March 2018
best events in Chicago
Irish film festival
March 1 – 4, 2018
5 miles NW
Chicago Irish Film Festival focuses on films that exemplify the spirit of Irish culture at Logan Theatre and the Society for Arts.
Classic love story
March 1 – 4, 2018
10.2 miles north
Anna Karenina is torn between love and truth when she falls in love with a handsome count despite her marriage to a Russian aristocrat at Lifeline Theatre.
Orchid Show
March 1 – 25, 2018 (begins Feb. 10)
24 miles north
See 10,000 blooms at the Orchid Show, which has a photographer hour (Thursdays 8:15 a.m.), an orchid sale (March 10 & 11), and an Evening with Orchidscocktail tasting (March 7) at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Attractions
March 1 – 31, 2018 (also Feb.)
multiple locations
These discount prices include all taxes and fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + Field Museum + more
- Chicago History Museum
- Segway Tour of Downtown Chicago (2 hours)
Monster trucks
March 2 – 5, 2018
18 mile NW
Big trucks with big wheels create big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in Rosemont’s Allstate Arena.
Ecology film festival
March 2 – 11, 2018
Greater Chicago area
One Earth Film Festival shows films about climate change, sustainability, and environmental activism.
Country music brunch
March 3, 2018 (12 to 5 p.m.)
0.7 miles west
Your ticket to Country Day Party [sound] includes a brunch buffet with beer, Bloody Marys, and mimosas plus live country music at Old Crow Smokehouse for age 21+.
Chinese New Year
March 3, 2018 (1 to 5 p.m.)
1 mile south
Celebrate the end of Chinese Lunar New Year with Chinese music, art, storytelling, and lantern making workshops. At sundown, lion dancers lead a procession of lanterns from the Art Institute of Chicago to Maggie Daley Park.
Beer festival
March 3, 2018 (SOLD OUT)
1.9 miles south
A ticket to The Chicago Beer Festival includes 40 tasting tickets, with live music and food for sale at The Field Museum for age 21+.
Shopping-cart race
March 3, 2018
3 miles west
Shopping cart riders race through Wicker Park pulled by humans in the Chiditarod, on the same day the Alaska Iditarod dog-sled race begins. Donate food.
Jazz
March 3, 2018 (3 to 10 p.m.)
11 miles west
Choose from a dozen different jazz performances in Oak Park restaurants during Jazz Thaw, with the option of ordering food. Free.
Irish day in Oak Forest
March 3, 2018
25 miles SW
Oak Forest Fleadh includes a 5K race at 8:30, bikers and walkers on car-free Cicero Avenue at 10 a.m., a family parade at 11 a.m., and Irish pub specials.
Home show
March 3 – 4, 2018
26.7 miles NW
See home improvement products, services, and demos at Greater Chicago Home and Remodeling Show at the Schaumburg Convention Center.
Children’s expo
March 3 – 4, 2018
27.4 miles NW
The Kids Expo features family-oriented vendors plus children’s activities (some ticketed) at Schaumburg Convention Center.
Festival of colors
March 4, 2018 (1 to 5 p.m.)
1.3 miles east
Global Connections: Holi features Indian music and performances in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Wear a white shirt to be permanently stained if you want to join the traditional throwing of color, with free color powder provided (outdoors 2 to 4 p.m.). Free.
Polar Plunge
March 4, 2018
2 miles north
Join 5,000 fundraisers who wade into the cold waters of Lake Michigan to support charity at Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach, or watch from shore.
Female films
March 7 – 9, 2018
1.5 miles south
See films addressing issues of gender, sexuality, race, and other forms of inequality at Chicago Feminist Film Festival at 1104 S Wabash Avenue (floor 8). Free.
Modern dance
March 7 – 11, 2018
1 mile south
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs thought-provoking new work and perennial favorites at Auditorium Theatre.
Film festival
March 8 – 10, 2018
42 miles west
The Geneva Film Festival screens a variety of independent short and feature-length films from around the world in downtown Geneva.
St. Patrick’s Day party
March 9, 2018
0.4 miles south
Forever Green is a big event with a DJ, two Irish bands, Trinity Irish Dancers, and beverages at the Chicago Cultural Center for age 21+.
