The Best March Events in Each State

Spring into March Travel Madness
The days are getting longer, the clocks are getting ready to spring forward, schools everywhere are preparing to let out for spring break and all over the country, fun March events are in the final planning stages. From St. Patrick’s Day parties to flower festivals, concert tours and rodeos, the best March events in the USA are a diverse range, with many of them making a return after a one or two-year hiatus. March is a month of transition between winter and spring and many of the following great events celebrate the arrival of spring. Click on the slideshow to find the best thing to do in March near you and start circling dates on your calendar, because we’ve got 31 days to make the most of it!

Alabama
Mobile’s legendary Mardi Gras comes to a crescendo on March 1 while—after a year off—Callaghan’s Irish Social Club looks set once again to be the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Elsewhere in the state, the Orange Beach Festival of Art will take place on March 12-13 and the cute small town of Fairhope will host the 70th annual edition of its acclaimed Arts & Crafts Festival during the weekend of March 18-20.

Alaska
March is a marvelous month to head north as days get longer but all the magic of winter is still around you at every turn. Head to Anchorage through March 6th for the frosty fun that is the annual Fur Rondy Festival. A carnival atmosphere will once again prevail as locals gather for blanket tosses, ice bowling, snow sculptures, concerts and the beloved Running of the Reindeer.

Arizona
The third month of the year is arguably the best time to visit the Phoenix area as Spring Training typically fever takes over the Valley and the temperatures are pretty much perfect. Even if Spring Training ends up looking a bit different this year due to the MLB lockout, there are plenty of other awesome events to attend like the M3F Music Festival on March 4-5, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market (the largest American Indian art fair in the state) on March 5-6 and the Aloha Festival dedicated to South Pacific cultures on March 12-13. Then head back to Scottsdale’s sensational Heard Museum on March 26-27 for the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest—a riveting indigenous cultural event.

Arkansas
Start the month on the right foot at the Fat Tuesday party in Eureka Springs on March 1st, then head to the state capital for the Litte Rock Marathon on March 5-6. The biggest party of the month will take place in Hot Springs on St. Paddy’s during the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a one-of-a-kind event that will feature appearances by Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin and a set from band Sugar Ray.

California
Fresh off hosting the Super Bowl, the Golden State really gets the sports gears going in March. One of Tennis’ sunniest annual events, The BNP Paribas Open takes place March 7-20 in Indian Wells while first and second-round games of the NCAA Tournament will take place in San Diego on March 18th & 20th. Other great events set to take place are the San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 10-20) and the beloved annual Boysenberry Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm, which kicks off on March 18th and will run well until April.

Colorado
Denver will host several excellent events this March, including the Dragon Boat Film Festival (March 3-6)—dedicated to showing off the best of Asian film—Denver Restaurant Week (March 11-20) and the start of Frida: Immersive Dream—an enchanting experience that displays the famous artist’s work in a riveting, never-seen-before way. Further afield, head to the San Luis Valley for the Monte Vista Crane Festival (March 11-13) which celebrates the annual return of graceful sandhill cranes.

Connecticut
March is your last chance to catch the fascinating Strange Times: Downtown New Haven in the COVID Era photo exhibition at the New Haven Museum. The display will run until March 25th and it gives an insight into the emptiness of the city’s streets during the early days of the pandemic. Other sweet events in March include Maple Weekend (March 19-20), which is a celebration of the state’s maple syrup production at local sugarhouses and Hartford’s Monster Jam (March 19-20)—one of the most exciting monster truck rallies in the Northeast.

Delaware
The Biggs Museum keeps its stellar roster up as Vision & Voices: A juried exhibition of Mid-Atlantic African American Artists continues through the month. Elsewhere, several St. Patrick’s Day events will take place throughout the state, but you won’t be able to find a more authentic “knees up” than the one at Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub in Wilmington.

Florida
Get revved up at Daytona Beach’s annual Bike Week (March 4-13) before catching a tan on the beach. Then, head way down south to help celebrate Key West’s special place in the history of Florida during the 200th anniversary of the island’s settlement (March 19-30), which will feature all sorts of fun cultural events. Elsewhere in the Sunshine State, Miami will host Calle Ocho Music Festival (March 13) and the epic EDM gathering that is Ultra Music Festival (March 25-27).

