March is a magical time—especially in D.C. With the Cherry Blossom Festival, St. Patrick’s Day, Women’s History Month, and the first day of spring, there’s so much to celebrate and even more things to do!
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, find an excuse for a bar hop, or indulge in one of many museum offerings and special exhibits, the District has it all!
To help you make the most of all March has to offer, Secret D.C. has rounded up all the happenings this month you don’t want to miss:
1. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- Capital One Arena: Elevation Worship & Steven Furtick (March 6), Disturbed (March 17), Mary J. Blige (March 26), J Balvin (March 28)
- The Anthem: Father John Misty (March 1), Inhaler (March 7), Jorja Smith (March 13), GloRilla (March 14)
- Warner Theatre: Sesame Street Live! (March 29)
- 9:30 Club: Marc Broussard (March 1), Tuxedo March 1), Nathy Peluso (March 7), Palace (March 8), Hot To Go – A Chappell Roan Party (March 8), Rare Americans (March 20), Maude Latour (March 21), Rebecca Black (March 30)
- Echostage: Bingo Loco (March 1), Solomun (March 7), DJ Pauly D (March 14), DJ Diesel (March 22)
2. Celebrate Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor both notable women through history and those we love and call friends and family! D.C. boasts several events, exhibits, and activities to highlight and celebrate women and their achievements:
- 5th annual HerStory 5K (March 8)
- Check out the online National Women’s History Museum
- Family Day: Women’s History Month at Library of Congress (March 15)
3. Immerse yourself in the renowned art of Claude Monet
What could be more awe-inspiring than immersing yourself in your favorite art?
Monet: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that!
The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase Claude Monet’s famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in his art.
4. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience
This immersive experience is only here for a few more weeks and we cannot recommend it enough!
The fun and picturesque experience is perfect for any occasion or to go with anyone, whether they’re friends, family, or even a loved one.
Make sure you wear a cool outfit and have enough space on your phone for photos because you’ll want to document this experience!
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW
5. Explore a touring LEGO® exhibit that’s been to over 24 countries
A world-famous LEGO® exhibit just opened in D.C., featuring a whopping 130 sculptures composed of over a million LEGO® bricks!
The Art of the Brick is really for anyone – art aficionados, LEGO®-obsessed kids, and even those simply seeking a new D.C.-based adventure.
We got a chance to see it firsthand and were amazed by artist Nathan Sawaya’s creations.
From famous artwork like the Mona Lisa to a nearly 20-foot T-Rex, each masterpiece is as incredible as the next.
Get tickets here!6. Support over 200 local artists at a limited-time art show and curated shop
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Shop Made in DC is hosting a number of exciting events to uplift DMV area artists. This includes a curated art show containing 450 works of art from nearly 200 women and non-binary artists, a pop-up shop featuring over 50 emerging makers, panel discussions, and more!
The bulk of the events are taking place in the Union Market District, but be sure to check out the specific details here!
7. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
- D.C. Improv: Love Isn’t Blind (March 5)
- Warner Theatre: Rainn Wilson (March 27)
8. Bask in the beauty of D.C.’s cherry blossoms
It’s the true sign of spring in D.C.—the blossoming of its renowned cherry blossoms!
Tourists come from across the world to bask in their beauty, as well as local Washingtonians.
Whether you’re looking for the best places to admire the cherry blossoms or how to get involved with National Cherry Blossom Festival and all of its festivities from this month, it’s the perfect way to welcome spring!
9. Attend spring’s inaugural National Gallery Night
The National Gallery of Art’s seasonal favorite National Gallery Nights is returning this spring and there will be an event in March!
On March 14, join in the fun with a “Revolutionary Women” night inspired by the National Gallery of Art’s collection of works by Elizabeth Catlett.
10. Ring in spring with marvelous music at the Washington National Cathedral
Listen to voices echo throughout the Washington National Cathedral at a one-of-a-kind choral concert.
A treat for all ages, this classical performance by the Cathedral Choral Society will uplift guests through a stunning blend of trumpets, drums, and vocals.
‘Smyth’s Mass in D’ will take place on Sunday, March 16th at 4:00 pm in collaboration with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Extend your visit with a tour of the cathedral’s grounds and stunning cherry trees, or head to one of Cathedral Heights’s many restaurants near the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Macomb Street.
11. Take the time to enjoy the Magnolia Blooms around the District
The District’s magnolias are one of the prettiest sites you’ll see in the city leading up to the cherry blossom season – the magnolias tend to bloom earlier and are almost equal to the cherry blossoms in beauty!
12. Frollick through fields of tulips and daffodils within driving distance of the District
Burnside Farms is one of the best springtime destinations in the DMV area as it’s known for its massive fields filled with flowers that you can walk through and even take home with you for a reasonable price.
The exact dates depend on the bloom status of the flowers, but the spring event almost always starts roughly mid-March.
13. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: Tribute to Beyoncé – March 1
- Candlelight: Tribute to Adele – March 1
- Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA – March 20
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer – March 27
- Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay – March 27
14. Inspire change at the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
Running from March 20-29, the D.C. Environmental Film Festival will be held in person and virtually, showcasing documentaries covering wildlife, climate change, adventurers, the connection between art and the environment, and much more!
The event’s aim is to inspire others to gain a greater understanding of the world around them and how they can be instrumental in conserving it and making it a better place.
15. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the District
St. Patrick’s Day, recognized on March 17, might be an Irish-American holiday that commemorates death, but it’s celebrated in a variety of different ways.
Whether you’re looking for a pub crawl, a history tour, or a more cultural experience, D.C. offers Washingtonians the chance to have a blast and celebrate their Irish heritage (even though you don’t need to have any to participate)!
- Visit the Embassy of Ireland
- Head to D.C.’s Ireland at the Wharf festival
- Explore St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C.
- Take part in the Leprechaun Lap Bar Crawl
- Eat out at an Irish pub
- The Dubliner
- Duffy’s Irish Pub
- Kelly’s Irish Times
- Kirwan’s on the Wharf
16. Check out one of these must-see museums
Every history and art lover’s dream, Washington D.C. is home to over 70 museums, including 19 free Smithsonian museums and galleries. With each museum boasting a rotation of numerous exciting exhibits, we rounded up some of March’s must-sees you don’t want to miss!
- National Museum of American History
- Hirshhorn Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- Renwick Gallery
- The Rubell Museum
- National Museum of Asian Art
- Zenith Gallery
17. Grab coffee and a pastry at Maman
D.C.’s flagship location of the French-inspired, NYC cafe chain Maman is serving up tasty treats and refreshing drinks at their Georgetown and Navy Yard locations, which it’s the perfect way to kick off a spring day!
With a quaint but beautiful ambiance, seasonal sips, and delicious staples like the honey lavender latte and nutty chocolate chip cookie, no matter what you choose you can’t go wrong!
18. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner?
Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses!
Currently Dining in the Dark is held in D.C. at a few incredible local spots touted for their cuisine: