10 free things to do in Boston in April

While we certainly had our fair share of fake spring this year, the real spring has finally sprung. There are plenty of activities throughout the city to enjoy our warming weather. From marathons to musicians, Japanese festivals to energetic parades, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy all the city has to offer. Here are 10 things to do in Boston for free this April.

While street performers entertain year-round, April’s warmer weather definitely ramps up their show frequency, most of which take place between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Expect to see stunts, musical acts, breakdancing, magicians, and acrobats. (1 South Market St., Boston)

All ages are welcome at the Friends of the Faneuil Library’s annual spring poetry reading and open mic event on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come share your favorite poem, read one you’ve written yourself, or just sit and enjoy the poetry that’s read aloud by your fellow poets. Fuel up on a few slices of pizza and browse the book sale at 12:30 p.m. (419 Faneuil St., Brighton)

Not ready to say goodbye to winter? You can still take a few more spins around the ice during one of the free public skating afternoons held at DCR-managed ice rinks. Strap on your own blades (or rent them for $5) and practice your salchow at EHO in Charlestown, Steriti in the North End, Devine in Dorchester, Murphy in South Boston, Bajko in Hyde Park, and Reilly in Brighton until April 13. (Various locations, Boston)

Whether you’re picking up your Boston Marathon number or you just want to check out the latest in fitness finds, the huge 128th Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo takes place this year at the Hynes Convention Center on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 19 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and April 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free Expo is open not just for race participants but also for friends and fans, and will feature an Adidas store, as well as opportunities to learn about (and grab swag from) official Boston Marathon sponsors and licensees. Panel topics include AI in running, motherhood and marathoning, Boston Marathon history, and more. (900 Boylston St., Boston)

The Arnold Arboretum’s beautiful cherry blossoms make the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of enjoying Japanese culture. On April 19, there will be taiko drumming with Okaido New England, traditional Japanese dance by the Showa Boston Institute, Japanese games and calligraphy, and family activities, as well as the opportunity to get the inside scoop on the Arboretum’s own cherry collection from assistant curator Miles Sax. The event takes place on the grass in the Bradley Rosaceous Collection and begins at 2 p.m., with performances from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. (125 Arborway, Boston)

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, so you can expect more events than usual this year and bigger (in some cases, much bigger) reenactments. Observed annually on the third Monday of April on Massachusetts’ very own holiday — Patriots Day — it will be held this year on April 21 to commemorate the events that marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. From live reenactments of battles and Paul Revere’s ride to festive parades, the majority of events will take place the weekend of April 19 throughout Boston’s North End, as well as in other locations outside of the city such as Lexington, Arlington, and Concord. In Boston, the Patriots Day Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on April 21 at City Hall with a short flag-raising ceremony and stops at King’s Chapel Burying Ground to lay a wreath on the tomb of Major William Dawes, before continuing to Granary Burying Ground to present a wreath at the grave of Paul Revere. (Various locations, Boston)

Held every year on Patriots Day, the famous Boston Marathon, taking place this year on April 21, brings 30,000 competitors to the 26-mile route from Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. Find a spot along the route to cheer on the runners, such as the notoriously difficult Heartbreak Hill. You can watch and cheer from anywhere along the route. (Various locations, Boston)

While 2025’s Earth Day is April 22, you can gather with like-minded planet lovers on April 25 at 10 a.m. and April 26 at noon for the great Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. The local activity builds on a national effort of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup, which has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Boston’s cleanup brings together more than 3,000 volunteers each year to pick up litter, remove invasive species and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, you’re encouraged to bring your own pair of gloves, while trash bags, picker-uppers, and other cleanup materials will be supplied. Register here. (Various locations along the Charles River, Boston)

Japan Festival Boston takes over the historic Boston Common on April 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a full day of celebrating the beautiful culture. You’ll enjoy traditional and modern cultural performers (both local and touring), as well as cultural events, cosplay stage actors, and food vendors with bites of tasty Japanese cuisine. In 2012, the first Japan Festival Boston was hosted, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Tokyo to Washington D.C., and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. (139 Tremont St., Boston)

The 29th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston returns to Boston on April 27, as the streets from Boylston to Charles Street become filled with revelry of all kinds. The parade route returns to Boylston where nearly 100 registered Hellenic groups and Honorary Grand Marshals, including Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu and Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, come together to celebrate the culture with Greek music, dancing, and food at the Boston Common immediately following the parade. (139 Tremont St., Boston)