Take Action: Find an Earth Day Event Near You!

You know what Wednesday is, right? Do you have plans yet?

April 22nd marks the 45th annual Earth Day, a worldwide event to demonstrate support for the protection of the world we live in. Communities across the world (192 countries observe Earth Day!) will come together to celebrate with a variety of festivities and will use the gatherings as a way to communicate and heighten awareness about how to save the environment. According to Earth Day Network, more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Each year, Earth Day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The EDN states, “the idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.”

Now, like-minded and passionate people come together on this special day (that is often celebrated on the bookend weekends as well) to raise awareness and make a difference. From neighborhood cleanups and film festivals, to planting trees and live music, cities across the globe are taking action. Check out the list below to see how you can make an impact in the city closest to you!

Honolulu, Hawaii

In 2014, Honolulu was named the greenest city in America. University of Hawaii Manoa will be hosting Earth Day Festival 2015, featuring local food, live music, a celebratory reception, Earth Dance, Earth flow yoga, evening concerts, and more. April 22, 10am to 4pm at Campus Center Courtyard and Legacy Path at UH Manoa.

Los Angeles, California

L.A. Live is celebrating the earth all month with celebrations every Friday night prior to Lakers and Kings games with interactive games, giveaways, photo ops, an eco-village and giveaways. You can also join the LA Kings, AEG, Staples Center and Heal The Bay for an organized clean-up at Dockweiler State Beach on April 22nd. If you’ve got gadgets you don’t use anymore, spent batteries lying around or other e-waste, you can also bring it down to Nokia Plaza on Saturday April 27, where Waste Management will collect it free of charge.

Yoga for the Planet – Earth Day Event. Whole Foods Market, West Hollywood. Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Join the City of Manhattan Beach for the 23rd Annual Earth Day Celebration and Concert, featuring a large assortment of fresh food and family fun; including music, games, eco-friendly products and information. Polliwog Park, Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

San Diego, California

The 26th annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. Each year, the EarthFair draws around 60,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair 2015 will feature more than 300 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Children’s Activity Area, five entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse.

Reno, Nevada

The Earth Day event in Reno has grown to become a regional phenomenon. Over 20,000 people come from all over the High Sierra area to take part in this shared day of celebrating the planet we share. The 40 acres of Idlewild Park are filled each year with new activities and programs to increase outreach, engagement with the community/region and retention of knowledge that carries over into everyday practices. Join us to explore 300+ exhibits, 3 workshop classrooms, special topic themed areas and interactive activities all in a festival environment with 4 stages of live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and drinks, and games and prizes for everyone. April 26, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Portland, Oregon

Portland State University’s environmental club is bringing back its Earth Day Festival on the park blocks, offering environmental resources, live music, free food, a clothing swap, a craft market and a free screening of the film “Growing Cities” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Located at PSU Park Blocks; free.

The Portland Earth Day Coalition is hosting its 15th Earth Day PDX celebration at Normandale Park, bringing in live music and performances, eco-friendly activities, kids entertainment and a bicycle repair shop. Donations will be solicited for the Portland Parks Foundation. Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 AM  to 5:00 PM, at Normandale Park; free.

Chicago, Illinois

“Just Eat It” Celebrates Earth Day in Chicago. Deemed one of the very best from over 40 environmental documentaries shown during the Chicago area festival in March, this “best of the best” Earth Day film will make you think about actions you can take to reduce waste and save the planet. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Elgin Community College will be hosting “ECC Sustainability Maker Faire 2015.” This conference will be hosting and communicating with a live and virtual panel about sustainability. Along with the panels there will also be a Shark Tank competition on the best idea or concept based on sustainability. Vendors promoting their sustainable products or services will be a part of this event as well. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Boston, Massachusetts

The 16th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at various sites on the Charles, from Bellingham to Boston. Individuals, families and groups are welcome to participate and join CRWA and partner organizations at one of three regional picnics following the event.

New York City, New York

Earth Day 2015 Volunteering Event: This spring we will hold a 5K Walk & Green Tour event! Teams of volunteers will walk site to site scavenger hunt style and learn about green buildings, urban farms, and other green places along the way. End with a picnic lunch! Get outdoors, raise some money for year-round environmental programs, and learn about green places around New York City.

EARTH DAY at the NY Botanical Garden. Jens Jensen, The Living Green . Film Screening and Panel Discussion. Join the Humanities Institute on Earth Day for the New York premiere of an award-winning documentary and panel discussion on the Danish immigrant who rose from street sweeper to “dean of American landscape architects” and passionate environmental activist. Half a century after his death, Jensen is now hailed as an early champion of neighborhood parks and sustainable design. April 22, 6:30-8:30 at Ross Hall.

Relix Magazine presents Cabinet’s Earth Day Celebration at Brooklyn Bowl! The event is on Earth Day, April 22nd at 8:00 PM at the Brooklyn Bowl, the first L.E.E.D certified bowling alley in the world! Doors open at 6:00 PM for $10 a ticket.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Earth Day Clean Up at the Schuylkill Banks. Help clean up the city’s much-loved Schuylkill River Trail and celebrate the release of Sly Fox’s brand-new beer, Schuylkill River Trail Ale at an Earth Day event at the river’s banks by the Walnut Street bridge. A portion of the beer’s proceeds will benefit the Schuylkill River Trail. The cleanup will run on April 22, from noon to 2 p.m., and the tapping will take place at London Grill from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Schuylkill River Trail Ale Release Party at World Cafe Live. Raise a glass to the brand-new Schuylkill River Trail Ale by Sly Fox Brewing Company at a release party at World Cafe Live. Be one of the first to taste the seasonal ale while also helping to beautify and keep up the banks along the Schuylkill River from Pottstown to Philadelphia. The party starts at 6 p.m on April 22.

Greensgrow Farms. Help get Greensgrow Farms in tip-top shape at an Earth Day cleanup event at the Fishtown urban farm from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The folks at the farm are looking for help with agriculture, horticulture and carpentry, so sign up to beautify the public space for spring and summer. Lunch will be provided. Wednesday, April 22.

Yards ArBrew Day. Yards Brewing Company is teaming up with Tree Philly to give away free trees (and beer for those receiving trees) at 10 locations in the city. Participating bars include Shake Shack, Frankford Hall, City Tap House U City and London Grill. Friday, April 24, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Orlando, Florida

Central Florida Earth Day is the largest and most prestigious Earth Day event in Central Florida! The event will include healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, speakers, and presentations, non-profits, fun and games for kids, dog and cat adoptions, restaurant booths, environmental and humane education, artist and craft corners, and live music and entertainment. It will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lake Eola Park in Orlando.

What do you have planned for Earth Day? Let us know in the comments!

Check out our #FPEarthmonth posts for more Earth Day ideas!