Georgia
Savannah doesn’t just throw a St. Paddy’s Day party, they own the holiday in these parts and the party will be back for the first time since 2019. Spring will be in the air in Macon for the 40th annual Cherry Blossom Festival (March 18-27), which will feature great music and food in addition to plenty of pink blossom-peeping. Anytime during March is a good time to stop by the Atlanta Botanical Garden as their beloved Atlanta Blooms! will take place all month and will once again feature a kaleidoscopic range of colorful tulips, crocuses and daffodils.

Hawai’i
Head to the Big Island for the 27th annual Kona Brewers Festival on March 12th, where you’ll be able to taste some of the finest beers brewed on the islands. Breweries expected to be pouring include Kona Brewing, Maui Brewing, Hana Koa Brewing, Inu Island Ales and many more.

Idaho
The Treefort Music Festival makes its return to downtown Boise March 23-27, with indie artists Kim Gordon, Men I Trust, Snail Mail, W.I.T.C.H and Kari Faux being just a few of the talented acts set to perform. If Blues is more your thing, head to Cour d’Alene on March 25th for the 12th Annual Coeur d’Alene Blues Festival.

Illinois
Start St. Patrick’s Day off early by attending the Irish Film Festival March 3-6, which will feature funny and thought-provoking films from the Emerald Isle. Then, on March 12th head downtown to see the Chicago River dyed green and take in the official Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is only the start of the fun because the next day the local’s favorite South Side Irish Parade rolls. Enjoy special prix fixe menus at restaurants all around the Windy City during Chicago Restaurant Week, which starts on March 25th and will run until early April.

Indiana
It should come as no surprise that Indiana is heaven for hoops fans in March and while the state isn’t hosting the entire NCAA tournament like last year, there will still be some great action tipping off. The Horizon League men and women will crown their champions March 7-9 at the Indiana Farmer Coliseum while the Big 10 Conference will hold its annual tournaments at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the women taking to the court March 2-6 and the men playing March 9-13. The venue will also hold first and second-round games of the Big Dance on March 17th & 19th.

Iowa
Head to the Des Moines Civic Center March 5-6 for The Magic Flute, an engrossing “Mozart meets the movies” opera. Later in the month, Broadway comes to Des Moines March 22-27 in the form of Hadestown, a folk opera that tells the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice against the backdrop of early 20th-century mining towns. Around that time, the Rocket Man himself (and his piano) drops into town, as Elton John will play Wells Fargo Arena on March 26th.

Kansas
Start the month off by taking a trip around the world at the International Food & Culture Fair at Pittsburg State University on March 5th. The event will show off the global cuisine and cultures of the university’s international students. March 12th is the date to circle for the Kansas Craft Brewers Expo in Lawrence and March 19th will see Manhattan’s Aggieville District once again painted green during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Road Races.

Kentucky
Newport, Louisville and Lexington will all throw big bashes on St. Paddy’s while that is just the start of the late-March fun in Kentucky. The illuminated wonder that is Wild Lights! at the Louisville Zoo kicks off on March 18th and Vision Duet—a moving percussion and violin experience—comes to the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in Madisonville on March 26th.

Louisiana
March arrives with a bang as March 1st is the grand finale of the state’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations. Head to New Orleans for the world-famous version of the bash, but you will also have thhe time of your life watching parades and parties in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and even small towns like Eunice. The Big Easy is a safe bet the rest of the month though as the city hosts the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12th while the BUKU Festival brings electrifying hip hop and EDM to town March 25-26.

Maine
Start your month out with some moving artwork as March 5th sees the return to Portland of A Walk in the Woods, an annual landscape painting exhibit. The Portland Symphony Orchestra will perform acclaimed works from Barber & Brahms on March 13 and the renowned Portland String Quartet will perform at noon on March 17th. Then, finish off your month with a brew at the Craft Beer Summit on March 31.

Maryland
Head to Baltimore for the biggest range of events and fun things to do in March. For starters, the Rembrandt Effect will be on display all month long at the Baltimore Museum of Art, a display that shows off the influence the Dutch master had on the world of art. While you are there, make sure to check out Mickalene Thomas: A Moment’s Pleasure, which is streaked with interesting 1980s and 1970s vibes. Stout lovers will want to head to the Guinness Open Gate Brewery March 12-19 for an interactive Irish Festival which will feature the ability to have your photo printed on a pint and lots of other Gaelic good times.

