Written by Scott Hartbeck, TravelPulse , February 28, 2026
How can any American travel lover resist the month of March? Wondering what’s so special about travelling in the third month of the year? Well, for starters, it’s the month when St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break, March Madness, Spring Training, longer days and warmer temperatures all converge.
And if that isn’t enough for you, since March is the month when winter begins to loosen its grip across much of the country, March events signal the arrival of spring with everything from blooming flowers and fruit festivals to seasonal celebrations that simply encourage getting outside. Rest assured though, there are still some ‘wintry’ festivals on our list, which are great for ending the season in style.
Scroll down to find out which great event is happening near you.
The Fur Rondy – Anchorage, Alaska
A holdover from February, the always-fun Fur Rondy Festival continues in Anchorage through March 8 with a final flourish full of unforgettable events. At the ‘Rondy, revelers will enjoy crowd-pleasing traditions like the wild and woolly Running of the Reindeer, the Rondy Music Fest, the Fur Rondy Melodrama and the Blanket Toss. To say nothing of all the tasty local food & drink that will help you embrace the season and the unique culture of Alaska.
SNOWFEST – North Lake Tahoe, California
March will begin with a flurry of fun at the 44th annual North Lake Tahoe SNOWFEST (runs through March 8), celebrating the High Sierra lifestyle with more than 50 events staged throughout the area. From the Kings Beach SNOWFEST Parade and Palooza with festive floats and live music to the River Ranch Snow Sculpture Contest, quirky winter games, pancake breakfasts, art & craft fairs and lively fireside parties there’s something happening every day of the ten-day celebration.
Spring Training – Florida & Arizona
March in America means Spring Training (all month long), where baseball and blue skies go hand in hand in both the Grand Canyon State and The Sunshine State. In the Phoenix metro area, 15 MLB teams take the field at 10 Cactus League stadiums, serving up sunny skies, good times and up close access to some of the game’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Grapefruit League spreads 15 teams across ballparks from Tampa to West Palm Beach, blending big-league action with beachside breezes.
The BNP Paribas Open – Indian Wells, California
This famous tennis tournament returns to the Coachella Valley this month (March 1–15), bringing world-class tennis to the desert just outside Palm Springs. Affectionately dubbed “Tennis Paradise,” the tournament draws top ATP and WTA stars to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for two weeks of thrilling singles and doubles action. Add in practice court access, scenic mountain backdrops and near-perfect weather, and you’ve got one of March’s premier sporting events in the nation.
Ski Joring Festival – Leadville, Colorado
Head to the 78th Annual Leadville Ski Joring event (March 7-8) in Colorado’s high country, where you’ll be able to see skiers towed at high speed by horses through an exhilarating obstacle course featuring rings, jumps and gates. Spectators line the course to cheer on competitors as they navigate daring maneuvers and gravity‑defying tricks, while the surrounding town embraces the festive atmosphere with food vendors and live music, and you’re more than invited to get in on the fun.
St. Paddy’s Day Soirees – Various Locations
March means one thing for lovers of Irish culture and parade fans alike: it’s time to go green and get in on one of the biggest celebrations of the year. In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the zany World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns March 17 with celebrity grand marshal Carmen Electra and official parade starter Matt Iseman leading the charge.
Chicago kicks off its festivities March 14 by dyeing the Chicago River emerald green in a spectacle that will once again draw thousands of revelers to the river banks before the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off. On March 15, the city’s beloved South Side Irish Parade, widely considered the “people’s champion” of Chicago’s processions, takes to the streets.
Of course, no St. Paddy’s season would be complete without the classic East Coast celebrations in Boston and New York City, where centuries old parades, bagpipers and kilt-clad contingents take over Fifth Avenue and Boylston Street in a colorful display of culture and camaraderie. And don’t forget about other great destinations like Savannah, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Vegas, who all know how to celebrate St. Paddy’s, too.
Bike Week – Daytona Beach, Florida
Rev your engines for Daytona Beach’s 85th Annual Bike Week (runs through March 8), when motorcyclists will descend on Florida’s Atlantic coast for one of the country’s most legendary rallies. The 10‑day celebration fills days and nights with scenic rides along historic Main Street and the A1A, adrenaline‑pumping races at Daytona International Speedway and jaw‑dropping custom bike shows. Oh, and there’s also plenty of live music and parties, swap meets and stunt shows, plus food & drink that keep the good times rolling all week long.
ULTRA Music Festival – Miami, Florida
Electronic dance music lovers will once again flock to Miami later in the month for the electrifying beats of the ULTRA Electronic Music Festival (March 27-29), arguably the biggest annual event on the EDM calendar. Highlights include Martin Garrix, Alesso, DJ Snake, Major Lazer and many more.
Pennzoil 400 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Get ready for an adrenaline‑fueled NASCAR Weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 14–16), where high-speed thrills will once again take center stage under the desert sky. In addition to the race itself, the weekend features a full roster of support races, fan experiences and pit lane events that put you close to the action.
Cherry Blossom Festival – Macon, Georgia
Once again, Macon will throw the “Pinkest Party on Earth” during the International Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20-29), celebrating the bloom of over 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees with concerts, parades, wacky bed races and much more. Even if you’re not a blossom lover when you arrive, you will be when you leave.
PHS Flower Show – Philadephia, Pennsylvania
Step into spring early at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show (runs through March 8), the nation’s most celebrated floral event. Visitors can wander through imaginative themed gardens, marvel at dazzling floral displays and pick up some innovative horticultural techniques from expert growers. The show features hands‑on workshops, plant exhibits, garden tours and specialty marketplaces. Whether you’re an amateur gardener or are just on the hunt for some flower content for social media, you’re sure to have a blast.
Butterflies are Blooming – Grand Rapids, Michigan
The always-enchanting Butterflies are Blooming event returns to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids this month (runs through April), offering a springtime spectacle that delights visitors of all ages. Thousands of vibrant tropical butterflies flutter freely throughout the tropical conservatory, and guests are able to wander among them and the lush plants, learning about butterfly life cycles and snapping some seriously eye-catching photos.
Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show – Houston, Texas
Once again, the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show (March 2-22) gallops through town delivering high-energy rodeo competitions, a colorful downtown parade and mouthwatering barbecue contests alongside thrilling carnival rides. To say nothing of star‑studded concerts set to light up the NRG Stadium stage featuring Riley Green, Lizzo, Dwight Yoakam, Creed, Chris Stapleton, Shaboozey, Kelly Clarkson and many more.
South by Southwest – Austin, Texas
SXSW (March 12-18) is back with its unique mix of music, film, comedy and cutting edge technology and will once again transform Austin into the place to be. Go for the live concerts, film premieres, keynote talks and immersive tech experiences, come home with your fondest memories being the times you soaked up the best of Austin’s unique streets, food scene and nightlife.