Spring sure seems like it was hard-won this year, so that makes it even more essential to get out and explore the city as it buzzes and blooms with renewed activity. There’s so much going on in April, so be sure to check out our Weekend Event Guides for more things to do all month long — where w e’ll be announcing the date and location for the city’s signature Art All Night festivities soon.Here are 11 of our favorite ways to dive into spring in Pittsburgh.Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.1. Pittsburgh Earth Month events at multiple locations: throughout AprilExtending throughout the spring, Pittsburgh Earth Day is a citywide celebration of advancements in sustainability and technology. Kick off the month at the Building a Greener Future Speaker Series on April 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Energy Innovation Center. Exploring sustainable practices and cutting-edge innovations within the construction industry, the panel discussion includes networking, a reception and a display of “artifacts from the city’s grittier past.” There are so many ways to honor Mother Nature and have fun outside with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, too. Highlighting the vital role of parks as community gathering spaces while encouraging sustainable habits, the PPC is hosting free family-friendly celebrations in Westinghouse Park on April 5 and in McKinley Park on April 19. From 2 to 5 p.m., enjoy DJs, nature crafts, free hot dogs, tree adoptions, hands-on science activities and more. On April 28, wrap up Earth Month at the Sustainable Business Breakfast at The Fairmont Hotel, where local leaders will share key challenges and emerging trends in sustainable business and politics. Discover more Earth Month events in NEXT’s Weekend Event Guides.2. La Fleur at Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: April 3Captivating horticulture and haute couture will set the scene when The Green Voice and Phipps team up to host this memorable evening. Set against the stunning backdrop of the “Spring Flower Show,” the eco-soirée will activate the historic glasshouse with unique programming inside the Palm Court, Broderie Room and South Conservatory. View live floral fashion draping by Brian David, explore displays by local artists and marvel at floral headpieces designed by Olesya Nova. Savor a plant-forward menu crafted by Chef Kate Romane of Black Radish Kitchen plus curated cocktails from Tina’s Cocktail Bar and nonalcoholic beverages from Two Frays Brewery. Groove to the beats of DJ Jimmy. Daphne Alderson and the St. Michael Band and Cello Fury String Quartet Trio will perform. Meet local artist Claire Hardy and see paintings from her “Jolie Fleur” collection. Tickets.Steel City Con attendee Zac Taylor with Ernie Hudson, who portrays Winston Zeddemore in “Ghostbusters.” Photo courtesy of Zac Taylor.3. Steel City Con at Monroeville Convention Center: April 4-6With 600 vendors, 30 celebrities and 100,000 square feet of event space, Steel City Con is the place to be for pop culture fanatics. It makes perfect sense that one of the largest comic cons in the U.S. is located next to the very mall where George Romero made his iconic 1974 zombie apocalypse film, “Dawn of the Dead.” Meet your favorite stars, bring in your cherished memorabilia to have it autographed and scope out cool swag in the extensive exhibitor area packed with pop culture vendors, artists and dealers. This year’s roster of actors and stars includes Ron Howard, Linda Blair, Hayden Christensen, Mena Suvari and Christopher Lloyd, to Ann-Margret, Henry Winkler, Katee Sackhoff and Luis Guzman. Don’t miss the chance to attend celebrity Q&As, panel discussions and photo ops. The event’s signature Celebrity Quick Sketch benefits the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. New this year will be programming taking place in the former DoubleTree Hotel. Pennsylvania’s largest pop culture convention also offers “Happy Days” and “Cobra Kai” reunions, cosplay activities and costume contests. Kids 10 and younger get free admission. Tickets.Vintage Pittsburgh retro fair. Photo courtesy of the Heinz History Center.4. Vintage Pittsburgh at the Heinz History Center: April 5For the second year in a row, Pittsburgh’s very own Senator John Heinz History Center has been recognized as the No. 1 History Museum in America by USA TODAY as part of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The museum teams up with The Neighborhood Flea to take a trip back in time with this popular retro fair. Get that spring cleaning done to make room for all the fab treasures you’ll find. The 11th annual marketplace takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discover hidden gems from 60 local vendors, collectors and boutiques — from Archaic Allegheny and Streekers Vintage to Steel City Flashbacks and Bad Bitch Thriftin’. Featured items include one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home décor, vinyl records and handmade keepsakes. Take a shopping break to visit six floors of exhibits, including vintage textiles and quilts made by Pittsburgh artist Louise Silk. Bring your appetite because The PGH Crepes food truck will be parked out front. Tickets.The Q Ball. Photo courtesy of Quantum Theatre.5. Q Ball: The Scarlet Masquerade at Rockwell Park: April 5For more than three decades, Quantum Theatre has transported audiences by staging site-specific plays everywhere except on stages. From abandoned pools to urban cemeteries and even a former porn theater, the company taps into evocative settings to create live theater. It’s no wonder Quantum applies the same approach to its annual benefit bash, activating sites around town with a sense of curiosity. The backdrop for this year’s signature Q Ball is a renovated East End warehouse that will be transformed into a “Scarlet Masquerade.” The night kicks off with the “Conceal Yourself” VIP session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., the revelry blossoms into a dance party with DJ Jarrett Tebbets. Partygoers can enjoy an open bar, snacks and desserts. The silent auction offers an array of unique experiences and items. The theme is “come as you aren’t,” so don a masQue and shades of scarlet and black and expect the unexpected. Tickets.The Grown Folks Book Fair takes place on April 11 at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield.6. Grown Folks Book Fair at Trace Brewing: April 11If you’re feeling nostalgic for the book fairs you fell in love with as a kid, then step back in time and “book it to the brewery” for this one-of-a-kind event. Literature, entertainment and creativity will create a lively setting perfect for bookworms seeking a new way to explore the city and meet fellow readers. Setting up shop in one of Bloomfield’s most popular spots from 6 to 11 p.m., the event strives to put a grownup twist on book fairs of our youth, reimagining them for the 21+ set. Watch burlesque, drag and storytime performances with a literary twist and make your own slap bracelet during 1990s-inspired arts and crafts projects. Go on a “blind date with a book” to take home a mystery title and discover hidden gems from local independent shops. Shop for retro bookish treasures, check out the banned books display, and meet Eric Kochanowski, author of “Advice From Your Gay Dad.” Tickets.Photo courtesy of 412 Food Rescue.7. 412 Day Block Party at Velum Fermentation: April 12What began in 2015 as a “scrappy nonprofit” in Pittsburgh is now the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the U.S. Since its inception, 412 Food Rescue has galvanized 24,000 local volunteers to complete 167,000 rescues, recovering 25 million pounds of nutritious food — the equivalent of 21 million meals. To accomplish this, the nonprofit created the innovative Food Rescue Hero platform while also mitigating 69 million pounds of CO2 emissions. To celebrate these achievements and kick off its next 10 years, 412 Food Rescue is hosting a free, family-friendly block party. Coinciding with the city’s own 412 Day, the event recognizes how Pittsburgh-powered food rescue is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing the planet. Taste a limited-edition beer made from rescued tomatoes, get a flash tattoo and sit for a tarot reading. Meet Rooty, the food rescue super-carrot, shop in the vendor market, and watch artist Kait Shoeb create a live painting of the Pittsburgh skyline. Emceed by Natalie Bencivenga, the free festivities also include games, live music and food trucks. Block partiers can snag a souvenir pint glass, while the kiddos will love the touch-a-truck experience exploring 412 Food Rescue’s new fleet. Information.The JFilm festival runs April 24-May 4. Photo courtesy of Porter Loves.8. JFilm at the Oaks Theater and CMU’s McConomy Auditorium: April 24-May 4Exciting plans are now underway for the largest Jewish cultural event in the region. While the complete festival schedule and ticket sales will be announced on April 3, we do know that JFilm will feature 18 films, including dramas, comedies and documentaries in Oakmont and Oakland. Additionally, six films will be available for virtual screening. One of the local film scene’s most anticipated events, JFilm’s Opening Night will feature a 1960s-themed cocktail reception, so mark your calendar now. For three decades and counting, the prominent festival has brought engaging independent Jewish-themed films from around the globe to local audiences and screens. During the 11-day event, films will be augmented by Q&As with visiting filmmakers, scholar-led discussions and more. Closing on a sweet note, the final double feature presentation will include treats from Oakmont Bakery. View a schedule and buy tickets on April 3.Image courtesy of the Riverside Drive-in.9. Super Monster-Rama at Riverside Drive-in: April 25 & 26Could you brave a weekend at a haunted drive-in nestled in the woods along the Kiski River? The ghouls are slithering back to Lee’s Lake Lane in Vandergrift for this spooktacular annual event boasting four feature films each night at the town’s classic Riverside Drive-in. The horror happening kicks off with Wes Craven’s iconic supernatural slasher film, “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” starring Robert Englund as the inimitable Freddy Krueger. Then watch the next three films in the freaky franchise spanning 1984-1988. Saturday’s spooky quadruple lineup delves further into the world of horror comedy with “Frankenhooker” and “Doom Asylum” — plus a special appearance by actor Patty Mullen. Rounding out the night will be “Brain Damage” and “Basket Case 2.” Why camp in the woods when you can pitch a tent by the illuminated big screen and watch at the edge of your sleeping bag?! Breakfast is served for courageous campers and the snack bar opens at 1 p.m. Tickets.TacoMania. Photo courtesy of Beers of the Burgh.10. TacoMania – Brawl at the Brew House at Pittsburgh Brewing Company: April 26The Beers of the Burgh crew is taking the taco action up the Allegheny to Pittsburgh Brewing Company’s new HQ in Creighton. Just 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh in East Deer, the 170,000-square-foot froth-making facility is located at the former PPG plant. For six tasty hours on April 26, it’s also going to be a taco destination. From 2 to 8 p.m., the historic brewing site will be filled with the rich flavors and aromas of 12 of the city’s top taco chefs serving up their most mouthwatering offerings. From authentic classics to bold new creations to palate pleasers, this is your chance to sample offerings from Tocayo Taqueria, El Sabor, Los Gallitos and many more. Stay refreshed with a wide selection of brews and margaritas. Keeping the party vibes going will be live music by Mariachi Internacional, Big Blitz and Missing Link plus electrifying sets by Enjoy Wrestling. Tickets.Photo courtesy of the August Wilson House.11. August Wilson Birthday Celebration Block Party at the August Wilson House: April 26On the weekend that would have marked August Wilson’s 80th birthday, the public is invited to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Pittsburgh native. The historic site at 1727 Bedford Ave. — the very house where Wilson spent the first 12 years of his life — hosts a fun-filled Saturday for all ages. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the outdoor festival will teem with 185 vendors and engaging experiences, from a lip sync battle, live performances and children’s activities, to a basketball competition and theatrical monologues. Bring your family and connect with the community at this beloved Hill District tradition. Hungry for more? During the Breelicious Bites Mac Attack: Mac & Cheese Contest, attendees can taste, vote for and help crown a People’s Choice Champion, who will walk away with a cash prize and bragging rights for the best mac and cheese in town. Information.Find more April events and things to do in Pittsburgh with NEXT, including live music, gallery exhibitions, outdoor recreation and family activities. NEXT in the Gallery, April 2025: floral art, Renaissance sculpture and Raymond Saunders March 27, 2025March 28, 2025 14 things to do this weekend, from Pittsburgh Indie Expo to a Gallery Crawl March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 The Tree of Life’s new traveling exhibit is ‘Lighting the Path Forward’ March 26, 2025March 25, 2025 The post 11 things to do in April, from TacoMania and Vintage Pittsburgh to block parties and film festivals appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh. ...read more read less