March is certainly a celebratory time in Chicago, as the temperatures start to warm up and every weekend is packed with events. Watch the river turn green for St. Patrick’s Day, catch a concert or comedy show, celebrate Women’s History Month, explore a new museum exhibit, see a spring flower show, and so much more. Check out our list of favorite Chicago activities and events to enjoy this March 2024.

Top events in Chicago this March

St. Patrick’s Day Clover Cruise by Chicago’s First Lady CruisesCelebrate the start of Women’s History Month (March 1): Join Let’s Talk Womxn Chicago for their Black Bling Bash, featuring tasting stations, cocktails, music, a drag show, and more.

Check out the Chicago Fire home opener (March 2): Soccer fans should head to Soldier Field for the Chicago Fire home opener against FC Cincinnati.

Catch a film at the Chicago Irish Film Festival (through March 10): This year is the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Irish Film Festival, bringing some of the year’s best films from Irish filmmakers to Chicago audiences. 

Shop the Chicago Artisan Market (March 10): Fulton Market will be home to this month’s artisan market, featuring some of Chicago’s best local vendors showcasing their handmade goods, art, jewelry, food, fashion, and more.

Watch the iconic Chicago River dyeing (March 16): There’s no doubt Chicago is the place to be when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t miss the annual green river dyeing followed by the St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown.

Ritmo del Mar at the Shedd Aquarium; photo by Shedd Aquarium/Eva Ho

See the spring blooms at Garfield Park Conservatory (through March): The annual spring flower show explores the history and science of botanical nomenclature, while also showcasing a beautiful, bloom-filled show.

Enjoy the South Side Irish Parade (March 17): Enjoy a procession of Irish floats, bagpipes, marching bands, and more in the neighborhood’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Catch the La Femme Dance Festival (March 14 – 16): The Red Clay Dance Company is behind the La Femme Dance Festival, a three-day celebration of women in dance that showcases works created by women of the Black/African diaspora.

Dance the night away at the Shedd Aquarium (March 23): The lakefront aquarium is hosting a special after-hours celebration of Latino culture and cuisine, featuring live salsa dancing, merengue, and Latin jazz music, as well as food and beverage options.

Admire the orchid show at the Chicago Botanic Garden (through March): There’s nothing quite like an orchid display, and the Botanic Garden is going all out for its annual orchid show that also brings a sense of whimsy with carnival and circus elements.

More events in Chicago this MarchGet ready to laugh at the Windy City Comedy Festival (March 1): Arie Crown Theater will be bringing together a variety of beloved comedians, including Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Don “DC” Curry, Special K, and Teddy Carpenter, for a night of laughs.

Dine out during Greektown Restaurant Week (March 1 – 7): Celebrate Chicago’s wide array of Greek cuisine during Greektown Chicago Restaurant Week, when you’ll find discounts and special offers at classic restaurants and bars.

Cheer on the CHIditarod Race (March 2): Chicago’s popular CHIditarod shopping cart race and food drive fundraiser takes over the streets of West Town for an epic bar crawl and street spectacle.

Dont miss the Brewsology Beer Fest (March 2): The Brewsology Beer Fest offers the opportunity to sample dozens of local craft beers from Chicago breweries and cideries (Goose Island, Old Irving, Revolution, and many more), while roaming the museum after hours.

Plunge if you dare at the Chicago Polar Plunge (March 3): The winter tradition returns to North Avenue beach to dive into the icy waters of Lake Michigan in support of the Special Olympics Chicago.

Attend the Sor Juana Festival at the National Museum of Mexican Art (begins March 2): This annual multidisciplinary fest honors one of Mexico’s greatest writers and celebrates the rich artistic accomplishments of Mexican women from both sides of the border.

Visit the Charm’d pop-up experience (throughout March): Visit this Wrigleyville pop-up bar that features over-the-top wall-to-wall decor, plus themed bites and green cocktails to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

See Margaret Atwood’s take on The Odyssey (through March): The Penelopiad is an unexpected remix of the classic tale by the iconic author, presented by an all-female cast at the Goodman Theatre.

Dive into local history on a Chicago Mahogany Tour (multiple dates): Join the TikTok-famous Chicago historian Dilla on a tour of a historic neighborhood like Bronzeville, with fascinating stories and landmarks of the city’s Black Metropolis.

Bring the family to Little Red Riding Hood (through March 8): Little ones will enjoy the story of Little Red Riding Hood being brought to life at the Apollo Theater.

Photo courtesy Chicago Bulls

Red Clay Dance Company, photo credit MReid Photography See the dinos at Jurassic Quest (March 8 – 10): The awe-inspiring exhibit stops by Navy Pier for a two-day adventure where you can meet baby dinos, excavate fossils, and come face to face with a lifesize T-rex.

Enjoy the Chi-Town Jazz Festival (March 9 – 14): This annual multi-day celebration includes vibrant live jazz performances at The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, and St. Moses Ministry Center.

