The most exciting events on Chicago’s calendar in March revolve around St. Patrick’s Day, which is seriously celebrated here.
Things to Do in Chicago in March:
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Polar Plunge
When: TBD (early March)
Neighborhood: Gold Coast/Old Town
Address: North Avenue Beach
Brave individuals take a leap into a freezing cold Lake Michigan to raise money for this Special Olympics Chicago at this early March event.
Brewsology Beer Fest
When: TBD
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Address: Museum of Science and Industry
Cost: $50-$90
An after-hours adults-only event where local beer and cider tastings are offered at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Macy’s Flower Show
When: TBD
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: 111 State Street
Macy’s celebrates the arrival of spring with a two-week-long flower show.
Lakeview Roscoe Village Restaurant Week
When: end of February and the start of March
Neighborhood: Lakeview and Roscoe Village
During this restaurant week, area restaurants serve special prix fixe menus to raise money for the Lakeview Pantry and Common Pantry.
Lincoln Square Restaurant Week
When: end of February and the start of March
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square and Ravenswood
Both Lincoln Square and Ravenswood restaurants participate in this weeklong February/March event by offering special prix fixe menus.
Dyeing the Chicago River Green
When: March 11, 2022, at 8 am
Neighborhood: River North and The Loop
Address: Chicago River between Columbus and Wacker
Chicago goes big for St. Patrick’s Day and the essential St. Patrick’s Day event is the Chicago River being dyed green.
Shamrock’n the Block
When: March 11, 2022
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: Old St. Pat’s
A block party in a heated tent with a pop-up pub with live music and entertainment.
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: March 11, 2022
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Columbus Drive from Balbo Drive to Monroe Street
The parade coincides with the Chicago River dyeing and features dancing and music.
Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show
When: end of February through the first week of May
Neighborhood: Garfield Park
Address: 300 North Central Park Ave
This flower show runs for about six weeks, from the end of February through the start of May. Each year a different theme is presented; the 2022 theme was “Knock Knock” and the floral displays incorporated doors from the Rebuilding Exchange and knock-knock jokes.
Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show
When: end of February through the first week of May
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: 2391 North Stockton Drive
Like the Garfield Park Conservatory Flower Show, this flower show has a new theme each year. The 2022 theme was “Pillars of Spring” and focused on vertical planting.
Shamrock Shuffle
March 26, 2023
Neighborhood: The Loop
Address: Grant Park
An 8k road race that marks the start of spring and Chicago’s running season. 30,000 runners participate.
Andersonville Inside Walk Sale
When: TBD
Neighborhood: Andersonville
A March event where 30+ local businesses and stores have sales or offer special discounts.
CHIditarod
When: TBD
Neighborhood: West Loop
Address: 1532 West Fulton Market Street
The CHIditarod is a shopping cart race and food drive inspired by the dogsled race the Iditarod. It takes place in early March and tickets are required. Usually, teams dress in elaborate costumes and decorate their shopping cart.