining and shopping specials.
- The Metroplex in Girard is home to the Ohio PinBrew Fest from April 4 through April 6. Enjoy three days of pinball, arcade games, craft beer, food, and more! Ticket packages include free gameplay, with a pinball tournament open to the public as well.
- Wisteria Campground in Pomeroy is the best place to kick off the summer music festival, with Spring Phoenix Rising from April 5 through April 8. Enjoy live music, dancing, and pyrotechnics at this four-day musical festival.
Monday April 8
If you haven’t heard, Ohio will be in the direct path of the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. This 3-minute event will throw several Ohio towns into eery darkness. The last time a solar eclipse occurred in Ohio was 1806, and the next one will be in 2099, so this is likely a once-in-a-lifetime event.
You can expect lots of incoming visitors to the state, and increased prices at many hotels. Stay tuned for more details here about special events surrounding this once-in-a-lifetime event!
The eclipse will occur in the afternoon, with the partial eclipse occurring from around 2pm until 4:30 pm.
Wondering where to watch the eclipse? There are tons of public viewing areas, including these options:
- Ohio DNR will host events throughout the state, with the parties and programming leading up to and during the big event.
- The National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton will host an eclipse viewing with festivities starting at 10 am. Gates will open early, as large crowds are expected.
- In Cleveland, there will be a Solar Eclipse Rooftop Party at Lago East Bank in the Aloft Hotel. Your $25 ticket includes food and viewing glasses, as well as lawn games and a DJ. There will also be a cash bar available.
- The Columbus Zoo will have hands-on activities and trivia, as well as viewing glasses that are included in your admission ticket.
- COSI will also host a viewing party, and they are partnering with several local businesses to host educational watch parties all over town, including Land-Grant Brewing and the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
- The City of Dublin will have a family-friendly viewing with a DJ and entertainment at Coffman Park South Fields and at Riverside Crossing Park.
- Five parks within the Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks will have total darkness, while many other parks will have 99% coverage. Rangers will be on site, and the Nature Centers will hand out viewing glasses prior to the event. Gates will close once parking capacity is reached, so go early and be prepared with snacks and water!
- View the OHClipse from the Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield. This weekend is full of camping and events including an indoor play area, food trucks, live music, seminars, and shopping.
- For a complete listing of solar eclipse events near Mansfield, click here.
Things to do April 11 through April 14
- Dillon State Park near Zanesville hosts The Park After Dark on several dates throughout the winter. Friday, April 12 features a “Creatures of the Night” program starting at 8:00 pm.
- Ever wanted to experience COSI without kids? COSI After Dark is the perfect opportunity. This month’s event on April 11 features a Titanic theme, with ballroom dancing lessons, first-class cocktails, music, and food!
- The Holiday Inn in Perrysburg will host the Holy Toledo Polka Days from April 11 through April 14. This is one of the most popular Polka festivals in the States and has been running since 1992. Enjoy live music, dancing, and discounted hotel rooms on-site.
- Deerassic Park in Cambridge hosts a Youth Turkey Hunt on April 12th and 13th. This weekend event includes your tag, meals and drinks, lodging, a hunting guide, and a swag bag full of hunting supplies. Applications are due March 21st.
- This weekend also brings the Equine Affaire to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. North America’s largest horse-related trade show includes competitions, entertainment, and horse sales. If you love horses, mark your calendar for this amazing event!
Things to do April 18 through April 21
- If you love shopping for vintage, you should check out the Vintage Market Days of Dayton-Cincinnati at the Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center in Xenia. Advance tickets give you early access to the shopping on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday is general admission.
- Another maple celebration this month is the Sugar Maple Festival in Bellbrook. From April 19 through April 21, festivities include a beer garden, pancake breakfast, dog show, 5k race, a parade, and many children’s activities.
- Ohioana Book Festival at the Columbus Metropolitan’s Main Library brings together nearly 150 authors to celebrate reading through a variety of activities on Saturday, April 20. This free event is a must for book lovers.
- The Cleveland International Wine Festival kicks off on Saturday, April 20 for the third annual event. This unique event offers opportunities to learn from sommeliers and enjoy gourmet meals with expert wine pairings.
Monday, April 22 is Earth Day! There will be hundreds of Ohio events around the state; check with your local parks and libraries to find out what is happening near you!
Things to do April 25 through April 28
- April 24 kicks off the Columbus International Film & Animation Festival, the oldest film festival in the United States. Since 1952, the festival has been bringing independent films from around the world to central Ohio.
- Most Ohio maple festivals occur in March, but Chardon hosts the Geauga County Maple Festival from April 27th through the 30th. The festival has carnival rides, concessions, pancake breakfasts, tractor pulls, a fun run, a parade, and more!
- Another spring celebration is the Spring Plowing Days at Malabar Farms State Park. Held both Saturday and Sunday, the event features the local Draft Horse Club with plowing demonstrations. There are contests and competitions, and it’s free to attend!
- You’ve heard of the Renaissance Faire, but have you heard of the Viking Festival? Head to the Village Park in Ashville for the Ashville Viking Festival this weekend, for food, entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly activities. The only cost of entry is a food donation for the local food pantry.
- This year’s theme at Mohican Wildlife Weekend is “Wild Nights.” The weekend event kicks off on Friday and includes events all over the region, from trout fishing at Malabar Farm to birding boat tours at Clearfork Reservoir Marina and night sky viewing at the Warren Rupp Observatory. Reservations may be required for some activities.
What fun events are you looking forward to in Ohio this month?
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