Mix and mingle with women in business (through March) Mesler Chicago in Hyde Park will be hosting a weekly mixer event featuring local women in business who are making an impact in their community.

Sip wine at a museum during Uncorked Wine Fest (March 9): Enjoy an after-hours experience at the Museum of Science Industry and sip, savor, and celebrate over 150 wines while exploring the museum’s interactive exhibits.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way (March 10): Bring the family to Gallagher Way and get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live Irish Dancing and bagpipe performances, Irish dancing lessons, face painting, balloon artists, and of course, green beer and Irish coffee for the adults.

Go see Mrs. Doubtfire at the Nederlander Theatre (through March 10): The beloved movie makes its musical comedy debut in Chicago for a limited run in March, starring Tony-nominated actor Rob McClure.

See the Chicago Blackhawks take the ice (various dates): There’s nothing like the energy at the United Center when the legendary Chicago Blackhawks are out on the ice.

Check out Free Street Theater at South Shore Cultural Center (March 14): Head to the South Shore Cultural Center for Free Street Theater’s interactive and bilingual performance for teens.

Admire the Maple Tree Festival at North Park Village Nature Center (March 16): This free event celebrates maple trees and includes observation (and tasting) of the maple syrup process.

Morton Arboretum in spring

3D models of a Mosquito, Leech, and Black Fly will be on display at the Field Museum as natural and supernatural bloodfeeding creatures take center stage in the newest exhibition Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches. Bloodsuckers opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 27. Bring your dog to the Morton Arboretum (March 17): Take a stroll through this sprawling arboretum just outside Chicago, during this special “tails on the trails” event.

Listen to Chicago Blues at Marquette Park (March 18): Who doesn’t love free blues concerts throughout Chicago? The Marquette Park Chambers Ensemble will play a live performance of classic blues music that’s free and open to the public.

Listen to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Kehrein Center for the Arts (March 19): The acclaimed Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be performing in the South Austin neighborhood as a free special performance for music lovers.

Enjoy bites from Savor Lincoln Park (March 20): Sip and savor your way through some of Lincoln Park’s most beloved restaurants with this indoor food festival at Theater on the Lake.

Celebrate the inaugural Rick Bayless Day (March 21): Celebrate Frontera Grills 37th anniversary with iconic chef Rick Bayless at this special multi-course prix fixe dinner.

Cheer on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center (various dates): Catch the iconic basketball team play on their home court all month long.

Find your zen at Butterfly Haven Yoga (various dates): Enjoy a rejuvenating yoga practice inside the peaceful Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, as live butterflies flutter overhead.

Hear free live music at Epiphany Center for the Arts (through March): An arts center housed in a former church, Epiphany offers live music, plus food and drink specials, in its cafe bar each week.

Run (or watch) the Shamrock Shuffle (March 24): Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, the Shamrock Shuffle returns to downtown Chicago in a sea of green for an 8k run or 2-mile walk starting in Grant Park.

Check out Art of the Future at Block 37 (through March): An augmented reality experience will be taking over Block 37 for an immersive, digital art exhibition highlighting the NFT world. Guests can wear AR headsets, and experience their own reality throughout the show.

Dont miss Disney100: The Exhibition (through March): This exhibition showcases hundreds of specialty props, art, and costumes from beloved Disney classics including Encanto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Marvel films, and much more.

Experience Indigenous dance traditions of ancient Mexico (March 28): Catch a vibrant performance from the Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance company, which preserves ancient Mexican culture through music, song, and Aztec dance.

See Joffrey dancers at the Museum of Contemporary Art (multiple dates): Catch the world premiere of five new works from African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American artists, presented by the prestigious Joffrey Academy of Dance.

Visit the Field Museum for Women’s History Month Storytime (March 6 and 27): Bring the kids to this PlayLab Play Date event, with a storytime session highlighting womens history and free activities for kids between 2 and 6.

Grab the kids for Paw Patrol Live at the Chicago Theatre (March 16 and 17): Ryder and his crew of pups are coming to the Chicago Theatre for the Great Pirate Adventure. Multiple shows across the weekend mean plenty of time for your little ones to soak up all the live-action experiences.

Stop by the Youth Poetry Festival (through March 22): The Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry Festival at the Ramova Theatre hosts over 500 youth poets for four weeks of workshops, showcases, and events.

Indulge at the Museum of Ice Cream (through March): Sweet and whimsical, the Museum of Ice Cream features more than a dozen magical installations and various sweet treats to sample throughout the museum.

Enjoy the Chicago Flamenco Festival (through March 23): Now in its 22nd year, this annual event at the Instituto Cervantes Chicago celebrates flamenco as a multi-cultural art form.

Grab tickets for the White Sox home opener (March 28): Baseball season kicks off at Guaranteed Rate Field with the White Sox home opener against the Detroit Tigers.