March marks the beginning of many things — longer days, slightly warmer temperatures, and blooming trees — all signs of the start of spring. It also holds a number of Ann Arbor area’s most beloved events and festivals, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the Saline Spring Craft Show, the Old Time Maple Sugar Festival, the Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K, and more.

Read on to discover the many must-do March events in the Ann Arbor area this year!

Jump Ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

Tree Town Comedy Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Various Locations

When: March 1–4, 2023

Kick off the month with the Tree Town Comedy Festival! This four-day festival features national headliners and favorite comedians from around Michigan. Headliners include Sam Tallent, Marie Faustin, Ryan Goodcase, and Robby Hoffman, plus a plethora of featured comedians, doing stand-up at the Blind Pig and other locations in the city. View the full schedule and purchase tickets here!

 

Vanessa Carlton | Ann Arbor

Where: The Ark

When: March 12, 2023

Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” was once called “the pop song that launched a generation of piano lessons.” And since that song came out in 2002, Vanessa has released five albums and continues to evolve as an artist. See her perform live at The Ark on March 12! General admission tickets are still available here.

 

Seussical the Musical | Ypsilanti

Where: Riverside Arts Center

When: March 16–19, 2023

Horizon Performing Arts presents Seussical the Musical, a “fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza.” Watch all our favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life in this G-rated performance, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. These colorful characters will transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, and of course, to the invisible world of the Whos. Click here to purchase tickets!

 

Saline Spring Craft Show | Saline

Where: Saline Middle School

When: March 18, 2023

Each year, the Saline Craft Show hosts two events, including the first one taking place in March! Peruse more than 150 craft booths filled with a variety of handcrafted products. Benefitting both the craft show customers and the Saline Middle School community, students get the chance to take on leadership roles and show off their talents. This is more than just a craft show — there will also be concessions, a visit and photo opportunity with Peter Cottontail, free caricatures for children, children’s arts and crafts, and more. There will also be a gift basket contest where you can vote on your favorite basket by putting money in the voting box. Proceeds for the contest will benefit the Saline Area Social Service. Admission to the Saline Spring Craft Show is just $4 — and free for children under 10!

 

Dvořák Symphony No. 7 | Ann Arbor

Where: Michigan Theater 

When: March 18, 2023

When Dvořák wrote his seventh symphony, he was already regarded as one of the leading creative minds in all of Europe. And the end result elicited instant acclaim, causing British musicologist Sir Donald Tovey to exclaim that it was “among the greatest and purest examples in this art-form since Beethoven.” Hear the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra play Symphony No. 7, along with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and Debussy’s ever-popular Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (“Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”). Purchase tickets here.

 

Ann Arbor Film Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Michigan Theater 

When: March 21–26, 2023

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 that highlight 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. This year, the festival will be offered both in person (March 21–26) and virtually (March 21–29). Click here for more information about the 61st annual festival!

 

Community Celebrations

Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show | Saline

Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

When: March 18 + 19, 2023

Don’t miss the Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show at Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds! This is your opportunity to connect with builders, suppliers, designers and tradespeople to help with your at-home projects. Visit with nearly 130 exhibitors specializing in both interior and exterior work, enjoy concessions, and sit in on a presentation or two. Admission is just $5 cash at the door for adults and is free for children under 12. Or subscribe to their email list to receive free admission!

 

Ann Arbor Orchid Society Orchid Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Matthaei Botanical Gardens

When: March 18 + 19, 2023

Celebrate the start of spring with the return of the annual Ann Arbor Orchid Festival, one of our favorite flower-filled events in the city. For two days, visit the Matthaei Botanical Gardens to admire displays of award-winning orchids. Plus, you can purchase orchids and orchid care supplies, and listen to free talks and demonstrations on the art of orchid growing. Admission to this event is free.

 

Sports

Shamrocks & Shenanigans | Ann Arbor

Where: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub

When: March 12, 2023

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ 1K! This fun and exciting race winds through downtown Ann Arbor and benefits Save a Heart, an organization that raises funds to benefit patients and their families who come to the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Register for the kids’ 1K or the 5K here!

 

Food + Drink

Old Time Maple Sugar Festival | Chelsea

Where: Eddy Discover Center

When: March 11, 2023

Hosted by the Waterloo Natural History Association, the Old Time Maple Sugar Festival celebrates the coming of spring and the tapping of maple trees. Take a guided walk through the Waterloo Recreation Area to see various methods of collecting sap and learn how to boil it down to create maple syrup. Plus, antique syrup-making equipment will be on display and maple products will be available for purchase! This event is completely free to attend.

 

Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl | Ann Arbor

Where: Multiple Venues

When: March 17 + 18, 2023

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (and the day after!) with the 6th Annual Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl in the heart of Ann Arbor. The crawl includes five venues, including The Blue Leprechaun, Ashley’s, Scorekeepers, The Grotto, and a TBA venue! Your ticket purchase includes two drinks, a custom badge and lanyard, exclusive drink and food specials at participating bars, waived covers, and more perks. Purchase your tickets here for a St. Patrick’s Day you won’t forget!

 

March On!

What events are on your calendar this month? Let us know in the comments below!