Spring has sprung: April events in Madison

Check out these 30 events going on this month to help you get the most out of spring.

Food Fight Against Hunger
Throughout April Food Fight restaurants are teaming up with Second Harvest of Southern Wisconsin to donate proceeds from select items at each restaurant. For every $10 donated, 25 meals can be made for local families, with the goal to have money for 60,000 meals by the end of April. All month, Food Fight Restaurants

Trans Weekend of Visibility
Giant Jones Brewing Co. is hosting two events over the weekend to celebrate Madison’s trans community. Trans artist Rae Senarghi will hold the opening night of his newest artwork Friday and on Saturday trans comedian Dina Nina will host a comedy hour to round out the weekend. April 1-2, Giant Jones Brewing Co.

Randy Rainbow: The Pink Glasses Tour
Known best for his political satire, Randy Rainbow is coming to Madison for a “GAY, GAY, GAY” show. Rainbow will be joined by musicians on stage to take his musical comedy live. 6:30 p.m., April 1, The Orpheum

Chelsea Cutler
On tour for her newest album “When I Close My Eyes,” Cutler continues to grow her popularity after dropping out of college to pursue music. She will perform at venues like Lollapalooza later this year, so take your chance to see her in Madison while you can. 6:30 p.m., April 1, The Sylvee

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles
RAIN aims to bring the greatest hits of the “Abbey Road” album to life on stage. The band, who looks stunningly like the original group, puts on a family friendly show with some of the most iconic music of the last century. 8 p.m., April 1, Overture Center for the Arts

STOMP
STOMP, the percussion group known worldwide for their unconventional instruments, is coming to Madison to make music on matchboxes, wooden poles and garbage cans for your entertainment. The show has been updated to include new routines that incorporate props like a tractor tire. April 1-3, Overture Center for the Arts

Whose Live Anyway?
The brilliant minds behind “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” are in Madison for a live show with the current cast members. Expect 90 minutes of laughs and songs, all based on audience member suggestions. 8 p.m., April 2, Overture Center for the Arts

The Crafty Fair
The Crafty Fair is back to showcase indie and traditional crafters handmade goods. Products offered will range from custom T-shirts, to mini ceramic mushrooms. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., April 3, Goodman Community Center

Ritt Momney
Ritt Momney (no, not the politician with a very similar name) is coming to Madison for a show at High Noon Saloon. Enjoy some up-and-coming indie pop, that you might just have heard on TikTok. 7 p.m., April 3, High Noon Saloon

Kishi Bashi
A mainstay on my road trip playlist, Kishi Bashi is on tour for the 10 year anniversary of his breakout album 151a. 7 p.m., April 4, The Majestic

Forward Madison returns
Forward Madison FC is back for its 2022 season, kicking off the home games with a matchup in the U.S. Open Cup, before the first true home game of the season against Union Omaha. 7 p.m., April 6 and 9, Breese Stevens Field

Wisconsin Film Festival
The festival, put on by UW–Madison, is back for its 23rd annual event since 1999, presenting about 150 films over eight days. Categories are incredibly diverse, from international cinema to short films created for kids. April 7-14

Madison Royal Princess Ball
If your kid wants to meet Cinderella, Beauty, the Frog Princess and more, then this royal ball is for you. Enjoy stage performances, dancing, stories and of course pictures with your favorite princess. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., April 9, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Bud Light Barstool Open 2022
The Wisconsin Distributers are at it again this year, with an annual mini golf tournament that donates all proceeds to charity. Fourteen bars are participating, plus a costume contest after the golf ends. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., April 9, The Double U

Miss Gay Capital City WI
FIVE Nightclub is putting on their annual Miss Gay WI pagent, crowning one queen at the end of the night to serve for a year. The night is sure to be packed, so reserve your table now to avoid the last-day rush. 5 p.m., April 10, FIVE Nightclub

UW Arboretum Night Walk: Sky Dance
This special night walk by the Arboretum will take you through the wilderness in an attempt to see wildlife. The local woodcock should be performing their mating ritual known as the “sky dance,” for viewers to watch on and appreciate. 7-8:30 p.m., April 16, Arboretum Visitor Center

