In between hunting for Easter eggs, celebrating Passover, shopping spring markets, running races and taking spring break road trips, there are about a zillion other things to do in April. Open up that calendar app and get clicking.
Falls Church Fitness Challenge
Prioritize your health all month long by participating in the Little City’s big activity. From April 1-30, complete mini challenges on the bingo-esque Fitness Challenge Passport to win prizes. Complete six and get a car magnet. Complete 32 to win a tote bag. The City of Falls Church is making it easy to get those stamps, too. Check out free fitness pop-up classes, plus on April 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., there’s a full-day movement event at Founders Row (110 Founders Ave., Falls Church) with classes in Zumba, high-intensity interval training, Pilates, barre and mobility. Local businesses and restaurants are getting in on the action, too, offering special deals. Find a list of participants here and more details here.
Field of Dreams with Producer Brian Frankish
If you host it, they will come. At least that’s the plan for this show at the Arlington Drafthouse on April 1, 7 p.m. Catch a screening of the 1989 baseball movie—apropos, given that the MLB’s 2026 season just started—and go inside baseball on the making of it with producer Brian Frankish. Tickets are $30. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Dog Man: The Musical at Capital One Hall
Fans of Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel series will get to see Dog Man, Petey and all their friends take on Flippy the cyborg fish as he and his Beasty Buildings threaten the city. This show is best for kids ages 6 and older. See it April 3, 5:30 p.m., or April 4, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
McLean Community Center Spring Fest
The seasons are changing, and McLean is here for it. On April 4, 10 a.m.-noon, welcome warmer weather with spring-themed arts and crafts, entertainment, and a photo op with the Easter Bunny. Free. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Learn about the notorious Supreme Court justice’s incredible life journey, from being one of only nine women studying law at Harvard to becoming a formidable champion of women’s and civil rights—and holding a plank well into her 80s. Showtime is April 5, 8 p.m. Tickets begin at $42. Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Pizza-Making at Timber Pizza
No school April 6 means an Easter Monday activity at this McLean pizzeria. Mini chefs-in-training can take a pizza-making class from 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35. 8100 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Southern Accents at The State Theatre
This group of Nashville musicians emulate the late Tom Petty’s music, style and sound. “The result is pure entertainment and songs so dedicated and true to the originals that you’d swear music history was being made all over again right before your eyes and ears,” according to the website. See and hear for yourself April 10, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $18. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Bold New Voices Festival at Creative Cauldron
Show up for a series of professionally staged readings and help Creative Cauldron stuff choose the final selection for the 2026-27 “Bold New Voices” production. This initiative supports the development of new plays or musicals written by women and underserved voices. The festival runs April 11-May 9 on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a $1 minimum. 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Art Blooms at Mosaic
Highlights of this annual festival—presented in collaboration with the National Cherry Blossom Festival—include a market of more than 100 vendors, live performances, spring-themed selfie stations, and 60-plus vendors selling fresh produce and snacks. Check it out April 11-12, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
National Chamber Ensemble Presents Musical Gems of Ecuador: A Violinist’s Journey
Jorge Saade, one of Ecuador’s most acclaimed performers, will play violin in the classical traditions of Latin America on April 11, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 ($25 for students). Marymount University Ballston Auditorium, 1000 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Elizabeth & The Catapult at Jammin Java
Brooklyn-based singer Elizabeth Ziman is releasing her newest album, Responsible Friend, on April 3. It focuses on care, grief and showing up for others, a reflection of her own response to how emotions are processed. She’ll perform songs from the new album April 13, 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $22. 227 Maple Ave., E., Vienna
Micky Dolenz at The Barns at Wolf Trap
Hey, hey, he was a Monkee, and he’s celebrating 60 years of the band with two performances April 15-16, 8 p.m. He’ll play some of the biggest hits, including I’m a Believer and Daydream Believer, and tell stories from life on the road. Tickets begin at about $100. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna
Spring Artful Weekend 2026
The Arlington Artists Alliance will host its annual spring art fair at Fort C.F. Smith Park on April 17-19 (see website for times). Admire the work of more than 40 alliance members. The opening reception is April 17, 6-8 p.m. Hendry House, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington (Woodmont)
Arlington Bunny Hop 5K
Pound the pavement for about 3 miles and then enjoy the block party afterward all while raising money for local charities on April 18, 8 a.m. Runners of all ages welcome. Registration is $50 or $25 for ages 6-17. Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Clarendon FitFest 2026
Take to the streets of Clarendon on April 18, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., for fitness-focused fun. Free and open to the public, the event will feature live fitness demos every hours, interactive activities and a Pacers 5K run. Demos include a yoga sesh with Spenga Ballston, barre from Barre3, pilates fusion from Life Time Fitness, and strength and mobility from Method Fitness, which just happens to be a Best of Arlington 2026 winner. Mason Square Plaza, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington
Columbia Pike Artist Studios Open Studios
Check out the work of 21 Columbia Pike Artist Studios members April 18-19, 2-5 p.m. Pieces will include paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and mixed media, and the artists will be there to talk about their process. The event is free and open to the public. 932 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
The Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week
Whether you’ve got a green thumb or are green with envy over a beautiful garden, find inspo at this 30th annual event. From April 18-25, the owners of nearly 130 of Virginia’s most beautiful private homes and gardens will open their doors to the public in the form of 29 tours. Each stops at three to five properties, some of which are in walking distance from one another and others require a drive. In that case, shuttle transportation is available. Local tours include Fairfax County and Old Town Alexandria Tickets are $25-$75 or $15 for children ages 5-17. Proceeds go toward restoration and preservation of historic public gardens and graduate-level research.
