Spring has sprung, and there’s a lot to do in Madison in April! Here are 10 of our picks:

Most event descriptions are taken directly from the venue or event web pages.


An Evening with Audra McDonald
Overture Center
April 4, 2026; 7:30 PM
Join us for an intimate evening with Audra and her pianist in Overture Hall. The Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner stands alone as one of the most celebrated performers of our time. From her iconic Broadway roles in “Carousel,” “Ragtime” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” to her acclaimed performances on television and film, including “The Gilded Age” and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” McDonald’s remarkable range and emotional depth continue to captivate audiences worldwide. 

Lady Disdain (Forward Theater Company)
Overture Center
April 9, 2026 - April 26, 2026; showtimes vary
A wildly successful romantasy series needs the best of the best to voice its audiobooks. Who better, alas, than exes Bea and Ben? Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” gets a makeover—and Beatrice and Benedick a do-over—in this fierce and sexy comedy about the hottest books on the market and standing up for those you love—including yourself.


Wisconsin Film Festival
Multiple Venues
April 9-16
The Wisconsin Film Festival is an annual spring event in Madison that showcases a diverse lineup of independent, international, and student films, along with special screenings and filmmaker discussions across venues in the city.

2000’s Party
Majestic Theatre
April 10, 2026; 9 PM
Experience a nostalgic blast from the past at “It’s A 2000s Party,” coming to Madison! This electrifying event celebrates the iconic 2000s era, featuring the decade’s biggest hits across pop, hip-hop, and rock genres. Embrace the Y2K fashion and culture as you dance the night away to tunes from Britney Spears, Eminem, and more. Don’t miss this chance to relive the unforgettable 2000s vibes in a night filled with music, style, and nostalgia. Get your tickets for an unforgettable journey back to the early 2000s!

Dane County Farmer’s Market
Wisconsin State Capitol Square
Saturdays, 6:15 AM-1:45 PM, starting April 11
The largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country on the Capitol Square on Saturday mornings during the warmer months.

Riverdance 30: The New Generation
Overture Center
April 14, 2026 - April 16, 2026; 7:30 PM
This spectacular, special 30th Anniversary tour rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state-of-the-art lighting, projection, and motion graphics. And for the first time, “Riverdance” welcomes “The New Generation” of performers, all of whom were not born when the show began 30 years ago. 
 

Much Ado About Nothing (University Theater)
Ronald E. Mitchell Theater (Vilas Hall, UW Campus)
April 16, 2026 - April 26, 2026; showtimes vary
The quintessential romantic comedy. Sparks fly when the mutually disdainful Beatrice and Benedick engage in their war of words against marriage and each other.
Against the backdrop of the impending wedding of young lovers Hero and Claudio, the friends of Beatrice and Benedick scheme to bring the sharp-tongued antagonists into a “mountain of affection.” Deception, reversals, and outright villainy threaten to ruin the nuptials, but love triumphs over all with wit, merriment, and charm.

Midwest Horse Fair
Alliant Energy Center
April 17, 2026 - April 19, 2026
The Midwest Horse Fair is one of the largest equestrian events in the country, held annually at the Alliant Energy Center and featuring horse shows, educational clinics, vendor exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment.
 

Crazylegs
Library Mall, Camp Randall Stadium
April 25, 2026; 9:50 AM
The Crazylegs Classic is a popular annual spring run/walk in Madison that brings thousands of participants on a scenic route from the Capitol Square to Camp Randall Stadium, celebrating community, fitness, and Badger spirit.
 

Band of Horses
The Sylvee
April 27, 2026; 8 PM
There might be no other band that was able to channel the generational anxiety in those early millennial years and turn it into such powerful and inclusive art quite like Band of Horses. Band of Horses fashioned gorgeously ragged epics, Ben Bridwell’s high-flying vocals and eccentric enunciation floating like a specter that felt like a prelude to a dream. Full of profundity, truth, and sometimes just homespun advice on how to live, Band of Horses songs have become anthems and touchstones for fans — meditations on change, longing, and what a person will do to make things right. And what you do when you can’t.

There’s always more happening around Madison than what you see here, so definitely check out the Isthmus Event Calendar or Destination Madison for more ideas that you can add to your Madison itinerary, whether you’re here for a visit or planning a staycation.

And if you’re planning a staycation, why not choose The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club? With our central location, and close proximity to many of Madison’s popular points of interest, our hotel offers cozy guest rooms and many amenities during your stay here.