March in Raleigh and the Triangle brings spring festivals, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Women’s History Month events, major concerts, college basketball energy, family-friendly outdoor fun, and some of the biggest cultural events of the year.

Whether you are searching for things to do in Raleigh this weekend, planning spring break activities, or looking for March festivals in the Triangle, this curated 2026 guide highlights the best events across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and beyond.

Here are the top March events happening throughout the Triangle, organized by date.

March Events in Raleigh and the Triangle (By Date)

March 1: Sunday Brunch Club

Location: Botanical Lounge, Raleigh
Celebrate the start of spring with an elevated brunch day party featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet and a live DJ from 11 am to 3 pm.

Perfect for: Girls day out, birthday celebrations, spring vibes

March 1: Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo

Location: Durham Central Park, Durham
Dozens of food trucks, live entertainment, and one of the Triangle’s most popular outdoor food festivals.

Best for: Foodies and large group outings

March 6: First Friday Raleigh

Location: Downtown Raleigh
Monthly gallery openings, live music, pop-ups, and restaurant specials take over downtown.

Perfect for: Date nights, art lovers, free things to do in Raleigh

March 7: Pullen Park Spring Season Opening

Location: Pullen Park, Raleigh
Train rides, pedal boats, and the carousel reopen for spring.

Classic Raleigh family tradition.

March 7: International Women’s Day Events

Her Voice, Her Power

Location: Downtown Cary Park
Time: 2 pm to 5 pm

Free community event celebrating women leaders.

Triangle Yoga Fest

Location: 63 Hunter Street, Apex

Full-day yoga festival with workshops and guest speakers.

March 10–14: ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament

Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh
One of the biggest sports weeks of the year, plus watch parties across Downtown Raleigh and Glenwood South.

Best for: College basketball fans and high-energy weekends

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend in Raleigh

March 14: Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Downtown Raleigh, Salisbury Street and Hillsborough Street
Time: 10 am

A Raleigh tradition featuring bagpipes, Irish dancers, decorated floats, and community groups.

March 14: Hibernian Pub St. Patrick’s Day Block Party

Location: Glenwood South
Time: 11 am to 2 am

Live music, Irish dancers, traditional food, and packed patio energy.

March 14–15: Official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls

Multiple venues across Downtown Raleigh
Holiday-themed drinks, drink specials, and access to 10+ venues.

March 14: North Carolina Courage vs Racing Louisville FC

Location: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
Time: 7 pm

Support the NC Courage during Women’s History Month as they kick off their 2026 home season.

March 14: International Women’s Day Expo

Location: McKimmon Center, Raleigh
Time: 11 am to 4 pm

Speakers, workshops, and women-owned businesses.

March 14 – August 23: Staying Alive Exhibition Opening

Location: NC Museum of History, Raleigh

Interactive exhibit featuring live animals and hands-on displays.

March 15: Holi Festival of Color

Location: Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh

Celebrate spring with music, dancing, food vendors, and vibrant color throwing.

March 17: Women’s Leadership Conference

Location: Raleigh Convention & Performing Arts Complex

A full day celebrating women leaders and innovators.

March 18–22: Art in Bloom

Location: North Carolina Museum of Art

Five days of large-scale floral installations inspired by art. One of Raleigh’s most anticipated spring cultural events.
Perfect for: Date nights, girls outings, art lovers

March 21: Huge Spring Saturday in the Triangle

Away with the Fairies

Location: Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh
Time: 10 am to 2 pm

Free whimsical spring celebration with crafts and fantasy fun.

Marchtoberfest Festival

Location: Clouds Brewing Taproom, Raleigh
Time: 1 pm to 10 pm

German and Irish inspired beer festival celebrating Clouds Brewing’s anniversary.

Ethos Children’s Business Fair

Location: Downtown Cary Park
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm

 Young entrepreneurs showcase and sell their own products.

March 23–27: Marbles Kids Museum Spring Break Programming

Location: Marbles Kids Museum, Downtown Raleigh

Hands-on STEM programming and themed activities for school break.

March 26–28: Raleigh Comedy Festival

Locations: Neptunes Parlor, Kings, Transfer Co., State of Beer, The Hippo

Three nights, 19 shows, 50+ comedians across multiple venues.

March 28: Raleigh Roasts

Location: City of Raleigh Museum
Time: 9 am to 1 pm

All-you-can-drink coffee samples from Raleigh’s best roasters, live music, and local vendors.

Major Concerts and Sporting Events Throughout March

Lenovo Center Highlights

March 2: NC State vs Duke
March 15: Matt Rife
March 19: Harlem Globetrotters
March 20: WWE Friday Night SmackDown
March 28–29: Carolina Hurricanes games

DPAC Highlights

March 1: Brett Young
March 12: The Simon & Garfunkel Story
March 15: Dancing With The Stars Live
March 17–22: Stereophonic
March 26: Brit Floyd
March 27: David Spade

Martin Marietta Center Highlights

March 12–15: Carolina Ballet Snow White
March 20–21: NC Symphony Beethoven
March 31: Robert Plant with Saving Grace

Women’s History Month Spotlight

March is Women’s History Month, and Raleigh is celebrating all month long with:

• International Women’s Day programming
• Women’s Leadership Conference
• Women-owned business expos
• NC Courage home opener
• Women-focused markets and pop-ups

Supporting women-owned restaurants, shops, and entrepreneurs throughout March is one of the best ways to celebrate locally.

Best of Raleigh March Top Picks

If you only attend a few events this month, here are our must-dos:

• First Friday Raleigh
• ACC Tournament Weekend
• Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• Holi Festival of Color
• Art in Bloom
• Marchtoberfest at Clouds Brewing
• Raleigh Roasts

March is one of the most exciting months of the year in Raleigh and the Triangle. Spring weather returns, patios fill up, festivals kick off, and the city feels alive again.

We will be sharing weekly weekend roundups, food spotlights, and local favorites all month long.

Stay connected with Best of Raleigh for everything happening in Raleigh and the Triangle this March.