Things to Do in Clarksville TN This April | Events & Family Fun

by George Scott

Things to Do in Clarksville TN This April: Local Events, Festivals & Family Fun

April in Clarksville is proof that this city has a lot more going on than people give it credit for — here's your insider guide to the month.

Picture this: It's a Sunday morning in April, and you're walking down Strawberry Alley in downtown Clarksville. The Tennessee winter is finally in the rearview mirror, the dogwoods are blooming, and a row of local vendors has set up everything from fresh-cut flower bouquets to homemade jam. Someone a few booths down is strumming a guitar. Your coffee is warm. Your kid is trying to pet a stranger's dog. And you're thinking — this is a really good place to live.

That's what April does to Clarksville.

After years of serving buyers, sellers, and renters across Montgomery County and the Fort Campbell area, I can tell you that one of the most underestimated things about this community is how much is always happening here. People relocating from outside the area often expect a sleepy military town. What they find is a city with a genuine arts scene, award-winning events, beautiful green spaces, and a community that actually shows up for each other.

Here's your guide to the best things to do in Clarksville TN this April — whether you're a longtime local, a newcomer getting settled, or someone thinking about making this place home.

Start Your Mornings Right: The Sunday on Strawberry Market

If you haven't been to Sunday on Strawberry yet, April is a perfect time to start. This monthly market runs on the first Sunday of each month — April through November — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. right on Strawberry Alley in the heart of downtown Clarksville. You'll find a mix of small businesses, handmade goods, and local entrepreneurs making the most of a Tennessee spring morning.

It's the kind of event that makes you want to slow down. Grab a coffee from one of the nearby downtown spots, browse the vendor tents, and enjoy the energy of Public Square waking up for the season. Parking is free on weekends throughout the downtown area, so there's no excuse not to wander.

💡 Fun Fact: The Clarksville Downtown Market — which kicks off its Saturday season in May — was voted the #1 Farmers Market in the state of Tennessee by the American Farmland Trust for 2025. It has grown from 16 vendors at its founding to over 80 today. Worth putting on your calendar now. (Source: American Farmland Trust / City of Clarksville Parks & Recreation)

Downtown Art Walk & the Artsville Fest Art Gala

Clarksville has a quietly thriving arts scene, and April is when it really shows itself. The monthly Downtown Art Walk brings the creative community out into local businesses along Franklin Street and throughout the historic district, with galleries, studios, and maker spaces opening their doors to the public.

This April, the Art Walk coincided with the Artsville Fest Art Gala: Speakeasy on the Square — a free, public event held at ArtLink Clarksville at 98 Franklin Street. The evening featured a juried art exhibition showcasing student and adult artists from across the region, live jazz, a speakeasy-inspired wine bar, food trucks, and a community vote for the $500 Fan Favorite Award. It's the kind of night that makes downtown feel alive in a way that's hard to describe until you experience it.

— I've lived in Clarksville for over ten years, and I still find places and events that surprise me. The arts district keeps growing, and the investment being made in downtown — both by the city and by local business owners — is real. When I show buyers around this area, it's often one of the things that seals the deal.

Live Music and Entertainment at F&M Bank Arena

If you want to catch a big show without driving to Nashville, F&M Bank Arena on Main Street is where it happens. April's lineup has included major touring acts, and the venue regularly hosts everything from country and rock concerts to family-friendly shows and sporting events.

📊 Did You Know? The Harlem Globetrotters brought their 100-Year Tour to F&M Bank Arena this April, continuing a multi-generational tradition for Clarksville families. Parents who saw Meadowlark Lemon as kids are now bringing their own children and grandchildren. (Source: Clarksville Online)

Keep an eye on the F&M Bank Arena events calendar throughout the month — the schedule updates frequently, and there are often community-priced ticket options for military families.

🏠 Thinking about making Clarksville home? I'd love to show you around — not just the houses, but the neighborhoods and the lifestyle. Reach out at (931) 385-5195 or visit buygeorgehomes.com to start the conversation.

Outdoor Living: The Riverwalk, McGregor Park & More

McGregor Park and the Cumberland Riverwalk

April is genuinely the best month to use Clarksville's outdoor spaces. The Cumberland Riverwalk at McGregor Park gives you miles of paved trail along the river — it's flat, family-friendly, and one of the best free things this city offers. In April, the trees are filling back in, the river runs full, and the light in the late afternoon along the water is something you don't forget easily.

The park itself has playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and an amphitheater that hosts community events throughout the spring and summer. It's a 5-minute drive from downtown, and if you're new to Clarksville, it should be one of the first places you visit.

Dunbar Cave State Natural Area

For families who want something a little more adventurous, Dunbar Cave State Natural Area offers guided cave tours and hiking trails through some genuinely beautiful terrain. April is ideal — comfortable temperatures, plenty of wildlife activity, and the cave maintains a constant cool temperature year-round. It's free to visit the grounds, and cave tour tickets are very affordable.

💡 Fun Fact: Clarksville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee, consistently ranked among the top mid-sized cities in the Southeast for quality of life, affordability, and community investment. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau / WalletHub)

Clarksville Events Worth Watching in April

Thursday Night Market at Old Glory Distilling Co.

Starting April 16, the Old Glory Distilling Co. Thursday Night Market runs every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. through early November. Think local vendors, live music, fresh produce, and baked goods — all with access to Old Glory's outdoor seating and, yes, their excellent spirits and cocktails. It's become a weekly ritual for a lot of Clarksville locals, and it's a fantastic way to end a Thursday.

