29 Fun Things to Do in Rhode Island this April

From Easter brunch to daffodil rides, we've compiled all the activities to add to your April to-do list.

April 4, 2023

Edelinda Baptista,

FEATURED EVENTS

Courtesy of Bike Newport

4/8: Daffodil Ride

WHAT: Grab your bike and your spring-loving pals for a four-mile ride through more than 1.3 million vibrant daffodils. Sport your yellow best, decorate your bike and join other riders as you start at Touro Park and conclude at Ballard Park, with an exclusive stop to see thousands of daffodils in bloom at Bellevue House’s private gardens. Take your own Daffodil Ride any other day they’re in bloom by following the route online. 9:30 a.m. Free; donations encouraged. WHERE: Touro Park, Newport. MORE INFO: 619-4900, bikenewportri.org.

Courtesy of Ocean House

4/9: Easter Brunch in the Ballroom

WHAT: Fill up on traditional brunch favorites in Ocean House’s elegant Seaside Ballroom with oceanfront views to accompany your morning-into-afternoon meal. Make room for the carving stations, adorable holiday desserts and a glass or two of the complimentary mimosas for the grownups. Reserve your spot online or by calling. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $125; children ages four through twelve $65; children three and younger free. WHERE: Ocean House, 1 Bluff Ave., Westerly. MORE INFO: 584-7000, oceanhouseevents.com.

Courtesy of Nick Millard/GoProvidence.com

4/16-22: Providence Pizza Week

WHAT: Celebrate Providence Pizza Week by sampling your way through the many eateries taking part in the event. Order your tried-and-true pizza from a favorite spot or check out what lesser-known pies chefs across the city are cooking up. WHERE: Various restaurants in Providence. MORE INFO: 456-0200, goprovidence.com.

THEATER

Trinity Rep

Through APR. 16: It’s the summer of 1972. The fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment is ramping up across the country and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm is campaigning for president. Meanwhile, a group of women in Manhattan collaborate to produce a magazine “for feminists who love fashion.” As the Vietnam War intensifies and the Watergate scandal comes to light, the political and social climate tests the strengths of friendships and the magazine. The Inferior Sex looks at finding your community and voice in an evolving world. Visit the website for times. $25–$56. Dowling Theater, 201 Washington St., Providence, 351-4242, trinityrep.com

Gamm Theatre

APR. 1 and 15: Spend the evening watching a free showing of Clueless (Apr. 1) and Mad Max: Fury Road (Apr. 15) on the Gamm Theatre’s 4K resolution screen. Don’t forget your snacks and drinks from the concessions. No tickets necessary. 7 p.m. 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, 723-4266, gammtheatre.org

Providence Performing Arts Center

APR. 11–23: Meet the six wives of Henry VIII in Six – The Musical, as the Tudor queens-turned-pop princesses present five centuries of historical heartbreak into a vivacious celebration of twenty-first-century girl power. Visit the website for times. $62–$114.

APR. 25–30: He’s the ghost-with-the-most, a demon with a thing for stripes. Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton’s beloved film, follows the story of unusual teenager Lydia Deetz, whose life turns around when she meets a recently deceased couple and a mischievous ghost named Beetlejuice. Visit the website for times. $57–$119. 220 Weybosset St., Providence, 421-2787, ppacri.org

The Wilbury Theatre Group

APR. 13–MAY 7: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel presents Indecent, a story based on true events recounting the risk that the brave actors went through in the name of art. The 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s Yiddish drama God of Vengeance caused controversy as the evocative work of Jewish culture was both criticized and praised for taboo themes of immigration, censorship and antisemitism. The Tony Award-winning play displays the transformative power of art. Thurs.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets are pay what you can. WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, thewilburygroup.org

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

PVD Flea Winter-Spring Markets

Ongoing: Obsess over vintage finds and locally sourced products from more than seventy-five vendors at the Providence Flea at the Farm Fresh RI market hall. Sun. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. 10 Sims Ave., Providence, 484-7783, providenceflea.com