Knitting show
March 9 – 11, 2018
1.2 miles south
Vogue Knitting Live features knitting classes, fashion shows, and vendors at the Hilton Chicago.
Peaceful film festival
March 9 – 11, 2018
7.8 miles north
Peace on Earth Film Festival (POEFF) features works that raise awareness of peace, non-violence, social justice, and an eco-balanced world, at Davis Theater in Lincoln Square.
Custom car show
March 9 – 11, 2018
17 miles NW
World of Wheels features hot rods, competition cars, specialty, and concept vehicles at the Rosemont convention center.
Films from Europe
March 9 – April 5, 2018
0.5 miles SW
Chicago European Union Film Festival screens 62 new feature films from the 28 nations of the European Union at Gene Siskel Film Center.
Beer tasting
March 10, 2018 (1 and 6 p.m.)
7.5 miles SW
A ticket to Windy City Brewhaha gets you 15 samples of beer from the brewers at The Geraghty.
St. Patrick’s parade (west)
March 10, 2018 (noon)
19 miles west
Celebrate Irish tradition with leprechauns, clowns, jugglers, dancers, bagpipes, marching bands, and floats at Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Free.
St. Patrick’s beer run/walk
March 10, 2018
23.8 miles NW
Your reward for participating in the Shamrock Chicago 5K Beer Run is a three-ounce beer each kilometer and a pint at the finish in Arlington Heights for age 21+.
St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls
March 10 – 17, 2018
Chicago locations
These events usually include drink specials and party souvenirs, with no cover charges at multiple bars.
- March 10 – Pre-St. Patty’s Day in Edison Park
- March 10 – Unofficial in Chicago in Wrigleyville
- March 16 to 18 – PubCrawls.com
- March 17 – St. Pat’s Trolley Bar Crawl, Lincoln Park
- March 17 – Chicago Shamrock Crawl [sound] in Wrigleyville
St. Patrick’s parade (north)
March 11, 2018 (noon)
13 miles NW
Northwest Side Irish Parade begins at Onahan School and is free. Buy a ticket for the optional after-partyfor dinner and family fun.
St. Patrick’s parade (south)
March 11, 2018 (noon)
17 miles south
South Side Irish Parade is on Western Avenue and goes south from 103rd to 115th Street. Free.
Flower and garden show
March 14 – 18, 2018
1 mile east
Chicago Flower & Garden Show features 24 gardens, 90 vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, and a kids’ activity garden at Navy Pier. The theme in 2018 is “books and gardens.”
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
March 16, 2018
1.2 miles south
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner honors the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and includes cocktails, dinner, and Irish music at Hilton Chicago for $175.
St. Patrick’s Day party cruise
March 16 – 17, 2018
1.1 miles east
Take a St. Patrick’s Day Afternoon Booze Cruise on Lake Michigan with views, DJ dance music, and a cash bar, departing from DuSable Harbor for age 21+.
Pet expo
March 16 – 18, 2018
27 miles NW
Chicagoland Family Pet Expo features entertainment, exhibitors, and demos at Arlington Park Racetrack. No pets.
St. Patrick’s Day – green river
March 17, 2018 (9 a.m.)
0.4 miles east
Watch the Chicago River flow green at Dyeing of the Chicago River “best viewed from the east side of the bridge at Michigan Ave. or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive.”
St. Patrick’s parade
March 17, 2018 (noon)
1.3 miles south
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade goes north on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe, rain or shine. Free.
St. Patrick’s run
March 17, 2018
2.7 miles south
Wear green to the Get Lucky half marathon, 14K, and 7K that begin at Soldier Field Stadium Green and go south along the lake.
St. Patrick’s run/walk
March 17, 2018 (9:30 a.m.)
2.8 miles north
The best costumes get prizes at St. Paddy’s Day 5K & 8K Run/Walk [formerly called Leprechaun Leap], which begins in Lincoln Park and ends with Irish music, entertainment, and refreshments.
