April 2025 Can't-Miss Events

Spring is in full swing in Winston-Salem. April brings longer days, colorful adventures, and a fresh lineup of events—ranging from captivating theatre performances and inspiring art exhibits to one of the Southeast's premier film festivals. This month also welcomes back several warm-weather favorites, including Dash baseball, Bowman Gray racing, and the Arts District's lively monthly block party, Art Crush. Keep reading for details on nearly two dozen can't-miss events happening this April.

April 3-6
Little Theatre: Unnecessary Farce. The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem presents this award-winning, fast-paced comedy that blends classic farce with a modern twist. All performances will be at Hanesbrands Theatre (251 N. Spruce St.). Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., while Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17. Shows will also be held the final weekend of March (28-30).

April 5
Spring at Bethabara: Create, Cultivate, Celebrate. Historic Bethabara Park welcomes spring with an afternoon full of family-friendly fun. Highlights include colonial games, scavenger hunts,  Easter egg coloring, historic trade demonstrations, nature hikes, guided tours of the grounds, and more. Admission is free! 1:30-4:30 p.m.

April 5
WS Symphony Pops Series: The Music of Tina Turner. Get ready to experience a symphony concert like never before as the electrifying music of Tina Turner comes alive on stage. From the soulful “What’s Love Got to Do with It” to the empowering anthem “Simply the Best,” and the timeless “Proud Mary,” this concert promises an unforgettable journey through Turner’s greatest hits. The concert will be held at Reynolds Auditorium. Tickets start at $10. 7 p.m.

April 5-6
Brick Convention - LEGO Fan Event. LEGO fans, unite! Brick Convention is the ultimate event for LEGO fans of all ages. Enjoy hands-on play areas, games, life-size LEGO models, and more. Attractions include jaw-dropping LEGO creations, meet-and-greets with pro artists, and vendors selling everything from new sets to rare and retired LEGO. Tickets are $17, and all sessions are expected to sell out, so don't wait! There are four sessions total — two each day. Morning sessions run 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; afternoon sessions are 2–5 p.m. 

April 8
Face to Face Speaker Forum: John Legend. 7:30. Wake Forest's Face to Face season concludes this month at LJVM Coliseum with John Legend. He is a critically acclaimed, multiplatinum singer-songwriter and the first African American man to earn an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards). Legend leverages his influential position in the entertainment industry to advocate for various causes, including ending mass incarceration and advancing community equity. 

April 12
Spring Vintage Market at Körner’s Folly. Körner’s Folly in Kernersville hosts its annual Spring Vintage Market on the front lawn of the historic house museum. Browse over 45 vendors offering handmade wares, vintage clothing, jewelry, retro finds, and locally produced goods—including upcycled art, homemade sweets, gourmet sauces, and artisan products. Enjoy food trucks and coffee while you shop. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

April 4-5
Carolina Thunderbirds Hockey. The Carolina Thunderbirds, Winston-Salem's hometown hockey team, wrap up their season this month home games against the Port Huron Prowlers. Friday's game begins at 7:30 p.m. while Saturday games begin at 6 p.m.

April 6
CraftHalf Half Marathon & 5K. Celebrate North Carolina’s booming craft beer scene during this premier distance race and block party unfolding along downtown’s Fourth Street, adjacent to Foothills Brewpub.  Races will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a block party starting in the early afternoon.

April 8-13
Winston-Salem Dash Season-Opening Homestand. Baseball returns in a big way this month as the Winston-Salem Dash hold their first homestand of the 2025 season at award-winning Truist Stadium. The Dash will play a six-game series against Greensboro Grasshoppers, with special promos scheduled for every night. This includes Pups in the Park/Thirsty Thursday on April 10; Fireworks Friday, April 11; and Minecraft Movie Night + Fireworks, April 12. All games this month begin at 6:30 p.m. except Sunday (2 p.m.)

April 11-19
RiverRun International Film Festival. Celebrating 27 years in 2025, this Academy Award-qualifying festival showcases a narrative, documentary, and short films from all genres. In 2019, USA Today named RiverRun as one of the nation's "Top 10 Film Festivals Worth Traveling For." 

April 12
NCMA 2nd Saturday: Family Art Activities. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Create, explore, and be inspired at NCMA 2nd Saturday: Family Art Activities at the NC Museum of Art Winston-Salem. This free, hands-on event invites families to craft their own artwork each month, drawing inspiration from current exhibitions. In April, try your hand at making clay vases while enjoying complimentary museum admission on the second Saturday.

April 12
Kaleideum After Dark: Ink & Imagination. Enjoy a night of creativity and grown-up fun at Kaleideum's monthly After Dark event. Each month features a different theme: April's theme explores the art of tattoos, with a playful twist. Design your own temporary tattoos in the Try It! Studio. Or, if you prefer a longer-lasting version, both Buena Henna and The Painted Panda will be on site with their talents. In addition, there will be live music, karaoke in the Digital Dome, food, and other hands-on activities. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door, and include two drink vouchers, with a full bar and food options available. 6:30–9:30 p.m.

