Comedy nights, beer celebrations, performing arts events, blooming flowers and more—hello, March! We're jumping feet first into warmer weather and the return of spring in the Raleigh area—here's exactly how we plan to do it!

 

Open Garden Weekend at Juniper Level Botanic Garden

March 1-3
One of America's most spectacular gardens is open to the public just eight weekends per year! Located 12 miles south of downtown Raleigh, Juniper Level Botanic Garden is a 28-acre campus showcasing more than 27,000 different kinds of native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights and unusual specimens of trees and shrubs not found many (or any) other places on earth. Open Garden Weekends are a can't-miss event for outdoor lovers!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Thomas Pope (@th0maspope)

 

UniverSoul Circus

Through March 10
This interactive live-action show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek features a multicultural melting pot of circus acts, theater and music that spans genres including pop, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and gospel. The ultimate family-friendly event that invites the audience to get in on the fun!

 

Pop-up Markets

Browse handmade items, discover small businesses, enjoy live music and more at these upcoming market events:

 

Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience

Through April 7
This dino-mite exhibition features more than 80 specimens of life-sized, animated replicas in an immersive Jurassic environment. Walk alongside the massive creatures that roamed our world millions of years ago!

 

Exhibit: To Take Shape and Meaning at the North Carolina Museum of Art

March 2 through July 28
Featuring works from 75 Indigenous artists from more than 50 tribes across the U.S., To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art brings together a wide range of Indigenous world views, ideas, experiences and traditions. More than 90 works of art are on display, including jewelry, cars, ceramics, weaving, fashion ensembles and more.

Note that this is a ticketed exhibit, but the following community days are free and open to the public: March 2, April 20, May 18 and June 8. 

 

Carolina Hurricanes playoff push

A huge (HUGE!) month of action is ahead for the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes on the ice at PNC Arena. They'll play seven homes in March in an attempt to secure a top seed in the Eastern Conference for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The biggest—and loudest—crowds of the year are expected to show up big at these games:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Carolina Hurricanes (@canes)

 

Carolina Ballet presents The Little Mermaid

March 7-24
A world-premiere ballet set to the story of Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid (featuring live music, new sets and costumes and a new score from composer Aaron Severini). See the rest of Carolina Ballet's spring season here.

 

North Carolina Symphony performances

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony puts on an incredible 175 concerts and events per year across the state. They'll take center stage at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh several times this month.

 

Raleigh Brewing's 11th Anniversary Party

March 9
One of the Raleigh area's signature breweries—now with multiple locations—throws their annual birthday bash at the original Neil St. taproom. Cheers to 11 years of good beer!

 

NCFC, Courage kicking off new soccer seasons

Taking to the pitch to kick off new seasons at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, defending USL League One champion North Carolina Football Club will play home opener on Sat., March 9 against Charleston Battery, and the North Carolina Courage will battle it out with Houston on Sat., March 16, in their first National Women's Soccer League home match of the year. 

Related: Mexican powerhouse squad Rayados de Monterrey will take on Atlético de San Luis in a one-off friendly event at WakeMed Soccer Park on Fri., March 22.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by MXG (@mixonsgallery)

 

Reptile & Amphibian Day at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

March 9
Learn about your favorite ectotherms—from crafts to lectures to close encounters! This is the nation's largest and most popular event dedicated to hopping, slithering, crawling critters (and this year's theme, crocodilians, is sure to have some bite!). 

 

Art in Bloom

March 13-17
One of the can't-miss events of the year at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Art in Bloom is a five-day festival of art and flowers. More than 50 floral interpretations inspired by the museum's galleries are created on-site by world-class designers and showcased throughout the museum's West Building. The ticketed event invites participants to attend presentations and workshops, dine at the museum cafe and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

 

Firebox Theatre Company presents The Foreigner

March 14-24
Performed in a 65-seat black box venue housed in a historic building in downtown Wake Forest, Firebox Theatre Company's The Foreigner is a hilarious tale that follows Charlie, a visitor to a rural town in Georgia whom the locals mistakenly believe speaks no English (so he hears much more than he should!). 

