Top 5 NYC Events Worth Taking the Jitney For — April 2026

From Easter on Fifth to cherry blossoms, culture and can’t-miss shows in NYC, here are our SPARK picks for April 2026.


Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival — Fifth Avenue, NYC
Sunday, April 5, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

A true New York classic. Every Easter, Fifth Avenue fills with over-the-top bonnets, spring style and plenty of personality. The tradition dates back to the 1870s and was immortalized by Irving Berlin—with a boost from Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. Make a bonnet or bring a camera—this is NYC at its most festive (and fabulously eccentric).


Cherry Blossoms in Central Park — Peak Bloom Incoming
Now–mid-April

Cherry Blossoms in Central Park, NYC. Photo by Angela LaGreca

Cherry blossoms are starting to bloom across Central Park, with early Okame trees already in flower and iconic Yoshino and Kanzan blooms just days away. Prime time for a stroll, run or picnic—track what’s blooming now and where to catch peak views next. Want to know where the cherry blossoms will bloom next? Check out the Cherry Blossom tracker map, here.


Gotta Dance! Returns Off-Broadway — A Broadway Choreography Celebration
Gotta Dance! – Stage 42

Now playing through spring | Opening night: March 31

RJ Higton and Company, Deanna Doyle in Gotta Dance! Photo by Christopher Duggan

A crowd-pleasing tribute to Broadway and Hollywood dance returns Off-Broadway. Gotta Dance!—co-directed by Nikki Feirt Atkins and Randy Skinner—is back for an encore run following its limited engagement at Theatre at St. Jean’s with the York Theatre Company.
The high-energy revue celebrates iconic choreography with recreated numbers from West Side Story, White Christmas and Singin’ in the Rain. Music director Eugene Gwozdz leads a live orchestra. Pure entertainment—we loved it.


Raphael at The Metropolitan Museum of Art — A Must-See Exhibition
Through June 28

Raphael exhibit at the Met, NYC

Now open and already drawing rave reviews, this is the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition dedicated to Raphael. Expect masterful drawings and paintings from one of the greats of the Italian Renaissance. See what the buzz is about.


New York International Auto Show 2026 — Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
April 3–12, 2026

International Auto Show at the Javitz Center, NYC April 3-12, 2026

North America’s longest-running auto show returns with a four-level showcase of the latest 2026–2027 vehicles, cutting-edge concept cars and next-gen EVs from top global brands. A must for car lovers and design obsessives alike.
Hours: Mon.–Thu., 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (open Easter Sunday)