April showers are said to bring May flowers, but in Richland County, it’s a downpour of happenings and events this month! Our calendar is bursting with excitement – you won’t want to miss out on any of these phenomenal experiences.
Grab a drink, explore our vibrant event lineup, and plan some memorable outings. Better yet, bring your friends along and make it an April to remember!
Start your adventure off with the Ohio Solar Eclipse (April 6-8) events all over town. Plan ahead for the annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend (April 26-28) that is perfect for families and nature lovers. Visit Malabar Farm’s Spring Plowing Days (April 27-28) where you can learn about the ongoing operations of a working farm along with fun demonstrations that include a horse pull and walking plow contests.
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The Ohio Total Eclipse
Pick the perfect spot to view this historic experience. Catch the eclipse at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory for Eclipse in the Yard with iHeart Radio, featuring food trucks and self-guided tours, or head to the Richland County Fairgrounds for OHclipse, complete with a full music lineup and camping options. Don’t miss Eclipsed at the Estate at Kingwood Center Gardens for educational fun at the estate, along with dozens more events across the area. Hangout on the slopes and tailgate in the parking lot for the Eclipse Viewing Party at Snow Trails.
Everything you need for the Ohio Total Eclipse is on our dedicated page—from April 8th events to prime viewing spots, accommodation choices, and safety tips. Ensure you’re prepared for this unparalleled event!
Learn Something New
Kingwood Center offers Botany for Gardeners starting April 3, Cooking with Herbs (April 11), and Landscape Inspirations- a Kingwood Symposium (April 13) – the focus will be on the Country Place Era when Americans sought to emulate the formal gardens of Europe.
Discover Johnny Appleseed’s legacy through the Historic Byway Traveling Exhibit, available from April 19th through May 12th at Kingwood Center. Celebrate his life and his love for nature at this exhibit, showcasing his impact on American culture and the region’s development.
Take advantage of local artistic events where you can make a Mini Planter at 3rd Cup Tea (April 7), learn Fabric Art Needle Felting (April 13) at Alpaca Meadows and learn Nature Doodling (April 20) at Malabar Farm State Park with a demonstration that shows how to create line drawings inspired by nature. This class is recommended for adults. Advance sign-up is required.
Mohican Wildlife Weekend offers an exciting blend of fun and learning across Richland and Ashland counties’ parks and attractions. Dive into the event calendar, kicking off with a keynote by Gail Laux, founder of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. The weekend is packed with activities: boating bird tours on Clearfork Reservoir, Warren Rupp Observatory planetarium shows, children’s crafts, storytime, hands-on animal encounters, and more. Pre-registration is needed for some events so make sure to explore all the offerings so you don’t miss out!
Theater, Art & Live Music
Mansfield Art Center presents Peculiar Beauty: Nature Examined during April. The museum is transformed into a strange landscape of otherworldly art. This exhibition takes an unusual view of the intrinsic beauty of nature through varying scales of installation, paintings that evoke moods and reflection, sustainability, and sculptures from the earth.
iLuminate has been named “The BEST NEW ACT in America!” during their run on America’s Got Talent in 2011 and are bringing their act to the Renaissance Theatre on April 5th. iLuminate is the brainchild of Miral Kotb, where dancers don electrified glow-in-the-dark suits to perform dynamic routines and illusions on a darkened stage.
MY Theatre presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) April 12-14 at Theatre 166. First televised in 1957 with Julie Andrews, the play enchanted audiences and made history. The stage adaptation brings warmth and humor to the beloved fairy tale, delighting both children and adults. This Enchanted Edition draws inspiration from the 1997 teleplay.
The Kings of Queen (April 13) will perform at the Renaissance Theatre as one of the top Queen tribute bands. Lead vocalist Emo Alaeddin bears a striking resemblance to Freddie Mercury and his vocal tone and range are unparalleled. The Kings of Queens’ commitment to work with only the finest musicians and vocalists in the industry and to never use backing tracks distinguishes them from other Queen tributes.
The 39 Steps (April 19, 20, 26, 27, 28) at Mansfield Playhouse is a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python for a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!
The Teddy Bear Concert: The Emperor’s New Clothes (April 28) at the Renaissance Theatre introduces children between the ages of 2-10 to the magic of theatre. This performance will feature live musicians from the Mansfield Symphony performing popular and classical selections along with an interactive puppet retelling of the Emperor’s New Clothes with professional actors.
The live music scene heats up with First Friday Live, hosted by Downtown Mansfield. Check out the Live Entertainment page for a full listing of live music throughout April.
Other Events
Other notable events include a Gun Show and Sports Card Show at the Richland County Fairgrounds (April 20), Live Pro Wrestling: ASWA Spring Sting 2024 (April 20) at Malabar School Gymnasium, and Beauty Con 2024 (April 23) at DLX that celebrates Stylist Appreciation Day through hair, fashion and beauty.
Ghost hunters will love the ghost walks offered at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. A two-hour-long nighttime tour is offered on April 12th and 26th. Participants will hear paranormal stories and glean information about the prison. A Mini Ghost Hunt (April 12th) is also offered that allow guests to walk the range of the world’s tallest free-standing cell block, the East Cell Block, visit the Chapel, West Attic, West Cell Block, Solitary Confinement, and Administration for an in-the-dark, eerie experience.
Fun for the Family
We have plenty of fun activities for the family too! Explore the Buckeye Imagination Museum, Richland Carrousel Park and Ohio Bird Sanctuary (don’t forget the Mohican Wildlife Weekend).
Visit Kingwood Center on the First Monday (April 1) of the month for free admission. Little ones will enjoy the Peacock Playhouse, Storybook Trail, feeding the ducks and searching for the resident peacocks.
Calendar of Events
For the most up-to-date event listings, live music, and other community events, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com. Are you hosting a public event? Add it to our “Submit an Event” section of the calendar.