March Events (2024): What’s happening in Raleigh this Month?

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Ok Raleigh, are you ready for another fun-filled month and looking for fun things to do in Raleigh in March? Answer: Always!

March this year is exciting as the magnolias are already blooming and warmish weather is here! I can see this March as a month where everyone races out of their winter hibernation ready to live vibrantly. Helping us do that will be fun events like St Patrick’s Day, Art in Bloom, live music and beer festivals!

woman and children standing behind TV made from flowers

We’re hand picking a number of Raleigh events for you to put on your calendar. But we can’t include everything and don’t always know what’s happening in Raleigh, so if you have any suggestions on cool events in Raleigh, leave them in the comments at the bottom!

Don’t forget to plan ahead for the year with our helpful top festivals and events for 2024 post, there’s something to do for everyone! Each week, we publish a post with even more things to do in Raleigh this weekend ideas. Be sure to follow @ThisIsRaleigh on Instagram as we’re out exploring Raleigh this month!

Join our free email community so you don’t miss our updates, news, personal stories, guides, freebies, and top tips! We’ve got a free checklist for Raleigh events this year to help you plan.

2024 Raleigh Festival & Events Bucket List
Plan for a fun-filled year!
Featured Image
Table Of Contents
  1. Women’s History Month
  2. Raleigh Event & Venue Guides
  3. Ongoing events for MARCH 2024
  4. Week March 1 – 3, 2024
  5. Week 2: March 4 – 10, 2024
  6. Week 3: March 11 – 17, 2024
  7. Week 4: March 18 – 24, 2024
  8. Week 5, March 25 – 31, 2024
  9. March Festivals in North Carolina

Women’s History Month

woman looking at exhibit in City of Raleigh Museum
City of Raleigh Museum

March is the month for celebrating women’s contributions to history, culture and society. It grew out of a week-long celebration that was organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1978.

The idea soon caught on and spread across the country until President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Six years later it was expanded by Congress to the entire month of March. 

Falling within this month is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women, which took place for the first time on March 8, 1911. 

The 2023 theme for Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.“ The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

In 2024, we pay tribute to the remarkable women in our community, both historical and contemporary, who have courageously led the way in advocating for change and instituting stronger protections, norms, and laws that embody these principles. After enduring years of discrimination, we take pride in honoring the women dedicated to advancing fundamental values of inclusion, equality, and justice.

READ MORE: 15 ways to celebrate Women’s History Month in Raleigh and 14 women-owned businesses in Downtown Raleigh telling great stories.

Raleigh Event & Venue Guides

If visiting a venue or special event in Raleigh, these guides may help with your planning.

Ongoing events for MARCH 2024

father and children patting dinosaur on head

Don’t forget these things to do in Raleigh for March 2024 that are ongoing throughout the month.

  • FREE Yoga in the Park, Mondays, 5:30pm; Flowers Field, Dorothea Dix Park Registration Ages 12+
  • March Madness, March 17, 2024 – April 8, 2024. While no games will be played in the Triangle, The Spectrum Center in Charlotte will host games March 21-23. Final four and championship game in Glendale, Arizona. That doesn’t mean we can’t cheer on our local Triangle teams. Gather your friends, don your team spirit wear, and head to your favorite sports bar in Raleigh.
  • The ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament games will start on Wednesday, March 6-10 in Greensboro and the championship will determine the ACC’s automatic entry to the NCAA tourney.
  • Dinos Alive is a dinosaur exhibition featuring life-size animated replicas in an immersive Jurassic venue. It’s on at Pleasant Valley Promenade, until April 7, 2024. Get tickets here

Week March 1 – 3, 2024

Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, Fri – Sun, March 1-3, 2024

A waterfall in a garden
Juniper Level Gardens

Juniper Level Botanic Gardens 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. It’s a private garden in Raleigh, only open to the public 8 weekends a year. It is said to be one of the most spectacular gardens in the USA!

We highly recommend you make use of this opportunity to visit this hidden gem in Raleigh. There are even hidden waterfalls. Read our full guide to Juniper Level Botanic Gardens with more photos.

See our video below:

First Friday, March 1, 2024

a woman standing in front of an art gallery
First Friday art on display
  • Where: Downtown Raleigh (various locations)
  • Time: At dusk
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Looking for events in Raleigh this weekend? We love how First Friday gives us the push we need to go to downtown Raleigh and explore local art together. It’s not something we’d typically seek out, but this monthly event has helped us learn to love this new kind of city exploration. 

It is celebrated on the first Friday of each month at locations throughout downtown. Art galleries and studios are open late with rotating exhibits and artist talks. See our guide to First Friday in Raleigh with a list of the events happening.

