Things to Do in Chicago in April

April is the real start of spring in Chicago, and one of the best times to come. Sure, the city still gets the odd snowstorm, and some days feel more like February. But most of the month is mild, quieter than summer and cheaper, and there's a lot going on once baseball is back. For weather, packing and hotel prices, see our planning page on Chicago in April.

We've described when things usually happen rather than printing one year's dates. Check each official site, or the city's festival and event dates page, before you book. Our holidays and events page covers the rest of the year.

Opening Day, times two

The baseball season starts in late March now, and the Cubs and White Sox both play their first home games in late March or early April. If you can get a ticket to the Cubs' home opener at Wrigley Field, take it. The whole neighborhood turns out, and the bars around the ballpark fill up early. Take the Red Line to Addison, and read our guides to Cubs games, the Chicago Cubs and where to eat and drink near Wrigley. Schedules are on the Cubs' site.

The White Sox play on the South Side at Rate Field, which was Guaranteed Rate Field until 2024 and U.S. Cellular Field before that. It's at 333 W. 35th St., right by the Red Line's Sox-35th stop. Tickets there are usually easier to come by.

A word on April baseball. Night games can be bitterly cold, especially at Wrigley when the wind blows in off the lake. Bring a hat and gloves, or pick a day game.

Basketball and hockey are winding down at the same time. The Bulls and Blackhawks share the United Center on the Near West Side, and their regular seasons end in mid-April, later if they make the playoffs.

Cherry blossoms in Jackson Park

Chicago's answer to Washington's cherry blossoms is on the South Side. About 200 pink and white cherry trees surround the Columbian Basin in Jackson Park, just south of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, with more on the Wooded Island and in the Japanese garden there. According to the Chicago Park District, peak bloom usually lands in late April or early May and lasts somewhere between 6 and 14 days, depending on the weather. That makes it a gamble to plan a trip around, but if your dates line up, go on a weekday morning to beat the crowds, and pair it with the Griffin MSI next door.

Art and architecture

EXPO CHICAGO, the city's big international art fair, takes over Navy Pier for four days every April. It started in 1980 as Art Chicago, and Frieze, the company behind the London and New York fairs, bought it in 2023. Even if you're not buying, it's a good look at what galleries are showing right now.

The Chicago Architecture Center river cruise runs daily from March, and April is a good month for it. The boats are less crowded than in summer, and there's a cabin to duck into if the wind picks up. See sightseeing tours in Chicago for the other boat companies and walking tours.

Flowers and the zoo

The Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show usually runs from mid-February into May, so it's in full swing in April. Book a timed entry on its website, and note that it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Lincoln Park Conservatory has its own spring show, and it's free.

From there, it's a short walk to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free and open every day of the year. April is a nice time to go, since you can see the animals without freezing or sweating. Read our Lincoln Park Zoo page before you go.

Easter

Easter falls anywhere from late March to late April, and it's a busy weekend in town. Spring break often overlaps it, so expect crowds at the Museum Campus and Navy Pier. If you want Easter brunch, book early. Our best brunch spots list is a place to start. The conservatories, with their spring flowers, make an easy family outing for Easter week.

Museums and rainy days

April gets more rain than any month before it, so plan an indoor day. Illinois residents get free admission at many museums. The Field Museum is free for them on Wednesdays, and the MCA is free for them on Tuesdays from 5 to 9pm. We keep the rest on our free museum days page. For everyone else, see museums in Chicago, theatre in Chicago and things to do on rainy days.

By the end of the month, the city is looking ahead to May, when the farmers markets and street festivals start. See things to do in Chicago in May for what comes next, and Chicago in spring for more ideas.

Photo by Erick