14 things to do in Toronto in April

It’s officially springtime. Here are 14 reasons to emerge back into the world.

It’s officially springtime in the city. That means the time for hibernation is over, and there’s loads to do — both indoors and out. The only trick is figuring out how and where to spend your time.

To help you with this, we dove deep into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s our resulting list of 14 things to do in the month of April for all sorts of ages and interests.

ARC Ensemble: The Music of Alberto Hemsi

Location: Mazzoleni Concert Hall
Date(s): April 2

Organizer description: “ARC’s (Artists of The Royal Conservatory) concert of works by the Sephardic composer Alberto Hemsi follows the ensemble’s recent Chandos release devoted to his music. Born in Izmir, in present-day Turkey and trained at Milan’s Verdi Conservatory, his works combine Sephardic melodies with sophisticated harmonies and a wonderful sense of fun. Comprised of the senior faculty of The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, with special guests drawn from the organization’s most accomplished students and alumni, the three-time Grammy Award nominated ARC Ensemble is among Canada’s most distinguished cultural ambassadors.”

Click here for more info.

Maanomaa, My Brother

Location: Berkeley Street Theatre
Date(s): April 11–30

Organizer description: “When childhood friends Kwame and Will reunite in Ghana for the funeral of a loved one, they realize just how much has changed since the events that separated them 25 years earlier. As they struggle with the urge to keep stories from the past buried and the desire to connect, resurfaced memories set them on a journey to discover a truth that neither of them expected. Blending together styles of West African and Canadian theatre, Maanomaa mixes myth with reality, and the past with the present.”

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Historical Tour of Birch Cliff

Location: Toronto Public Library - Taylor Memorial Branch
Date(s): April 22

Organizer description: “The best way to get to know the Birch Cliff neighbourhood is on foot, with a local guide. This will be a FREE public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, whether you require physically accessible spaces or not, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveller, backpacker, part of a small groups of friends, or a newcomer.”

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Spring POP UP by Toronto Art Crawl

Location: Woolfitt Gallery
Date(s): April 16

Organizer description: “Thrilled to invite you back to our 6th Annual Spring POP UP! A free, indoor art market for all. We invite you to come shop directly from the hands of 80+ amazingly talented Toronto artists, artisans and designers. If you are looking for art, photography, sculptures, jewellery, fashion, home decor, skin care, pet products and more one of a kind items, you won’t want to miss this one day market. Our event also features food vendors and DJ Kid Artik! So bring your dancing shoes, you’ll be dancing while shopping. Arrive early to grab one of our 25 swag bags!”

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Women of Courage Exhibition at Gibson House

Location: Gibson House Museum
Date(s): April 12–May 7

Organizer description: “The Women of Courage Project celebrates, amplifies, and centres the underrepresented voices of racialized immigrant women, a population traditionally "left out" of the conversation between established museums and their visitors. This exhibition is the culmination of work by four cohorts of CultureLink’s Women of Courage Project, responding to and documenting experiences of migration, settlement and adaptation to life in Canada. Engage with the multi-media exhibition either by contributing to the display or responding to the call-to-action confronting systemic racism.”

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Koffler Gallery: World-Premiere Exhibition of The Synagogue at Babyn Yar

Location: Koffler Gallery
Date(s): April 17–Nov. 12

Organizer description: “The Koffler Gallery, in partnership with Swiss Architect Manuel Herz and Canadian historian and curator Robert Jan van Pelt, announces the world-premiere exhibition of The Synagogue at Babyn Yar: Turning the Nightmares of Evil into a shared Dream of Good. This international exhibition is brought together with assistance from Canadian architect Douglas Birkenshaw and through architectural photography by celebrated Dutch photographer Iwan Baan. The exhibition features large-scale photographic murals directed by Ukrainian-Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky taken by Ukrainian photographer Maxim Dondyuk.”