Pawtucket Indoors Farmers Market

Ongoing: Join the farmers, bakers, candlestick-makers and plenty of other talented vendors at the Hope Artiste Village’s Pawtucket Indoor Farmers Market. Peruse the selections and bring home unique decor and necessities. Wed. 4 p.m. Free admission. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, 814-574-3571, pawtucketfarmersmarket.com

Rhode Island Home Show

Through APR. 2: Spring is the season of renewal, and the seventy-third annual Rhode Island Home Show is here just in time to help with your fixer-upper needs. With six different shows running the gamut from art exhibits to a 10,000-square-foot gardening experience, this event is sure to give your home a fresh start and a new look. Visit the website for dates and times. Adults $12; seniors $10; ages fifteen and younger free. Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence, 438-7400, ribahomeshow.com

Bloom Flower and Home Market

APR. 1–2: You can never have too many plants, especially if they come from a small business. Shop from over eighty-five of the best vendors of indoor and outdoor plants, home decor, art, apothecary products, jewelry and more. Purchase your ticket in advance to receive a complimentary beverage from one of the event’s beverage sponsors. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $7; visit the website for tickets. WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, bloomflowerandhome.com

Food Truck Friday

APR. 14–SEPT. 29: Choose menu items from local food trucks as well as beer and wine during the ninth annual Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Carousel Village. Enjoy live music from various local artists. Fri. 5–8:30 p.m. Free admission. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, foodtrucksin.com/food-truck-events

TRIPS AND TOURS

Rhode Island Food Tours

Ongoing: Explore your favorite Rhody neighborhoods with a food stroll featuring delicious food samplings plus alcohol (and nonalcoholic) pairings at five to six independent restaurants and eateries. Tours take place in downtown Providence, Providence’s Valley neighborhood and in Newport. Reservations are required. Visit website for dates, times and cost. 684-1110, rhodeislandredfoodtours.com

Newport Seal Tours

Through APR. 23: New Englanders have no shame in enjoying an iced coffee during the colder months, and migratory harbor seals are no different. The “dogs of the sea” love the Narragansett Bay’s chilly waters, so it’s the perfect time to go on a seal watch tour and nature cruise to observe the local wildlife. Visit the website for dates and times. Adults $22; Save the Bay members, seniors, military and children three through twelve $17; children two and younger free. Bowen’s Wharf, 30 Market Sq., Newport, 203-7325, savebay.org

KIDS’ STUFF

We Are ALL Readers Children’s Book Festival

APR. 1: Bring the kids to meet the authors of their favorite bedtime stories at the We are ALL Readers Children’s Book Festival. Attendees can enjoy story times and author talks with award-winning authors and illustrators. The festival includes hands-on activities, a pop-up bookstore, book signings and food trucks. Visit the website for times, a list of the authors coming to town and the events offered from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free; reserve tickets online. North Kingstown High School, 150 Fairway Dr., North Kingstown, weareallreaders.com

Dinosaurs Among Us

APR. 7–AUG. 13: This walk-through event allows guests to travel about 65 million years back in time to witness sixty roaring life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Walk alongside popular species including the stegosaurus, T-rex, triceratops and more throughout this prehistoric world. Check out the walking dinosaur rides, meet and greets with baby dinosaurs, selfie stations with the creatures and hands-on fossil dig sites. Visit the website for times and ticket prices. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, 785-3510, rwpzoo.org

Earth Week Extravaganza

APR. 22: Celebrate Earth Day in the Ocean State at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling, science, crafting and guided discovery hikes. Musician Bill Harley will be providing the live soundtrack to planting your own vegetable seeds, creating colorful seed bombs and paint pots. You’ll never be so happy to get your hands dirty. Visit the website for tickets and further details. 4–6 p.m. $12–$25. Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown, 846-2577, normanbirdsanctuary.org

Studio Playground

APR. 29–JUNE 3: Find your voice and grow your theatrical skills with Studio Playground. The six-week-long sessions offer theater games, performance projects and more to learn clever storytelling and how to engage an audience. Visit the website for session times. Sat. Grades K–9. $225–$300. Rhode Island School for the Deaf, 1 Corliss Park, Providence, studioplayground.org

