Things to do in March

Marvelous March: Exciting Events and Activities for Friends and Family in San Francisco

As winter transitions into spring, March in San Francisco offers an array of captivating events and activities for friends and family to enjoy. From St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to the kick-off of the cherry blossom season, there’s something for everyone in the City by the Bay. So gear up to embrace the energizing spirit of San Francisco this March!

Top March Events in San Francisco

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival

Saturday, March 14, 2026

San Francisco hosts one of the largest and most spirited St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on the West Coast. The annual parade features marching bands, festive floats, Irish dance troupes, and plenty of people dressed in green. After the parade, head to the festival at Civic Center Plaza, where you can enjoy live music, traditional Irish food, and arts and crafts. This lively event is perfect for friends and family of all ages.

San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

March 13, March 14 and March 17, 2026

Raise a glass to the luck of the Irish at the annual San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. Friends and family (21+ years) can join in this fun event that takes participants on a tour of some of the city’s best bars, all offering special St. Patrick’s Day drink deals. Don your green attire and prepare for a memorable day of Irish cheer, laughter, and camaraderie as you explore San Francisco’s vibrant pub scene.

Flower Bulb Day

March 21, 2026

An extremely popular event in San Francisco, Flower Bulb Day brings over 80,000 tulips to Union Square to celebrate the start of Spring. You can head down to Union Square to pick your own, free bouquet of flowers. Lines can be long, so it is best to get there early (plus, you’ll have the best selection to choose from)

Bouquets to Art

March 3 to March 8, 2026

Art and nature enthusiasts won’t want to miss Bouquets to Art, an annual event held at the de Young Museum. This unique exhibition features stunning floral arrangements inspired by the museum’s artwork, with each piece created by some of the Bay Area’s most talented floral designers. Friends and family can appreciate the beauty and creativity of these artistic expressions while exploring the museum’s diverse collections.

Giants Fanfest

March 14, 2026

Baseball fans will enjoy a fun day at the ballpark with some cool behind the scenes tours

Chinese New Year Parade and Festival

March 7, 2026

The Chinese New Year Parade takes place in either February or March each year, depending on the Lunar New Year Date. In 2026, the event will take place on March 7.

San Francisco International Chocolate Salon

March 28, 2026

Treat your taste buds to the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, an annual event dedicated to all things chocolate. This decadent gathering brings together artisan chocolatiers from across the country, showcasing their finest creations. Friends and family can sample an array of delicious chocolate treats, attend presentations by chocolate experts, and even participate in chocolate-making demonstrations.

March in San Francisco is a month with lots of great events and activities that cater to a wide range of interests. From cultural celebrations to indulgent food festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So gather your friends and family and make the most of March in the City by the Bay!

Holidays and Important Dates in March

National Holidays:

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) – St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. While not a federal holiday in the United States, it is widely recognized and celebrated with parades, festive events, and people wearing green clothing or accessories. Many Americans, regardless of their heritage, enjoy the lively spirit of this holiday.

Weird and Interesting Holidays:

National Absinthe Day (March 5): Toast to the Green Fairy on March 5. It’s a day to celebrate the alcohol that was banned for a long time due to potential effects by the use of wormwood. It was a favorite of a lot of the famous creatives of our time like Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent van Gogh, Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. It is now legal to produce (all though not in the same form as it was back in the day).

National Barbie Day (March 9): Celebrate Mattel’s infamous Barbie Doll.

National Meatball Day (March 9): Sharing the day with Barbie is the delicious ball of meat, known as the meatball.

National Pi Day (March 14th) – National Pi Day is an unofficial holiday that celebrates the mathematical constant π (pi), approximately equal to 3.14159. It is observed on March 14th (3/14) because of the date’s resemblance to the first three digits of pi. People often celebrate by eating pie or engaging in math-related activities.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (March 18th) – International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a fun, unofficial holiday that encourages people to speak like pirates for a day. Although it’s mostly celebrated for amusement, the day has also been used to raise awareness and funds for charity.

National Puppy Day (March 23rd) – National Puppy Day is an unofficial holiday that celebrates the unconditional love and joy that puppies bring to people’s lives. The day also aims to raise awareness about puppy mills and encourages the adoption of puppies from shelters and rescue organizations.

National Cheesesteak Day (March 24): The famous Philadelphia sandwich is, in my opinion, the perfect cure for a hangover. Whether you like a traditional one with steak and wizz or opt for a chicken with American and Provolone, the cheesesteak is certainly something that should be celebrated.

Important Dates:

International Women’s Day (March 8th) – International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. People worldwide participate in events, campaigns, and discussions to raise awareness about women’s rights and promote gender equality.

Daylight Saving Time begins (second Sunday in March) – On the second Sunday of March (March 8 in 2026), most parts of the United States observe Daylight Saving Time. At 2 a.m. local time, clocks are set forward one hour, resulting in more daylight in the evening. While this is not a holiday, it’s an important date to remember as it affects daily schedules and routines.

Spring Equinox (around March 20th) – The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs around March 20th, when the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. The day is often associated with renewal, rebirth, and the start of warmer, longer days.