April’s events are taking advantage of the mild spring weather with an array of outdoor events, celebrating the natural beauty surrounding us all. Many of the month’s events also center around Earth Day (April 22, 2016), like Florida’s Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival dedicated to raising awareness for issues affecting the world’s oceans. National Park Week is a rare opportunity to visit any of the country’s stunning state parks for free, and festivals like the Orange County California Wine Festival have a beach backdrop even more impressive than the spirits being tasted. So check out your region below and start making your pet-friendly, family-friendly, chocolate-friendly or alcohol-friendly plans.
Atlanta
- Georgia’s oldest no-kill animal shelter, PAWS Atlanta, is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a Pet Party on April 16, 2016 from 3-7PM. Grab your best four-legged friend and head to Old Fourth Ward Park for food trucks, artists, pet vendors, beer and entertainment.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- Head out to Historic Marietta Square on April 24, 2016 for the Taste of Marietta. From 11AM-7PM, over 75 Cobb County restaurants, caterers and food trucks will show off their culinary genius. Admission is free, but be sure to have cash on hand because “tastes” cost between and
Austin
- The 15th Annual Lonestar Round Up is back April 8-9, 2016 at Travis County Expo Center from 10AM-6PM. This weekend-long celebration of traditional hot rods and custom cars also boasts a giant swap meet, live music and finger lickin’ BBQ. General admission is 5 and kids under 12 are free.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- Winnie the Pooh fans will be delighted to attend at Pease District Park on April 30, 2016. From 11AM until dark, party goers are invited to partake in this fun and unique fundraiser for local Austin non-profits. Costumes are encouraged, and children of all ages will be entertained by live music, henna, temporary tattoos and face painting.
Chicago
- Kick off the running season with the Shamrock Shuffle 8K on April 3, 2016. While this race begins and ends in Grant Park, the rest of this 4.97-mile course takes place on the city streets of downtown Chicago. The official race after-party will be held from 2PM-1AM at The Scout Waterhouse & Kitchen.
- It doesn’t get more decadent than All demonstrations will feature artisanal chocolate and foods, and a charity wine tasting benefits the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The festival takes place April 16-17, 2016 (Sat. 11AM-7PM and Sun. 11AM-6PM) at the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium at Plumber’s Hall.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
Dallas
- Calling all beer aficionados! The 2016 Big Texas Beer Fest is back April 1-2, 2016 (Fri. 6:30-10:30PM and Sat. 2-6:30PM) at Fair Park Automobile Building. This event is known for its exclusive/rare beers, one-offs and special firkins. There will be over 140 breweries and 500+ beers represented, plus an impressive selection of food trucks and artisanal food vendors to keep you fueled all weekend long.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- The largest event in the world of its kind, Earth Day Texas is a three-day free event April 22-24, 2016, 10AM-6PM, at Fair Park. Come celebrate progress, hope, and innovation as environmental leaders and experts come share their knowledge. There will also be live music, sustainable beer and food pavilions, electric bike test tracks, and family activities.
Denver
- Baseball lovers should mark their calendars now for 2:10PM on April 8, 2016, when the Colorado Rockies play the San Diego Padres for the season’s home opener at Coors Field.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- Head out to the 12th Annual Doors Open Denver April 23-24, 2016, an annual event that provides a unique opportunity to explore Denver through self-guided (free) or expert-guided (fee-based) city tours. From high-profile sites to historic buildings, the city will open its doors to the public in an effort to educate attendees on the story of where Denver is, where it has been and where it’s going.
Houston
- Not everyone will be lucky enough to score a ticket to the Final Four and NCAA Men’s National Championship Game on April 2 & 4, 2016, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch some of the NCAA action live and up close. Reese’s Final Four Friday is an open practice held on April 1, 2016 from 11AM-6PM at NRG Stadium. The whole family is invited to this free event and truly special opportunity to watch the Final Four teams practice before Saturday’s semi-finals games.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- Rated the top beer festival in 2015, the 5th Annual Wild Wild Brewfest features over 100 brewers and 400+ brews in separate areas such as the “High Octane Tent,” the “Texas Tent” and the “Champion of Champions Tent.” The official launch party is Friday, April 22, 2016 at Hop House Katy Mills Mall from 7-10PM, and the brewfest takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 4-9PM at Katy Mills Mall.
Seattle
- The premier comic book and pop culture convention in the Northwest, Emerald City Comicon is for serious fans only – just ask one of the 80,000 attendees from last year. Boasting hundreds of comic and celebrity guests, there’s not a dull hour at the Washington State Convention Center April 7-10, 2016.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
- Atguests sip and sample an incredible array of artisan food and drink in one of Seattle’s most iconic party venues, Pike Place MarketAt 7PM on Friday, April 22, 2016, over 70 local vendors gather together to serve handmade savories, sweets, beer, wine, cider, and more. Proceeds benefit the Pike Place Market Foundation.
Southern California
- It’s the festival people wait all year for and it’s finally here. The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is back in all its glory April 15-17, 2016 (Weekend 1) and April 22-24, 2016 (Weekend 2) at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. There are too many artists to list here, but with names like LCD Soundsystem, Guns N’ Roses, Calvin Harris, Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding and Ice Cube on the schedule, the lineup is sure to impress.
- Wine, food, music, sea and sun come together at the Orange County California Wine Festival in Dana Point, April 15-16, 2016 (Fri. 6-9PM and Sat. 1-4PM). Don’t miss out as California’s best wineries pour hundreds of vintage red and white wines, and dozens of top chefs and specialty food purveyors serve gourmet appetizers. And all with a spectacular ocean view!
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
South Florida
- Celebrate green living at City of Sunrise’s Earth Day Festival on April 9, 2016 from 11AM-4PM at Sawgrass Sanctuary Park. Admission is free and the first 1,500 people receive a reusable shopping tote and a BPA-free water bottle. Bring the little ones to Kids’ Korner where musicians, face painters and bounce houses will provide entertainment for hours.
- Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival takes place on the sand at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, April 15-17, 2016 (Fri. 1-10PM and Sat./Sun. 11AM-10PM). This multi-stage music festival features some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music (e.g., Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton), and seeks to raise awareness for the issues affecting the world’s oceans.
- If you’ve been wanting to visit a state park but the entrance fee has kept you away, National Park Week is the time to live out your wildest park dreams! From April 16-24, 2016 ALL national parks will waive entrance fees to encourage everybody to partake in these local treasures. Not sure where your nearest state park is located? Find one in any of the 50 states here.
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