01/04/2026
Best things to do in Cambridge in April 2026
Looking for things to do in Cambridge in April 2026? Whether you're planning a weekend break, a night out, or a family day with something a bit different, Cambridge has a full diary this month. From free PhD talks and wind in the willows sculpture trails to Literary Festival mornings, comedy nights, and printmaking workshops, here's our curated guide to the best Cambridge events in April 2026, including what's on at University Arms and Parker's Tavern.
Cambridge April 2026 events at a glance
- 7 April 2026 — Tom Gates: Epic Stage Show (from £19.50)
- 8–10 April 2026 — DesignLab Showcase Exhibition, ARU (free)
- 14 April 2026 — The Tavern Quiz, Parker's Tavern (£2 per person)
- 15 April 2026 — Ideas in Bloom, University Arms (free)
- 15 April 2026 — Insert Laughter Here, Big Deal Comedy (£10)
- 18 April 2026 — Drypoint Etching & Chine Collé Workshop (£90)
- 26 April 2026 — Breakfast with the Editors, Cambridge Literary Festival (£25)
- Until 5 May — Wind in the Willows sculpture trail, Anglesey Abbey (free)
- Until 6 September — Relative Ties exhibition (free)
- Multiple dates — Spring into King's, King's College Cambridge (£60)
7th April 2026: Tom Gates Epic Stage Show
Tuesday 7 April · 2 pm · From £19.50
Brand new for 2026 and heading to Cambridge this April, Liz Pichon's beloved book series comes to life on stage with live music, original illustrations, and comedy — all the best bits of Tom's world in one show. If you're looking for family-friendly things to do in Cambridge this spring, this is a strong contender.
Tip: These shows tend to sell out quickly, so book ahead.
8th–10th April: DesignLab Showcase Exhibition
Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 April · Free entry · ARU Cambridge
A free exhibition showcasing the prototypes, ideas, and experiments emerging from ARU's Design Lab — including immersive technology research and interdisciplinary design work from some of the most inventive creative minds in the East of England. Free Cambridge events don't come much more thought-provoking than this.
Why it's worth a visit: No design background needed. It's genuinely fascinating for anyone curious about where technology and creativity meet.
14th April: The Tavern Quiz at Parker's Tavern, Cambridge
Tuesday 14 April · Doors 6 pm, quiz 7 pm · £2 per person · Parker's Tavern, University Arms
One of the best quiz nights in Cambridge returns. Parker's Tavern presents The Tavern Quiz — a prize-laden evening of trivia, laughs, and friendly competition. Teams battle through rounds of knowledge, wit, and the occasional inspired guess, in one of the city's most atmospheric dining rooms.
Tip: Arrive early to grab a great table and get a round in before the questions start.
15th April: Ideas in Bloom at University Arms
Wednesday 15 April · Doors 5:30 pm, starts 6:30 pm · Free entry · University Arms, Cambridge
One of the most original free events in Cambridge this April. Ideas in Bloom is an evening of curiosity where PhD researchers from the University of Cambridge present their most compelling work in beautifully simple terms — no lectures, no jargon, just fresh perspectives, surprising discoveries, and a drink in hand.
Who it's for: Anyone who's curious about what goes on inside Cambridge's research labs, without sitting through a seminar to find out. Doors open at 5:30 pm, so come early and make an evening of it.
15th April: Insert Laughter Here — Cambridge comedy night
Thursday 15 April · 7 pm · £10 per person
Insert Laughter Here team up with Big Deal Comedy for a night of fully improvised comedy where the audience calls the shots. Expect quickfire scenes, Gogglebox, Party Quirks, and absolutely no script. If you're looking for a comedy night in Cambridge in April 2026, this is the one.
Why it's worth it: No two shows are ever the same — which makes it one of the most reliably enjoyable nights out in the city.
18th April: Drypoint Etching & Chine Collé workshop, Cambridge
Saturday 18 April · 10:30 am · £90 per person · David Parr House
A hands-on printmaking workshop led by artist Susie Turner, inspired by the patterns and spaces of the beautifully preserved David Parr House. Materials and lunch are included, plus an optional peek inside 186 Gwydir Street — a Victorian artisan's home that's remarkable in its own right. One of the most distinctive creative experiences in Cambridge this spring.
Good to know: No printmaking experience required. This is a proper creative day out, not a class.
26th April: Breakfast with the Editors — Cambridge Literary Festival 2026
Sunday 26 April · From 10 am · £25 per person · University Arms Ballroom
As part of the Cambridge Literary Festival 2026, join journalists from The New Statesman for a morning discussion of the biggest stories of the moment — over coffee and pastries in the University Arms Ballroom. Topical, lively, and a genuinely lovely way to start a Sunday in Cambridge.
Make a morning of it: Arrive a little early, settle in with a coffee, and let the conversation run long.
What's on all month in Cambridge in April 2026
Wind in the Willows sculpture trail — Anglesey Abbey (until 5 May)
Free with normal admission, a sculpture trail inspired by Kenneth Grahame's classic is winding through the gardens of Anglesey Abbey until 5 May. Individually crafted characters — Mole, Rat, Badger, and the irrepressible Toad — are dotted throughout. One of the loveliest free things to do near Cambridge this spring, especially for families.
Relative Ties — a free Cambridge art exhibition (until 6 September)
Tracing a century of shared artistic creativity across four generations of the Nicholson family — Mabel, Nancy, EQ Nicholson, and Louisa Creed — Relative Ties is a thoughtful, quietly compelling exhibition running until September 2026. Free to attend.
Spring into King's — exclusive guided tours of King's College Cambridge
An exclusive guided experience combining a spotlight talk inside King's College Chapel with a 90-minute tour of rarely accessed garden spaces — including the Wildflower Meadow, Provost's Garden, Fellows' Garden, and College Orchard. Available on multiple dates throughout April at £60 per person. The kind of Cambridge experience most visitors never get access to.
Where to stay for Cambridge events in April 2026
If you want to be in the heart of the action — from Literary Festival mornings to quiz nights and free talks — University Arms puts you right in the centre of Cambridge, with Parker's Tavern hosting key dates throughout the month.