MUSIC

General Stanton Jazz Night

Through APR. 15: Indulge in a night filled with soothing jazz, soft lighting and delicious food served inside the Prohibition Room as local jazz musicians perform favorites by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and others. Sat. 7–9 p.m. 4115 Old Post Rd., Charlestown, 364-8888, thegeneralstantoninn.com

Rhode Island Philharmonic

APR. 14–15: Conductor Sascha Goetzel and violinist James Ehnes present works from composers including Britten, Adams and Stravinsky. Open rehearsal Fri. 5:30 p.m., Taco Classical Sat. 8 p.m. The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, 248-7000, tickets.riphil.org

Newport Classical

APR. 22–23: World-class soloists Ilya Yakushev and Thomas Mesa come together to perform timeless pieces of classical music. With Yakushev on the piano and Mesa on the cello, the dynamic duo brings forth pieces from musical icons such as Bach, Rachmaninoff and more. 7:30–9:15 p.m. Premier ticket $58; main ticket $45. Recital Hall at Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn St., Newport, 846-1133, newportclassical.org

Spring Classical Concert

APR. 22–23: The Chorus of Westerly presents a spring concert with works from Handel, Tarik O’Regan and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Visit the website for more details. Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $15–$60. Kent Hall, 119 High St., Westerly, chorusofwesterly.org

DANCE

Festival Ballet Providence

APR. 28–30: View new works and performances such as “Pure Dance,” a vibrant evening of dance featuring George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco,” one of the choreographer’s most profound works. Stay tuned for a world premiere from Princess Grace-award winner Chanel DaSilva and for “When Love” by choreographer Helen Pickett. Fri. and Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 1:30 p.m. Woodman Community and Performing Arts Center, Moses Brown School, 250 Lloyd Ave., Providence, 353-1129, festivalballetprovidence.org

BENEFITS

Newport Night Run

APR. 1: Hit the ground running on the Newport Night Run’s decorative course that winds through rural roads, including parts of Hazard Road and Ocean Avenue. The annual after-hours 5K begins and finishes at Rogers High School and supports the Newport Public Education Foundation. 7:30 p.m. Adults $35; students $31. Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Rd., Newport, newportnightrun.com

MUSEUMS

RISD Museum

Ongoing: Check out exhibitions on view including “Past Made Present,” “Art and Design from 1900 to Now” and “Being and Believing in the Natural World.” Tues., Wed., Sat., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thurs. and Fri. noon–7 p.m. Adults $17; seniors $12; ages eighteen and younger free. Free admission Thurs. and Fri. after 5 p.m. and all-day Sun. 20 North Main St., Providence, 454-6500, risdmuseum.org

Newport Art Museum

Ongoing: View exquisite and thought-provoking works within exhibits such as “Joseph Norman: Works from the Permanent Collection,” “Conflict and Remembrance” and “Social Fabric: Textiles and Contemporary Issues.” The art museum campus also features sculptures from artists like Howard Ben Tré. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Adults $15; seniors $10; college students and military $8; museum members and children seventeen and younger free. 76 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 848-8200, newportartmuseum.org

ETCETERA

Providence Walks: Early Black History Tour

Ongoing: Learn about historic sites in the capital city during an Early Black History walking tour. Follow the map to stop by marked points throughout the self-guided tour, which gives walkers insight into early Black history, the legacy of slavery and its aftermath from 1636-1865. Visit the website to print the map or for the virtual version. Various locations throughout Providence, goprovidence.com

Newport Daffodil Days

APR. 1–30: Take in more than 1.3 million daffodils blooming in the City by the Sea. Visit spaces like Ballard Park and near Easton’s Beach and vote for the daffiest storefront window in the window-decorating competition. The event supports Newport in Bloom, an organization dedicated to filling the city’s public spaces and gardens with flowers. Various locations throughout Newport, newportinbloom.org

Blithewold Daffodil Days

APR. 8–16: Gaze at the estate’s 50,000 daffodils and go for a peaceful stroll through Blithewold’s thirty-three acres. You can also register for some family programming, afternoon tea, concerts or workshops. Visit the website for more details. Daily. Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org