April school vacation week is just around the corner! If you’re planning a staycation and are looking for fun things to do with your kids during April break, check out these Boston-area events and happenings!
Finding Nemo Jr. :: Norwell
April 12-14
Marlin, an overprotective clownfish, sets off on an epic adventure when his kid Nemo is captured and taken to an aquarium in Sydney. A vibrant underwater world comes to life in this musical story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s All New Greatest Show on Earth :: Worcester
April 12-14
Witness never-before-seen acts on a triangular highwire, daring criss-cross trapeze, extreme bicycle trampoline, and much more!
April Vacation Week at Patriot Place :: Foxboro
April 12-21
Patriot Place has a fantastic lineup of family-friendly activities scheduled for this year’s April vacation week, taking place daily!
Family Concert: Music and Magic :: Boston
April 13
Bring the whole family to Symphony Hall to see the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra perform in this fun and engaging concert series designed to encourage an appreciation for live performance and orchestral music.
Opening Day for Swan Boats :: Boston
April 13
Kick off April vacation with a ride on one of Boston’s famous Swan Boats! The boats will take off for the first time this season at 10 a.m.!
Boston Children’s Chorus: I Should be GLAD :: Boston
April 13
Members of the Premier Choir reflect on how the queer community has emboldened them to “live our truth.” Listen as BCC singers narrate a story about transforming pain into empowerment and what it means to live proudly as you come to understand who you are.
Patriot’s Day in Lexington :: Lexington
April 13-15
Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriot’s Day. Patriot’s Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The entire weekend is celebrated with parades, reenactments, and commemorative ceremonies.
Secret Life of Bugs :: Boylston
April 13-19
Celebrate April school vacation at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill with a week packed with family classes and workshops, nature walks, scavenger hunts, and a themed drop-in activity room with hands-on crafts, projects, and investigations for children of all ages.
Wind Powered Fun at the USS Constitution Museum :: Charlestown
April 13-21
Come visit the USS Constitution Museum during April vacation week to explore the power of the wind and its importance in powering a ship like USS Constitution. The museum will be hosting family-friendly activities and crafts all week long to encourage the exploration of the power of wind — don’t miss kite flying day on April 16!
The Painting Place April Vacation Camp :: Wellesley
April 13-21
The perfect camp for kiddos who love to paint, craft, play games, and make the ever-popular SLIME!
Play Unstoppable Festival :: Somerville
April 13-June 2
Design your spirit animal, add your creation to the LEGO Flower Cart, share your best moves at the play unstoppable dance party and be amongst the first to see the premiere of the all-new LEGO Friends 4D movie!
Boston Marathon 2023 :: Hopkinton to Boston
April 15
Cheer on the runners this Marathon Monday in the world’s oldest marathon! From Hopkinton through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and finally Boston, the course is lined with excited fans who love to support the thousands of runners. Charities that are part of the marathon program raise more than $15 million each year and serve areas of need within Greater Boston!
Kiddos in the Kitchen :: Dover
April 15-16
Spend school vacation week in the Powisset Kitchen, and cook up a storm! Each day, for three hours, children will learn kitchen basics and enjoy hands-on cooking with Powisset Cooks! instructors. On Monday, April 15, the focus will be on the cuisine of Greece, and on Tuesday, the focus will be on Thai culinary favorites.
Highland Street Spring Week 2024 :: Multiple Locations
April 15-19
Spring week is back for 2024! The Highland Street Foundation has partnered with old and new friends providing FREE admission and opportunities to some of Massachusetts’ favorite cultural institutions during April school vacation week!
2024 Mayor’s Cup Street Hockey Tournament :: Boston
April 15-19
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will once again host the 2024 Mayor’s Cup Street Hockey Tournament in partnership with the Boston Bruins Foundation during the April Boston Public Schools vacation week. The tournament will begin Monday, April 15, and continue through vacation week.
April Vacation Week at Stone Zoo :: Stoneham
April 15-19
Take advantage of warmer weather and learn about the insects and animals that help springtime flowers bloom: pollinators!
Creating Communal Gifts with Chanel Thervil :: Acton
April 15-19
Whether it be a school, library, place of worship, or even a museum, spaces where communities gather make life more vibrant. Join the Discovery Museum for a special program series with inaugural artist-in-residence Chanel Thervil as she invites you to create a gift for a community space you cherish. Chanel will bring these individual creations together in a one-of-a-kind art installation titled Communal Gifts that will remain on display in the museum.
Fencing Camp for Kids :: Cambridge
April 15-19
Are you interested in trying out a different sport? Give fencing a try! This camp is designed for children ages 7-14, with little or no fencing experience.
Celebrating Yin Yu Tang at Peabody Essex Museum :: Salem
April 15, 18-19
Travel across the world without leaving Salem by learning traditional Chinese paper cutting with local guest artist Zhonghe (Elena) Li on Monday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. Enjoy film screenings in Morse Auditorium on Friday, and challenge yourself all three days with a museum-wide dragon scavenger hunt!
All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival :: Boston
April 17-19
From sports and games to health and wellness speakers, self-defense tactics, and aquatic activities, the programming aims to engage the mind, body, and spirit of girls ages 7-14!
Dudley Street Farm Day :: Boston
April 20
Head to the Shirley-Eustis House lawn between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a celebration of Roxbury’s farming history. Activities will include a farm animal petting zoo, butter churning, seed packet giveaways, handmade crafts, fresh popcorn, resources from DSNI, planting tips, and more!
Bark at the Park :: Boston
April 20
Bring your dog to enjoy a day at the park for one of Harvard baseball and softball’s furriest events! All attending pets receive a free custom Harvard giveaway that is sure to make them bark with excitement! On top of a baseball doubleheader and softball game, there are several Harvard athletics contests taking place during Bark at the Park! All events are free unless noted.
Party for the Planet at Franklin Park Zoo :: Boston
April 21
Head to Franklin Park Zoo to enjoy a fun Earth Day celebration to raise awareness for the planet and all it has to offer, and learn how you can help make a difference! While you connect with nature, learn about important conservation work underway locally and globally with many fun family activities!
Professor Gizmo’s Workshop :: Brockton
April 21
Come celebrate buttons at Fuller Craft Museum, in collaboration with upcoming exhibition Beau McCall: Buttons On! Families are invited to craft mini button bags and button cars and race them down a ramp to see how fast they can go. Will your button car win?
