Wondering what there is to do in Chicago this April? Here are the best things to do in Chicago in April 2025 (from a local) from the top attractions to the best April 2025 events.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Chicago in April
April is usually a popular month to visit Chicago due to spring break and warming temperatures.
For out of town visitors, please note that the weather in Chicago in April is very unpredictable and temperatures can vary greatly. Be prepared for both cooler and spring temperatures as well as rain. Make sure to pack a travel umbrella, layers and check the weather right before your visit to know what to expect.
Things to Do in Chicago in April 2025
Below are the top things to do in Chicago in April 2025 including all of the best April festivals and events.
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Take an Architecture River Cruise
Taking an architecture river cruise is a must when visiting Chicago. If you want to see more skyline views, you might enjoy a combination river and lake cruise.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place this April include:
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen
Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Strings
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case
Step into the heart of a high-stakes trial with The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case. In this live theater show, the audience becomes part of the show. As a member of the jury, you’ll analyze witness testimonies, cross-examinations, and forensic evidence in your search for the truth and ultimately decide: guilty or innocent.
When: Every Sunday starting April 13, 2025
Where: Chopin Theatre, 1543 West Division Street, Chicago, IL 60642
Cost: Prices start at $46 per person. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
See the Tulips on Michigan Avenue
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Every year thousands of tulip bulbs are planted in Michigan Avenue medians from Oak Street to Roosevelt Road. You can enjoy the tulips while shopping (or window shopping) on The Magnificent Mile (or The Mag Mile), an upscale section of Michigan Avenue, running from Oak Street to the Chicago River. Although a few stores on Michigan Avenue are pricey, it is totally free to window shop. Landmarks on the Mag Mile include the 360 Observation Deck, the historic Chicago Water Tower and the Tribune Tower. South of the Magnificent Mile you will find Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.
When: Tulips are in bloom from mid-April to mid-May but exact dates vary annually
Where: Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Roosevelt Road.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
Ride the large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line) for panoramic views of Chicago.
Other fun attractions at Navy Pier include Flyover Chicago, rides and games and several restaurants, bars and shops.
Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Children’s Museum which is perfect for toddlers and younger kids.
Colors in Bloom at the Color Factory
Color Factory is an interactive art museum located on the lower level of Willis Tower. It is a sensory celebration of color, with interactive installations, immersive rooms and carefully curated moments inspired by the city of Chicago including its signature ball pit and confetti room.
During the entire month of April, immerse yourself in joy, color and spring in the limited-time Colors in Bloom confetti installation. Stroll through larger-than-life tulips and participate in their scavenger hunt to win a reward.
Hours: Hours vary, advance tickets are required.
Where: Willis Tower, 320 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606
Sensory Feast: A Magical Dining Experience
Have a unique dining experience at Sensory Feast: A Magical Dining Experience. Cutting-edge projection mapping transforms your table into a living canvas where mystical adventures come to life while you enjoy a 3-course meal.
When: Every Friday and Saturday starting April 18, 2025
Where: The Metropolitan, 233 S Wacker Dr 67th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
Cost: General admission is $125 per person. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. In addition to its large permanent collection of art from around the world, there are rotating exhibitions.
When: Thursday 11am–8pm; Friday to Monday from 11am– 5pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Where: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Cost: Price varies. There are discounts for Chicago and Illinois residents. Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines.
Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
360 CHICAGO, the observatory on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Building, has one of the best views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket).
Where: 875 North Michigan Avenue, 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
See the Spring Flower Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the US. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens. Visitors can enjoy the lush flora and tropical temperatures indoors even if it is cold or rainy outside.
During the entire month of April, visitors can also enjoy the annual Spring Flower Show, “Rooted in Mystery” which explores the different types of roots and the cool stuff they do as well as a marvelous display of spring plants, including azaleas, pansies, snapdragons, astilbe, baptisia, hydrangeas, and 26 different varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.
Where: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624
Hours: Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday – Sunday 10am-5pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday
Enjoy Lincoln Park Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show
Although not as large as the Garfield Park Conservatory, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is worth a visit and is more conveniently located for visitors. Advance online reservations are required for entry.
During the entire month of April, visitors can also enjoy the annual Spring Flower Show, “Spectrum of Spring” which highlights the color families of plants and flowers and offers a unique design and color scheme.
Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays from 10am-5pm.
Where: 2391 N Stockton Dr., Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: FREE
Visit the Shedd Aquarium
Visit the Shedd Aquarium for unforgettable encounters with belugas and bluegills, stingrays and sturgeons.
