March 2024 events calendar for Chicago (2024)

March 2024 events calendar for Chicago (1)

Plan your March in Chicago with our calendar of the best things to do, including picks for exhibits, parades and festivals.

Written by

Jeffy Mai

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Get excited, Chicagoans, becausewinter in Chicagois almost over and some of our most beloved events and traditions are happening this month. First up is St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, which is once again bringing river dyeing festivities and a parade to the Loop, along with plenty of other celebrations across the city (including the Shamrock Shuffle and parades on the South and Northwest Sides). Hoping to avoid the crush of green-clad people downtown? Check out flower shows at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Garfield Park Conservatory, sipwine after-hours at the Museum of Science and Industry or feast on encased meats and beers at Haymarket's Sausagefest. You'll find all that and more in our roundup of things to do in Chicago this March.

RECOMMENDED: Events calendar for Chicago in 2024

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March 2024 events calendar for Chicago (4)

Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
March Events at Time Out Market Chicago
  • Restaurants
  • Eating

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Easter, March Madness and much more with these host of exciting happenings at the Market this month.

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Featured events in March 2024

Photograph: Shutterstock
Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees

Winter is almost over and the Garfield Park Conservatory is here to usher in warmer days with its Spring Flower Show. Make a reservation to explore this year's show, "What's in a Name?" whichexplains the history and science of botanical nomenclature. You'll find spring bulbs like Tulipa ‘Rococo’, Lilium ‘Josephine,’ Viola ‘Matrix Yellow’ and Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy.’The show only sticks around through Mother's Day weekend, so book your visit soon!

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Photograph: Courtesy of Museum of Science and Industry
"007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond"
  • Things to do
  • Hyde Park

The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

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Photograph: Courtesy of Chicago Gamespace
"Vector vs. Raster"
  • Things to do
  • Logan Square

Chicago Gamespace, a video game museum and gallery, opens a new exhibit that explores the unique and ephemeral history of vector (line) graphics in contrast to the dominant raster (pixel) visual displays that reign today. Notable games like Asteroids, Battlezone and Star Wars will be highlighted, as well as a recently-preserved emulation of Moonlander.

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Photograph: Courtesy of Carter Wright
"Improvised Jane Austen"
  • Theater
  • River North

Gather a group of friends for this show, an off-the-cuff ode to Jane Austen that has gained a loyal following in the 15 years since its debut. The cast calls upon an audience suggestion to inspire the show’s title (ensuring a totally new performance each time), then creates a long-form, Regency Era "Rom-Com" with Austentropes and manners of yore. Expect a tale of laughs, love and surprises.

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Photograph: Courtesy of Wonderverse
Wonderverse
  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

Sony Pictures Entertainment has brought its first immersive entertainment destination to Oakbrook Center, inviting guests to enter the worlds of popular franchises like Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland and more. The 45,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of activities, ranging from escape rooms to virtual reality and racing simulators to bumper cars. When you need to refuel, drop into the Commissary Restaurant for a full menu of food, desserts and co*cktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.

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Photograph: Courtesy of Flyover by Pursuit
Flyover
  • Things to do
  • Streeterville

Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic placesvia exhilarating flights. The multi-sensory experience incorporates drone technologies with aerial shots and first-person views to showcase the city like never before. Guests will swoop, dip and turn in motion seats as they climb up skyscrapers, check out iconic landmarks, float through fireworks and more.

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Photograph: Courtesy Adler Planetarium
Adler at Night
  • Museums
  • Museum Campus

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. The Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area, and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm-10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

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Photograph: Sarah Larson
The Paper Machete
  • Comedy
  • Uptown

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends torun about two and a half hours.

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    March 2024 events calendar for Chicago (2024)

    FAQs

    What is Chicago known for in the month of March? ›

    Of course, we're talking about St Patrick's Day! One of the many times when people get together, eat, drink, and be merry. While it falls on the 17th of the month, Chicago dedicates around a fortnight to the St Paddy's celebrations. It starts with the Chicago River turning green, because of course it does.

    Is March a good time to visit Chicago? ›

    Audarshia is Chicago-born writer who covers the city's restaurant and nightlife scene. March is a great time to visit the Windy City, well ahead of the summer crowds and festival season without being in the depths of a Chicago winter.

    What is Chicago best known for? ›

    Chicago has a very well-known culture. Some of the many things Chicago is famous for are: Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago-style (deep dish) pizza, Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, jazz music, and 1920s gangsters, for example Al Capone. Chicago is also known for architecture, for example the Sears Tower and museums.

    Is it cold in March in Chicago? ›

    Often known as the 'Windy City', Chicago's weather can be very unpredictable, especially in March which falls between the winter and summer seasons. This time of year is often very cold and damp in the city and surrounding areas, so you'll need to pack lots of warm layers.

    Does it still snow in March in Chicago? ›

    Chicagoans know not to let their guard down this time of the year. March is actually the 4th snowiest month of the year, with an average of 5.5 inches of the white stuff. Two of the top ten worst snowstorms on record for Chicago occurred during the month of March.

    What is the cheapest month to go to Chicago? ›

    Good to know
    Low seasonJanuary
    High seasonJune
    Cheapest flight$29

    How many days do you need in Chicago? ›

    Plan on 3 to 5 days to visit

    Adding an extra couple of days to your visit allows you to move out of the center and into the neighborhoods, where Chicago's true heart beats. Pilsen and Logan Square welcome you with chowhound eats and vibrant street art.

    What are 5 things that Chicago is known for? ›

    Facts & Statistics
    • At a Glance.
    • A City for Sports Fans.
    • A Melting Pot of Arts & Culture.
    • A City in a Garden.
    • Best Bike City in America.

    What are 3 fun facts about Chicago? ›

    Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S. and is home to an estimated 2.7M residents. Chicago is comprised of 77 community areas. Chicago's nicknames include: The Windy City, City of Big Shoulders, The Second City, The White City, and The City That Works.

    What month is good for Chicago? ›

    That said, most people will agree that the best time of year to visit Chicago is between May and September.

    Is March spring in Chicago? ›

    Meteorological spring includes the months of March, April, and May. The average high temperature for March starts at around 41 degrees and climbs to 53 degrees by the end of the month. In early April, the average high is around 53 degrees and climbs to 65 degrees by the end of the month.

    What season is March in Chicago? ›

    Watch NBC Chicago local news and weather for free 24/7

    For those who focus on meteorological spring, the season actually started on March 1. For those looking for the spring equinox, 10:06 p.m. Tuesday marked the official start.

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