Spring is finally here in Astoria. After far too many cold days, clear skies and warmer temperatures have arrived. With this much-needed shift in the weather comes a whole host of neighborhood events, activities, and happenings that will make you eager to finally leave the confines of your apartment and step out into the inviting spring air. Whether you’re into dining and drinking outside in the sun, shopping at street fairs and markets, or using a change in seasons as an excuse to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, our curated list of 12 spring activities has something for everyone. Find the one that’s right for you and don’t hesitate because it is finally time to end our winter hibernations.

Ditmars Restaurant Week

Celebrating some of the best of what Astoria’s diverse culinary scene has to offer, Ditmars Restaurant Week will be taking place from April 13 to April 26. Participating restaurants on and around Ditmars Boulevard will be serving up special menus and delicious deals to help celebrate our community and the food that plays such a vital role in it. If you want to be the first in the know about the latest updates and exclusive deals, you can sign up for the mailing list at ditmarsrestaurantweek.com. Or, you can just take a stroll down Ditmars with your friends, family, or partner on any day between the 13th and 26th and see which beloved local institution catches your eye. Patronizing these restaurants during this time specifically is a great way to support the businesses that help make Astoria what it is.

Ditmars Blvd I April 13-April 26 I ditmarsrestaurantweek.com

Saturday Morning Runs at Astoria Park

With the weather warming up, many people are starting to think about getting their beach bods ready for the summer months. There’s no better way to break a sweat, start working towards your goals, and break out your running shoes that have been collecting dust all winter than by participating in a weekly community-led 5K through our neighborhood’s premier park. Hosted by New York Road Runners (NYRR), these runs take place every Saturday in Astoria Park from 9am-12pm. It is a free program, and runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels are welcome. You will definitely feel better about the rest of your weekend if you start your Saturday morning off by getting some exercise with other members of your community.

Astoria Park I nyrr.org

Learn About Your Favorite Spring Cocktail at Tootles & French

Image Courtesy of Tootles and French

Calling all Campari lovers, Tootles & French is hosting a Negroni Workshop on April 12th for anyone who loves sipping on the famed, botanical cocktails once the seasons change. The event is led by Tootles & French’s Head Somm, Charlie Biscotto, and will give guests an opportunity to learn about their favorite cocktail. There will also be a guided tasting with a selection of craft gins, vermouths, and amari. At the end, you’ll be able to decide on the combination that best aligns with your own personal palate. As Tootles & French is known around the neighborhood for the informative, entertaining, and worthwhile classes and workshops, this is one event cocktail lovers surely won’t want to miss. Tickets are on sale now.

36-15 Ditmars Blvd I April 12 I 347.642.3012 I tootlesandfrench.com

Visit a Brand New Movie Theater Opening in the Neighborhood

Fans of Indie cinema in the neighborhood rejoiced when it was announced that the beloved moviehouse, Stuart Cinema and Cafe, is relocating from its Greenpoint location to our neck of the woods. Opening at the beginning of April, the cinema’s new home will be 37-18 Northern Boulevard, positioning it right near Regal UA Kaufman Astoria and the Museum of the Moving Image. The Cinema and Cafe was a historical addition to NYC when it opened in 2018 and became the city’s first Black Latina-owned movie theater. Now, their move offers them a chance to upgrade, as they are promising better seating, bigger screens, and a fully operational restaurant at their new location. For film fans in Astoria, find some time to take a break from the warm spring weather and step into the AC for a little while because this is one new business that you’ll definitely want to support.

37-18 Northern Blvd I 347.721.3777 I stuartcinema.com

Weekend Drinks and Bites at Bohemain Hall and Beer Garden

Every year, when the weather warms up, there is nothing Astorians love more than returning to our beloved beer garden to indulge in some mugs of beer and delicious outdoor dining. The oldest beer garden in all of NYC, Bohemian Hall is both a neighborhood staple and a shining example of Astoria’s rich cultural history. With its spacious, communal outdoor seating, it has been bringing locals together for decades, with no end in sight. So be sure to carve out some time in your schedule this spring to stop by for some drinks and some grub from the grill with friends and family. Those looking for a deal should look to their pitcher and bucket specials, as well as their $13 draft & shot deal.

29-19 24th Ave I 718.274.4925 I bohemianhall.com

JAPAN Fes on Steinway Street

2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of JAPAN Fes, New York’s biggest and most popular annual Japanese festival. This festival will be taking place throughout April in plenty of different neighborhoods across the five boroughs, but it comes to Astoria on April 26th, from 10am to 6pm.  Located on Steinway Street between Broadway and 34th Ave, there will be food, music, art, and a plethora of different vendors set up on the street. The festival’s goal is to celebrate and share Japanese culture throughout NYC and the rest of the world, and they will assuredly bring a beautiful and inclusive energy to our neighborhood. Don’t miss out!