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Spring Forest Bathing at the Garden

Location: Toronto Botanical Garden
Date(s): April 15

Organizer description: “Certified Forest Therapy Guide Emma Rooney will lead you on an outdoor experience to stretch your sensory awareness while deepening your connection with nature. You will learn about some of the benefits of forest therapy and be gently guided in the practice. The walk ends with a seasonal tea, where we’ll share some poetry to allow the experience to sink in. Don’t miss your chance to try forest bathing for yourself in a beautiful outdoor setting! Leave with ideas for getting outside at any time of the year and feeling the benefits of being nurtured by nature.”

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XP Game Developer Summit

Location: The Westin Harbour Castle
Date(s): April 19-20

Organizer description: “Join hundreds of video game professionals and help shape the future of Canadian gaming! The XP Game Developer Summit is back and has levelled up! Connect with industry professionals from around the world to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and to create new and unprecedented business-building opportunities that amplify the Canadian video game industry.

“The two-day event brings together business leaders, developers, artists, educators, and industry organizations with a roster that includes publishers, investors, world-class speakers and subject matter experts, and exclusive panels. The XP Game Developer Summit experience also includes masterclasses, a Business Lounge, an Esports Lounge, and Canada’s largest game showcase.”

Click here for more info.

MOCA Family Weekend: Parents are a Drag!

Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto
Date(s): April 1–2

Organizer description: “MOCA Family Weekend is a monthly series of family-focused activities, bringing together young ones and their families for two afternoons of child-centered programming:

• “Workshop with The Drag Academy - Saturday, April 1. Inspired by the work of Athena Papadopoulos, who creates sculptural works that play on stereotypical feminine signs and materials and offer commentary on the process of self-augmentation — of "dolling" and "dragging" oneself up, this week’s workshop is led by The Drag Academy.
• “April TD Community Sunday - Sunday, April 2. Join MOCA’s Arts Educators for a playful garment making workshop that also takes inspiration from Athena Papadopoulos’s The New Alphabet.”

Click here for more info.

Beaches Easter Weekend Parade & Scavenger Hunt

Location: Beaches Neighbourhood
Date(s): April 7 and 9

Organizer description: “Join us as we bring the Easter spirit to the Beach for the Annual Beaches Easter Parade. Also, don’t miss the Good Friday Digital Easter Egg Hunt taking place. Follow along on an interactive scavenger hunt through The Beach Neighbourhood as you help save the Easter Bunny’s Easter Eggs.”

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Dino Park

Location: Bridlewood Mall
Date(s): April 7–10

Organizer description: “Dino Park is an immersive walk-thru experience consisting of roaring animatronic life size dinosaurs, carnival rides, games, food and more! Whether you want to simply take pictures, go on thrill rides, try your luck at carnival games, or try our delicious candy floss, no matter your age there is something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you at Dino Park and thank you for Roarrring with us!”

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Toronto Vintage Clothing Show

Location: Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place
Date(s): April 1–2, 2023

Organizer description: “Now in its 11th year, the Toronto Vintage Show is a vintage lover’s paradise that features Canada’s largest sale of vintage clothing along with a boatload of vintage décor. The two-day extravaganza features over 125 vendors on a 40,000 square foot show floor.”

Click here for more info.

Earth Day Clean Up with Don’t Mess with the Don

Location: ET Seton Park, Don Valley
Date(s): April 22, 2023

Organizer description: “Join Don’t Mess with the Don, local community groups and volunteers from across the city to clean up the ravines in the Don Valley, in celebration of Earth Day 2023!”

Click here for more info.

WWF-Canada’s CN Tower Climb for Nature

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre/CN Tower, 290 Bremner Blvd
Date(s): April 15–16, 2023

Organizer description: “WWF-Canada’s CN Tower Climb for Nature is back on. Climbing the CN Tower is a rare and exhilarating opportunity to help WWF-Canada reverse the course our planet is on by taking 1,776 meaningful steps towards a brighter future where nature and wildlife thrive. Register today as an individual or team.

Click here for more info.

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