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 2025.
(Article updated on March 13, 2025, to reflect events in April 2025.)
Steel City Con in Monroeville – April 4-6
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 Christopher Lloyd, Shannon Elizabeth, Hayden Christensen, and the cast of Happy Days, and dozens more. There will also be hundreds of vendors, Q&A panels, and much more.
For more information, visit the convention’s website.
Berks Jazz Fest in Reading – April 4-13
Now in its 34th year, the Berks Jazz Fest brings more than 100 musicians to Reading, PA each year.
Throughout the nine-day event, concerts are held in various locations in the city featuring a wide variety of regional and national jazz groups. In addition to listening to music, there is an art show, educational opportunities, and more.
For tickets and an event listing, visit BerksJazzFest.com.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia – April 5-6
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.
PA Maple Festival in Meyersdale – April 5-6 & 9-13
The 78th 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, pancake breakfasts , a parade, vendors, and much more.
For more information on the festival, visit PAMapleFestival.com.
Earth Day at Pennsylvania’s State Parks – April 19 and 26
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.
In 2025, Earth Day falls on Easter Sunday, so instead of April 20th, state parks will be hosting clean up events on Saturday, April 19 and Saturday, April 26.
For more information on the many great volunteer opportunities throughout the state, head over to the DCNR events calendar and see events for April 19 and April 26.
Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in Ridgway – April 23-26
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.
Penn Relays in Philadelphia – April 24-26
The Penn Relays are the oldest and largest tracks and field competition in the United States, dating back to 1895.
Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, this event draws well over 10,000 athletes from both the United States and aboard. Athletes range from high school students to Olympians, creating an exciting mix of events and skill levels.
For more information and tickets, visit the event’s website.
Blue and White Game in State College – April 26
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.
Mayfest in Huntingdon – April 26
Visit the central Pennsylvania community of Huntingdon in April for one of the month’s most unique events: Mayfest.
Now in its 20th 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 Facebook page.
Wildflowers in PA – All Month
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for reading.
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!