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10 Great Things to Do in Pennsylvania in April

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There are many great things to do in Pennsylvania in April. As the first full month of spring, it’s time to get outside and enjoy some of the best activities throughout the state. From great music to exciting football, there’s a bit of something for everyone to do in PA in April.

I scoured through thousands of great events to bring you some of the best happenings throughout PA in the coming month. Check out the list below to start planning your spring travels in Pennsylvania in April 2024.

(Article updated on March 14, 2024, to reflect events in April 2024.)

Total Solar Eclipse in Northwestern PA – April 8

People watching an eclipse like the total solar eclipse in Pennsylvania in April 2024.
See a total solar eclipse in PA this April!

On Monday, April 8, the sky will turn dark as a total solar eclipse crosses over the northwestern corner of PA. And, if you can’t make it to this part of the state, a partial eclipse will be visible throughout all of Pennsylvania.

Many eclipse-watching events will be held in every corner of PA, but if you want to see this incredible event for yourself, I put together a guide to watching the total solar eclipse in Pennsylvania with all the info you need.

No matter where you are in PA on April 8, make sure to get some eclipse glasses and look up to see this beautiful and rare event.

Steel City Con in Monroeville – April 12-14

Steel City Con returns to the Monroeville Convention Center near Pittsburgh this April and is sure to be a fun time.

Steel City Con offers the chance to meet dozens of celebrities and attendees in 2024 including Geena Davis, Molly Ringwald, Rosie O’Donnell, Jason Priestley, and dozens more. There will also be hundreds of vendors, Q&A panels, and much more.

For more information, visit the convention’s website.

Blue and White Game in State College – April 13

Inside Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania
Visit Beaver Stadium this April for the annual Blue and White Game.

One of Penn State’s most popular traditions, the Blue and White Game, is returning this April.

While the football season is long over, this springtime game gives fans a chance to see an intrasquad exhibition to get a look at next year’s team, about halfway between the end of the season and the start of the coming season.

Find out more information here.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia – April 13-14

Things to do in PA in April: Subaro Cherry Blossom Festival
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Philly.

You don’t need to leave Pennsylvania to enjoy blooming cherry blossom trees and Japanese culture. Instead, head to Philadelphia for the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival.

Held in Fairmount Park, which is home to more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees and the beautiful Shofuso Japanese House, this event features Japanese cultural demonstrations, Japanese food, live music, and, of course, a beautiful setting.

For more information on this great event, head over to the festival’s website.

It’s worth noting that, in 2024, while the festival will be held in mid-April, it’s likely that the blossoms will actually peak several weeks earlier due to the warm winter weather.

Earth Day at Pennsylvania’s State Parks – April 20

Things to do in Pennsylvania in April: Earth Day
Do some volunteer work on Earth Day at one of Pennsylvania’s great state parks.

If you are looking for an opportunity to get out and enjoy Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks while giving back on Earth Day, the Pennsylvania DCNR has many great events to choose from. All throughout PA, visitors can help clean up some of the state’s most beautiful state parks and get them ready for others to enjoy throughout the spring and the summer.

For more information on the many great volunteer opportunities throughout the state, head over to the DCNR events calendar.

PA Maple Festival in Meyersdale – April 20-21 & 24-28

Things to do in Pennsylvania in April: PA Maple Festival
The Pennsylvania Maple Festival returns to Meyersdale this month (Photo courtesy of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau)

The 77th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival will return to Meyersdale this April and will offer visitors a chance to celebrate one of the state’s most delicious crops.

During the festival, you can try maple products, see how maple syrup is harvested, and even attend a tree-tapping ceremony. The festival also features a beauty pageant, a horse-pulling contest, a parade, vendors, and much more.

For more information on the festival, visit PAMapleFestival.com.

Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in Ridgway – April 24-27

The Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in Ridgway, a tradition more than 20 years old, brings some of the country’s best chainsaw carvers to Elk County, PA. Over four days, dozens of artists will be showcasing their skills and competing for a variety of awards at the Ridgway Mills Campground.

There will also be the chance to purchase unique pieces of art and to watch carving demonstrations, as well as live music.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

Mayfest in Huntingdon – April 27

Visit the central Pennsylvania community of Huntingdon in April for one of the month’s most unique events: Mayfest.

Now in its 19th year, this event features the chance to see five different eras recreated in five different city blocks. Visitors can stroll from the Victorian era to the Woodstock era, and then over to Colonial Times, all without leaving the downtown area.

In addition to historical reenactors, the event will feature live music, craft vendors, local food, and much more.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

Wildflowers in PA – All Month

Hiking at Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County, PA
April is the perfect time to go wildflower hunting at spots like Shenks Ferry in Lancaster County.

April showers might bring May flowers, but April is the perfect month to head out looking for wildflowers throughout Pennsylvania.

While there are many great spots to head, I have two suggestions for you depending on which side of the state you are on.

For those in the eastern half of the state, Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County is a fantastic place to visit thanks to the dozens of different wildflower species, some of which are very rare, that can be found in this natural area.

Trillium at the Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park
Trillium is a common sight during the spring wildflower bloom at Raccoon Creek State Park.

On the western side of the state, head to the Wildflower Reserve in Raccoon Creek State Park. There are several miles of hiking trails through this woodland that take you past many incredible varieties of flowers, including rare trilliums.

Of course, many outdoor areas in PA are overflowing with flowers in April, so there are many other great places to visit around the state.

Visit a Pennsylvania Waterfall – All Month

Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA
There are hundreds of great waterfalls in PA to visit in the springtime.

Looking for something to do away from large crowds of people? Take a hike to visit one of the many amazing Pennsylvania waterfalls.

During my travels, I’ve visited more than 200 waterfalls in nearly every corner of the state. Whether you are looking for a roadside beauty, a great hike, or a waterfall that’s completely off-trail, there are plenty of great spots for you to visit.

If you want to head out into the woods this April, check out our guide to the best waterfalls in Pennsylvania or buy a copy of my book, “Waterfalls of Pennsylvania“.

Looking for other things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out our list of things to do around the state in March and our top things to do in PA in May.

Do you know of a great event happening in Pennsylvania in April? Let us know in the comments section below!

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like to promote in a future monthly edition? Click here for more information and to submit your event.


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4 thoughts on “10 Great Things to Do in Pennsylvania in April”

  1. During the Great Depression, my Grandfather ran a “sugar camp” at a place called “Tip’s Inn” between Berlin and Meyersdale, Somerset Co. He boiled down his syrup using steam pipes lining the large flat vat, instead of over a fire as most camps did. His product was superior because it had no fly ash or smoke contamination. The steam was generated by a coal fired boiler that also heated the roller rink at Tip’s Inn.
    I also remember him telling me how “bad runs” of syrup, when for some reason the tree sap was of inferior quality, were sold to tobacco companies to flavor chewing tobacco.

    Reply
  2. Hi Jim,

    Just wanted to say I find your site a fabulous read. I live in Australia, love every bit of Pennsylvania. Especially The Poconos, Jim Thorpe area.
    Thank you for brightening my day with your emails.

    Reply
  3. Hi Jim, We live in the Southern central part of the state of Pennsylvania and have been exploring the entire state for years now After stumbling upon “ Uncovering Pa”w realized that we have been to many of these places you have written about but there are many more gems out there that we haven’t seen but will now put on our list. Thank you for telling how wonderful Pa really is!

    Reply

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