March in Michigan is a study in contrast. One day brings snow-dusted rooftops and the hush of late winter; the next hints at thawing earth, brighter mornings, and the promise of patio season. It’s a transitional month, sometimes unpredictable, often muddy, always hopeful. And in that in-between space, Michigan truly shines.
This is the season where we begin to stretch again. We seek warmth inside lush conservatories, gather shoulder-to-shoulder for laughter, raise a glass to tradition, and celebrate the cultural heartbeat of communities across the state. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, from college towns to historic neighborhoods, March offers an invitation to reconnect with nature, with creativity, and with each other.
Whether you’re craving culture, community, comfort food, or a reason to road trip, these experiences capture the spirit of Michigan in early spring, resilient, vibrant, and ready for what’s next.
March 1-29 Spring Flower Show – Tipton
Celebrate a century of beauty at Hidden Lake Gardens! Their Spring Flower Show returns with a spectacular tribute to 100 years of growth and inspiration. Step inside the Conservatory and experience its breathtaking transformation into a vibrant showcase of color with daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, amaryllis, and more, ushering in the season of renewal. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. Join them for a special after-hours evening on Friday, March 27, until 7:00 PM with last admission at 6:30 PM.
March 6-8 West Michigan Women's Expo 2026 – Grand Rapids
Shop it. Try it. Taste it. Experience it. The West Michigan Women's Expo is a reimagined women's event designed to be interactive, inspiring, and fun. This is not your typical vendor show. It is a curated weekend experience featuring shopping, demos, tastings, hands-on activities, live presentations, giveaways, and connections with incredible local and regional businesses. Explore beauty, fashion, health and wellness, food and beverage, home, finance, personal development, and more. Meet women-owned and mission-driven brands, discover new favorites, and enjoy experiences you cannot get online. Expect elevated features, engaging activations, and plenty of surprises throughout the weekend. Whether you come to shop, learn, connect, or simply enjoy a fun day out, this expo is built for women who want more than just walking aisle to aisle.
March 6-31 Celestial Symphony – Bay City
Join the Delta College Symphony on a musical journey from the beginning of the universe to the future of humanity. Accompanied by the timeless compositions of Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and other masters of classical music, you will experience a panorama of cosmic events and transform emotionally through sound, imagination, and the enduring power of music.
March 11-15 Laughfest – Grand Rapids
The news of the day can sometimes be daunting, so make some time to laugh this month by heading to Grand Rapids for this annual giggle fest. The nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter is back with a phenomenal mission and a wonderful lineup. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Scheduled performances this year include a Clean Comedy Showcase, and performances by Monet X Change, River City Improv, Adam Ray, and more. In addition to headlining acts, there will be lots of free events for the whole family.
March 14 Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival – Jackson
This long-standing Jackson tradition is held at the American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. There, you’ll find food trucks, games, ice sculpture demonstrations, fire pits and a variety of vendors. The event will showcase over 150 craft beers, ciders, meads and wines along with food choices such as pizza, burgers, brats and BBQ. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door, if available. They entitle the bearer to admission and 10 tasting tokens. There are also VIP tickets for $70.00 that get you 15 tasting tokens, a chance to come in one hour early, and a commemorative hoodie. While in Jackson, be sure to check out all of the amazing murals downtown that are the result of five years of a mural festival.
March 14 Spring Carnival – Crystal Mountain
Celebrate the shift from winter to spring at Spring Carnival at Crystal Mountain, a high-energy weekend where sunshine, snow, and pure Northern Michigan fun collide. This beloved annual tradition is the ultimate send-off to ski season, complete with crowd-favorite events like the Cardboard Classic (where creativity meets gravity), the splash-happy Slush Cup, live music, slopeside entertainment, and plenty of festive après-ski vibes. Whether you’re hitting the slopes in costume, cheering from the sidelines, or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere with friends and family, Spring Carnival is all about embracing the season with laughter and a little bit of friendly competition. It’s the perfect excuse for one last winter getaway, and a reminder that in Michigan, we celebrate every season to the fullest.
