It is officially spring in East Lansing, and that means it is time for April events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area to celebrate the start of the new season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various Dates in April<\/strong> – Pride Month Events at MSU<\/a>: Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and\/or queer, intersex, asexual and two-spirit, or LGBTQIA2S+, communities and histories. It is nationally recognized each year in June, a time when most Spartans have returned home for the summer. Michigan State University celebrates Pride Month in April, allowing Spartans to connect and celebrate pride with one another while they are still on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Various Dates in April <\/strong>–MSU Men’s Baseball Home Game:<\/a> Come visit the Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Men\u2019s Baseball Team at a home game this April!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Various Dates in April<\/strong> – MSU Women\u2019s Softball Home Game: <\/a>Come visit the Secchia Stadium at MSU to cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Women\u2019s Softball Team at a home game this April!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 7 – 12<\/strong> – Clue:<\/a> Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist at the Wharton Center this April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 9 <\/strong>– Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Spring into Conservation: <\/a>Visit the Beal Botanical Garden for a spring tour exploring our diverse conservation efforts. This tour will focus primarily on Michigan’s rare plants, including our work preserving the state’s only fertile population of the Michigan Monkeyflower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 17 <\/strong>– 2026 RCPD Awards Reception:<\/a> The Resource Center for Persons with\u202fDisabilities (RCPD) Awards and Appreciation Reception, held at the MSU Multicultural Center, will celebrate the recipients of 10 scholarships and three Spartans (students, faculty\/staff, and alumni) who have shown exceptional dedication to advancing belonging and inclusion on our campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 26<\/strong> – 2026 Izzo Legacy Race:<\/a> The Izzo family has partnered with Playmakers to host this premium experience on MSU’s campus. The mission is to connect alumni, MSU, and Mid-Michigan communities in a positive celebration of Coach Izzo’s legacy. The events include a 5K Run\/Walk, 5K Roll, 1\/2 K Walk\/Roll, Kids’ Races and a Virtual 5K; all events will focus on fitness, fun, family, Spartan spirit, and charitable giving!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 <\/strong>– Desk Decompress (Upper Body):<\/a> Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening the neck, shoulders, wrists, and spine. Movements can be done sitting or standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 6, 13, 20, and 27<\/strong> – Desk Decompress (Full Body): <\/a>Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening from head to toe. Most movements can be done sitting or standing. Balance exercises may be included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 7 <\/strong>– Building Awareness and Understanding the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS):<\/a> This April workshop introduces the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS) to help participants understand their own and others\u2019 communication and conflict resolution styles, improving cross-cultural interactions and problem-solving. Attendance is required for both sessions, with the second part taking place on June 2<\/strong> to deepen understanding and apply strategies for navigating and resolving conflicts effectively.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n April 7, 14, 21, and 28<\/strong> – Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self Compassion: <\/a>Spartan Resilience Education is offering a free, open session on practicing self-care and self-compassion, focusing on how to support ourselves and others during challenging times. Participants will learn key concepts like empathy vs. sympathy, core elements of self-compassion, and practical strategies to improve emotional support, avoid common mistakes, and enhance overall well-being and work effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 8<\/strong> – WorkLife Wellbeing- Neurodivergence in the Workplace 2: Supporting Yourself and Others:<\/a> The neurodivergence umbrella includes many common but often misunderstood disabilities. In this session, dive into how to support yourself and others and build a community inclusive of neurodivergent experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 12<\/strong> – Out of the Darkness Walk: <\/a>Hosted by UHW\u2019s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Out of the Darkness Walk is an annual event that brings Spartans together to support suicide prevention and promote mental health awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 15<\/strong> – A Guide to Names and Pronouns:<\/a> This in-person course allows participants to learn appropriate and respectful ways to use names and pronouns to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace. Understand why safety and privacy around gender, names, and pronouns matter, as well as how to recover when mistakes happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 16 <\/strong>– Five Behaviors: Personal Development:<\/a> This program helps individual contributors become more effective teammates by exploring the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team model through activities, videos, and discussions. Participants complete a pre-assessment and learn key behaviors that strengthen collaboration, trust, and team effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 16<\/strong> – Roadmap to Retirement:<\/a> If you are an MSU faculty or staff member, and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 20<\/strong> – Relaxing Under the Stars: <\/a>Visit the Abrams Planetarium for Relaxing Under the Stars, a peaceful in-person experience held once a month. Each 50-minute session features a guided constellation tour using the Digistar projection system – perfect for stress relief and mindful relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 22 and 23<\/strong> – Strategic Business Analysis: Turning Requirements into Results:<\/a> This two-day course builds skills in strategic business analysis, helping participants create clear, actionable requirements that align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful results. Through frameworks, hands-on practice, and stakeholder engagement techniques, learners gain confidence in eliciting, writing, prioritizing, and evaluating requirements for maximum business value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 24 <\/strong>– Midday Moves (Hybrid):<\/a> Take a break from end of the semester stress with a Finals Flex stretch, mobility, and mindful movement routine, designed to leave you feeling more relaxed. Exercises will mostly be standing and on the ground, with seated options provided. Bring an exercise mat or a towel. Join in-person at the MSU Library or over Zoom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 29 and 30<\/strong> – Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue:<\/a> This program teaches techniques that allow you to make room for different opinions and perspectives, find mutual respect and common purpose, and dialogue openly. With these skills, you\u2019ll not only work with others more effectively, but you can also help foster psychological safety and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 30<\/strong> – Cultural Competency I: <\/a>This course focuses on building cultural competence and inclusivity skills aligned with MSU\u2019s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and welcoming workplace for all employees. Participants will develop self-awareness, challenge biases and stereotypes, and practice communication strategies like the CARES model to improve interactions and effectively address workplace concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 1 – 30<\/strong> – MSU Science Festival:<\/a> The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by some of the basic elements essential to scientific inquiry: curiosity, wonder, and discovery. The festival is free and for lifelong learners of all ages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 4 <\/strong>– Family Day: PLAY: <\/a>First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! This month, find out why artists play with ideas as we celebrate the young artists in the Saturday Morning Art (SmART) pop-up exhibition, in collaboration with the MSU Department of Art, Art History, and Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 5, 12, 19, and 26 <\/strong>– Abrams Planetarium Family Show: The Little Star that Could:<\/a> Come see the story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday<\/strong> – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing:<\/a> Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children\u2019s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 10<\/strong> – Night at a Living Museum:<\/a> Visit the Potter Park Zoo to Unlock a world of wonder and discovery at the Living Museum! These hands-on activities are designed for guests of all ages to learn about the care of animals at the zoo and our conservation efforts both locally and globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recurring Saturdays <\/strong>– Holt Farmers Market: <\/a>Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan\u2019s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 4, and 25<\/strong> – Meridian Indoor Farmers’ Market:<\/a> Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLearning Opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Family-Friendly Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Greater Lansing Area Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n