The Roxy Regional Theatre

The Roxy on Franklin Street is one of those institutions that gives a city its soul. April programming typically includes live theatrical performances, and the Roxy's Season Gala — held this year at the DoubleTree Riverview — is one of the marquee social events of the spring. If you're new here and looking for a way to connect with the community, a night at the Roxy is a pretty great start.

📊 Did You Know? The Roxy Regional Theatre has been a staple of downtown Clarksville since 1983, hosting hundreds of performances annually and serving as a cornerstone of Montgomery County's cultural identity. (Source: Roxy Regional Theatre)

Comedy, Music & More Throughout the Month

From live comedy at local venues to R&B events and community gatherings, there's genuinely something happening most weekends — and many weeknights — throughout April. The visitclarksvilletn.com events calendar and the Clarksville Now events board are the two best places to track what's on any given week.

— One thing I always tell relocation clients — especially military families coming from bigger metros — is that Clarksville's event scene grows with you. When you first arrive, you find the outdoor stuff. Then the restaurants. Then the arts scene. A year in, you're surprised you ever thought it was too small.

Why April Is the Perfect Time to Explore (And Maybe Buy)

There's a reason spring is the busiest season in real estate, and it's not just because the flowers look good in listing photos. April is when families who received PCS orders start touring homes, when first-time buyers get serious about their timelines, and when the Clarksville market starts moving fast. If you've been thinking about buying — or even just learning what the process looks like — April is a great time to have that conversation.

In the meantime, use this month to explore the city you're about to make yours. Walk the Riverwalk. Catch a show at the Roxy. Stop into the Sunday market and say hello to the vendors. Get the feel of a neighborhood you've been curious about. Clarksville rewards people who take the time to get to know it.

📊 Quick Stats: Clarksville TN Community Life

🏆 Clarksville Downtown Market voted #1 Farmers Market in Tennessee by the American Farmland Trust (2025)

🌆 Clarksville is one of Tennessee's fastest-growing cities, with a population approaching 175,000 in Montgomery County

🎭 The Roxy Regional Theatre has anchored downtown Clarksville's arts scene since 1983

🛤 The Cumberland Riverwalk at McGregor Park offers miles of free, accessible riverside trail — right in the heart of the city

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Clarksville TN in April?

Quite a bit, honestly. April brings the Sunday on Strawberry market back to downtown, the monthly Art Walk, live events at F&M Bank Arena, outdoor trails at McGregor Park and Dunbar Cave, the Thursday Night Market at Old Glory (starting mid-April), and a full calendar of community events through the Roxy Regional Theatre. It's a genuinely good month to be here.

Is there a farmers market in Clarksville TN in April?

The main Clarksville Downtown Market — held Saturdays at Public Square — kicks off its 2026 season in May. But in April, you can catch the Sunday on Strawberry market (first Sunday of each month, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Strawberry Alley in downtown), which is a great smaller option until the big market opens. The Thursday Night Market at Old Glory Distilling Co. also begins April 16.

What free things are there to do in Clarksville TN?

Plenty. The Riverwalk at McGregor Park is always free. The Downtown Art Walk is free. The Artsville Fest Art Gala this year was free and open to the public. Dunbar Cave's grounds are free (cave tours are ticketed but very affordable). Most of Clarksville's parks and green spaces — from Liberty Park to Rotary Park — are free and well-maintained year-round.

What family-friendly events are happening in Clarksville TN this spring?

The Harlem Globetrotters came through F&M Bank Arena this month — a perennial family favorite. Dunbar Cave State Natural Area offers guided tours and trails perfect for kids. Sunday on Strawberry is stroller-friendly and relaxed. And as April gives way to May, the Downtown Farmers Market opening weekend is always a great family event. Fort Campbell families also have access to on-post programming worth checking through ACS and MWR.

Is Clarksville TN a good place to live?

It's a genuinely great place to live — and I say that as someone who has been here over ten years and isn't going anywhere. The cost of living is low relative to most Southern metros, the community is tight-knit, the outdoor spaces are excellent, and the city is growing in a way that's adding amenities without losing its character. It's also one of the most military-welcoming communities I've ever encountered. If you're considering a move here, I'm happy to give you the full tour — just reach out.

What neighborhoods in Clarksville are closest to downtown events?

If walkability to downtown is a priority, neighborhoods like Historic Downtown, the areas along Main Street, and parts of St. Bethlehem give you easy access to Strawberry Alley, the Roxy, and Public Square. Sango (I24 Exit 11) and Farmington/ Rossview (Exit 8) are a short drive and offer more suburban space with quick access to everything the city offers. I work across all of Montgomery County and can help you find the right fit for how you want to live.

Bottom Line: April Is Worth Your Time in Clarksville

There's a version of Clarksville that people imagine before they get here — and then there's the real thing. The real thing has a downtown arts scene, award-winning community events, miles of riverside trail, a theatre that's been going strong since 1983, and a Saturday farmers market that beats the competition in the entire state of Tennessee. April is when all of that starts to wake back up after winter.

Whether you're a longtime local who needed a reminder of what's out there, or someone brand new to the area trying to figure out where you landed — this city has more to offer than most people realize. That's true of the lifestyle, and it's true of the real estate market too.

Want to see what Clarksville could look like as your home base? I'd love to show you around — the neighborhoods, the community, and yes, the houses too. Follow me on Facebook for my monthly Clarksville community events roundup, or reach out directly at (931) 385-5195. Let's talk.

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