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St. Patrick's Day Parade 2017
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan

March 2024 events calendar for Chicago

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

Jeffy Mai
Written by
Jeffy Mai
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Get excited, Chicagoans, because winter in Chicago is 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, sip wine 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

Time Out Market Chicago

Featured events in March 2024

  • Things to do
  • Millennium Park

The annual Shamrock Shuffle is taking place at Grant Park, sending thousands of green-clad participants on an 8K run, two-mile walk or one-mile race through the Loop. As usual, anyone who signs up will get a festive shirt and knit hat, a bib number to display, a finisher's medal and a drink ticket to use at the post-race party.

  • Things to do
  • Wrigleyville

Head to Wrigleyville—the city's unofficial capital for themed pop-ups—to enter a glitzy leprechaun fever dream at Charm'd, Bamboo Club's annual Irish pop-up bar. The multi-level, multi-room bar is decked out in full green decor and, of course, stocked with a veritable pot of alcoholic gold. Standouts include an Irish mule and a boozy green shamrock shake sprinkled with Thin Mints and Peppermint Patties, plus an entire list of shamrock syringe shots. Feeling peckish? In between drinks, be sure to nab Irish classics like a Reuben sandwich or the not-so-classic Irish nachos topped with chipotle cheddar fondue. For dessert, tuck in with a Charm'd sundae, which comes with chopped Snickers, M&Ms, Twix, Reese's cups, peanuts, chocolate and caramel sauce and whipped cream.

FYI: You need a ticket to enter the pop-up, so be sure to buy one online before visiting.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • River West/West Town

Whether you enjoy Scotch, single-malt, bourbon or rye whisky, you'll be able to sip something special at the WhiskyX. The event brings together more than 60 brands for an evening of tastings, plus complimentary hair and beard trims. If you need a break from drinking, you can purchase grub from food trucks or unwind in the cigar lounge.

  • Things to do
  • East Garfield Park

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?" which explains 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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  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Suburbs

Need a break from the monotonous sights of winter in Chicago? Head to the North Shore for the Chicago Botanic Garden's annual orchid show, where there are more than 10,000 vibrant blooms on display to brighten your day. This year's show is inspired by carnival and circus attractions—you'll walk under Ferris wheel seats and marvel at unicycles on tightropes while listening to classic circus tunes. Swing by on Saturdays and Sundays to shop for orchids of your own in a pop-up marketplace, or stay late on seled Thursday and Friday nights to have a cocktail and funnel cake during Orchids After Hours.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals

Celebrate your tattoos or plan out a few new ones at the annual Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention in Rosemont. You'll be able to make an appointment with a tattoo artist (including talent featured on Ink Masters) or show off your existing body art. While you're on the show floor, make sure to check out the various vendors and live entertainment.

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  • Kids
  • Quirky events
  • Lincoln Park

There's plenty to do at the Lincoln Park Zoo's annual Easter celebration, where kids can participate in a series of egg hunts tailored to different age groups or snag a photo with the big bunny. Also included in the experience are free carousel and train rides, outdoor games and activities, live music by Mary Macaroni and the Impastas and more.

  • Kids
  • Near South Side

Bring the little ones to Chicago Women’s Park & Garden for the annual South Loop Easter Egg Hunt. There will be 15,000+ eggs for kids to find, as well as an animal petting zoo, face painting, games and prizes to be won. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance for photos.

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  • Things to do
  • Albany Park

Apparently, Easter is also for the pups. Bring your good boy or girl to Horner Park for a Dog Egg Hunt, where your four-legged friends can search for treat-filled eggs hidden across the lawn. There will be a photo area, giveaways, "lick painting," a costume contest and more. All dogs will get a bandana, but VIP admission includes extras like a flower crown, dog park pint glass and 2024 calendar.

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  • Things to do
  • Museum Campus

Hop aboard a three-story, 140-foot luxury yacht for an Easter cruise around Lake Michigan. Kids can bust a move on the dance floor with the Easter Bunny and show off their artistic talents at a coloring station while adults snap pictures of the amazing views and sip on drinks from the fully stocked cash bar.

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  • Things to do
  • Suburbs

Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook hosts an Easter egg hunt for kids on March 23. Participants will be divided into three groups based on age, and can find special golden eggs filled with extra surprises. Don't forget to snap a photo with the Easter Bunny once the hunt's over. There will also be plenty of treats available for purchase, including popcorn, cotton candy, Dippin' Dots, and Bloody Marys and mimosas.

  • Things to do
  • Portage Park

Windy City Market hosts an Easter-themed edition of its monthly vintage fest. Shop for clothing, art, home goods, accessories and more during this two-day event at Patio Theater in Portage Park. Over 100 vendors will be on site offering unique treasures alongside delicious bites and live music by DJs. There will also be an egg hunt inside the venue, with surprises for those who find some.

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  • Things to do
  • Loop

Who says Easter egg hunts are only for kids? Unleash your inner child by heading over to Wrigleyville for an Easter-themed bar crawl. You can hop from venue to venue while sipping on drinks and hunting for eggs. Admission includes entry into all bars, a free breakfast buffet, bunny ears and gift cards to use on the crawl.

  • 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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  • Things to do
  • Skokie

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.

  • Things to do
  • Skokie

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes its way to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, giving fans an opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. The immersive experience showcases the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants, and transport visitors to the grand home of the Crawleys and those who served them. From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office to the family’s glamorous dining room, the exhibition provides a fascinating look into the post-Edwardian period.

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  • Things to do
  • Grant Park

Explore dozens of prints and drawings from Picasso's rich and varied 70-year career, from his student years in Barcelona to the last years of his life. Picasso: Drawing from Life traces how this celebrated artist’s success was tied to his network of artists, dealers, printers, family members and more.

  • Things to do
  • Skokie

This exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center takes a look at how Jewish immigrants created an entirely new American cuisine through delicatessens. Organized into thematic sections that explore the history of the Jewish deli in America, I’ll Have What She’s Having tells the story of local Holocaust survivors and presents items like a meat slicer, cookbooks and signs from Chicagoland institutions. A film produced by the museum exploring the impact of Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Kaufman’s Delicatessen and The Bagel is also featured.

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  • 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.

  • Theater
  • Suburbs

Director Elizabeth Margolius presents a different take on this celebrated musical, which centers on tradition and family. Set in a small Russian village, a milkman tries to protect and impart wisdom on his five daughters as they grow up, fall in love and begin families of their own—all in the midst of social and political change. Come early for a bite at their onsite restaurant Lucille, plus specialty cocktails inspired by current shows.

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  • 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 Austen tropes and manners of yore. Expect a tale of laughs, love and surprises.

  • 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 cocktails. Entry to Wonderverse is free, with attractions priced separately.

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  • Things to do
  • Streeterville

Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic places via 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.

  • 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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  • Things to do
  • Loop

Escape the frigid cold —at least temporarily—by heading to Cindy’s for a tropical pop-up experience. Sip on a selection of inventive drinks, like the buttery and complex Shake Ya Tailfeather and the fruity and spirit-forward Rum Ham, or nosh on bites such as egg rolls and pork sliders. The bar is open daily from 5-10pm for walk-ins.

  • 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 to run about two and a half hours.

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