40 Fun Things to Do In Chicago in March from a Local

Chicago is thriving with fun things to do all year long, but March is when the city starts humming again with visitors for St. Patrick’s Day and spring break. While the city is crowded and rowdy for St. Patrick’s Day weekend, it’s worth going to Chicago in March if you want to experience the city’s culture, restaurants, and museums without the summer rush.

I am a Chicago resident of nearly two decades and the author of two books about Chicago. I find that March is a great time to get out and explore the city while still enjoying fewer crowds and more availability. Whether you’re visiting Chicago in March or you live in the Windy City, here are 40 fun things to do in Chicago in March.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my honest recommendations, at no additional cost to you.

Fun Things to Do in Chicago in March

1. Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade – March 1, 2026

Enjoy colorful floats, dragon and lion dancing teams, marching bands, and more in this parade. The Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade kicks off at 24th Street and Wentworrh at 1 p.m.

2. Have a Tasty Spring Break at the Museum of Ice Cream

If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago in March with kids, the Museum of Ice Cream hits the sweet spot. The colorful, whimsical experience is perfect for ice cream lovers of all ages.

Need more information on what to do while you’re in Chicago? Check out all of my Chicago articles and don’t miss my Chicago books Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Chicago Scavenger!

3. Stroll Through a Former Tuberculosis Sanitarium

North Park Village Nature Center is a hidden gem on the city’s northwest side. Welcome spring with an easy walk through wetland, prairie, forest, and oak savanna. Read the interesting history behind this sanitarium turned nature center here.

4. Greektown Restaurant Week – March 1-7, 2026

Eat your way through Greece via Chicago’s Greektown during Greektown Restaurant Week. From Athena Restaurant to Greek Islands Restaurant, the deals and flavors will have you saying opa!

5. North Side Restaurant Week – February 26-March 8, 2026

Neighborhood restaurants from Albany Park to Uptown come together during North Side Restaurant Week to showcase the area’s many flavors. Whether you’re craving Serbian, Mexican, Persian, or Thai Cuisine, you’ll find a reason to chow down with these deals.

6. Madame ZuZu’s Afternoon Tea at Alma – Through March 22, 2026

Alma at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville is teaming up with Madame ZuZu’s, founded by Chloé Mendel Corgan alongside musician Billy Corgan, for an Afternoon Tea takeover all month. Celebrate Women’s History Month every Sunday in March from 1-3 p.m. Enjoy vegan and gluten-free tea towers paired with Madame ZuZu’s signature blends and browse a curated vinyl pop-up from the café’s record collection in a celebration of women in hospitality and the arts.

7. Dig in to an Underground Donut Tour

See a sweet side of the city on a tour of Chicago’s donut bakeries with the Underground Donut Tour. Don’t worry, you’ll walk off the donuts as you consume them at beloved local spots while taking in the sights of the Loop on this tour. 

8. Honor Women’s History at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

March is Women’s History Month, and it’s the perfect time to visit the free Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Learn about Jane Addams’s work as a social reformer in Chicago immigrant communities that made her the first woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

9. Holi Celebration at Navy Pier – March 7, 2026

Welcome spring with the traditional Hindu festival of Holi. The colorful Holi event includes live music, dancing, and colorful powder in a joyful celebration.

10. Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center – March 15, 2026

Get a sweet start to spring with the Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook. Watch maple trees being tapped, hike nearly two miles of trails, and enjoy family-friendly crafts and nature programs.

11. Mudhen Run 5K at Big Marsh Park – March 14, 2026

Celebrate the northern migration of the mudhen, an aquatic bird with long legs and broad toes that allow it to run on water and land. Join the free Big Marsh Mudhen 5k fun run in South Deering starting at 9 a.m. and run like a mudhen!

12. Kayak the Green River – March 14, 2026

You’ve seen the kayakers braving the green waters of the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s your opportunity to join them! Join Kayak Chicago for a St. Patrick’s Day Paddle and soak in the celebration from a kayak, a double kayak, or an 18-passenger voyageur cruise.