 

Capital Quilters Guild Annual Quilt Show

March 15-16
The ultimate quilt fanatic gathering at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, this show allows attendees to view gorgeous, handcrafted pieces—from miniature to traditional to modern and beyond! A silent auction, a gift boutique and a chance to get hands-on with sewing machines will also be available. 

 

Raleigh Little Theatre presents Trouble in Mind

March 15-31
Set during rehearsals for a major Broadway production, Trouble in Mind illuminates the inner life of a Black actress struggling with her career. She’s paid her dues throughout the years, playing stereotypical supporting roles in second-rate shows, and is ready for her star turn. A funny, moving and heartbreaking look at racism, identity and ego in the high-stakes world of New York theatre.

 

Playthrough Gaming Convention

March 16-17
A two-day gaming extravaganza at the Raleigh Convention Center, Playthrough showcases the latest games offers attendees the chance to battle it out in tournaments, participate in a cosplay showcase, explore an escape room, visit exhibitors, attend main stage panels and enjoy lots of free-to-play options for board, PC, arcade, retro console and virtual reality games.

 

40th Annual Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 16
In celebration of the great St. Patrick as well as Irish and Celtic traditions and culture, a parade of dancers, bagpipes, musicians and more march through downtown Raleigh (with a 10am start time at the North Carolina State Capitol). 

 

Glenwood South St. Patrick's Day Block Party

March 16
Far and away the Raleigh area's biggest St. Patrick's day party, featuring live music, Irish dancers, bagpipers, beer and more in downtown Raleigh's Glenwood South district (all hosted by wonderful Irish pub Hibernian!).

 

Connecting explorers with guides: People-First Tourism

A new way to travel—discover a curated collection of tours, hands-on workshops and experiences led by local experts in the Raleigh area (the March calendar is filled with new events!).

 

Rissi Palmer, Cold War Kids, Fall Out Boy (and more can't-miss music!)

Who else is jamming in the City of Oaks in March? Save these dates!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by PNC Arena (@pncarena)

 

Sheryl Underwood, Gabriel Iglesias, Ali Siddiq and more laugh-out-loud comedy

A star-studded lineup of performers will take to the stage in Raleigh this month!

At Raleigh Improv

At Goodnights Comedy Club

At PNC Arena:

At Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts:

 

WWE Monday Night Raw

March 18
Your favorite superstars, live in the ring at PNC Arena! Monday Night Raw has been WWE's flagship production for more than 30 years now, with action-packed and drama-filled episodes having earned it the honor of being the longest-running episodic show in television history.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by PNC Arena (@pncarena)

 

K-Pop Dance Party and KoreaFest

Dance Party, March 22; KoreaFest, March 23
At the 7th annual KoreaFest taking place at the North Carolina State Farigrounds, attendees can enjoy performances of traditional Korean dance, chow down on Korean delicacies from local vendors, participate in K-Pop zumba, play games, try origami, take Korean alphabet lessons and more. The night before KoreaFest a K-Pop Dance Party will take place, along with a meet and greet with SeaNi, dancer and choreographer known for working with K-Pop group NCT.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by InWave (@inwavemovement)

 

Cary Downtown Farmers Market Spring Festival

March 23
Held weekly at the beautiful new Downtown Cary Park, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market will present this special spring event with tons of extra fun. Live music, kids' performances, interactives games and exhibits, tons of local food and beer vendors and even a pie-eating contest should make this a tasty time for all. 

 

Marchtoberfest at Clouds Brewing

March 23
A two-part party—with music, food and beer all-day long—in celebration of Clouds Brewing's eighth anniversary at the North Raleigh taproom (1233 Front St.), with a German Oktoberfest-style celebration kicking off at 2pm and an Irish St. Patrick's Day party taking over at 7pm. 

 

Casks on Fools at Crank Arm Brewing

March 30
This by-the-glass cask festival at Crank Arm Brewing is one of the can't-miss celebrations of spring, offering unique cask-conditioned ales from more than 20 Tar Heel State breweries.

 

CINCH World's Toughest Rodeo

March 30
Back by popular demand, Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo returns to PNC Arena this month, celebrating more than 40 years of bringing the Ol’ West to cities across the country, and featuring three fan-favorite events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding (the most extreme and fan favorite event!).

 

 

More March events in Raleigh, N.C.

 

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