With spring break, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and warmer weather on the horizon, the Ann Arbor area has plenty of reasons to celebrate this month. And that’s exactly what we’re doing! Join us in the revelry with kid-friendly symphony shows, three different movie events, an outstanding home and garden show, food, crafts, and charity — all wrapped up with an egg hunt at the end of the month!
Peruse our top picks in the region and get ready for an unforgettable March.
 
 

Arts + Culture

 

Fly Fishing Film Tour | Ann Arbor

Friday, March 2, 7 p.m. | Michigan Theatre

This themed film tour travels the country each year in an effort to promote the sport and support local fly shops. You can purchase $18 tickets online, but if you get yours at Schultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti you get a $3 discount and a portion of that purchase helps support the conservation work that keeps fisheries intact, healthy and available for us all to enjoy. Last year, the tour raised over $500,000!
 

Music of Harry Potter | Ann Arbor

Saturday, March 3 + Sunday, March 4 | Michigan Theatre
Michigan Theatre and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra are kicking off the month of March with a Harry Potter musical event. On Saturday evening, the show begins at 8 p.m. with a Muggle Photobooth and cocktails from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets here.  
Or, buy your tickets for Sunday’s family matinee to enjoy a 4 p.m. show and pre-concert activities beginning at 2:30 p.m. featuring the magic of Jonathon LaChance, the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum, an Instrument Petting Zoo and owls from the Leslie Science Center.
 

UMMA After Hours | Ann Arbor

Friday, March 16, 7 – 10 p.m. | UMMA

Photo courtesy of UMMA

This free event invites the people and the families of Ann Arbor to enjoy the University of Michigan Museum of Art after hours! March’s event will include seasonal exhibitions like Exercising the Eye: The Gertrude Kasle Collection and Aftermath: Landscapes of Devastation, discussions from UMMA curators in each gallery, and live jazz-funk fusion from the Ypsilanti-based band Impulse!
 

Dive-in Movies: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 | Ann Arbor

Saturday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. | Mack Indoor Pool
Mack Indoor Pool is turning drive-in movies into dive-in movies! Bring your own inner tube, lounge in the water and enjoy “Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2” from the comfort of the water. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.
 

Saline Craft Show | Saline

Saturday, March 17, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Saline Middle School
One of the top shows in Michigan, the Saline Craft Show is hosting two events in 2018. Don’t miss the first one this March! Benefitting both the craft show customers and the school community, students get the chance to take on leadership roles and show off their talents.
 

Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show | Ann Arbor

Saturday, March 17 + Sunday, March 18 | Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

For the 28th year, this home and garden show serves to connect you with builders, suppliers, designers and tradespeople while inspiring you in all your home improvement endeavors. This year’s event features over 125 exhibitors throughout seven buildings so there’s plenty to learn over two days! Adult admission of $5 can be paid in cash at the door and children under 12 are admitted for free.
 

56th Ann Arbor Film Festival | Ann Arbor

Tuesday, March 20 – Sunday, March 25 | Michigan Theatre
One of Ann Arbor’s most important annual events, the Ann Arbor Film Festival presents 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries highlighting all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction and performance-based works. Founded by George Manupelli in 1963, the festival is the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in North America. Follow the team on Facebook for updates on tickets and special events.
 
 

Community Celebrations

 

Kids Care Fair 2018 | Ann Arbor

Sunday, March 18, 3 – 5 p.m. | Emerson School

Featuring activities from 826Michigan, the Ann Arbor Police Department, Bird Center of Washtenaw County, Children’s Literacy Network, the Saline Fire Department, and more, this fair is designed for elementary school-aged children and their families. Stop by on Sunday to get excited about community service! All ticket proceeds directly benefit Jewish Family Programs, including the food pantry and refugee resettlement services. Check out the Facebook event for details on sliding scale pricing and family sponsorship opportunities.
 

Spring Eggstravaganza | Ann Arbor

Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m. | Lillie Park  
This free egg hunt through Lillie Park is available for all children 10 years and under. Register online to get your wristband, then get ready to track down as many eggs as you can! Festive activities will also include a small petting zoo, balloon twisters, face painting, games and crafts. Happy hunting!
 
 

Sports

 

Waterloo G & G Gravel Road Race | Grass Lake

Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. | Waterloo State Recreation Area
This epic bike race offers three options: a rugged, two-loop 100K course, a powerful 50K course and a 10-mile, non-competitive ride. Registration benefits the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and includes a branded water bottle for the first 600, a Waterloo G & G pint glass, free downloads of all race photos, snacks, and a post-race party in the Wolverine State Brewing Co. beer garden. As part one of the Wolverine State Brewing Company Series of Races, you can kick off the 2018 series this St. Patrick’s Day!
 
 

Food + Drink

 

Beer & Cheese Pairing | Ann Arbor

Friday, March 16, 6 – 8 p.m. | Zingerman’s Creamery   

Beer and cheese is the perfect pairing any time of year, but we think it’s especially fitting for St. Patrick’s season. At this 21+ event hosted by Zingerman’s Creamery, you’ll learn about the brewing process, go over the major styles of beer, and eat some of the team’s favorite cheeses paired with each style. The evening ends with a beer and gelato float for dessert!
 

Founders KBS & CBS St. Patrick’s Day | Plymouth  

Saturday, March 17, 12 – 5 p.m. | Karl’s Cabin Restaurant & Bar
For St. Patrick’s Day this year, Karl’s Cabin is celebrating with two of the most sought after Michigan beers in the world: the 2018 Founders KBS tapping at 12:30 p.m. and the 2017 Founders CBS tapping at 2 p.m. The menu will include corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and other Irish favorites. Stick around for live bagpipes from the Cabar Feidh Pipe Band, and a killer show from The Sean Z Band and Tasha Lord!
 
 

Share your favorites

If we missed your most-anticipated event this month, let us know in the comments!