15 Can’t-Miss Events in the Sacramento Area This April

April marks the first full month of the spring season. The weather is warming, the flowers are blooming, and locals are finding every excuse they can to celebrate the end of winter! This month, it will be easy to join in the festivities. Sacramento’s calendar is absolutely packed with fun cultural, food-related, family-friendly and sporty events, ranging from art festivals to 5ks! We rounded up 15 of the events we are most looking forward to, so grab your calendar and get ready to make this a month to remember.

Art, Culture + Community

Photography Month Sacramento

When: All month long
Where: Various locations (see website for details)

Get ready for Sacramento’s first ever photography month — a region-wide celebration of photography meant to bring people together! All month long, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in fun events including receptions, art walks, exhibits, lectures, field trips, workshops and more. Check the event page for more information.

The Kings & Queens of Poetry

When: April 5, 8-10 pm
Where: Laughs Unlimited, Sacramento

This event will showcase some of Northern California’s most talented and powerful poets at Laughs Unlimited! You’ll enjoy performances from 10 local poets for just $10 per person.

ArtFest 2018

When: April 7 & 8, 10 am-5 pm and 10 am-3 pm
Where: The High Hand Gallery, Loomis

Come on down to the High Hand Art Gallery for the 5th annual ArtFest. The festival will feature more than 50 artists from all over the region providing live demonstrations, as well as live music and classes, and it’s all completely free.

ArtMix | Atomic Soul

When: April 12, 6-9:30 pm
Where: The Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento

In honor of the spring season, ArtMix at the Crocker Museum will offer soul-stirring live performances from Sacramento’s best soul and funk bands, line dancing lessons, fun and funky art, and music sets from a local DJ! While you’re joining in the fun, sip on $6 drinks to your heart’s content.

Sacramento Earth Day

When: April 22, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Southside Park, Sacramento

Come celebrate Mother Nature at this sustainable and celebratory festival! Approximately 150 businesses and organizations will be doling out helpful information, and providing goods and services to assist locals in living a healthier, greener life. There will also be fun activities for the entire family to enjoy, including live music, interactive games and a kids’ play area. Admission is completely free!

Foodie Events

Sacramento Food Film Festival 2018

When: April 11-21, Times Vary
Where: Various Locations

Photo courtesy of Erin Alderson via the Food Literacy Center

Foodies and film-critics alike will love this annual event, which is based in sustainability and supporting local businesses! The Food Literacy Center seeks to educate the public about our food system so we can work collaboratively to create positive change.

The festival includes events throughout the week at various locations, such as the Opening Night Film Screening at Lucca Restaurant & Bar, which includes a screening of Wasted! The Story of Food Waste and a multi course meal that will be served during the film. We’re also looking forward to Saturday Night Shorts, which will feature an all-star cast of local chefs pairing bites with short food films! All proceeds benefit the Food Literacy Center.

Bockbierfest 2018

When: April 13th & 14th
Where: Turn Verein, Sacramento

Don your lederhosen and grab your stein because this beer festival will celebrate the best traditions of Germany! Enjoy authentic Bockbier, live polka music and a large variety of delicious German bites. There will also be traditional dances, and a grand opening ceremony with a flag march and keg tapping.

Heroes vs. Villains Bar Crawl

When: April 14, 3-11 pm
Where: Mango’s, Sacramento

Think carefully before you pick an outfit for this local bar crawl, because with a great costume comes great responsibility. Dress up as your favorite superhero (or supervillain) and hop from bar to bar. A ticket will earn you a signature bar crawl cup, a welcome drink and drink specials throughout the evening.

Sacramento Grilled Cheese Weekend

When: April 14-15, times vary
Where: Southside Park, Sacramento

Sweet dreams are made of cheese, and our dreams are about to come true at this tasty event! The weekend kicks off with a grilled cheese and craft beer pairing, which will feature some of the region’s best restaurants and breweries. Then on Sunday, enjoy an all-ages festival complete with inflatables for the kids, local vendors, live music performances, a 21+ gaming zone, and (of course) plenty of grilled cheese. Come hungry!

The 7th Annual Beer and Chili Festival

When: April 21, 1-5 pm
Where: Roosevelt Park, Sacramento

Two of California’s favorites, chili and beer, will collide at this flavorful festival! Locals who think their chili is worth a taste can submit their best recipes to be enjoyed alongside samples from local breweries. The chili will be judged by a panel of three to five judges, and four winners will be crowned! Enjoy a perfect day in the park and a delicious meal with the family. All proceeds benefit 4 R Friends, a local nonprofit that provides live-saving emergency care for stray, abandoned and shelter pets.

The Passport Wine Adventure with El Dorado Winery

When: April 21-22 & April 28-29, Times vary
Where: Various locations

Photo courtesy of El Dorado Wine Country

It’s no secret that our region boasts some of the most renowned wineries in the country. Now you have the chance to sip and savor the best of them alongside perfectly paired bites, live music and a bounty of other experiences at more than 20 participating wineries throughout El Dorado County.

Family-Friendly Events

Sol Kids Day

When: April 8, 2 pm
Where: The Sol Collective, Sacramento

On the second Sunday of every month, families have the opportunities to engage in a day of cultural arts, crafts and music. Sol Kids Day (hosted at the Sol Collective) provides different hands-on activities and live performances to enrich the lives of your little ones. And as if that wasn’t enough, there is also a gently used toy and clothing exchange that allows families to recycle some supplies!

The Festival of Dreams

When: April 14, 10 am-4 pm
Where: The Grounds, Roseville

The entire family is bound to enjoy this mystical day of storytelling, adventures, crafting, dress up and delicious food. Bring the kids to meet their favorite storybook characters, engage in a training session at the Padawan Pavillion, or sip tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Little princesses can visit the Royal Salon for a makeover, and aspiring superheroes will love the tumbling lessons at the Hall of Heroes.

Hui o’Hawaii of Sacramento Luau

When: April 28, 4-9 pm
Where: The Ben Ali Shrine Center, Sacramento

You don’t have to book a flight to Hawaii to experience a Luau! Don your flower lei and come join in the fun at this family-friendly event featuring live music, an authentic Hawaiian dinner and traditional dance performances.

Sports

Credit Union SacTown Run | 10-Mile, 5k & Miracle Mile

When: April 8, 7:30-11:30 am
Where: The Capitol Building, Sacramento

Test your running legs in this local 5K, 10K and mile-long race, which will wind through the streets of downtown Sacramento. The flat, fast course starts and finishes at the California State Capitol, and will conclude with a fun celebration. It’s one of the most popular spring races in the region!

Enjoy!

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