Lucky you. You just found WStoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Winston-Salem each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Festivals + Fairs
Phuzz Phest 2026 | Thursday, April 9-Saturday, April 11 | 3 p.m.-12 a.m. | Downtown Winston-Salem | $56+ | Celebrate the music festival’s return after a 10-year hiatus and discover new and emerging artists, who might become your favorites. Listen to 40+ bands across various venues downtown.
RiverRun International Film Festival | Friday, April 17-Saturday, April 25 | Multiple venues | $14+ | Choose from 178 film showings from 47 countries on the big screen. Selections range from heartfelt coming-of-age tales and powerful documentaries to quirky comedies and Oscar-qualifying shorts.
Piedmont Earth Day Fair 2026 | Saturday, April 18 | 10-12 a.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds | Free | Don’t miss North Carolina’s largest Earth Day celebration, featuring 120+ exhibitors and live demonstrations on sustainability.
Dream Asia Food Festival 2026 | Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26 | 7-11 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds | $13+ | Watch K-pop performances, try out new and trendy food combos, shop merch, and enjoy plenty of interactive activities and kids’ games.
Comicade 2026 | Sunday, April 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Ramkat | $5 | Shop vintage comics, video games, toys, and watch live demonstrations.
Active + Wellness
2026 Sunset Salutations: April | Thursday, April 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Bailey Park | Free | Bring your yoga mat, a water bottle, and comfortable workout gear, and kick off the first outdoor yoga of the season.
Fitness Fridays: Outdoor Workout Sesh | Friday, April 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Synergy | $5 | This community workout brings the heat and energy with indoor spin and outdoor yoga on the patio. Plus, stay after for a sweet treat from the Cafe Gelato pop-up.
2026 Mutt Strut | Saturday, April 25 | 9 a.m. | Tanglewood Park, Clemmons | $30+ | Bring your pup for a walk, job, or run in support of the Forsyth Humane Society.
For the fam
2026 Dash Baseball Opening Day | Tuesday, April 7 | 11 a.m. | Truist Stadium | $7+ | Don’t miss the start of the season with fresh plays, try new food combos, and cheer on the Carolina Peppers.
Art in the Park: Cardboard Illustrations | Saturday, April 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Washington Park | Free | Use repurposed cardboard to share memories and experiences through imagery and text during this hands-on guided experience.
Clemmons Community Mural | Saturday, April 18 + Sunday, April 26 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jerry Long YMCA, Clemmons | Free | Place your mark on Clemmons’ first-ever community mural. Painting supplies will be provided.
Cricket’s Nest 50th Anniversary Bash | Saturday, April 25 | 1-4 p.m. | Southfork Community Center | Free | Enjoy refreshments, meet local artisans, and watch live demonstrations.
Outdoor movie
Innovation & Cinema: “Top Gun” | Friday, April 10 | 7-10 p.m. | Bailey Park | Free | Bring a blanket or a low-backed chair and watch the action-packed movie to kick off the first outdoor movie of the season. Food trucks will be on site.
Seasonal events
Annual Trade Street Mystery Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 4 | 12-5 p.m. | North Trade Street | Free | Mystery lies in the streets of the Art District — find eggs and uncover surprises like candy, discount codes, and cash.
Easter EGGstravaganza + Photo with the Easter Bunny | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Smith Hollow Farm, Kernersville | $17 | Embark on an egg hunt, hop on hayrides, get crafty with Easter eggs, and have a field day at the farm.
254th Easter Sunrise Service | Sunday, April 5 | 6:15 a.m. | Salem Square + Virtual | Free | Don’t miss one of Winston-Salem’s oldest Easter traditions with hymns and choir sounds.
Easter Sunrise at the Gardens | 6:45 a.m. | Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens, Kernersville | Free | Spend a reflective time as you watch the sunrise and celebrate Easter in community.
Blooms and Brews: Celebrating 15 years | Saturday, April 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, Kernersville | Free | Shop during the plant sale, sip on local pours, and enjoy lawn games. Plus, you’ll get to vote for your favorite anniversary postcard design.