March 15 St Patrick’s Day Parade – Detroit
There are plenty of fantastic Irish pubs around the state, and multiple parades waiting to welcome revelers this month. The grandaddy of them all is, of course, Detroit’s annual march through Corktown. The neighborhood received its name as the Irish were the largest ethnic group of newcomers to Detroit, most of them from County Cork. It also has the distinction of being the city’s oldest surviving neighborhood. The parade typically attracts 80,000-100,000 people, making it one of the largest St. Patrick’s parades in the country and it features floats, marching bands, color guard units and more. The route follows along Michigan Avenue, which is dotted with great independently-owned eateries and drinking establishments.
March 19-20 NMU Jazz Festival – Marquette
The 2026 NMU Jazz Festival will be held on the beautiful campus of Northern Michigan University on Thursday and Friday, March 19-20. High school and middle school jazz bands from throughout the region will participate in a variety of performances and clinics, and an exciting evening performance will showcase NMU students, faculty, and guest clinicians. This year's festival will feature The Westerlies, a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone. This cutting-edge ensemble is an arty quartet mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.
March 20 Return of the Firedrake Wine Dinner – Frankenmuth
Join us at the Return of the Firedrake, where every bite celebrates medieval feasting and every sip recalls an age of legends and dragons. Once more, we invite you to embark on a culinary adventure steeped in legend and lore at the “Return of the Firedrake” wine dinner. This medieval-inspired dinner rises again, offering a lavish banquet where rustic bounty and dragon-fired spirit collide. Dine as the nobility once did, indulging in a generous feast worthy of crowned royalty, valiant knights, and fearless dragon slayers, all within an evening filled with bold flavors, hearty fare, and myth-infused revelry. Guests will receive exclusive wine purchase offers following the meal. Reservations are required. Cost is $100 per person and includes meal, wines, tax, and gratuity. Medieval dress is encouraged. Seating will be assigned to all attendees.
March 21-22 Monster Jam® Stadium Championship Series East – Detroit
The one and only Monster Jam® roars into Detroit for a full-throttle weekend at Ford Field, bringing the world’s most popular Monster Jam trucks and elite drivers to town for Stadium Championship Series East. Fans will experience gravity-defying stunts, head-to-head racing, jaw-dropping skills, and massive air as 12,000-pound trucks battle for the Event Championship. The action-packed event features iconic Monster Jam trucks like Grave Digger®, Sparkle Smash®, Megalodon®, El Toro Loco®, and more. Fans can start the fun early at the Monster Jam Pit Party®, where they can get up close to the trucks, meet drivers, collect autographs, and enjoy family-friendly activities before the show. With unscripted action, roaring engines, and unforgettable moments, Monster Jam delivers high-energy entertainment for fans of all ages.
March 23 Oberon Day – Kalamazoo
Our state produces A LOT of phenomenal brews, though very few of them have become so highly anticipated that their annual release warrants a giant party. However, over the years, the arrival of one of the west Michigan brewery’s most popular beers, has come to also be a sign that warmer weather is finally on the way. Bell’s Oberon is a wheat ale with a citrusy, smooth flavor profile, that is typically enhanced by a slice of orange served alongside it. Each year, thousands of people flock to Kzoo to join other revelers for the first sip of the season. Special events happen throughout the city, and across the state, but of course the biggest party of all is at the brewery.
March 24-29 Ann Arbor Film Festival – Ann Arbor
Movie lovers will want to head to A2 this month for some unique screenings at the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in North America. The six-day festival presents films of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction, and performance-based works. The 112 short films included in the Films in Competition programs and the 8 Features in Competition are eligible for $39,000 in awards. The remaining films are presented out of competition. The event also features new media, panel presentations, and discussions. If you can’t make it in person, online viewing options are also available.
What makes March special in Michigan isn’t just the events on the calendar, it’s the feeling of momentum. The light lingers a little longer each evening. The air softens. Conversations turn toward summer plans, lake days, and time outdoors. We’re collectively stepping forward.
If winter has felt long, consider this your gentle nudge to get out and experience something different. Try a new city, support a local business, attend a festival you’ve never been to. Michigan rewards curiosity, especially in seasons of transition. And as we welcome spring, there’s something comforting about knowing that no matter the weather, there is always something happening here. March isn’t just the bridge between seasons, it’s a reminder that fresh starts are already unfolding all around us.