Massachusetts
Through March 6th, you will be able to tap your toes and get on your feet at Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Then, things take on an Irish twist with the local favorite band Dropkick Murphy’s playing March 17-19 at the House of Blues while the city’s famed St. Patrick’s Day parade takes to the streets of South Boston on March 20.

Michigan
Winter may keep its grip on the state for the majority of March, but things inside the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will feel downright tropical during Butterflies are Blooming—the nation’s largest tropical butterfly display—which kicks off on March 1. Then, head to the town’s Blue Bridge footbridge before March 6th to see Massimals, a collection of vibrant abstract polar bear sculptures. The early part of the month (March 4-6) will also be a great time to visit Detroit and take in Detroit Autorama: America’s Greatest Hotrod Car Show.

Minnesota
Head to the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis on March 3rd to watch The Life and Music of George Michael, a fascinating theatrical-style concert offering insight into the late great singer’s life. Dua Lipa rocks the Target Center on March 8th, The Coin Collectors show returns to the Twin Cities on March 18th and The Bakken Museum will host its Women in Science event on March 26th. And when it comes to March 17th revelry, both Minneapolis and St. Paul throw lively St. Paddy’s processions.

Mississippi
The Gulf Coast is the place to be on March 1st as Mardi Gras parades take to the streets for Fat Tuesday. Gulfport, Biloxi and Bay St. Louis will host colorful processions on that day but the revelry will spill over throughout the coast. March 19th sees the family-friendly Unity Festival return to Gulfport and the month goes out on a literary note at The Oxford Conference for the Book on the campus of the University of Mississippi (March 30-April 1).

Missouri
Celebrate the grand finale of Mardi Gras in St. Louis by taking a Fat Tuesday riverboat cruise and hitting the Mardi Gras Mambo event at the Broadway Oyster Bar. Elsewhere, head to the Missouri History Museum to take in St. Louis Sound— an exhibit that details all the musical greats who have hailed from the ‘Lou—or the Berges Theater at Coca to see Stick Fly, a thought-provoking and humorous play tackling issues of class and race (running through March 6). Later in the month, West Plains will host the fascinating Southern Missouri Folklore Festival on March 25th.

Montana
While the weather in March can be a bit hit or miss, there’s a 100% chance of good times in Butte on March 17th, as this town will once again celebrate its rich Irish heritage with green gusto. Other great events to attend in March are a performance by NOBUNTU—a powerful quintet from Zimbabwe— at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings on March 6th and the annual Big Sky Art and Craft show in Helena on March 26th.

Nebraska
Start your month off by moving to the beat at The Story of Afro-Colombians Through Dance and Music with acclaimed dance troupe Sankofa Danzafro in Omaha March 2-4. Other great performance events in the state’s cultural mecca in March are The Color Purple at the Omaha Community Playhouse (March 4-27), Billie Eilish at the CHI Health Center (March 16th) and Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats at the Orpheum Theater (March 25th).

Nevada
The month starts off with a bang at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the weekend of March 4-6 is taken over by the festivities surrounding the Pennzoil 400 race. Head to Sunset Park in the suburbs on March 12th for the Las Vegas Water Lanterns Festival and bounce back to the Strip for St. Patrick’s Day at O’Shea’s and all the ensuing fun of March Madness. Concert-wise, Smokey Robinson, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood are among the big names performing during the month.

New Hampshire
March is Maple Month in the Granite State, so rest assured that you’re going to get plenty of chances to sample the sweet stuff. The 25th annual Maple Weekend will take place on March 21-22 and it will once again feature maple houses welcoming the public with a smile and a sample, with the Remick Museum in Tamworth being a particularly excellent place to visit. Another great event in March is Bockfest—a celebration of the coming of spring through Bock beer—on March 12th in Portsmouth.

New Jersey
Head to Warren on March 5th for the annual Winter Festival, which will once again feature ice carving, ice skating, marshmallow roasting and a host of other fun things to do. Jersey City Restaurant Week (March 7-20) will show off the best that this up-and-coming foodie city has to offer while up-and-down the coast there will be fun St. Patrick’s Day parties and parades, but none better than the atmosphere at Atlantic City’s legendary The Irish Pub.