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, Feb 29 – Mar 3, 2024

  • Where: Theatre Raleigh Arts Center
  • Time: 6pm, 8pm, 10pm
  • Cost: $55
  • Tickets

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the dark and mysterious world of Edgar Allan Poe. This exclusive speakeasy will transport you to a bygone era as you sip on expertly crafted cocktails inspired by, and while listening to, four of Poe’s most beloved stories.

NC Indigenous Art Festival, March 2, 2204

  • Where: NC Museum of Art
  • Time: 10am-4pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Celebrate the opening of To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art with a day of Indigenous art and culture.

Support traditional and contemporary Indigenous artists at the vendor fair. Attend a performance of the Lumbee culture dancers and drummers, meet nationally acclaimed artist, and create alongside traditional basket weavers, Southeastern gorget makers, and more for the whole family.

The To Take Shape and Meaning Exhibition is open until July 28, 2024. This free Indigenous festival gains you entry to the exhibit, as does the Art in Bloom festival. Otherwise, it is $14-$20.

UniverSOUL Circus, Feb 14 – March 10, 2024

  • Where: Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  • When: Various times
  • Cost: $22+
  • Tickets here.

Head to under the Big Top for a highly interactive show that combines circus arts, theater, and music. This is a Valentine’s Date for the whole family. UniverSoul Circus embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of urban pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers that reflect the cultural diversity of the world in which we live.

Sporting Events & Concerts this week in March

Week 2: March 4 – 10, 2024

Raleigh Brewing 11th Anniversary Party, Sat, March 9, 2024

Man and lady at a beer festival
Raleigh Brewing Block Party
  • Where: Raleigh Brewing, Neil Street
  • Time: 1-9 pm
  • Cost: Your beer!
  • Website

Join the anniversary party of North Carolina’s first female owned brewery. They’ll be hosting a block party filled with live music, a one-of-a-kind beer release, food trucks, and so much more.

Reptile & Amphibian Day, Sat, March 9, 2024

crocodile lying in the mud
An Australian crocodile

Reptile lovers prepare your crocodile grins, the country’s largest event dedicated to snapping, slithering, and scaly creatures is coming to town. This year’s theme is CROCODILIANS!

Come learn about our favorite ectotherms, from crafts, to lectures, to close encounters!  This event is perfect for all ages — from the youngest tadpoles to the oldest tortoises.

North Carolina FC Home Opener Soccer Game vs Charleston Battery, March 9, 2024

  • Where: WakeMed Soccer Park Cary
  • Time: 7pm
  • Cost: $18+
  • Tickets

We’re excited to attend the home opening game of North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer PArk. Watching the soccer games here is one of our favorite things to do in Raleigh, especially for families. Enjoy the FanFest which includes a DJ, the KidZone, and a diverse selection of food trucks. Plus, as part of the home opener celebration, we’ll be handing out NCFC tote bags.

Greek and Grub Market (Fantasy Edition) Sat, March 10, 2024

  • Where: Fred Fletcher Park
  • Time: 12pm-4pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Get ready for an adventure-filled journey at our inaugural Gaming Edition of the Geek & Grub Market, celebrating MARIO DAY! Dive into the world of gaming with themed cosplay, engage in competitive challenges, and indulge in life-size Inflatable Hungry, Hungry Hippos for an elevated gaming experience.

Sports History Trolley Tour Sunday March 17, 2024

  • Where: Mordecai Historic Park
  • Time: 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Cost: $12
  • Website

Discover Raleigh’s rich sports history, its vibrant present, and promising future aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley! From the thrilling days of horse racing to the excitement of hockey, this tour showcases both professional and amateur sports, visiting active venues and uncovering forgotten gems along the way.

Sporting Events & Concerts this week in March

Week 3: March 11 – 17, 2024

Art in Bloom, March 13–17, 2024

woman and children standing behind TV made from flowers
rainbow floral arrangement in art gallery
Art in Bloom

Who loves art and flowers? Get ready for five days of floral arrangements from world-class designers and florists. Features 43 installations, some more than 10 feet tall. This year’s theme is The Decade Show to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the museum and the tenth year of Art in Bloom. There will be installations to represent each of the decades from the 1920s to 2020s.

READ MORE: Don’t miss the NC Museum of Art, Raleigh’s Best Foot Forward. and read our guide to Raleigh’s Art in Bloom Festival for 2024. See the video below from last year.

Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sat, March 16, 2024

  • Where:  Salisbury Street and Hillsborough Street
  • Time: 10am
  • Cost: Free

Grab your favorite green sweater and your spirit for having a good craic and head downtown to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, one of the popular downtown Raleigh events on the calendar.

The parade started in 1983 with a dozen or so enthusiastic Irish Americans marching down Wilmington St. to the delight and curiosity of downtown residents, merchants and shoppers.