13. Shamrock’n At Old St. Pat’s – March 14, 2026

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick than at Old St. Pat’s? Head to the West Loop for Shamrock’n at Old St. Pat’s, an all-ages party complete with live music, food and drinks, and kids’ activities. Don’t forget to wear green!

14. Chicago River Dyeing – March 14, 2026

Dyeing the Chicago River green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day is one of the city’s most beloved traditions, starting in 1962! The dyeing will start around 10 a.m. along the Chicago River between State Street and Columbus Drive. Can’t make it in the morning? The river will be running green all day. Learn more about the secret behind dyeing the Chicago River green.

15. Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 14, 2026

If you only see the green river, you’re missing half the fun on Chicago St. Patrick’s Day! Catch the official parade downtown on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive starting at 12 p.m. Celebrate along with bagpipers, Irish step dancers, and more!

16. St. Patrick’s Fest at Irish American Heritage Center – March 14-15, 2026

If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate the holiday, head to the Irish American Heritage Center in Albany Park. The St. Patrick’s Fest features arts and crafts, Irish music and dance, and a secret bar inside.

17. Avondale St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 15, 2026

Arguably Chicago’s best Irish pub, Chief O’Neill’s is packed for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, buffets, brunches, and live music throughout March. It only made sense for the bar to throw a neighborhood parade! Join the annual Avondale St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 10 a.m. and stay through Monday to enjoy all of the festivities at Chief O’Neill’s.

18. Chicago Working Families’ Archer Ave. St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 14, 2026

If you thought there was just one St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Southwest Side, you thought wrong. The Working Families’ Archer Ave. Parade marches down Archer Avenue between Oak Park and Merrimac Avenues in a celebration of community.

19. South Side Irish Parade – March 15, 2026

The 48th South Side Irish Parade steps off at 12 p.m. on Sunday. The parade marches down Western Avenue between 103rd and 115th Streets. Celebrate as only Beverly can with bagpipers, marching bands, and floats in this community event.

20. Northwest Side Irish Parade – March 15, 2026

The Loop and South Side don’t get to have all the fun on St. Patrick’s Day. The Northwest Side Irish Parade steps off in Norwood Park at 12 p.m. at the William J. Onahan School and marches down Neola Avenue and Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue.

21. Wander Down a Wood Block Alley

Did you know that Chicago’s streets were once paved with wood? You can still see a few wood block alleys around the city if you know where to look. Hunt down this piece of history at the restored alley in the Gold Coast or at a few deteriorating, original alleys in Lakeview. 

22. Hop on Big Bus Chicago

Hear me out, bus tours are the perfect way to cover a lot of ground in a city and see the highlights in a short amount of time. Plus, Big Bus Chicago lets you choose to sit inside or on the open-air top level, perfect for Chicago’s unreliable spring weather. If you want to see the Art Institute, Millennium Park, Grant Park, and more in one afternoon. Just hop on!

23. St. Paw-Trick’s Day – March 17, 2026

Bring your best four-legged buddy to celebrate actual St. Patrick’s Day at Cody’s Public House in Lakeview. St. Paw-Trick’s Day invites you to get your pet’s face printed on a pint of Guinness and listen to the Shannon Rovers Bag Pipers at 7:30 p.m.

24. Immerse Yourself in Art at the Balloon Museum

Lose yourself in a world of shapes and colors at the Balloon Museum. “EmotionAir” is a multi-sensory experience where visitors interact with installations that react to touch, sound, and movement in a display of the emotional spectrum. Go for the viral photos, stay for the immersive experience.

25. Play at the Chicago Children’s Museum

Need more kid-friendly activities in Chicago? Navy Pier is the what is the #1 tourist attraction in Chicago, and the Chicago Children’s Museum is one of its highlights. Whether your kiddo enjoys digging for dinosaurs, climbing in an enchanted forest, or splashing around, there’s fun for all ages.

