What’s On For April and the Easter Break
Spring is sprung and not sooner than February half-term is over it seems the Easter holidays are here. Whether you are looking for things to do with kids or something for yourself here is our round-up of fun things to do this April.
Spring Blooms at Waddesdon Manor
New for 2025 and timed to coincide with the National Trust’s Festival of Blossom, visitors can enjoy fresh floral arrangements in the Manor, complementing a new trail exploring the significance of flowers in Waddesdon’s interiors—from historical arrangements and early photography to their appearance in gilt-bronze and on Chinese porcelain.
Fresh flowers will be on display until Monday 21 April and highlights include pink blossoms, tulips, fritillarias, alliums and viburnum guelda in warm, vibrant hues.
Outside, Waddesdon’s Aviary Garden will burst into colour with over 2,500 yellow pansies complementing 5,700 daffodils and hyacinths in soft hues of yellow, white, and blue—an idyllic spot to sit and enjoy the calls of the exotic birds in Waddesdon Manor’s Aviary. Meanwhile, the celebrated Parterre will transform into a tapestry of colour, with over 11,500 pink tulips woven among 12,500 delicate blue forget-me-nots.
Remember a Loved One This Spring With a Pink Peony
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity has partnered with Waddesdon Manor for its fourth Forever Flowers event to celebrate and remember loved ones this Spring. A beautiful, temporary display of 1,200 bespoke metal pink peonies will be installed in the Rose Garden. Each peony will represent the life of a loved one. Peonies represent compassion and are a symbol of love, honour and beauty, making this the perfect choice to remember someone special.
To join this event and remember a loved one click here.
Supporters who have dedicated a Precious Pink Peony will be invited to a private viewing of the display on Mon 28 April whilst the grounds are closed to the public. The Precious Pink Peonies installation will then remain on display to the public for three weeks. Once the installation is removed, those who have dedicated a flower will be able to take it home as a forever keepsake.
By dedicating a Precious Pink Peony, supporters will be helping the Charity to provide compassionate local hospice care and be there for more patients and families across Buckinghamshire and its borders.
At the Theatre
A trip to the theatre is always a special event. Here’s our top tips from our local area.
Younger Kids
14th April, Leighton Buzzard Library – The Big Egg. For Jack and his little sister Molly Easter is all about eggs. But how big can an egg get? And what wonderful surprises might there be inside? Based on the picture book by Steven Lee and performed with a magical mixture of live action, animation and puppetry, this scrumptious family musical is guaranteed to make your little ones love Easter.
Tues 29th – Wed 30th April, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – Bing Live. Join Bing and his friends Sula, Pando, Coco, Amma, and, of course, Flop as they prepare for Bing’s very special day. Full of new heartwarming moments and catchy new songs, all brought to life by first-class puppeteers, this 1 hour 10 mins show is perfect for families and little Bingsters who want to experience the delightful CBeebies series in a whole new way—live on stage!
Sun 13th April, Dunstable Grove Theatre – The Dinosaur That Pooped. When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?
Adapted from the number 1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand, new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of poo!
Our Choice for Adults
Sat 5th April, Dunstable Grove Theatre – Mothers of the Brides. 3 Mothers. 3 Brides. 3 Weddings.
How will they get through it without a funeral? From the writers of the hit comedies Hormonal Housewives and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
You are cordially invited to meet the Mothers of the Brides – three besties who are up to their necks in nuptials, directing their daughters up the bridal path to wedded bliss. All three women are doing their best to keep the matrimonial mayhem to a minimum and avoid deadlock over wedlock.
Mothers of the Brides is a fun-filled, sketch-packed, gag-fuelled, laugh-heavy trip through the marital maze of getting your offspring to the altar… How do the mothers do it?
Tues 22nd April – Sat 3rd May, Milton Keynes Theatre – War Horse. At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in No Man’s Land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find Joey and bring him home.
War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.
Easter Activities
Easter activities for all ages coming up near you.
Celebrate Easter with creativity at Tactics, open to all kids aged 12-19. Running from 3-5 pm. Drop into Tactics to find out more at Tactics Centre, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EZ
- Wed 9th April Making Chocolate Easter Eggs
- Wed 16th April Easter Wreath Making Workshop
Zoonormous Egg Hunt Saturday 5th to Mon 21st April. Hop on down to Whipsnade Zoo this Easter for an enormous Easter egg hunt with a twist – families visiting the conservation zoo will be tasked with cracking a secret code to be rewarded with a tasty treat! Successful egg-splorers can exchange their completed code cards for a special Easter prize, as well as enjoy some easter-themed crafts, in the golden egg garden. The Zoonormous Egg Hunt is free with zoo entry and under 3s go free www.whipsnadezoo.org
Dunstable Downs 5th-21st April, Something new to celebrate Dunstable’s medieval history – King Henry III calls upon his Knights and nobles to take part in a trail and challenges to win a chocolate egg or a vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. Also available a sensory bag trail.. The trail takes place between from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm Admission fee: Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and chocolate egg. No booking required. More info on National Trust Website
Leighton Buzzard Library Crafting and Play
To book your tickets for the ticketed events, please visit Leighton Buzzard Library helpdesk or call 0300 300 8059.
- Saturday 5 April 10am – 12pm: Rocking Easter
- Tuesday 8 April 10am – 12pm: Little Bird Card craft
- Tuesday 8 April 2pm – 4pm: Beading & Weaving
- Wednesday 9 April 10am – 12pm: Easter Cowboy Bonnets. Ticketed event
- Wednesday 9 April 2pm – 4pm: Busy Builder Drop in
- Thursday 10 April 10am – 12pm: Egg Collage
- Thursday 10 April 2pm – 4pm: Paint Sticks
- Friday 11 April 10am – 12pm: Bumble Bee craft
- Friday 11 April 2pm – 4pm: Easter Nail Art. Ticketed event for children aged 7+ years
- Saturday 12 April 10am – 1.30pm: Lego & Duplo
- Tuesday 15 April 10am – 12pm: Paper Flower Bouquet
- Tuesday 15 April 2pm – 4pm: Play Dough
- Wednesday 16 April 10am – 12pm: Bunny & Carrot Paper craft
- Wednesday 16 April 2pm – 4pm: Amazing Artists Drop in
- Thursday 17 April 10am – 12pm: Butterfly Wands
- Thursday 17 April 2pm – 4pm: Diamond Painting. Ticketed event for children aged 7+ years
- Saturday 19 April 10am – 1.30pm: Lego & Duplo
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre
Tuesday 8 April, Little Explorers, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. A group full of exciting activities and play opportunities to support your child’s development and learning. Suitable for children who are walking up to 3 years old. A £1 donation per family is requested. There is no need to book
Wednesday 9 April, Easter egg hunt for children between 3 and 10 years old. A £1 donation per family is requested. To book, please call: 0300 300 8880
Thursday 10 April, baby messy play from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. To book a space please call: 0300 300 8880
Find out more about Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre.
FREE TO ATTEND
If you are watching the pennies (aren’t we all?) here are some events that are free to attend and will keep the whole family amused with lots to see and do .
The Roving Canal Traders floating market between Friday 18th and Monday 21st April. Find them at The Globe Inn, LU7 2TA.
The Town Mayor’s Spring Fair is on Saturday 26th in Pages Park and they will be fundraising for the SEND charity Freddie and Friends.
Leighton Buzzard Market Street Food Heroes are back in the High Street on Friday 11th April. There is a family event day on Tuesday 15th April and the Handmade and Craft Market is back on Satuday 16th April.
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