Spring is here, no really it is. Since there’s still too much snow to get out and start working in the yard, why not enjoy some of these family friendly events in the Twin Cities this April!

Events in the Twin Cities this April

Immersive Disney Animation
When: April 3rd – June 18th, 2023
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace
1517 NE Central Avenue
Mpls, MN

Lighthouse Immersive, North America’s top creator of
experiential projection exhibitions (including The Original Immersive Van Gogh)
is collaborating with the Creative Legacy team of Walt Disney Animation
Studios, creators of iconic animated stories for all ages for nearly a century.
Together, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Lighthouse Immersive will present
the music and artistry within Disney Animation’s canon of films – from hits of
today like Encanto, Zootopia, and Frozen; to the classics including The Lion King,
Peter Pan, and Pinocchio.

Surrounded by the worlds, music and stories of Disney
Animation, audiences can step into the magic and artistry of beloved Disney
characters and become one with them.

Circus Trains Month
When: April 3rd – April 30th, 2023 (Fridays – Mondays)
Where: Twin City Model Railroad Museum
668 Transfer Rd, Suite 8
St. Paul, MN

Circus trains began in the 1870s, by replacing the shows that moved by slow animal-drawn wagons. Over the years these trains grew in length as the train cars switched from wood to steel construction. Circus trains typically consisted of three types of cars: large animal cars, flat cars loaded with colorful wagons and passenger cars for the workers and performers. They were usually found in the train in that order. Circus cars were generally longer than normal freight cars because the railroads charged by the car & mile. They were painted very colorful to attract attention. The greatest number of circus trains operated between 1920 and 1950. Over those years many merged and others went broke.

Our O-Scale train was inspired by the “Circus World Museum” in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The museum has a very large collection of train cars, wagons, events, and other circus collections for you to see. Our train features models of many of these wagons faithfully modeled in O-Scale. O-Scale works out to 1 to 48 and ¼” equals 1 foot.

Our Circus Train reenacts this operation on our large O-scale layout with an operating Circus Train, several displays and a Parade staged in one of our towns.

Bakken Museum Book Club
When: April 5th, 2023
Where: The Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Ave S
Mpls, MN

Join us at The Bakken Museum for a book club unlike any other. We will spend four Wednesday evenings (April 5, 12, 19, 26) diving into Sandeep Jauhar’s Heart: A History. Engage with concepts discussed in the literature through rare books and artifacts presented by The Bakken Museum’s curators. A paperback copy of the book is included in the cost of registration.

Farmers Market at Union Depot
When: April 5th, 2023
Where: Union Depot 214 4th St. E.
St. Paul, MN

The Saint Paul Farmers’ Market will be popping up at Union Depot each month on the first Wednesday. Grab a friend and shop fresh favorites!
Come get lunch from food vendors, grab a recipe card with directions using items from our vendors and support local.
Other activities include a thematic photo op, themed coloring stations and spin-the-wheel for prizes!
This is a free event to attend and will be held outside Union Depot on the North Plaza. In case of inclement weather, market will move inside the Head House near Station 81 Restaurant.

Story Time with Lynne
When: April 5th, 2023
Where: Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia
20880 Olinda Trail North
Scandia, MN

Join us for a FREE drop-in storytime in the Valkhommen Hus that is open to all children!
Gammelgarden’s Director, Lynne Moratzka, will read stories to children that are either set in Sweden, written by Swedish authors, about immigrants, and/or about early life in Minnesota.
Parents/caregivers are asked to stay with their children.

Easter Egg Hunt
When: April 8th, 2023
Where: James J Hill House
240 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN

Put on your best Easter attire and hop over to the James J. Hill House! The annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place promptly at 10:30 am, with doors opening at 10 am.

After the egg scramble, stick around for all-day family fun including:

A performance by Dan and the Invisible Band at 11 am
Easter basket decoration
Scavenger hunt
Victorian-era kids crafts
An Easter bonnets photo station
Easter-theme temporary tattoo station
And so much more!
Easter baskets are available for egg hunt participants to take, but feel free to bring your own.

Tickets are required for both children and adults. Children under 2 are free but require a free ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

New Vintage Days at Winehaven
When: April 13 – 16th, 2023
Where: Winehaven Winery
10020 Deer Garden Lane
Chisago City, MN

Be the first to try these new wines from Winehaven’s 2022 grape harvest! During this special event, the new 2022 vintage will be released, and a special flight of all the new wines will be available including:

2022 Itasca – Made from the University of Minnesota’s new winter hardy Itasca grape, this wine delivers aromas and flavors of vibrant tropical fruit. Itasca pairs well with seafood, poultry, white meats, and dishes with cream sauce!

2022 Edelweiss – This unique wine is made from the winter-hardy Edelweiss grape. It’s a dry wine that offers aromas of tropical fruits including pineapple and citrus. Try it with fish, chicken, Asian stir-fry, and Caribbean jerk-seasoned dishes.

2022 LaCrescent – Made from the University of Minnesota’s winter-hardy LaCrescent grape, this wine delivers delightful fruity aromas and flavors. A crisp, delicious finish makes LaCrescent an excellent choice with fish and poultry.

2022 Franconia – Made from the new winter hardy Franconia grape that was developed at Winehaven, this lush wine is bursting with blackberry and raspberry notes that flow into an intense floral palate. This wine is wonderful with cheeses, beef and pasta dishes.

2022 Deer Garden Red – Chisago is Winehaven’s first patented grape that is known for its unique combination of outstanding wine quality, vigor and winter hardiness. The wine is pleasingly sweet with intense flavors of cherry and plum.

Live Music at Saint Croix Vineyards – Alex Tulp
When: April 15th, 2023
Where: Saint Croix Vineyards
6428 Manning Avenue North
Stillwater, MN

Outside (weather permit) or next door at Aamodt’s Apple Barn/Thor’s Hard Cider
Every Saturday this winter/spring there will be live music onsite.
Stop in at the winery (red barn) for a glass of wine to enjoy with the live music. No entry fee!

Goat Fest
When: April 15th, 2023
Where: Schram Haus Brewery
3700 Chaska Blvd
Chaska, MN

It’s that time of year again! Come out to The Haus for a day of our Haus-made craft beers and unique, yearly Bock release, enticing food trucks, toe-tapping music by Traveled Ground, beer poking, and of course, GOATS!! Formerly known as Bockfest, Schram Haus’ Goat Fest (yes, Greatest. Of. All. Time.) is ready to supply the fun all day long. We’ll have goat races, goat cuddling, and goat picture opportunities, t-shirt cannon launches, exciting beer poking, and new merch to collect. Check-in begins at 12 pm, the crowd favorite Traveled Ground band will play from 2 pm-6 pm, goat races will occur at multiple times, and all other great offerings will be available throughout the day. Though Goat Fest’s official hours are from 12 pm-6 pm, Schram Haus Brewery will stay open until its usual 10 pm closing time that night, so the celebrations can continue into the evening! Adults and kids alike are welcome to join in the festivities, but please leave your furry friends at home and pet the goats instead!

May Markets
When: April 29 & 30th, 2023
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN

Stroll through the Arboretum’s captivating spring blooms while shopping from up to 60 local artists and artisans during the weekends in May. Check out your favorite sellers from past years and discover new ones.