New Mexico
Kick off the month with some spice at the 33rd National Fiery Foods & BBQ show at Sandia Casino in Albuquerque March 4-6, or if you’re in the mood for some laughs, watch Kevin Hart perform at ABQ’s Kiva Auditorium on March 5th. On that same day at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, they will be celebrating the wild and woolly Western fun of Cowboy Days. Later in March, the Thai-inspired Sky Lantern Festival will light up the skies over Sanida Speedway on March 12.

New York
Sure, the Big Apple is the place to be every month of the year, but March 2022 is going to be truly special. All month long, the New York Botanical Garden will host the kaleidoscopic Orchid Show, the New York International Children’s Film Festival will return March 4-19 and the NYC Marathon takes to the streets on March 20. This is to say nothing of the city’s legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade and associated parties.

North Carolina
Tip-off your month in Greensboro watching the Women’s ACC Basketball Tournament March 2-6 before heading to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh to see spring arrive in fine, floral fashion at the Art in Bloom exhibit March 16-20. Fat Bike riders will descend on the beach in Wrightsville for the national championships on March 19th and foodies will love finishing the month with a bang at the Outer Banks’ Taste of the Beach, which will take place March 26-29.

North Dakota
Take an enthralling Chinese history lesson through the lens of classical Chinese dance at Shen Yun: China Before Communism at Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks on March 2nd. Papa Roach Comes to town on March 8th for a show at the Alreus Center, while the same venue will host the International Sugar Beet Institute Show 2022. In Minot, the Martini Masquerade will take place on March 19th and will once again benefit a great cause.

Ohio
Head to the capital Columbus March 3-6 for the Arnold Festival, an unbelievable sporting event created by Arnold Schwarzenneger featuring 20,000-plus athletes from over 80 nations competing in dozens of events and sporting competitions. Naturally, Dublin Ohio will be the place to be on March 12th for their annual St. Paddy’s day parade while that same weekend (March 11-12) Cleveland will be hosting the annual Winter BeerFest. And when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll want to stay in Cleveland to celebrate at the city’s awesome Irish pub The Harp.

Oklahoma
The month starts with two rock shows in Oklahoma City on March 1st as the Gin Blossoms celebrate the 30th anniversary of their album New Miserable Experience at the Tower Theatre and Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional rock the Criterion Theater. Elsewhere in OKC, March 4-6 marks the Backwoods Hunting Expo and in Tulsa the Big 12 Conference Wrestling Championships come to town March 5-6, Last but not least, in addition to a myriad of St. Patrick’s Day parties around the state, March 17th marks the kick-off of a rite of spring in these parts: Tulsa Botanic BOOM!, which features of 200,000 spring flower blooms at the Tulsa Botanic Garden.

Oregon
They may be a long way from New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to throw down for Mardi Gras. March 1st will see the Portland Mardi Gras Parade take its annual stroll down Mississippi Ave, which will be followed by plenty of fun at the local bars. Leslie Odom, Jr. performs with the Oregon Symphony at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on March 3rd, the 43rd annual Portland International Film Festival will take place March 6-15, and the Winter Blues Music Festival will rock the Elk’s Lodge on March 12.

Pennsylvania
Start the month by heading to the state capital for the Harrisburg Ice & Fire Festival on March 5th, which will once again host scores of stunning ice sculptures, an ice slide and lively fire dancers. Philadelphia’s East Passyunk Avenue will host its cherished Restaurant Week through March 11th, which will feature special menus at restaurants located on the famous foodie street. March 12th is the day to be in Scranton for their massive St. Patrick’s Day Parade and last but not least, Chanticleer Garden—one of Philadelphia’s prettiest gardens—will open its doors for the season on March 30th.

Rhode Island
Stop by Simmons Organic Farm in Middletown on Saturdays through March 19th for S’more Than Just a Hayride, a fun outdoor event featuring cool things to do paired up with hot cocoa designed to beat those late winter blues. Korn comes to Providence on March 16th while indie rock sensation Soccer Mommy plays town on March 27th. March 20th will see the Mimosa Fest pour tasty bubbles & juice-filled glasses to revelers at Providence’s Fete Music Hall.