St. Patrick’s Festival
March 17, 2018
9 miles NW
After the big parade, enjoy Irish music, dance, food, activities, and Irish gifts for sale at St. Patrick’s Festival throughout the Irish American Heritage Center. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Maple sugar fair – Schaumburg
March 17 – 18, 2018
29 miles NW
Enjoy an outdoor pancake breakfast with real maple syrup and see how it’s made in a pioneer sugar camp at Sugar Bush Fair, which includes a puppet show and a hayride in Schaumburg. [Sunday has its own page.]
Bluegrass & Blues
March 21 – 25, 2018
Chicago & Evanston
The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival features a wide range of artists performing in four venues.
Estefan musical
March 21 – April 8, 2018
0.7 miles SW
On Your Feet! is a musical about the Grammy winning husband and wife team of singers Emilio and Gloria Estefan (Conga & 1-2-3) at Cadillac Palace Theatre.
War games convention
March 22 – 25, 2018
26.7 miles NW
AdeptiCon is a small event with tournaments, event games, pirate gaming, cosplay contests, and hobby seminars at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.
Sportsman’s show
March 22 – 25, 2018
29.4 miles NW
Chicago Outdoor Sports Show has fishing and hunting seminars, kids’ activities, and hundreds of vendors at Arlington Park Race Track.
Easter egg hunts
March 22 – 31, 2018
Chicago area
Please confirm the date, time, and rain policy.
Whisky festival
March 23, 2018
0.2 miles SE
Taste 300 whiskeys, and learn from master distillers and blenders at WhiskyFest Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Food festival
March 23 – 24, 2018
3 miles SW
Good Food Expo is all about locally produced food, with speakers, micro workshops, chef demonstrations, vendors, and a kids’ corner.
Tattoo convention
March 23 – 25, 2018
17 miles NW
Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention features live tattooing, sideshows, and entertainment at Rosemont convention center.
Easter for kids in Schaumburg
March 24, 2018 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
32 miles NW
Celebrate spring with egg hunts, games, crafts, moon bounce, concessions, and pony rides at Bunny Bash at the Community Recreation Center.
Craft fair
March 24 – 25, 2018
27 miles west
Browse handcrafted goods from 175 juried exhibitors at Shower of Crafts Craft & Art Fair at College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn.
Easter at the zoo
March 24 – April 1, 2018
14 miles SW
Breakfast with the Bunny is an all-you-can-eat buffet and a visit with the Easter Bunny on March 24, 25, and 31 at Brookfield Zoo. Easter Champagne Brunchis April 1.
Shamrock 8K race
March 25, 2018
1.5 miles SE
Billed as the world’s largest timed 8K race, the Shamrock Shuffle begins and ends in Grant Park and includes a post-race party. The free health and fitness expo is Friday and Saturday at McCormick Place.
Flower show
March 25 – April 8, 2018
0.5 mile south
Macy’s Flower Show features flowers and exotic topiaries in landscapes, plus scheduled events at Macy’s on State Street. Free.
Easter at the arboretum
March 30 – April 1, 2018
27 miles west
Enjoy a breakfast buffet or a fine brunch, plus a visit with the Easter Bunny at Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
- March 30 to 31 – Breakfast with the Bunny
- April 1 – Easter Brunch
Easter at Lincoln Park Zoo
March 31, 2018
2.5 miles north
Eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs, visit animals, and ride the train & carousel (if it’s dry) at the Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Science-fiction films
March 31, 2018
6 miles north
See science-fiction and fantasy short films from around the world at Juggernaut Film Festival, an annual event at the swanky, art deco Music Box Theatre.
Rockin’ race & egg hunt
March 31, 2018
6.8 miles north
Bunny Rock at Montrose Harbor features 1980s rock music, a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m., a petting zoo, and a giant egg hunt for ages 2 to 10 at 10:15 a.m.
Asian-American party
March 2018 (undated)
1.1 miles SW
Dress up for the Lunar Ball to enjoy music, dancing, food, drinks, and networking at Wintrust Bank on S. LaSalle Street to support charity.
Barrel-aged beer
March 2018 (undated)
6 miles NW
Festibarrel features dozens of beers aged in wood on tap at Riverview Tavern. Free entry. Bring cash.
Swedish Easter buffet
March 2018 (undated)
7.6 miles north
Påskmiddag is a family-friendly event with a smorgasbord and indoor Easter egg hunt at the Swedish American Museum.
