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 2023.
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.
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:
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 Memorials & Moonlight and Adults Only True Crimes Georgetown tours.
Our Lincoln 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 will be several other opportunities to see other sports.
Here are some teams with games in April:
Baseball
Basketball
Hockey
Soccer
Other
There will also be a Monster Jam in Baltimore at the CFG Bank Arena on April 28th and 29th.
Get more information and tickets for other events here.
TIP: You can purchase tickets if any season ticket holders sell them on third-party sites.
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 be taking place in Baltimore, Annapolis, and Silver Spring, all within an hour or less from DC.
Here are the biggest artists performing in the area this month:
Washington, DC Area
- Jamie Cullum | April 26th
- Lizzy McAlpine | April 27th, 28th
- Drive By Truckers | April 29th
Maryland
- Bruce Springsteen | April 7th
- Little Feat | April 12th
- Night Ranger | April 22nd
- Morgan Evans/Brett Young | April 22nd
- Keith Sweat/New Edition | April 22nd
If you're looking for even more opportunities to hear great musical artists, check out this list of all concerts in the area.
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.
Here are a few of the best-known productions visiting the area in April:
Washington, DC
- My Fair Lady | April 6th - 9th
- Les Miserables | April 11th - 29th
- Shear Madness | April 13th
- Disney's Aladdin | April 23rd - 29th
Maryland and Virginia
- Hadestown | April 11th - 16th | Baltimore
- On Your Feet! | April 21st - 23rd | Tysons
If you'd like to see a ballet, the Washington Ballet will have shows April 7th-9th at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA.
For other options, click here to see what else is happening in town this month.
5. Look into a Tourist Discount Pass
If you’re looking to save money and make the most of your time in Washington DC, you should consider purchasing an attraction discount pass.
By purchasing a pass upfront, you can get discounted 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 Discount Pass.
If you know which pass you want, you can purchase one here: Day Pass - Washington Sightseeing | Flex Pass - Washington Sightseeing
6. See a Stand-up Comedy Show
If you're in need of a good laugh, there will be a few opportunities to see stand-up comedy from some of the most famous comics around.
Here are the best stand-up comedy shows in each city this month:
Washington DC
- Sarah Millican | April 1st, 2nd
- Brian Regan | April 7th, 8th
- Samantha Bee | April 28th
Maryland
- Lewis Black | April 2nd | Baltimore
- Jeff Dunham | April 15th | Baltimore
- Bill Maher | April 22 | National Harbor/Oxon Hill
Check this list of stand-up comedy performances in Washington DC for even more opportunities to laugh!
7. Cherry Blossom Festival
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is Washington DC’s top draw in Springtime and lasts from March 20th - April 17th, 2023.
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.
Most of the Cherry Blossom Festival events have been moved online or as a city-wide, self-guided event!
Follow along with us on our YouTube Channel and Instagram to enjoy it.
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.
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 screened at La Maison Francaise at the French Embassy.
Tickets are $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 20th - 30th, 2023.
For more information, visit the website.
9. Celebrate Easter
There are a number of ways to celebrate Easter in Washington, DC, from brunch specials and kid-friendly egg hunts to traditional Sunday morning church services.
In 2023, Easter falls on Sunday, April 9th.
The Washington National Cathedral will have both in-person and virtual services for 2023.
For more about visiting the Washington National Cathedral and our self-guided tour, visit our post here.
An alternative is the Basilica of the National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception which has a Catholic Easter Mass also available virtually. For more information, visit their page.
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 events around the city on April 16.
In the past, there have been events around this day in DC, such as parades, although nothing has been posted for 2023 yet.
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.
Honorable Mentions
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 a number of chances to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform at the Kennedy Center in April.
There will be concerts covering the works of such composers as Revel, Schubert, and Mendelssohn by some fantastic musicians and conductors.
Purchase tickets or learn more.
White House Garden Tours
Twice a year are the White House Gardens open to the public, and tickets are first-come, first-serve when arriving on the morning of the tour.
The White House Garden Garden Tour dates have not yet been announced for 2023, 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!
National Cannabis Festival
The 7th Annual Cannabis Festival takes place at RFK Festival Grounds on April 22nd.
The festival is a celebration of the legalization of marijuana and includes live music, an exhibitor fair, food vendors, awards, and panel discussions.
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. The event will be delighting visitors between February 17th and April 30th.
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.
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