A Running List of Things to Do in the Borough and Beyond

Each week I share a Roundup of West Chester news and events at the end of which is a list of upcoming events. However, due to space in the newsletter, I can only share a week or two out but I often have information about events much earlier, so I thought I would share with you my working document. Now you know what I know.

April

Apr. 9 – 12, Henry V, WCU Theatre, E.O. Bull Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee showing on 2 p.m. on Sunday. Come see one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated heroes in a story of leadership, courage, and transformation. Tickets: $12.50 – $23

Apr. 10 – Trivia Night, Virtual, 7 – 8 p.m. Sponsored by the West Chester Public Library. Join for an hour of trivia online. Registration required. 

Apr. 11 – 14th annual Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference, Oscar Lasko YMCA, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The event includes free child care, breakfast, snacks, and a catered lunch. There will also be workshops on careers, homeownership, and relationships and complimentary several self-care activities like massages and facials. This event is free to all single mothers and their children. Registration required.

Apr. 11 – Free Electronics Recycling and Shred Event, West Goshen Township Building, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Accepted electronics include computer hard drives, CPU’s, TV’s, monitors, printers, computer accessories and any small household appliances with a plug.

Apr. 11 – Mania Arabatlian, Solo Art Show, Opening Receptions, Ree Gallagher Studio + Gallery, 127 E. Chestnut St., 4-7 p.m.

Apr. 12 – Stand with our Neighbors, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., 3 – 4 p.m. Join a heartfelt afternoon dedicated to standing with and celebrating our neighbors. A non-perishable food or a $20 grocery gift card donation is encouraged.

Apr. 13 – Chair Yoga, West Chester Public Library, 10 -10:45 a.m. Chair yoga is an all-inclusive practice that uses a chair as a supportive tool in modified yoga poses. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome as long as space allows. 

Apr. 14 –  Teen/Tween Tuesday: Propagate Plants, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Open to ages 11 – 18. Registration required. 

Apr. 14 – Silent Book Club, Bierhaul Townhouse, 5-7:30 p.m. An hour of silent reading begins at 6 p.m.

Apr. 14 – CCAS Monthly Meeting, Merion Science Center, Room 112, WCU (as well as via Zoom). 7:30 p.m. Join the Chester County Astronomical Society for their monthly meeting. Guest Speaker: Dr. Masahiro Ono, NASA/JPL, “From the Surface of Mars to the Oceans of Enceladus and Europa: Advancing the Frontiers of Exploration with EELS Adaptive Robots.”

Apr. 15 – How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 7 – The Digestive System. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

Apr. 18- The Uprising 5K and 1.31 mile walk for Autism, Downtown West Chester, 9:15 a.m. Registration $65 for the run, $55 for the walk. Kids run $25

Apr. 18 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.

Apr. 18 – Marshall Square Park Spring Clean-up, Marshall Square Park.  Help pick up debris from this winter and clean up few areas. It is light work, suitable for the whole family.

Apr. 18 – Square Bar 80th Anniversary Celebration, Square Bar Parking lot, 1 p.m. Help Square Bar celebrate 80 years as a West Chester institution. There will be food, drinks, and DJ provided tunes.

Apr. 19 – Arts & Craft Night, Hop Fidelity, 4 p.m. Join for a night of making collages using album covers and magazines and other fun stuff! Making the art is Free! And all supplies are provided.  

Apr. 20 – Craft Night: Upcycled Glass Vases, Oakbourne Mansion, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day by turning a glass jar into a beautiful vase. Materials provided – except for scissors. Cost $5. Registration required. 

Apr. 20 – Chair Yoga, West Chester Public Library, 10 -10:45 a.m. Chair yoga is an all-inclusive practice that uses a chair as a supportive tool in modified yoga poses. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome as long as space allows.

Apr. 21 – Science on Tap -Psychology, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m. Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation, and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!

Apr. 22 – How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 8 – All About DNA. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

Apr. 23 – Neighbors United Against Hunger, Chester County History Center, 6 -9 p.m. Support WC Food Cupboard’s mission to provide healthy food to people in need in our community. Tickets are $125 each and include a fun night with small plate stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, soft drinks and desserts from local vendors. There will also be live music, a silent auction, and a paddle raise.

Apr. 23 – Author Lecture and Q&A, WCU BPMC Room 116, 6:30-8 p.m. Join author Will Caverly for a discussion of his book, Tinicum and Eastwick: Environmental Justice and Racial Injustice in Southwest Philadelphia. All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a copy of the book 

Apr. 24 – 26 – WCU Alumni Weekend, various. Lots of events for you, WCU alumni, including a Banana night celebration at Levante, a Maker’s Market and a pub crawl through town.

Apr. 24 – Yoga Storytime, West Chester Public Library, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Ages 2 – 6. Registration required.

