12 things to do in Michigan in March

Whether you’re looking to learn something new, celebrate the end of winter, or welcome spring, our 12 things to do in Michigan in March 2024 has something for you.

March 1-April 30 Butterflies are Blooming – Grand Rapids

This winter may not have been as harsh as those of the past, but it still meant months without seeing butterflies. Change that by visiting the annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens. It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation. Step into the warmth of the conservatory. Meander amongst 7,000 of these stunning, tropical creatures from around the world. Did you know that the newly hatched caterpillars of some butterfly species are smaller than a grain of rice? Did you know that a butterfly’s wings are covered in fragile, microscopic scales, overlapping like roof shingles? Discover fun facts, or just enjoy the natural beauty of these little wonders.

March 6-10 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 again 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,  Tammy Pescatelli, Josh Johnson, Piff the Magic Dragon, and Demetri Marin. In addition to headlining acts, there will be lots of free events for the whole family.

March 7-10 Ultimate Sports Show – Grand Rapids

Hunters, anglers and anyone who loves the great outdoors will be excited to gear up during this showcase at DeVos Place. Find the latest in outdoor apparel and equipment. Discover travel tips and info. Explore a variety of fishing boats. This event features nearly 100 fishing and hunting seminars across five stages and even includes what organizers call Lake Ultimate, a 110,000 gallon indoor lake. You’ll also find antique lures, a trout pond, woodcarvers, a rock wall, and the infamous Hawg Trough. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children.

March 9 Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival – Jackson

This long-standing Jackson tradition is now being held in the relatively new American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds with 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 10 St Patrick’s Day Parade – Detroit

There are plenty of fantastic Irish pubs around the state, and of course 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 10-16 Downtown Marquette Restaurant Week – Marquette

One of the great joys of spring is the thaw that makes our waterfalls explode with power. Head to the U.P. to explore the natural beauty, and specifically to Marquette to explore the peninsula’s cuisine capitol during its restaurant week. Participating Downtown Marquette restaurants will offer special deals all week long. You’ll find culinary delights like Calabrian Chicken, Duck Confit Truffle Fries, and Mediterranean Whitefish. Check out the website for participating eateries and to view the deals.

March 11 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 15-17 Carnival Weekend – Boyne Falls

Always a blast, this year’s Carnival Weekend at Boyne Mountain is a party for the ages, literally. Friday focuses on the 70s so pack your bell bottoms and platform shoes. Hit the slopes and then the disco floor. Saturday will jump back to the 80s and 90s. The day starts with 80s tunes across the slopes, so it’s a good thing leg warmers fit over ski boots. At 5pm, guests can make their way to The Back Forty for the annual costume contest, complete with prize money and major mullets. At night it’s time to celebrate the 90s at a Hip Hop party in the Snowflake Lounge. Close out the weekend by venturing back to that turn of the millennium with a 2000s Spring Break Slush Cup. This is a weekend for the young and young at heart. Whether you want to shoosh your way down a slope or just soak in some fun, this carnival will come through for you.

March 15-16 & 22-23 Maple Row Sugarhouse Maple Festival – Jones

The winter thaw means maple syrup season. There are lots of events around the state providing ample chances to get your maple fix, though this family-owned sugarbush offers some unique elements. You can see maple syrup being made in a modern style sugarhouse, and also watch a re-enactment of how a French Colonial family would have made maple syrup and sugar. The weekend of the 18-19 also includes a Civil War encampment, while the 25-26 features a Lumberjack Camp. Take a free tour of the sugarhouse. Devour a pancake breakfast. Kids will love the coloring contest, petting farm, puppet show, and other activities. While there, of course, stock up on lots of scrumptious maple products.

March 26-31 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. Both short and feature films will be eligible for competition. There are also specially curated programs of films that have not been submitted for award consideration this year, but instead were curated around a thematic idea by friends and artists of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. The event also features new media, panel presentations, and discussions. If you can’t make it in person, online viewing options are also available.

March 22-23 Michigan in Perspective: Local History Conference – Rochester

Are you a history buff? Perhaps you just wish you knew more about Michigan history. In either case, this event will enlighten and entertain. The conference hosts hundreds of attendees, speakers, sponsors, and vendors at Oakland University, with topics centered on Southeast Michigan and its surrounding areas. You’ll find banquets, keynotes, content sessions, and a robust exhibit hall filled with vendors. Topics for this year’s gathering include the indigenous history of Belle Isle, redlining in Detroit, Michigan’s salt industry, Detroit’s first underground newspaper, and more.

March 29-31 March Madness – Detroit

It’s already been a riveting sports year in Detroit, and we’re just getting started. The NFL Draft is on the horizon, but before that, the national spotlight will turn to Motown for some March Madness. The University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland University will host the Midwest Regional of the NCAA ® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Little Caesar’s Arena. Forget about your bracket for a moment and come out and experience the energy of this incredible tradition, live and in person.

Join us on social media for ongoing discussions about Michigan travel destinations. Tweet @BuyMichiganNow or tag us in a picture on Instagram when you make it to one of our 12 things to do in Michigan in March 2024. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page regularly.