Things to Do in St. John's in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in St. John's
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Iceberg season is just beginning - late April typically brings the first bergs drifting down from Greenland, creating spectacular photo opportunities along the coast without the June-July crowds. The combination of icebergs and less fog than summer makes for clearer viewing conditions.
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodations run 25-40% cheaper than peak summer rates, and you can actually book waterfront restaurants without weeks of advance notice. Flight prices from Toronto and Montreal are typically CAD 250-400 return versus CAD 500-700 in July.
- The city transitions from winter hibernation to spring energy - George Street pubs fill up again, patios start opening for brave locals, and there's genuine excitement in the air as the long winter finally breaks. You'll experience St. John's at its most optimistic.
- Fewer cruise ships mean you can explore Signal Hill, Cape Spear, and downtown without fighting through tour groups. Most days you'll have iconic viewpoints nearly to yourself, which is unheard of in summer months.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable in April - that 5°C to 21°C range isn't a typo. You might get a beautiful 18°C day perfect for hiking, then wake up to 3°C with sideways rain the next morning. Pack for all four seasons because you'll likely experience three of them.
- Many boat tours and coastal attractions don't start operating until mid-May, so whale watching and puffin tours are mostly off the table. If marine wildlife is your primary reason for visiting, you're about a month too early.
- The city hasn't fully woken up yet - some restaurants and attractions still run reduced hours or close Mondays and Tuesdays. That charming café you read about might not reopen until May 1st, so double-check operating schedules before planning your days.
Best Activities in April
Signal Hill and Battery Neighborhood Walking
April offers the best hiking conditions at Signal Hill before summer crowds arrive. The trails are mostly clear of ice by mid-April, but you'll avoid the tour bus chaos of June through September. The 70% humidity feels comfortable at 10-15°C, perfect for the 500 m (1,640 ft) climb to Cabot Tower. Early morning visits around 8-9am give you the iconic viewpoint entirely to yourself, and the variable weather actually creates dramatic photography conditions with fast-moving clouds and occasional fog banks rolling through. The Battery's colorful row houses photograph beautifully in the softer spring light.
George Street Pub Crawls and Live Music
April marks the return of consistent live music schedules after the winter slowdown. The street isn't packed with summer tourists yet, so you'll actually meet locals and get seats at shows. Traditional Newfoundland music sessions happen most Thursday through Saturday nights, and the 5-10°C evening temperatures mean the short walks between pubs are brisk but manageable with a decent jacket. Cover charges run CAD 5-15 versus CAD 15-25 in peak summer, and bartenders have time to chat and give recommendations.
East Coast Trail Day Hikes
The trail system is in excellent condition in April - not yet muddy from spring melt, but past the icy danger of March. The Spout Path and Petty Harbour sections are particularly good this month, offering 6-12 km (3.7-7.5 miles) coastal hikes with dramatic cliff views. You'll spot early seabirds returning to nesting sites, and if you're lucky, catch the first icebergs of the season from elevated viewpoints. The cooler temperatures of 8-15°C make strenuous hiking comfortable, and the UV index of 8 is manageable with proper sun protection. Trail conditions vary after those 10 rainy days though, so check local trail reports the morning of your hike.
Quidi Vidi Village and Brewery Tours
This fishing village on the edge of St. John's is genuinely charming in April when it's not overrun with tour buses. The brewery offers tours and tastings in a converted fish plant, and the village's colorful stages (fishing sheds) photograph beautifully against grey April skies. The 1.6 km (1 mile) walk around Quidi Vidi Lake takes 25-30 minutes and offers excellent birdwatching as migratory species return. Indoor brewery tours provide perfect backup plans for rainy afternoons, and the tasting room stays cozy when it's 6-8°C outside.
The Rooms Museum and Art Gallery
April's unpredictable weather makes this provincial museum essential for backup planning. The building itself is architecturally striking, and the Newfoundland history exhibits are genuinely excellent - you'll understand the province's culture much better after 2-3 hours here. The rooftop observation deck offers 360-degree city views when weather cooperates. During those rainy days that hit 60% of April afternoons, this is where locals actually go rather than tourist trap shops. The cafe serves decent coffee and the gift shop has quality local crafts, not cheap souvenirs.
Cape Spear Lighthouse and Coastal Viewing
As North America's easternmost point, Cape Spear offers dramatic coastal scenery without summer crowds. April is actually ideal for iceberg spotting from the clifftop viewpoints - bergs start appearing late in the month, and you'll have binoculars and viewing platforms mostly to yourself. The 15 km (9.3 miles) drive from downtown takes 25 minutes, and the exposed coastal location means dress for wind - that 12°C temperature feels like 5°C with Atlantic gusts. The historic lighthouse and WWII bunkers are fascinating, and interpretive staff return to work in mid-April. Sunrise here around 6:15am is spectacular if you can handle the early wake-up.
April Events & Festivals
MusicNL Week
This provincial music industry conference typically happens in late April and includes public showcases across George Street venues. You'll catch emerging Newfoundland artists performing everything from traditional folk to indie rock, often for free or minimal cover charges. It's a genuine industry event, not a tourist festival, which means authentic performances and the chance to discover artists before they break nationally. Check the MusicNL website in March 2026 for exact dates and showcase schedules.