Apr. 24 – Ladies Night Out! Dance Cardio Party, Windish Studios, 4 W. Prescott Aly, doors open at 6 p.m., event starts at 6:30 p.m. Get ready to sweat and laugh with your besties at the ultimate dance cardio bash! Stick around after for lite bites. All levels welcome! A portion of proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tickets: $20

Apr. 25 – Everhart Park Spring Clean Up, Everhart Park, 9 a.m. – noon. Meet at the Children’s Cottage near the children’s entrance and playground off W. Union St. Bring gloves and wear comfortable shoes.

Apr. 25 – Running Home 5K/1 M walk, Downtown West Chester, 9 a.m. Race supports North Star of Chester County. Registration: $30 for the run; $25 for the walk.

Apr. 25 – 2026 Skate-A-Rama, Ice Line, 11 a.m. to 12:30 or 1 to 2:30 p.m. This is a free community event sponsored by the West Goshen Police Department. It is open to all elementary and middle school students, their parents and teachers. Rentals and snacks also provided. Registration required.

Apr. 25 – Our Power, Our Planet Earth Day March, Meet at West Chester Friends, 2 p.m. Prize given for the most creative sign. This event is sponsored by the West Chester Green Team.

Apr. 25 – Earth Day Wellness Fair, United Methodist Church, 2- 4 p.m. This event is sponsored by the West Chester Green Team.Apr. 25 – Earth Day Power Dinner, United Methodist Church, 5 p.m. Join an evening of presentations, awards, international foods, and sweets. Suggested dinner donation $20 for adults and $5 for youth. Register for the dinner here. This event is sponsored by the West Chester Green Team.

Apr. 26 – Beat Ben Fun Run, East Goshen Park, 12 p.m. Children can focus on fitness and fun as they try to outpace founding father Ben Franklin!

Apr. 27 – Chair Yoga, West Chester Public Library, 10 -10:45 a.m. Chair yoga is an all-inclusive practice that uses a chair as a supportive tool in modified yoga poses. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome as long as space allows. 

Apr. 27 – Girls Riding Together (GRiT) Mountain Bike Camp, Pocopson Elementary School, 5 – 7 p.m. This free camp is open to girls grades 5-11 and takes place over three sessions on Apr. 27, May 5, and May 13.  No experience is needed, and bikes can be provided if needed.

Apr 28 – Teen/Tween Tuesday: Planting Outside the Library, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Open to ages 11 – 18. Registration required. 

Apr. 29 – How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 9 – Germs & Immunity. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

May

May 1 – Gay Street Open Air Market opens for the season

May 1 – Spring Gallery Walk, Downtown West Chester, 4 -8 p.m. This self-guided art tour celebrates the thriving community of artists and galleries that make greater West Chester their home. Multiple galleries combine with additional “one-night-only” show hosts to showcase some great local Chester County artists. This is a free event.

May 2 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

May 4 – Last Day of Spring Semester Classes, WCU

May 4, Running Home 5K, downtown West Chester, corner of Market and Church Sts., 9 a.m. $30 registration. Proceeds go to support North Star of Chester County.

May 6 – How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 10 – Tying it all together. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

May 7 – Bournelyf Special Camps 5K, downtown West Chester, corner of Market and Church Sts. $30 registration before Mar. 6, $35 after. Proceeds go to support Bournelyf Special Camp. Join the after-race party at Wrong Crowd and get a free pour.

May 8-10 – WCU Commencement Ceremonies, various

May 10 – Mother’s Day Express, West Chester Historic Railroad, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Make Mom’s day unforgettable with a relaxing 90-minute round-trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and back aboard the West Chester Railroad. Tickets: $30/adults; $25/kids; $5/Mom

May 12 – Science on Tap – Chemistry, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m. Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!

May 15 – Virtual Golf on Gay St., Gay St closure in front of the Post Office, 4 – 8 p.m.

May 24 – Memorial Day Special, West Chester Historic Railroad, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Spend a peaceful 90-minute round-trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and back aboard the West Chester Railroad. Tickets: $30/adults; $25/kids; $5/Veterans & Active Military

May 30 – America 250 Celebration, East Goshen Park, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fun for the whole family with a parade, moonbounces, historical demonstrations and presentations in a “Town Square,” public reading and signing of The Declaration of Independence, concerts featuring the Chester County Concert Band and The Greaseband, fireworks and drones, and more

June 7 – Turks Head Music Festival, Everhart Park, noon to 7 p.m. (Rain Date: June 14)

June 22 – Mini Golf on Gay St., Gay St. closure, 12 – 4 p.m.

Aug. 4 – Night Out Against Crime/Touch a Truck, Henderson High School, 6 – 9 p.m.

Aug. 20 – An Evening with Inventor Ben Franklin, East Goshen Township building, 7 p.m. This is a free event. Registration required.

Sept. 20 – 45th Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival, downtown West Chester, noon – 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 – West Chester Halloween Parade, downtown West Chester, 7 p.m. Rain date: Oct. 29

Dec. 5 – Santa in the Square, Marshall Square Park, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.