Illinois residents are entitled to free entry every Tuesday evening in April.
Where: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
When: Hours vary. Advanced ticket reservations are highly encouraged.
Visit the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere with 14 acres of hands-on exhibits including a 40-foot tornado, a World War II German submarine and a human-sized hamster wheel.
Through April 6, 2025, you can also see the 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond exhibit to explore the iconic cars, gadgets and props of the James Bond film series. The exhibit is not included in Museum Entry and requires an additional ticket.
Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket.
Where: 5700 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
See the Cherry Blossoms in Jackson Park
Did you know that Chicago has its own cherry blossoms? The area surrounding the Columbian Basin in Jackson Park, is home to about 160 cherry blossom trees that typically bloom each spring.
While you are at Jackson Park, stop at the Garden of the Phoenix, one of my favorite Chicago hidden gems. This small and peaceful Japanese garden has bridges and a koi pond.
Jackson Park is located just south of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry so you can combine your cherry blossom viewing with a visit to the museum.
When: The timing of the cherry blossoms varies annually but peak bloom usually occurs sometime from early April to early May. The peak bloom period for these trees typically lasts for about 6 to 10 days but can be shorter depending on the weather. You can track their progress on this page.
Where: Jackson Park, 6401 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Cost: Free.
Look for Street Art
Chicago is full of street art and there are always new murals popping up.
One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” (pictured above) by Jacob Watts located at 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly 33 E. Congress Parkway). It is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor and is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other tourist attractions.
Another famous mural is the Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
Visit the Field Museum
The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Inside the museum you will see Maximo, the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur that ever lived.
(Click here to purchase an Early Access VIP Tour if you want to avoid crowds).
Admission is free on Wednesdays for Illinois residents during the entire month of April.
When: Open daily 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4pm)
Where: Chicago’s Museum Campus, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 (detailed directions and parking information is available here)
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
Hold and Feed a Bunny
Looking for a unique thing to do in Chicago? Visit the Cuddle Bunny in Chicago, where visitors can pet and feed bunnies. Cuddle Bunny also hosts special events like yoga and story time.
Where: Cuddle Bunny, 2901 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
When: Open daily from 10:00 am – 08:00 pm. Reservations are required.
Cost: Price varies.
Watch a Baseball Game
Baseball season is here. The Chicago White Sox home opener is March 27, 2025 and the Chicago Cubs home opener is April 4, 2025.
See Digital Art Projections at Art on the Mart
Art on theMART, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART, will resume in April after a four month winter hiatus.
When: 8:30-9:30pm on Thursdays through Sundays starting April 25, 2025.
Where: The Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Admire Spring Flowers Outdoors
There are many places in and near Chicago to admire beautiful spring flowers which usually bloom around mid to late April. Some of the best spots to see flowers in the city and suburbs outside include:
• Lurie Garden is a 2.5-acre garden located at the southern end of Millennium Park. The garden is a combination of perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees and offers great skyline views.
• Although not as many as tulips as Michigan Avenue, you can also find some tulips on State Street in the Loop. There are some tulips on State Street between W Wacker Drive and Monroe – including right across the Chicago Theatre (a popular Chicago photo spot). RELATED: Best Places to See Tulips in and near Chicago
• Morton Arboretum (in Lisle about 26 miles west of downtown) is home to more than 4,000 different types of trees among 1,700 acres.
• The Chicago Botanic Garden (in suburban Glencoe about 24 miles north of downtown) is one of the world’s great living museums and conservation science centers with 27 gardens and four natural areas, situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lake shoreline.
Chicago April 2025 Events
In addition to the activities mentioned above, other April 2025 events in Chicago include: Taste of Iceland (April 3-5, 2025), Chicago Latino Film Festival (April 3-14, 2025), Midway Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week (April 4-13, 2025), Chicago On Tap Fest (April 10, 2025), C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (April 11-13, 2025), SoundBites 2025 (April 17, 2025), Munch March Dessert & Appetizer Crawl (April 17, 2025), On Stage: Lineages (April 17-19, 2025), The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art (Expo Chicago) (April 24-27, 2025), Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party (April 25, 2025), One of a Kind Spring Show (April 25-27, 2025), Earth Day Park Cleanup (April 26, 2025), Hanami Festival at Jackson Park (April 26, 2025), Howard Street Carnaval (April 26, 2025) and Chicago Rum Fest (April 26, 2025).
For more April 2025 events, bookmark this post about the best weekend events which is updated every week.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago this April.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
