Our favorite part about March is that spring is just around the corner! After this winter’s snow and ice, we are all ready for warmer weather. Check out our top picks for St. Patrick’s Day, Women’s History Month, Nowruz, and other great events in and around Washington, D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Photo courtesy of: Ballyshaners

 

The Ballyshaners  St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 7

Old Town Alexandria, VA 

The Ballyshaners 43rd Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 12 PM. Residents and tourists are encouraged to come early to enjoy the events at one of the DC area’s finest parades. If you take Metrorail to the King St/Old Town station, there is a free trolley to the festivities, or it’s a short 10-minute walk down King Street.

 

Annapolis St. Patrick’s Weekend | March 7

Downtown Annapolis, MD

The annual St. Patrick’s Parade returns to Annapolis as part of a full weekend of events! Be sure to check out The 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Hooley, also known as the official Irish Parade Kick-Off Party, located in the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Center – Fluegel Hall! You can grab your tickets here! 

 

Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 14

Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD

The 24th annual parade at Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue will start at 10 AM. The parade will feature dozens of units, including Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, fire trucks, equestrian units, service organizations, costumed characters, and more.

 

Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 14

Old Town Manassas, VA

Dress in your brightest green for this annual celebration along Center Street in Old Town Manassas, starting at 11 AM. This is a great family event showcasing pipe and drum and Irish dance groups.

 

Ireland at The Wharf | March 14

The Wharf, DC

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day from 1–7 PM with a festival featuring live Irish music, Irish dancers, and more in partnership with Kirwan’s on the Wharf. For those looking to upgrade their St. Paddy’s Day, The VIP Irish Experience presented by Jameson is back! Ticket holders can taste Premium Irish Whiskeys, get backstage access, and more. Limited tickets are available — grab yours here.

 

MORE ARTS, FESTIVALS, AND FUN

Photo courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival

 

Woodlawn Needlework Show | March 1-30

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House | Alexandria, VA

You may have heard that “Grandma Crafts” are popular again, but we might argue that they’ve never gone out of style. Every year, the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House showcases beautiful needlework as a primary fundraiser for the historic property. 

Tickets

 

The Phil Collins Story | March 3

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD

Chronicling Phil Collin’s remarkable chart-topping time with Genesis to his multi-Grammy-winning solo career to his Academy Award-winning work for Disney, The Phil Collins Story brings the artist’s distinctive music to life in a way that resonates with audiences both visually and emotionally.

Tickets

 

Los Straitjackets & Deke Dickerson | March 13

The Barns at Wolftrap, Vienna, VA

Los Straitjackets are the masked marvels of instrumental rock. Playing their roots rock and retro sounds and never taking the stage without their trademark Mexican wrestling masks, Los Straitjackets serve up crisp guitar work with twang and reverb, a no-nonsense rhythm section, and a pronounced sense of humor.

Tickets

 

West Virginia Film Festivals | March 13-15 & March 21 

West Virginia offers multiple film festivals throughout the month, including these three in the Eastern Panhandle:

• American Conservation Film Festival | March 13-15
  Frank Arts Center, Shepherdstown | Tickets
• Martinsburg/Apollo Film Festival | March 13-15
  The Historic Apollo Civic Theater, Martinsburg | Tickets
• Third Annual Harpers Ferry Film Festival | March 21, 5-9 PM
  51 Mather Place, Harpers Ferry | Tickets

 

Cherry Blossom Concert: Ayaka Hirahara | March 20, 7-8 PM

Asian Art Museum, West Building, Washington, DC

Catch a smaller, more intimate concert by singer Ayaka Hirahara the night before she opens the National Cherry Blossom Festival!

Tickets

 

National Cherry Blossom Festival | March 20 – April 12

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin now spans four weeks throughout Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate all that spring in Washington, DC has to offer – from exciting events to delectable Cherry Picks restaurants, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, delightful hotel stays, and more. Popular events include:

• Pink Tie Party | March 13, 7-11 PM
• BloomFest at the Tidal Basin | March 20, 12-6 PM
• Opening Ceremony | March 21, 5-6:30 PM
• Blossom Kite Festival | March 28, 10-4 PM

 

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Photo courtesy of National Museum of Women in the Arts

 

Women’s History is American History

Not limited to March, the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative is ongoing in preparation for the future American Women’s History Museum. You can check out the latest news and explore exhibits online at womenshistory.si.edu.

Many other area museums and communities will be hosting events and exhibits highlighting women’s history throughout the month. Check out the following websites for more details:

• Smithsonian
• National Park Service
• Montgomery County, MD
• Maryland Women’s Heritage Trail
• Alexandria, VA
• City of Fairfax, VA
• Fairfax County, VA

 

National Museum of Women in the Arts

1250 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Check out this beautifully renovated and expanded museum for free. The collection is one of the coolest in DC, featuring a new exhibit called “Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies.” A powerful presentation of Chatmon’s richly layered, photography-based works.

 

Collective Voices: Women’s Clubs and Local Change | Through March 30

Arlington Historical Museum, Arlington, VA

Opening on March 1st for Women’s History Month, this exhibit explores the history and impact of the Women’s Club of Arlington and other women’s clubs across the county. Through service projects, public health campaigns, educational advocacy, and community programs, Arlington’s clubwomen shaped civic life throughout the 20th century.

Free Admission

 

 

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