Ring in spring with these standout seasonal events happening in Manhattan this month. We’ve narrowed down our picks to the top four worth visiting. It’s not spring without the beautiful bloom of cherry blossoms, and the best place to see it is on Randall’s Island. There are also two festivals worth visiting this month. The first is the Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center: the first of its kind specifically for children with autism; and the second is the Spring Family Fair at The Morgan Library & Museum. Finally, don’t miss the recurring Butterfly Conservatory on display at the American Museum of Natural History through the end of May.
Sakura Season
Welcome the spring season and celebrate Japanese culture at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Randall’s Island Park. There will be lots of paper flower making, face painting, kite flying, yo-yo balloon fishing, origami, kimono try-ons, crafts, games, and more. Expect performances from J.D. Patch Band, NY Suwa Taiko Drumming, and Taisan Tanaka Calligraphy, too. April 21, 12-4pm. Age: All. FREE. Randall’s Island Park, Fields 62/63. randallsisland.org.
A First-Of-Its-Kind Festival!
The Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center is the world’s first month-long festival dedicated to performing arts programs for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Over the course of five weeks, there will be a wide range of experiences, including three original interactive theater productions, as well as relaxed performances across the LC campus. There will also be a symposium and various professional development opportunities for artists, arts professionals, and presenters interested in creating a learning community around neurodiversity and the arts. April 14-May 6, see website for times. Age: All. See website for ticketed event prices. Lincoln Center, Broadway and 65th Street. bigumbrellafestival.org.
The Morgan Library & Museum
The museum is home to the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan and has expanded to include rare artifacts, books, music manuscripts, and more for visitors to see. Besides concerts, lectures, films, tours, and gallery talks, the museum hosts family programming, such as Morgan Explorers, which is a drop-in experience with hands-on activities to learn more about the library.
Visit it: 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill; 212-685-0008; themorgan.org
Can’t-miss event: Spring Family Fair on April 15, 2-4:30pm
American Museum of Natural History
As one of the world’s leading scientific and cultural institutions, the American Museum of Natural History offers a plethora of kid-friendly, educational exhibits to learn about dinosaurs, animals, fossils, space, and human origins. View the Titanosaur—a 122-foot-long dinosaur—on display in the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Orientation Center, or take part in a self-guided tour throughout the museum.
Visit it: Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side; 212-769-5100; amnh.org
Can’t-miss event: Butterfly Conservatory through May 28, daily, 10am-5:45pm
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Main image: There’s no prettier way to celebrate spring than by viewing Japanese cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, at Randall’s Island.
Courtesy Randall’s Island Park Alliance