This year will be its 40th year entertaining the locals with bagpipe players, tap dancers, decorated floats and Irish characters – I spy a leprechaun or two.

The parade route starts at Salisbury Street and Hillsborough Street and finishes at Fayetteville and Lenoir Streets. The Grand Marshal for 2024 will be Jeff Hogan is a news anchor and on-air journalist for WRAL News.

Unfortunately, the City of Raleigh will no longer allow motorized vehicles in their parades, so it will be foot traffic instead!

Head to the Official After Party at the Hibernian Irish Pub on Glenwood Ave.

Read more things to do on St Patrick’s Day in Raleigh (we have over 20 ideas!)

St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls, Sat, 16 & Sun, 17, 2024

Craig enjoying a pint of Guinness at the Guinness storehouse Dublin
Craig’s favorite beer, Guinness!

Ah to be sure. It wouldn’t be St Patty’s Day without a pint or two of the black stuff! That’s Guinness in case you’re not up to speed with all things Irish. The following St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls are happening:

Interested in traveling to Ireland and enjoying a pint of Guiness from its Dublin source? Amongst other things! We lived in Dublin for a year, and Craig visited last year on an 8-day tour. You don’t want to miss these experiences and things to do in Dublin.

North Carolina Courage vs Houston Dash, March 16, 2024

Soccer fans watching a game
Cary soccer park
  • Where: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
  • Time: 2-4pm
  • Cost: $15+
  • Tickets

Get ready to support our local women’s soccer team during Women’s History Month. The North Carolina Courage will start their 2024 NWSL Regular Season this month with a game against Houston Dash. This professional women’s soccer team, based in Cary, is one of the best teams in the country!

READ MORE: A guide to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Playthrough Gaming Convention, Sat & Sun March 16-17, 2024

Gamer’s, get ready for two days of tournaments, showcases, escape rooms, virtual reality games, exhibitions and opportunities to play with gamer friends from all around. It’s the largest gaming convention in North Carolina.

Interested in learning more about gaming and Esports? Check out this interview we did with Caleb Smith from Contender eSports in Cary. 

Sporting Events & Concerts this week in March

Week 4: March 18 – 24, 2024

Raleigh Roasts, Sat March 23, 2024

  • Where: Moore Square
  • Time: 9am-1pm
  • Cost: $5-$10
  • Tickets

This annual event celebrates Raleigh’s vibrant cafe culture and Raleigh’s coffee roasters. Tickets include all-you-can-drink samples from Raleigh’s best roasters and coffee shops, comparative Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum mug, live music, local vendors, food trucks and more. 

Marchtoberfest, Sat, March 23, 2024

  • Where: Clouds Brewing Taproom
  • Time: 2pm-11:30pm
  • Cost: $12- $16
  • Tickets

What happens when Germany and Ireland meet? One great big beer-swilling, toe tapping part with the purpose to celebrate Clouds Brewing 8th year anniversary.

German Oktoberfest kicks off at 2pm (so good you have to do it twice a year) followed by the Sta Patrick’s Day Fest at 7pm.

Traditional music and dancing to suit each country all day. No cover charge for the Irish Fest but your Oktoberfest price includes first beer and a Marchtoberfest glass.

Sporting Events & Concerts this week in March

Week 5, March 25 – 31, 2024

CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo, March 30, 2024

  • Where: PNC Arena
  • Time: 7:30pm
  • Cost: $30+
  • Tickets

Prepare for an unforgettable experience at the CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo, where fans are treated to a perfect blend of action, entertainment, and fierce competition. Witness the ultimate showdown as the world’s most resilient cowboys vie for the coveted title of ProRodeo’s World Champion, showcasing their unwavering determination to emerge victorious.

As the competition intensifies, fans will witness the cream of the crop in cowboy athleticism, with riders pushing their limits to secure a spot at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the pinnacle of rodeo excellence.

Sporting Events & Concerts this week in March

March Festivals in North Carolina

You know that we always encourage leaving the borders to explore! Adventure and lifelong memories await on the other side. Here are the top festivals happening in North Carolina in March 2024 you may want to experience.

Feast Festival, Wilmington

  • Dates: March 22-24, 2024
  • Where: Riverfront Park
  • Official Website: https://feastwilmington.com/

Coming in new this year is food and drinks festival, Feast Wilmington. The event will feature a variety of top local chefs and mixologists along with immersive culinary experiences. Feast Wilmington has crafted four events for 2024. Each event will take place at picturesque Riverfront Park, and each will feature different chefs, drinks and music.

Comment: What are you doing in Raleigh this March? Leave a comment with more ideas and be sure to share this with a freind!

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