26. Savor Lincoln Park – March 18, 2026

Taste your way through Lincoln Park’s favorite restaurants all without leaving Theater on the Lake at Savor Lincoln Park. Sample more than 25 restaurants from Greek to Lebanese to Indian and more.

27. Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Field Museum – March 25, 2026

The Field Museum is celebrating Women’s History Month with special events all March. This program welcomes Elizabeth Babcock, PhD, President and CEO of the neighboring Adler Planetarium. Before joining the Adler, she served as the Founding Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in Washington, D.C. The program begins at 12 p.m. Book your Field Museum ticket in advance.

28. West Town Restaurant Week – March 21-29, 2026

Enjoy special discounts, offers, and prix fixe menus from more than 20 restaurants at West Town Restaurant Week. Dig into BBQ at Smoke Daddy, sample caviar at Heritage, satisfy your sweet tooth at West Town Bakery, and more!

29. Get Your Putt on at Mini Golf

You can’t predict March weather outdoors in Chicago, but the season is always right for indoor mini golf. Big Putt Mini Golf offers 9-holes complete with a full bar at locations in Wicker Park and Lakeview. In the West Loop, Puttery boasts two courses and four bars.

30. Attend a Film Festival

March is the perfect time of year to cozy up with a good film, and Chicago has multiple film festivals to choose from. Head to Highland Park and Chicago from March 7-22 for the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival, featuring 21 films that explore Jewish identity. This year’s Chicago European Union Film Festival features Poland, with 13 films from Cyprus at the Gene Siskel Film Center from March 20-22.

31. Kick It with the Chicago Fire

Football is back, baby. The Chicago Fire FC welcomes MLS fans back to Soldier Field for the 2026 Season. Watch the fire kick the competition under the leadership of coach Gregg Berhalter now through November.

32. Run the Shamrock Shuffle – March 22, 2026

Running the Shamrock Shuffle every spring is one of my favorite Chicago traditions. The 8K race takes you over the Chicago River bridges and through the city’s skyscrapers. I love seeing the city from a new perspective while strangers cheer you on!

33. International Women’s Day Market – March 28-29, 2026

Honor International Women’s Day (March 8) and local women-owned businesses at the International Women’s Day Market at Artifact Events. Support women-owned businesses while shopping for jewelry, home goods, food, and more.

34. Women’s History Month Wine Tasting – March 30, 2026

Raise a glass to Women’s History Month at Bronzeville Winery. Led by internationally acclaimed wine expert Regine Rousseau, the Women’s History Month Wine Tasting kicks off at 6 p.m. for a guided tasting experience demonstrating how women are reshaping the global wine industry.

35. Chicago Cubs Opening Day – March 26, 2026

The crack of bats will return to the North Side of Chicago on March 26, as baseball returns to Wrigleyville for the Cubs’ home opener. The Chicago Cubs take on the Washington Nationals while the Chicago White Sox face off against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

36. Spring Flower Show at Garfield Park Conservatory – Through May 10, 2026

Whatever the weather outside, Chicago is in bloom at the Garfield Park Conservatory’s spring flower show. “Showers of Flowers” highlights more than 80 hanging baskets that demonstrate vertical possibilities. The beauty of trailing vines, and colorful pansies, petunia, and calibrachoa will rain inspiration down on you from above at the free show.

37. Meet Your Favorite Characters at C2E2 – March 27-29, 2026

Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo is the Midwest’s largest pop culture convention. C2E2 brings celebrities, exhibitors, comic writers and illustrators, literary authors, and thousands of fans to Chicago. Time to cosplay!

38. Boots 4-Year Anniversary Party – March 21, 2026

Club nights haven’t been the same since Boots appeared on the Chicago nightlife scene, transforming unconventional spaces into dance parties for a monthly pop-up. Don’t miss the Boots 4 Year Anniversary Party at Metro and get your dance on.