April 18
Art Crush 2025. The Downtown Arts District's signature block party event returns this month. Enjoy a mix of street vendors, live entertainment, kids' activities, and extended gallery hours shopping for unique, handmade gifts from local artists. Art Crush is a monthly event held every third Friday from April to December in the Arts District, primarily around the intersection of Sixth and Trade Streets.

April 19
Bowman Gray Racing Season Opener. Fresh off the NASCAR Clash, the 77th season of racing at NASCAR’s legendary “Madhouse” gets underway April 19 with a 200-lap modified race and 40-lap sportsman race. Races will continue each Saturday night through late August. Gates open at 6 p.m., and races begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $2 kids (ages 6-11), and free for kids 5 and under. For an insider’s look at attending a race, check out our Bowman Gray Racing Guide. 

April 19
NCMA Crossroads Concert: Dom Flemons. NCMA Winston-Salem’s Crossroads Concert series welcomes one of America's most accomplished folk artists, Don Flemons, known as The American Songster®. A GRAMMY Award-winning musician and co-founder of the groundbreaking Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons masterfully blends folk, country, and blues traditions. The concert will be held in NCMA's Dunn Auditorium. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 7 p.m.

April 20
Old Salem Easter Sunrise. Held annually in Old Salem's graveyard (God's Acre), this springtime spectacle is the nation’s largest and longest-running Easter sunrise service, dating back to 1772. The service begins shortly before dawn outside of Home Moravian Church in Old Salem before proceeding to God's Acre. 6 a.m.

April 24-27
UNCSA presents Spring Dance. UNC School of the Arts' annual Spring Dance offers an unforgettable evening for dance enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Enjoy a dazzling program of new works and reimagined classics, featuring choreography by UNCSA School of Dance faculty. All shows will be held at Freedman Theatre on the UNCSA campus (1533 S. Main Street). 

April 24-27
Little Theatre: Feeding Beatrice. Winner of the Steinberg Award for Best New Play, Feeding Beatrice blends suspense and social commentary in a chilling tale of family secrets that refuse to stay buried. Tickets start at $17. All shows will be at Hanesbrands Theatre in downtown Winston-Salem. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.;  Sunday, 2 p.m.

April 26
Southern Charm at the Farm. Tanglewood Park is hosting the spring Southern Charm at the Farm, a popular semi-annual vendor market. Now in its 10th year, the event features over 150 artisan vendors selling everything from apparel and bakery to ceramics and woodworks. There will also be live music and multiple food vendors. $5 entry fee per person; held rain or shine. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

April 26
Piedmont Earth Day Fair. The biggest Earth Day gathering in North Carolina, this admission-free event is held annually at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. Enjoy food, music, kids activities, and eco-friendly exhibitors.10 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Throughout the Month (various dates) 

Concerts at the Ramkat. Downtown’s biggest music venue will welcome several regional and national headliners in April. Big-ticket shows include Grateful Dead tribute Cosmic Charlie, April 5; dynamic rock band Silverada, April 10; energetic folk-pop band Judah & the Lion, April 11; and ascending country artist Ella Langley, April 30. The Ramkat will also host Comicade 2025, a huge comics and collectibles show, on April 13. See all upcoming events and purchase tickets on the Ramkat's events page here.

Reynolda Exhibit: Andrew Wyeth at Kuerner Farm. On display throughout the month, Reynolda's spring exhibit spotlights rare works from one of the most popular American artists of the 20th century, Andrew Wyeth. Admission is included with entrance to Reynolda; $18 adults; free from children, college students, teachers, veterans, and more. The exhibit is on display until May 25.

NCMA Exhibit: Internal Review: Staff Exhibition. This engaging exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art highlights the artistic works of dozens of NCMA team members, spanning genres and mediums. It's on display now through May 18 and is included with admission to NCMA: $8 adults, $6 students, seniors, military, free for kids 17 and under.

NCMA Exhibit: David LaChapelle: Dear Sonja. NCMA's other headline exhibit this spring is a striking retrospective on famed international photographer David LaChapelle. A UNCSA graduate, LaChapelle is celebrated for his bold, surreal photography and iconic staged tableaux. Dear Sonja, on display through July 20, features over 80 works spanning four decades. On April 10, Maya Brooks, Associate Curator at NCMA, will lead a special Curator Tour, exploring LaChapelle's creative process, artistic evolution, and lasting impact.

Taste of Art at Sawtooth. These popular one-night workshops let guests spend a few hours creating art to take home. Multiple classes are scheduled every Friday in April, all taught by local artists, and several Saturday workshops are also planned. Most Taste of Art classes are held at the Sawtooth School downtown (251 N. Spruce Street), though some weekday classes are at Sawtooth's secondary studio at The Generations Center (114 W. 30th Street). Classes are held in various mediums including glass, ceramics, jewelry, fibers, and more.

Want more April events?  Check out our Events Calendar to see more local happenings.