15 Things to Do in St. Louis This April

Looking for things to do in St. Louis this April? We’ve got activities for everyone, from noteworthy art exhibitions to physical challenges and a wedding expo to Earth Day celebrations.

With the start of baseball season, the sports scene in St. Louis continues to heat up, as well. If you’re a fan, snag tickets to see one – or all – of our professional sports teams play in rip-roaring competitions in between these other events.

Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape

March 25 to June 25

Offering a fresh view of two of the most experimental painters of the 20th century, Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape is the first exhibition in the U.S. to examine the complex dialogue between the work of French impressionist Claude Monet and American abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell. The exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum will present 24 paintings, 12 by each artist. Often monumental in scale and overwhelming in impact, these artworks highlight the fascination both painters had for expansive, panoramic formats.

Skeleton Crew

March 29 to April 16

Set in Detroit during the Great Recession, Skeleton Crew focuses on an automotive plant that’s on the brink of closure and the impact that the uncertainty has on the workers. Tensions rise when an employee who worked on the line for a long time gets promoted to a supervisor position. His co-workers – his friends – expect him to tell them what’s happening, and he gets caught between his loyalty to them and his new responsibilities as management. The Black Rep will perform Dominique Morisseau’s play at the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA.

GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend

April 1 and 2

The GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend brings the area’s favorite running tradition to the city streets, historic landmarks and beautiful parks of our unique neighborhoods, from downtown to Forest Park. On April 1 and 2, the 23rd annual Marathon Weekend will include races and festivities for everyone in the family, including a marathon relay, 5k and kids’ fun run.

What the Constitution Means to Me

April 6 to 23

Opening the 2023 season of Max & Louie Productions, What the Constitution Means to Me, a highly impactful and timely memoir by Heidi Schreck, will run from April 6 to 23 at The Marcelle. Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the U.S., and What the Constitution Means to Me is inspired by the prompt that she received on those tours: Draw a personal connection between your life and the Constitution. Actor Michelle Hand brilliantly resurrects Schreck’s teenage self and expertly portrays her present self to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women in her family and the founding document that shaped their lives, digging into its beauty, aspirations, contradictions and failures. The boundary-breaking play breathes new life into the Constitution of the United States, imagining how it will shape the next generation of Americans.

Gateway Blues Festival

April 7

The 2023 Blues Is Alright Tour returns to Stifel Theatre on April 7 for the 15th Annual Gateway Blues Festival. The groovy evening will feature performances by Tucka James, known for his swagger, style and charming voice; Pokey Bear, who started as a rapper but transitioned into the blues-Southern soul genre; Calvin Richardson, who started singing at a young age in a Gospel act called The Willing Wonders; R&B artist King George; singer-songwriter J-Wonn; and Ronnie “RnB” Bell, a church-reared independent R&B singer.

Soccer City

April 8, 2023 to February 18, 2024

The inaugural season of St. Louis CITY SC is well underway, and with it comes the Missouri Historical Society’s newest exhibition, Soccer City. Unlike most U.S. cities, St. Louis has cultivated a unique, homegrown soccer culture, and the region has gained a reputation as the country’s first soccer capital. Soccer City, on view at the Missouri History Museum starting on April 8, will present stunning graphics, compelling films and interesting artifacts that tell the story of a major metropolis, a dynamic sport and the personalities that propelled St. Louis to the competitive forefront.

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

April 10 to 16

Showcasing the artistic achievements of veterans from across the country, the 42nd National Veterans Creative Arts Festival will be held in St. Louis from April 10 to 16. During the festival, veterans will present their creative work, from art to poetry and dance to music. A coinciding exhibition of 50 gold medal-winning artworks will also be on view at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum from April 1 to 30.

Wicked

April 12 to May 7

So much happened before Dorothy dropped into the Land of Oz. Wicked, the Broadway sensation, tells the story of another young, smart, fiery, misunderstood woman, born with emerald green skin, who possesses an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships – until the world begins describing one as “good” and one as “wicked.” From the electrifying opening to the breathtaking finale, Wicked transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. A complete triumph, the musical will make you laugh, cry and think.

Vintage Market Days of St. Louis

April 14 to 16

Held twice a year in the St. Louis area, Vintage Market Days is an upscale, vintage-inspired market, featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, home décor, outdoor furnishings, seasonal plantings and yummy foodstuffs. The spring market will take place at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, where you can shop ’til you drop. There will be more than 100 vendors, plus snacks and live music.

Earth Day Organic Wine Tasting

April 21

Raise a glass to Mother Earth at vomFASS in Maplewood. This year, the specialty store is celebrating Earth Day with an organic wine tasting. Sommelier Eric Reed of Ionia Atlantic Imports will pour samples from five bottles of wine – both red and white – while explaining the criteria for organic wine, biodynamic wine, dry farming and more. Along with the wine samples, attendees can nibble on an individual charcuterie board throughout the event. Tickets are $25 a person – and selling fast.

Enchanted Evening

April 22

Hear ye, hear ye! Aspiring princes and princesses are cordially invited to the Royal Ball at The Magic House on April 22. Guests can meet their favorite storybook characters and pose for pictures with them in the museum. Enjoy pastries and apple juice at a tea party with Princess Tiana, watch the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming come to life, travel through the Children’s China exhibition with Mulan and dance the night away with Belle. Little ones can also create their own crowns and tiaras during the enchanted evening.

St. Louis Earth Day Festival

April 22 and 23

The St. Louis Earth Day Festival is a community tradition. At the two-day event, guests learn about sustainable products and services offered by area businesses and organizations, including 4 Hands Brewing Co., Alpacas of Troy, Baetje Farms, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum, Kakao Chocolate, Schlafly Beer, Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. and the World Bird Sanctuary. You can also meet local nonprofits, such as the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, which share Earth Day values, and try local restaurants, such as Salt + Smoke, which comprise the Green Dining Alliance – all while enjoying live entertainment. Whether you come for the activities, the food or the music, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival will leave you feeling inspired by the real progress being made to preserve our planet.

Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo

April 23

Turn your dream wedding into a reality at the Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo. At the massive exhibition in America’s Center Convention Complex, you can find the perfect dress, venue, photographer, florist, band, honeymoon destination and more. Whether you envision a formal black-tie affair or a casual barefoot ceremony, the expo’s carefully curated experts are ready and willing to help you create timeless memories. The selection of wedding professionals can offer advice on everything from bridal registry to dance lessons, catering to favors and photo booths to videographers. During the event, expect bridal fashion shows, DJ demonstrations, cash prizes and exciting giveaways, as well.

Lizzo

April 25

“If you love me, you love all of me.” The winner of four Grammy Awards and one Primetime Emmy Award, Lizzo will bring The Special 2our to Enterprise Center on April 25. Showcasing her many talents, the performance has been described as part variety show spectacle and part megachurch empowerment retreat. Lizzo awes audiences with everything from powerhouse singing to flute playing and motivational speaking to choreo slaying, and it would be remiss of us not to tell you to get your tickets today.

Tough Mudder

April 29 and 30

Tough Mudder, the global leader in obstacle course adventures, will host an event at World Wide Technology Raceway on April 29 and 30. The world’s premier endurance event will offer an action-packed weekend of muddy challenges across 5k, 10k and 15k courses. The multifaceted adventure competition joins a stellar calendar of WWTR events in 2023, including the NASCAR Cup Series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals, Formula Drift and the new SpeedTour Grand Prix Festival for the TransAm Series.