New York International Music Festival

April 5-9

Each year, high school and college bands, orchestras, and choirs are invited to audition for a coveted spot at Carnegie Hall for the New York International Music Festival. The six best high school groups and two best university ensembles will make the cut — and all young musicians involved will advance their musical educations along the way. They’ll also create lasting memories for themselves and their families as they take one of NYC’s most legendary stages by storm. Gold, silver, and bronze awards will be granted based on performance level by a panel of expert judges, but really, everyone wins at this festival.

iNDIEPLAZA at Rockefeller Center

April 12

For the fourth consecutive year, Rockefeller Center and independent record store Rough Trade are teaming up to celebrate Record Store Day by hosting iNDIEPLAZA at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The day-long music festival includes a rocking lineup of artists, crafts, shopping, and food and drink, and all ages are welcome. Start the day shopping for records at Rough Trade from 9 am onward, and expect performances to kick off at noon. Tickets are free and the event is open to the public, but it’s recommended to RSVP in advance; this year’s vendor and entertainment lineup is the biggest one yet.

Earth Day

April 22

While urban living can sometimes feel removed from nature, life in the concrete jungle reminds us how precious our green spaces really are. Earth Day is a chance to both celebrate planet Earth and do our part to keep her clean. From beekeeping at Queens Farm to shopping for sustainable products at the Earth Love Eco Bazaar on the Upper West Side, New Yorkers can give back in a variety of ways this year. And all the eco-friendly fun isn’t limited to just one day: On April 17, the Earth Day Festival will bring environmental non-profits, performances, and workshops to Union Square, and an Earth Day 5K Fun Run kicks off at Randall’s Island Park on April 19.

Cherry Blossom Season

All month long

Though their presence in the city is often fleeting, the advent of cherry blossoms throughout the five boroughs always creates spring fever. Head to Riverside Park’s Cherry Walk, where you can stroll among the fragrant trees planted from 100th to 125th street, or follow this map of Central Park to see where flowers can be found. Across the river, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Esplanade is on “cherry watch,” with regular bloom updates to help plan your visit and tours available to learn about the season’s highlights.

In the Bronx, avid fans can track trees’ flowering status using the New York Botanical Garden’s bloom trackers. In Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park will be in bloom near the Unisphere, and Queens Botanical Garden boasts its own Cherry Circle. Not to be outdone, Staten Island’s Silver Lake Park and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanic Garden have bright blooms to admire as well. At Snug Harbor, visitors can also experience the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, one of only two authentic outdoor Chinese gardens in the United States.