Maya Angelou Garden Party 2026 | Sunday, April 12 | 2-4 p.m. | Bailey Park | Free | Honor Maya Angelou by celebrating through storytelling, art, and live music. Attendees can also opt to share their spoken words during the event.
Winston-Salem Garden Tour: In Full Bloom | Saturday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Garden Club Council | $45+ | This beloved springtime tradition brings locals together as they walk through the blooming gardens and learn about garden transformation.
We were inspired by @ausir9 to capture the beauty from South Main Street ourselves.
@wisemanbeer via Instagram
Live music + concerts
2026 Spring Jam | Saturday, April 11 | 2-10 p.m. | Wise Man Brewing | Free | Indie rock tunes, The Masters on the screens, putters in hand, and vintage shopping in between sets? Say less.
Third Street Soundwaves | Thursday, April 16 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Downtown Winston-Salem | Free | The outdoor concert will feature Ears to the Ground, a local band known for its rock and roll rhythm.
Evening in the Atrium: Freeport Jazz | Thursday, April 16 | 5-7 p.m. | 500 W. Fifth St. Building | Free | Spend a cozy evening with a four-member jazz band as they deliver harmonious, soulful sounds.
Carnival of Courage | Saturday, April 18 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Brendle Recital Hall, Wake Forest University | Free | Hear the sound of the triumphant finale of Beethoven’s “Heroic” Symphony No. 3 after a composition of his early work, presented by the Triad Area Medical Orchestra.
Phil Wickham: Song Of The Saints Tour | Saturday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | LJVM Coliseum | $24+ | The big-time Christian artist will perform crowd favorites like “House of the Lord,” “Hymn of Heaven,” and new songs from his most recent album.
Theater
Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical | Wednesday, April 8-Sunday, April 12 | Times vary | Scales Fine Arts Center, Wake Forest University | $20 | The Tony-award-winning musical delves into the contradictory nature of being a contemporary American family — its rawness, messiness, and hope.
Tonight’s Special Comedy Special | Saturday, April 11 | 8 p.m. | Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts | $15+ | Spruce up your evening plans with the comedy show, which features improv, music, and rotating stand-up each month.
Winston-Salem Theater Alliance: A Chorus Line | Friday, April 17-Sunday, April 26 | Times vary | Ihrie Theatre, | $25 | Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking show, which explores the realities of professional Broadway performers.
Try something new
The Lab: Experiment 025 | Monday, April 6 | 8 p.m. | The Ramkat | Pay-what-you-can | Get a groove in this experimental space for underground and emerging artists showcasing their work.
Field Trip: West Salem Art Hotel | Thursday, April 9 | 6-7 p.m. | West Salem Art Hotel | Free | The art museum is taking the learning outside — take a tour of the artful lodging space, learn its history, and explore what makes it unique.
Kaleideum After Dark (21+): Flower Power | Saturday, April 11 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Kaleideum | $20+ | Bring on the ‘70s era vibes and dive into crafting your own wildflower bouquet, dancing, or making a tie-dye masterpiece.
Makers Market: The Alley of Arts | Saturday, April 11-Saturday, April 25 | 12-4 p.m. | 205 W. 6th St. | Cost of purchase | Shop from over 100 local and regional artists at this weekly pop-up market, plus enjoy live music and treats as you stroll through the Art District.
Bloom & Bite: Paint, Sip & Savor | Sunday, April 12 | 2-4 p.m. | Cafe Lilly, Clemmons | Enjoy appetizers from LeanBack Soulfood and beverages from Cafe Lilly while you use watercolor kits to create your artwork.
Camel City Supper Club: Fusion Cuisine | Sunday, April 12 | 5 p.m. | Easy Tiger Beer Garden | Free | Bring a dish to share, whether it’s bulgogi tacos, corned beef samosas, or spaghetti. sip on drinks and make new connections.
Trade Street Farmers Market | Sunday, April 12 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Art District | Free | Hang out, grab a bite, and stroll through the art district as you explore products from 30 regional farmers.
Crafternoon: Book Magnets | Monday, April 20 | 4-5 p.m. | Bookmarks | $18 | Get your creative juices flowing with a book-themed craft project, inspired by a craft from Kanlin Butler’s Bookish Crafts.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.