New York in April: Weather, Events & What to Expect This Spring

The spring shoulder season in NYC is a great time to explore Manhattan: Tourist numbers are far from their peak, the weather is mild and generally pleasant, and the city is shaking off its winter doldrums with cherry blossoms in the city’s parks, exciting Broadway openings, and the return of outdoor drinking and dining.

We’ve put together a quick guide to help you plan the best spring visit to New York City.

HOW TO PACK FOR NYC APRIL WEATHER

Average daily temperatures in New York range from 68°F—44°F (20°C—7°C) during the month of April, and you should be prepared for intermittent spring rain showers with an umbrella or rain jacket. Although there are sure to be plenty of sunny spring days, some warm layers will serve you well as the temperature could drop as low as 39°F (4°C) in the evenings, especially during the first half of the month.

APRIL EVENTS & CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The New York City Ballet’s season begins on April 21 with works from choreographer George Balanchine. There are at least 10 performances through the end of April. Find more info and tickets on the official NYCB calendar.
• Celebrating the 100th anniversary of modern dance icon Martha Graham’s company, Graham100 runs for five special performances from April 8–12.
• Smorgasburg, New York’s largest weekly open-air food market, returns on April 4 at Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg, and is also held at the Oculus in Lower Manhattan on Fridays and Prospect Park on Sundays.
• The first-ever Downtown NYC Jazz Fest takes place from April 22–26 in SoHo, featuring 22 performers across three venues.
• The New York International Auto Show runs from April 3–12 at the Javits Center, featuring 28 global automobile manufacturers, an exotic vehicle exhibit, a test track, and an interactive racing simulator.

APRIL MUSEUM EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met is presenting the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition of Italian Renaissance icon Raffaello di Giovanni Santi (1483–1520). Raphael: Sublime Poetry opens March 29 and runs through June 28, 2026, featuring more than 170 works including paintings, drawings, and tapestries from public and private collections worldwide.
• MoMA: Two major exhibitions are drawing modern art fans this spring. Frida and Diego: The Last Dream is open during the entire month of April, exploring the relationship between Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. A Marcel Duchamp retrospective—the first in over 50 years—features 300 works and runs from April 12 through August 22.
• The Whitney Museum of American Art: The Whitney Biennial returns for its 82nd edition, showcasing 56 contemporary artists throughout April.
• The Guggenheim: Robert Rauschenberg: Life Can’t Be Stopped runs through May 3, 2026, featuring highlights such as the 32-foot silkscreen painting Barge alongside other influential works.

BROADWAY’S BIGGEST SPRING PREMIERES

April is one of the most exciting times to visit New York for theatre lovers as a number of plays and musicals starring some of the hottest names in Hollywood have opening weeks this month.

• “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri and Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle take the stage as a father-daughter mathematician duo in the Tony Award-winning drama Proof, which opens March 31 and runs through July 19.
• Two more of Edebiri’s “The Bear” co-stars—Jon Bernthal and Eden Moss-Bachrach—lead the new play Dog Day Afternoon, a crime drama inspired by true events about a Brooklyn bank robbery, will be continuing throughout April.
• The comedy Fallen Angels, starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara as two bored housewives, opens March 27 and runs through June 7.
• Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson stars opposite Cedric “The Entertainer” in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, running from March 30 through July 12.
• The Tony Award-winning director of Oh, Mary! brings a revival of The Rocky Horror Show to Studio 54 from March 26 through June 21, featuring a star-studded cast including Luke Evans, Rachel Dratch, Juliette Lewis, Stephanie Hsu, and Harvey Guillén.

NEW YORK’S BEST SPRING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES

• Car-Free Earth Day: On April 25, the NYC Department of Transportation closes more than 50 streets to cars from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Along Broadway from 17th St. to 46th St., enjoy live music from Broadway performers, plus workshops, dance, public art, and food vendors. Citi Bike rentals are free for the day using the promo code CARFREENYC25.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center run Thursday through Sunday afternoons, where kids can explore the river aquarium, do crafts, and enjoy self-guided educational walks.
• Brooklyn Museum: For deep sea exploration from the safety of dry land, check out Oliver Jeffers: Life at Sea, an immersive ocean-themed exhibition from the bestselling children’s author and illustrator.

WHY VISIT NEW YORK IN APRIL?

More breathing room at museums, the start of baseball season, mild spring weather, and cherry blossoms in full bloom make April an excellent time to visit New York City.

Ready to book your spring trip in Midtown Manhattan?

• Fitzpatrick Manhattan: Boutique amenities and spacious suites just 10 minutes from Central Park and 20 minutes from Broadway on foot.
• Fitzpatrick Grand Central: A well-connected boutique hotel beside Grand Central Station, ideal for easy access to the subway and April events across the whole city.