Steinway St (Broadway – 34th Ave) I japanfes.com

6th Annual Jeff Michner Foundation BBQ Benefit at Pig Beach

The 6th annual Jeff Michner Foundation BBQ Benefit takes place on April 25th and offers Astorians the chance to support a good cause while indulging in outstanding barbecue. Put on in honor of Pig Beach’s Executive Chef, Jeff Michner, who passed away suddenly in 2018, the benefit’s proceeds are donated to supporting families managing grief and loss, as well as scholarship opportunities to graduating high school students with a love for cooking and golf, which were Jeff’s two biggest passions. The event will feature more than 25 indoor and outdoor food stations located all across Pig Beach’s massive space and helmed by some of the best barbecue chefs in the industry. Complimentary beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks will be available as well. Raffles, silent auctions, and a friendly competition to crown People’s Choice and Judges’ Best Bite of the Day will also be taking place. Children under 12 get in free, and tickets for everyone else are on sale now. It’s the perfect way to do good and eat good this spring all at the same time.

35-37 36th St I April 25 I 718.362.6111 I pigbeachnyc.com

Inaugural NYC Plant Market at Culture Lab LIC

NYC Plant Market has two goals: to reconnect New Yorkers with nature and to make green living accessible, sustainable, and rooted in local culture. That is why they are bringing together local plant shops, independent growers across the city, and small nurseries for a once-a-month celebration of urban greening. The first one ever will take place at Culture Lab LIC on April 19th from 1pm to 7pm. A long list of vendors have signed up for the inaugural market, and there will also be a community plant swap, a Rooted in Culture exhibition, and free repotting services. Though donations are encouraged, the entire event is free to attend. If you’re someone with a green thumb all year round, but especially in the spring, then this market was practically made for you.

5-25 46th Ave I April 19 I 347.808.0030 I nycplantmarket.com

Ice Cream Cocktail Mixology Class at Tipsy Scoop

Each year, the shift to warmer weather usually brings with it an uptick in the enjoyment of both cocktails and sweet, frozen treats. So, why not combine the two? That is the mindset at Tipsy Scoop, and at their mixology classes, you’ll learn how to make Instagram-worthy ice cream cocktails that are perfect for the spring and summer months. These classes also cover the company’s history and allow guests to sample limited-edition flavors. Every $65 ticket comes with a welcome drink, keepsake glass, and the two boozy creations you’ll learn how to make. Don’t worry if you’ve got a busy April calendar, because classes are offered Friday through Sunday every weekend throughout the month. It may just be the ultimate way to say goodbye to the cold and embrace the rejuvenation that comes with spring.

38-15 23rd Ave I 347.448.6788 I tipsyscoop.com

14th Annual Brisket King NYC

On Wednesday, April 29th, Brisket King NYC is returning to Pig Beach for their 14th annual celebration. Each year, dozens of chefs and restaurants come together to compete to see who has the best brisket, and you have a chance to help crown a champion. With a general admission ticket, you’ll get to try every piece of brisket from all the chefs set up around Pig Beach’s 28,000+ square foot space. After you wash it all down with samples of spirits, wine, craft beer, and hard cider, you can vote for the winner of this year’s Brisket King NYC People’s Choice award and await the results. It’s a great opportunity to get outside this month and try some of the best food you’ll ever have in NYC.

35-37 36th St I April 29 I 718.362.6111 I brisketking.com

80s-Themed Book Party at Heart of Gold

On April 9th, cherished neighborhood institutions Astoria Bookshop and Heart of Gold are coming together to host a book party for The Midnight Show, a new novel by Jennifer Thorne and Lee Kelly. The book, set in the 1980s, is a mystery about surviving as a funny woman in the male-dominated world of comedy, and what happens after one of the biggest stars of her generation disappears. To celebrate the release, there will be a party at Heart of Gold, where 80s-themed costumes are encouraged. Kelly and Thorne’s previous works include My Fair Frauds, The Antiquity Affair, and The Starlets. Their latest is described as an immersive page-turner. For Astorians interested in injecting some literary fun into their spring, you can RSVP for the party through Astoria Bookshop’s website.

37-14 31st Ave I April 9 I 718.255.1844 I astoriabookshop.com

Singalong With a Cinema Classic at MoMI

As nice as it is to get out in the sun during springtime, it’s also never a bad idea to sit in a theater and collectively enjoy a familiar favorite surrounded by your friends and neighbors. That is what MoMI is offering Astorians a chance to do when they host a sing-along version of The Sound of Music at 3pm on Sunday, April 12th. Attendees are encouraged to belt out their favorite songs along with Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast. Whether The Sound of Music is one of your favorites or you’re experiencing it for the first time, this will assuredly be an afternoon you won’t forget. Take the opportunity to stroll through MoMI’s incredible exhibits either before or after the screening to really commit to engulfing yourself in cinema history one day this spring.

36-01 35th Ave I April 12 I 718.777.6800 I movingimage.org