The Shape of a Gift (선물의 모습) at Friends Artspace
Friends Artspace, a small gallery in a repurposed Arlington garage, welcomes this exhibit by Youngmin Lee from April 18-June 6. She is a Korean-born, California-based textile artist who is an expert in the tradition of bojagi, the Korean wrapping cloth used to hold precious objects, household items and gifts. The works are hand-stitched from recycled and scrap materials and then assembled through an intuitive, improvised process rather than a fixed pattern. 2400 N. Edgewood St., Arlington (Woodmont)
Arlington Philharmonic Chamber Music Festival
On April 19, 2-6 p.m., the Arlington Philharmonic, Arlington Black History Museum and Arlington Historical Society will partner to present a free performance by a string ensemble playing works by African-American composers. It will be paired with storytelling that recounts Arlington’s rich African-American history. Bennett Park Art Atrium, 1601 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Arlington Reads: Francis Lam
Journalist Francis Lam and former Washington Post food critic, Tom Sietsema, will talk about cookbooks through the ages at this free Arlington Reads event April 21, 6:30-8 p.m. Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Earth Day Community Cleanup in National Landing
Keep National Landing beautiful. On April 22, 10 a.m.-noon, meet at Water Park to get cleanup materials and instructions. Then, explore the neighborhood while collecting litter and beautifying the public spaces. Stick around for light refreshments at Water Bar afterward. All ages are welcome and registration is required. 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Bansy at The Renegade
The DMV-based band of pals has been performing together since 2012. At the show April 24, 9:30 p.m., expect a setlist that covers a range of artists, including Chappel Roan, Taylor Swift, Weezer and Queen. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts
The juried art show takes over Clarendon on April 25-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Stroll along and ooh and aah at sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography, mixed-media, painting and more. New this year is a Craft Marketplace, where about 30 artisans and more than 100 fine artists will showcase their work. Washington Boulevard from Clarendon Boulevard to North Garfield Street and on North Highland Street from Washington Boulevard to 11th Street, North (Clarendon)
Northern Virginia Indie Bookstore Day Crawl
As part of Independent Bookstore Day on April 25, One More Page Books and Fonts Books & Gifts will join with more than a dozen local stores by offering fun activities and prizes. Fonts Books, 6262 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, and One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)
Earth Day Every Day Festival
The Langston Boulevard Alliance hosts the fifth annual family-friendly festival and Earth Day celebration April 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Taking over the Lee Heights Shops, it will have live music, kids’ activities, an arts market, and local food and drink vendors. 4500-4550 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington
Tiffany Haddish Live at the Arlington Drafthouse
Emmy-, Grammy- and NCAAP Image Award-winner Tiffany Haddish brings her hilarity to Arlington in this one-woman show. Performances are April 30-May 2, 7 or 9:30 p.m. (See website.) Tickets are $60. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Sarah Glenn Marsh at One More Page Books
On April 30, 7 p.m., the Richmond author talks about her first adult novel, Our Rogue Fates, a male/male romantic fantasy. She’ll be in conversation with local romance author Chip Pons. Free. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)
2026 SOLOS Exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
James Stephen Terrell is one of four artists to win the museum’s 2026 SOLOS exhibitions program. A D.C. native, he uses paint and media to create collages aimed at transporting admirers to another world. See his work at MoCA Arlington through May 31. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)