South Carolina
Charleston gets things started with the tasty Charleston Wine + Food Festival March 2-6, then since Myrtle Beach is the mecca for Shag Dancing, it’s only fitting that they host the Shag Dancing National Championships March 10-12. When it comes to St. Paddy’s, you’re going to want to be back in Charleston as they kick off “Irish Season” on March 5th and keep the party rolling all the way through the 17th.

South Dakota
The first weekend of the month is the time to be in the Black Hills as they host professional Snocross races (March 5-6) and their very own Winter Festival (March 5th), the latter featuring bike barrel racing, live music and a bonfire weenie roast. Head to Freeman March 18-19 & 25-26 for Schmeckfest, a gathering which celebrates the traditions of the Germans who emigrated to the area from Russia.

Tennessee
Head to Nashville early in the month for the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will take over Bridgestone Arena March 2-6. Concert events in Music City in March will include Conan Gray, Tame Impala, Billie Eilish, Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg & Ice Cube. Head to Chattanooga for Rock City’s special “Shamrock City” during two special weekends (March 12-13 & March 19-20) in March to see the attraction’s waterfalls run green and to sample some signature Irish food, music and frivolity.

Texas
The legendary South by Southwest Festival will return to Austin March 11-20, showcasing hundreds of musical acts from all over the nation and the world. The must-go event of the month though will once again be the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Running through March 20th, this event is for everyone as it features all the typical rodeo events but also a myriad of other events like a barbecue contest, wine show, carnival, shopping opportunities and special theme days. A-list entertainment includes Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Ricky Martin, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Khalid, Gwen Stefani and local favorite Bun B.

Utah
You’ll have to wait until the weekend of March 26-27 to once again celebrate the Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork, but it will be well worth it as this explosion of vibrancy and music is like nothing else in the state. In the meantime, Disney on Ice takes over the Vivant Arena March 3-6, the same venue Justin Bieber will play on March 13th.

Vermont
Burlington’s beloved theater troupe Vermont Stage will kick off its season at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center on March 23rd with The Thin Place, Itzhak Perlman plays at the Flynn Center in town on March 19th, and the same venue hosts Celtic Women: Postcards from Ireland on March 30th.

Virginia
Start your month by heading to Charlottesville to see the Banff Center Mountain Film Festival (March 6-7) or head to Rosie’s Gaming in Richmond on March 5th to see Trina Johnson Finn perform a tribute to Whitney Houston. Both Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion reopen to the public in March, with the former premiering a record-breaking multi-launch coaster called Pantheon and the latter debuting Tumbili—a cutting-edge new 4D spin coaster. Virginia Beach is the place to be on March 19th to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style (albeit a couple of days late) at the VB LepreCon gathering.

Washington
Seattle’s Home & Garden show will take over Lumen Field through March 2nd while the Golf Show will run March 5-6 at the Washington State Convention Center. Cirque du Soleil’s iconic Alegría has been re-invented and will run outdoors March 2-13 in Redmond while the Seattle Symphony will pay tribute to eastern cultures with its special Celebrate Asia performance on March 20th.

West Virginia
The small community of Ireland, West Virginia may not throw the biggest Irish Festival in the nation, but it might just be the best. Visit March 13-20 to experience a celebration of the town’s Irish roots and the arrival of spring. A sampling of the events on tap includes bingo, talent shows, harp concerts, Irish food & drinks and the famous “road bowling” event.

Wisconsin
Head to the Waukesha County Exposition Center March 11-12 for the annual Quilting Stars show, where over 300 quilted items will be on displayed. Then, make for Milwaukee and its Milwaukee Repertory Theater to take in My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra that kicks off on March 4th and runs through April and to take in Jazz Rocks with Don Linke on March 25th.

Wyoming
The Ice Fishing Derby will take place in Pinedale on March 5th, the same day the Western Spirit Art Show and Sale gets going in Cheyenne, a juried event featuring over 400 works of Western art that will run through the middle of April. The first weekend of the month is stacked in these parts as March 6th will also see the Making Marks (Niiwoowo3onohei) with Northern Arapaho Artist Robert Martinez event happen at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson.