10 things to do in Toronto this April

By Erica Salyi-Pannozzo

It's a new season and new month, and Torontonians are itching to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Luckily, April is full of ways to enjoy the city's green spaces, with plenty of events and things to do outdoors. Whether you're planning a spring getaway, indulging in market-fresh ingredients at farm-to-table restaurants or checking out Toronto's top events, you won't have time to be bored this month! [Photo credit: Nikolas Koenig, courtesy of the Drake Devonshire]

April is chock-full of great events that you don’t want to miss, including big-ticket concerts at the ACC like John Mayer and Bon Jovi. Other notable concerts include Big Sean, Good Charlotte and The Main. If you’re looking for a laugh, check out The Second City’s new show Everything is Great Again, a comic revue of the world’s current political climate. For a more serious occasion and educational experience, you can attend Fort York’s Vimy 100 commemorating Canadian contributions at Vimy Ridge with reenactments, music and food, plus a military remembrance parade by the Canadian Armed Forces. Check out the full list of must-see April events in Toronto!

Everyone is craving market-fresh ingredients this time of year and these Toronto farm-to-table restaurants do it best. Indulge in innovative eats at Ruby Watchco, eat sustainable dishes amidst gorgeous surroundings at Café Belong at Evergreen Brick Works and enjoy farm-fresh food at Farmhouse Tavern. There’s still more restaurants to check out, so don’t miss this list!

Even with all the green space available in Toronto, you may want to add a spring getaway to your list. The city is just a short drive away from many picturesque towns and places to visit, including Elora and Stratford. You can explore the Niagara wine region before the hordes arrive for summer, unwind at St. Anne’s Spa in Grafton or book a room at the ever-so-cool Drake Devonshire. For our complete guide to getting away this spring, check out these 8 great spring getaways near Toronto.

The Blue Jays have been a popular ticket for the past few seasons, and the home opener is expected to be packed. The season kicks off April 11 with our Jays facing off against the Milwaukee Brewers. There are rally towels and magnets for the first 45,000 fans.

Toronto loves its festivals and this month there’s lots to choose from. The new Coffee and Tea Expo at 99 Sudbury allows you to sip and sample new flavours from around the world, get the inside scoop on new offerings at local Toronto coffee and tea shops, plus shop for new brews to take home. Mega music fest Canadian Music Week is back this year running April 18 to 23 with conferences, industry showcases and the Indie Awards. There’s also a roster of Canadian and international artists performing live at various venues for the public music festival including The Strumbellas, Hollerado, Earl Sweatshirt and Big Sean. And, don’t miss out on the Hot Docs Film Festival, North America’s largest documentary film fest. Expect films about Bill Nye (yes, the science guy), Gawker Media and the FIFA World Cup. Many films have Q&A sessions with directors and subjects of the film, so don’t skip out during the credits.

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Read more on YP

• Toronto top festivals this spring
• 11 free events in Toronto this month
• 10 things to do in Toronto this spring

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Earth Day is April 22 and there are lots of ways to celebrate this year. You can attend eco-friendly events like Downsview Park’s Earth Day tree planting and celebration, complete with campfire, outdoor activities, birds of prey demos and more. Or, check out the annual Gladstone Grow Op that combines landscape design and contemporary art for a show that takes over the hotel with art installations exploring the relationship between urban dwellers and green spaces.

The Easter bunny will be making stops across the city, leaving behind eggs for kids to find during the many Easter egg hunts that take place each year. The High Park Easter Egg Hunt happens a week before Easter long weekend, on April 9, with hunts happening every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m. There’s also an Easter Eggstravaganza at Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm on Centre Island. This event takes place Easter weekend.

Toronto’s art scene always has amazing events and exhibits going on, and this April is no exception. The AGO hosts a show of 80 works by American modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe, which opens April 22. There are also plenty of Canadian art exhibits in celebration of Canada’s 150th, including Arctic Echoes at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and a cool ceramic installation by Janet Macpherson called A Canadian Bestiary at the Gardiner Museum.

With the warmer weather comes the desire to dine outdoors on a pretty patio or terrace. I’m counting down the days until the Casa Loma Terrace Grill is open for the season, with its stunning views of the estate gardens and city skyline. The Rectory Café on Ward’s Island is another favourite outdoor dining space, with a view of the water, surrounded by lush greenery.

Songkran (Thai new year) is celebrated at participating restaurants in Toronto with water fights and Thai feasts. Each year, Pai and Nana host the water fight right in the restaurant, complete with super soakers and plastic-covered tables. Expect fresh, authentic Thai food and soggy shoes. This year Songkran begins April 13.