39. Get Inked at the Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival – March 20-22, 2026

Are you in the market for some new ink? If you’re not ready to book an appointment, you can still show off your sleeve, listen to presentations by the pros, and get ideas for your next tatt at the Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival in Rosemont.

40. Celebrate Women in the Arts at Women Made Gallery

Woman Made Gallery has been spotlighting women and nonbinary artists since 1992, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. The Near West Side gallery exhibits work all year, but the 27th International Open is a great exhibition to catch from March 1-28.

Visiting Chicago in March FAQ

Is March good time to visit Chicago?

March is a good time to visit Chicago as spring weather begins to hit the city. If you’re looking for a party, there’s no bigger event in Chicago than St. Patrick’s Day which is celebrated the weekend before March 17. If you prefer less crowds, visit Chicago any weekend in March except St. Patrick’s Day and you’ll find the city is bustling with events yet not full of visitors. Chicago is also a great option to visit for spring break with its endless iconic attractions and cheaper flights and hotel deals in March (outside of St. Patrick’s Day). With a manageable amount of visitors in March, it’s a great time to snag a trendy restaurant reservation or visit one of Chicago’s top attractions like the Field Museum, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, or the Art Institute, with a minimal wait.

How cold is Chicago in March?

March in Chicago can be a mix of warm, sunny days (also known as “Fool’s Spring) and late season snowfalls. According to the National Weather Service, the average temperatures in Chicago in March range from a high of 47 degrees to a low of 32 degrees. Snow is always a possibility. The weather often shifts from feeling like spring to winter. Check the forecast before you visit Chicago in the winter, so you know can pack accordingly.

What should I wear to Chicago in March?

If you’re wondering what clothes to wear to Chicago in March, the answer is to check the forecast. Chicago weather in the spring can be unpredictable, and it’s not unusual for it to be 70 degrees and sunny one day and snowing the next day. Check the weather before you visit Chicago in March so you can pack appropriately. I always recommend wearing layers so that you can bundle up while you’re outside (especially near the lake) and still be comfortable indoors.

After nearly two decades of living in Chicago, here are my recommendations for what to wear in Chicago in the winter.

• Chicago is a walking town, so pack comfortable shoes like sneakers or boots.
• Dress in layers so you can adjust to the different temperatures indoors and outdoors. Merino wool makes a great base layer for men and women. You may want to layer with a women’s flannel or men’s flannel.
• Visiting for St. Patrick’s Day? Don’t forget to pack a green sweater for women and men or a classic piece like a rugby shirt.
• In March, I personally switch from my winter wool coat to a lighter trench coat, leather jacket, or bomber jacket over my outfit.
• It doesn’t hurt to pack a winter hat and my favorite merino wool gloves. Don’t forget a scarf just in case!

Where to Stay in Chicago in March

Wondering where to stay overnight in Chicago in the winter? If you’re visiting for St. Patrick’s Day, consider a hotel with views of the Chicago River festivities. LondonHouse has great views down the Chicago River and boasts rooftop igloos. For a luxury hotel on the Chicago River, consider the St. Regis Hotel or the Langham Hotel. If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel on the Chicago river, check the rates at the Sheraton Grand, Swisshotel, Hyatt Regency Chicago, or the Westin Chicago River North.

Click here for a full list of Chicago hotels!

If you want to research hotels and vacation rentals for your Chicago visit, this map can help you compare the available options. It’s set to show hotels and rentals in downtown Chicago, but you can view any neighborhood where you’d like to stay.

I hope you’re ready to visit Chicago in March!

Find out what to do in Chicago throughout the year:

• Fun Things to Do in Chicago in January
• Fun Things Do in Chicago in February
• What to Do in Chicago in April
• Fun Things to Do in Chicago in May
• What to Do in Chicago in June
• Fun Things to Do in Chicago in July
• What to Do in Chicago in August
• Fun Things to Do in Chicago in September
• What to Do in Chicago in October
• Fun Things to Do in Chicago in November
• What to do in Chicago in December

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