4/20 with Canndigenous at Dark Horse Artbar
Canndigenous, a Wisconsin-based, Native American-owned hemp producer, is celebrating 4/20 at Dark Horse Artbar this year. Attendees can expect to sample CBD from Canndigenous’ Bud Bar, plus unique cocktails made with smoked hemp. There will also be pizza from Salvatore’s, live music and handmade jewelry from Indigenous artist Yelihwakanyehs Rodriguez. 6-8 p.m., April 20, Dark Horse Artbar

Royal Blood
Royal Blood has reunited with a new album that returns to their roots. Put on your dancing shoes, and enjoy the duo’s return to tour. 6:30 p.m., April 20, The Sylvee

Spring Wine Walk
Enjoy a pleasant night downtown with the Madison Spring Wine Walk, featuring shops and winemakers along the designated path. Registration includes a commemorative wine glass, market bag and wine samples. 4-10 p.m., April 21, Downtown Madison Visitors Center

Mess Night at the Museum
Enjoy dinner, drinks and a talk from Chris Sturdevant on his book, “Cold War Wisconsin” at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. 5:30-8 p.m., April 21, Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Canopy Understories opening day
The Madison Public Art Project is unveiling a new sculpture series on Earth Day. Artists Laura Richards and William Grant Turnbull will be at the opening to discuss their newest work. 1 p.m., April 22, UW-Arboretum Longenecker Gardens

UW Marching Band Concert
The UW Marching Band will put its annual concert on at the Kohl Center, tying an unofficial bow on the school year. Highlights for this year’s show include “Bohemian Wait for It,” “Country Classics,” and “The Music of Panic at the Disco.” 7:30 p.m., April 22-23, Kohl Center

Midwest Horse Fair
Held in Madison since 1979, this year’s horse fair promises to be bigger and better than ever. All proceeds from the fair are returned to the Wisconsin Horse Council to help grow and develop the industry. April 22-24, Alliant Energy Center

MadCity Ultras
The longest races in Madison are back this year, with a 100K, 50K run and a 50K relay. The race is a qualifier for the World Championships, which will be held in Germany in August. 8 a.m., August 23, Vilas Park Shelter

Ride Against Hate
Madison East High School is putting on a bike ride in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Decorate your bike and eat food cooked along the way as you pedal to the downtown library and back. 10 a.m., April 23, Madison East High School

Femmestival
Femmestival, established in 2020, “celebrates and uplifts womxn, femmes and nonbinary entrepreneurs, artists and producers.” Partnered with the Culinary Ladies Collective, the festival helps create a space of “economic inclusivity, equity and proliferation.” 11 a.m.-6 p.m., April 24, Garver Feed Mill

Bird & Nature Festival
Madison parks are putting on a festival to celebrate Earth and Arbor day. Check out the birds at the Open Door Bird Sanctuary, and visit nature displays throughout the day. 12-4 p.m., April 24, Warner Park

Roses and Rosé
Join this celebration of your personal wins, while networking with other Madison business owners and leaders. The event features a red carpet and open bar, plus a giveaway of a $550 art piece by Brooklyn Doby. 2-6 p.m., April 24, The Brink Lounge

The Tempest
Edgewood College theatre is putting on one of Shakespeare’s classic plays — a tale of magic, betrayal, love and much more. April 27-May 1, Edgewood College Atrium at the Stream

Afrique en Cirque
“Afrique en Cirque” features acrobats and musicians from Cirque Kalabanté, an Afro Fusion dance group out of Montreal. The performance combines traditional African arts with the modern circus performance. 7:30 p.m., April 29, Overture Center for the Arts

Crazylegs Classic
Over 12,000 participants will descend upon Madison again this year for the 8K run or 2-mile walk. Each runner will receive a T-shirt, plus the chance to end their run in the middle of Camp Randall. 9:50 a.m., April 30, Library Mall