It’s April, and while the temperatures might only be getting a little warmer, Madison is really heating up when it comes to things to do. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, executive producer Hayley Sperling, host Bianca Martin, and yours truly had a lot to talk about when it comes to the best things to see, do, and eat in our fair city.
And we were just getting warmed up. Here’s a few more ways to shower your April with things to do.
🎥 Festival Fever!
The fever of anticipation is building for Madison movie fans as the 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival kicks off Thursday and runs for eight days. Operations director Ben Reiser talked on the podcast about how strong the early reaction has been, and how many screenings sold out of advance tickets.
But there’s still plenty of opportunities for last-minute buyers to enjoy the festival.You can probably walk up to the big Barrymore Theatre and buy tickets to a movie, such as an indie throuple comedy or a documentary about Japanese Packers fans.
The UW Line Breaks Hip Hop Theater Festival is one of the largest hip hop performance festivals in the Midwest, celebrating the work of student-artists in the First Wave program and attracting national talent to collaborate with them. This year’s fest kicks off April 4 with author Hanif Abdurraqib, and also includes an exploration of hip hop’s roots on April 9, and the hip hop performance showcase on April 11 and 12.
The Wisconsin Book Festival is bringing two high-profile authors to town in April. Colm Toibin will talk about his new novel “Long Island,” the sequel to “Brooklyn,” April 16 in the Capitol Theater. And Abraham Verghese will talk about his new novel “The Covenant of Water” with author Rebecca Makkai (“The Great Believers”) at the festival’s “Lunch for Libraries” fundraiser on April 29.
👟 Get Outside!
In a sure sign that spring is here, the Dane County Farmers Market will move back out onto the Capitol Square on April 12. And lace up those shoes for the 43rd Annual Crazylegs Classic on April 26. Race through the heart of Madison in either the 8K run, the 8K wheelchair race, or the 2-mile walk.
🎸 Catch Some Tunes!
There’s some big shows coming through town in April. Instrumental rock band Explosions in the Sky play The Sylvee on April 5, while indie rockers Bright Eyes bring ‘00s angst on April 3, and Iron & Wine brings gorgeous folk-rock to the Orpheum Theater on April 22.
And if you want some comedy mixed in with your tunes, comedian Paul F. Tompkins brings his variety show “Varietopia” with some secret special guests to the Barrymore Theatre on April 25.
