Embrace the beauty of spring on Lake Erie, where festive cheer and laughter echo through charming and sparkling waterfront towns, and every moment is a celebration of our Great Lake.
APRIL EVENTS
Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival | April 1–12
Cleveland, OH
The largest Indian classical music festival outside of India, this 12-day celebration features competitions, concerts and cultural programs primarily held at the Waetjen Auditorium and other venues across the Cleveland State University campus.
Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards Exhibit
April 1–8
Buffalo, NY
A unique historical exhibition showcasing widely circulated postcards from the suffrage movement, offering a look at early 20th-century communications and women's history on display at The Buffalo History Museum.
Museum Family Day: Waves of Wonder
April 4
Cleveland, OH
A festival-style day focused on Lake Erie water ecology, featuring interactive science stations, conservation activities and tabletop games about the water cycle, all taking place at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Dyngus Day Cleveland
April 6
Cleveland, OH
A massive post-Lenten celebration of Polish culture featuring polka music, pierogies, paczki, and a Miss Dyngus pageant, primarily held outdoors at Gordon Green and throughout the Gordon Square Arts District.
Metro Detroit Bourbon Fest
April 11
Southfield, MI
A large tasting festival featuring over 100 rare and high-end whiskeys and bourbons, local food vendors and live music, held at the Regency Manor.
The ReVamp Clothing Swap Festival
April 11
Detroit, MI
A sustainable fashion event and community clothing swap designed to help attendees refresh their spring wardrobes while keeping textiles out of landfills, hosted at the historic Jam Handy venue.
All Things Detroit Day
April 12
Detroit, MI
A massive festival showcasing over 200 local makers, artists and small businesses. It's the perfect spot to hunt for unique handcrafted items, custom art supplies or local inspiration.
Lake Erie Wine Country: Cheers to 250
April 17–19
Chautauqua County, NY
A special tasting trail where local wineries commemorate America’s 250th birthday with unique wine and food pairings celebrating American history, hosted at participating wineries across the Lake Erie Wine Country trail.
Nashville Nights in Ellicottville
April 17–19
Ellicottville, NY
A lively weekend festival that transforms the village and resort with the spirit of Nashville, featuring country music performances and themed events hosted at Holiday Valley Resort and various venues throughout downtown Ellicottville.
National Geographic Live: Discovering the Galápagos
April 21
Buffalo, NY
An immersive and educational presentation by scientist Sarah Knutie detailing the fascinating ecosystems and unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, held at Kleinhans Music Hall.
America 250 Lighthouses of Lake Erie
April 25
Marblehead, OH
Learn about the history of Lake Erie’s great lighthouses, enjoy a tour of the lighthouse, visit the Life Safe Station Museum and meet representatives from neighboring lighthouses.
Battle of the Tacos
April 25
Leamington, ON
A fun culinary festival where you can sample various tacos from local restaurants, listen to live guitar music and vote for your favorite, hosted at The Bank Theatre.
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
April 25–26
Buffalo, NY
A celebration of spring featuring cultural displays, music and peak cherry blossom viewing along the water, centered around the Buffalo History Museum & Japanese Garden.
Lake Erie Islands Browns Backers Draft Day 5K
April 26
Put-in-Bay, OH
A great excuse to take the ferry over to South Bass Island for a scenic waterfront run, followed by draft day celebrations for Cleveland fans, starting near the downtown Put-in-Bay harbor.
City Nature Challenge: Mentor Marsh Marvels
April 26
Mentor, OH
An outdoor community science event where participants explore the marshlands to identify and catalog the area's unique spring biodiversity on the trails of the Mentor Marsh Nature Preserve.
ERC Tutu Race
April 26
Erie, PA
A colorful run and walk right by the water where participants wear tutus to support a local charity, starting at the Beach One Pavilion within Presque Isle State Park.
Southern Footprints Races
April 26
Leamington, ON
A scenic 5K, 10K and 15K event through Canada's most ecologically diverse national park, offering a beautiful mix of road and trail running surrounded by nature at Point Pelee National Park.