March is a magical time—especially in D.C. With the Cherry Blossom Festival, St. Patrick’s Day, Women’s History Month, and the first day of spring, there’s so much to celebrate and even more things to do! Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, find an excuse for a bar hop, or indulge in one of many museum offerings and special exhibits, the District has it all! To help you make the most of all March has to offer, Secret D.C. has rounded up all the happenings this month you don’t want to miss:
1. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- Capital One Arena: Journey featuring Toto (March 1), Wizkid (March 12), New Edition (March 16), Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (March 27)
- The Anthem: Nessa Barrett (March 3), Betty Who (March 10), Vance Joy (March 25)
- Warner Theatre: Tedeschi Trucks Band (March 2-4), Elvis Costello & the Imposters (March 9), Black Violin (March 11), Dawes (March 12), Regina Spektor (March 15)
- 9:30 Club: The Beths (March 4), Colony House (March 5), Inhaler (March 13-14), Maya Hawke (March 15-16), Kelela (March 23), The Movement (March 24), Ibeyi (March 26), Tennis (March 29-30)
- Echostage: Steve Aoki (March 1), Excision (March 3-4), Key Glock (March 16), Road to Project GLOW: Noizu + Matroda (March 17), TARAKA DC: GORDO b2b Dubfire (March 18), Tale Of Us (March 31)
2. Laugh about people’s love lives at True Dating Stories
D.C. dating has its own hashtag for a reason: it’s hilarious! Now, you can gather around to listen to some hilarious true dating stories that might just make you feel better about your own love life (or even share your own dating horror story!) at True Dating Stories.
3. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
Get in on the drama with these unmissable theatre events:
- The Kennedy Center
- “Into The Woods” (Feb. 23–March 19)
- “Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2” (March 2 and March 4)
- “Red Sky Performance: Miigis: Underwater Panther” (March 2-4)
- “From Across the Bridge” (March 4)
- “The Mortification of Fovea Munson” (March 4-19)
- “Blue” (March 11-25)
- National Theatre
- “Jagged Little Pill” (March 14-26)
- Ford’s Theatre
- “SHOUT SISTER SHOUT!” (March 15-May 13)
- Woolly Mammoth Theatre
- “Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner” (Feb. 4-March 5)
- “The Jungle” (March 28-April 16)
- “The Nosebleed” (March 31-April 23)
4. Check out the D.C. Independent Film Festival
First founded in 1999, the D.C. Independent Film Forum has worked to highlight independent films and filmmakers, offering them the chance “for their voices to be heard” through screenings, workshops and discussions at this competitive film festival. From March 1-5 attendees can view a variety of documentaries, shorts, and animated films from a diverse background of filmmakers. Learn more here!
5. Celebrate Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor both notable women through history and those we love and call friends and family! D.C. boasts a number of events, exhibits and activities to highlight and celebrate women and their achievements:
- 5th annual HerStory 5K (March 4)
- She Comes First at Miracle Theatre (March 14)
- Women in Wine at Vitis Fine Wines (March 16)
- Check out the online National Women’s History Museum
- Library of Congress
- Live at the Library
- Photojournalist Sharon Farmer and curator emerita at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston Anne Tucker (March 16)
- Women from the woman-run 1970s D.C. record label Olivia Records (March 30)
- Live at the Library
- National Gallery of Art
- “(S)heroes” National Gallery Night (March 9)
- “An Ode To Women In Art” Tour (March 12)
- National Museum of American History
- Music HerStory Zine Workshops (March 4)
- Hirshhorn Museum
- On Art and the Female Body (March 8)
- The Kennedy Center
- RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up (March 9)
- BGR!FEST (March 9-11)
- National Portrait Gallery
6. Immerse yourself in renowned art
What could be more awe-inspiring than immersing yourself in your favorite art? Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that! The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in his art.
7. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
- D.C. Improv: Tracy Morgan (March 2-5), Giulio Gallarotti (March 3-5), Martin Amini (March 9), Morgan Jay (March 9-11), Ian Edwards (March 10-12), Led Varela: Locura (March 15), Rosebud Baker (March 16-18), Kay’s House Party (March 19), J-L Cauvin (March 19), Moshe Kasher (March 23-25), Just Nesh (March 23-25), Tony Woods & Friends (March 26), Nick Swardson (March 31)
- Warner Theatre: Margaret Cho (March 10), Sam Morril (March 31)
- Capital One Arena: Jo Koy (March 11)
8. Bask in the beauty of D.C.’s cherry blossoms
It’s the true sign of spring in D.C.—the blossoming of its renowned cherry blossoms! Tourists come from across the world to bask in their beauty, as well as local Washingtonians. Whether you’re looking for the best places to admire the cherry blossoms or how to get involved with National Cherry Blossom Festival and all of its festivities from March 20-April 16, it’s the perfect way to welcome spring!
9. Experience the National Gallery Of Art’s new monthly program, “First Saturdays”
view through March 26.
On the first Saturday of the month—from March through May—the National Gallery of Art will host a new daytime program, First Saturdays, of family-friendly activities based on each month’s theme, including “films, art making, talks, tours, and pop-up performances.” The theme for the inaugural First Saturdays, taking place March 4, is a celebration of the current exhibit “Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South.” Learn more here!
10. Attend spring’s inaugural National Gallery Night
The National Gallery of Art’s seasonal favorite National Gallery Nights are returning this spring! The inaugural theme for the gallery’s first spring event in March is “(S)heroes.” In honor of Women’s History Month, the National Gallery of Art is partnering with the National Museum of Women in the Arts—which is currently closed for renovations— to highlight and explore the stunning works of women artists. For attendees of the soiree, the night will include music and pop-up performances by women such as Les the DJ and darlingdance, as well as allowing guests a sneak peek at some exhibits that will eventually go on display at the upcoming Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. If you’re feeling extra inspired, attendees are encouraged to dress as their “favorite shero” and partake in creating their own art through “Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South.” Learn more here.
11. Embrace the prehistoric at Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
Have you ever wished you could interact with dinosaurs? Well, now is your chance! This exhibit features 80 prehistoric specimens and even a virtual aquarium so you can interact with these magnificent creatures from millions of years ago.
12. Help highlight the talents and visions of women of color at BGR!FEST
Held during Women’s History Month, BGR!FEST (an extension of Black Girls Rock!) is a multi-day cultural festival that aims to elevate the innovations and visions of young Black girls and women. From March 9-11, the festival will feature music, discussions and forums, and overlap with Who Rocks Next? and Black Men Rock to showcase these talents, what they’ve achieved and what they continue to work toward! Learn more here.
13. Attend the reopening of the National Zoo’s Bird House
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) announced its Bird House will reopen to the public on Monday, March 13 after a six-year closure. Visitors will be able to “migrate” through the exhibit, learning about migratory birds and “how to live bird-friendly” as birds fly freely around them. The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, working in tandem with the Bird House, remains the only scientific institution that exclusively studies migratory birds. Learn more here.
14. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: The Best Anime Soundtracks from Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen & More at National City Christian Church
15. Inspire change at the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
Running from March 16-20, the D.C. Environmental Film Festival will be held in person and virtually, showcasing documentaries covering wildlife, climate change, adventurers, the connection between art and the environment, and much more with the aim of inspiring others to gain a greater understanding of the world around them and how they can be instrumental in conserving it and making it a better place. Learn more here.
16. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the District
St. Patrick’s Day, recognized on March 17, may be an Irish-American holiday that commemorates death, but it’s celebrated a variety of different ways. Whether you’re looking for a pub crawl, a history tour, or a more cultural experience, D.C. offers Washingtonians the chance to do all of the above and more!
- St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 11)
- Boozy Baking Class (St. Patrick’s Day Style- March 5)
- Washington D.C. Shamrock Stroll (March 18)
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.
- Visit the Embassy of Ireland
- Explore St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C.
- Eat out at an Irish pub
- The Dubliner
- Duffy’s Irish Pub
- Kelly’s Irish Times
- Kirwan’s on the Wharf
17. Embrace music at the 14th Annual D.C. Record Fair
Hosted by Eaton D.C. on March 19, the 14th Annual D.C. Record Fair will boast a live music and DJ lineup for attendees to enjoy as they peruse a variety of genre-spanning records from more than 40 vinyl vendors. Your record player is thanking you already! Learn more here.
18. Experience Shakespeare like never before
“All the world’s a stage,” and Drunk Shakespeare D.C. is hitting the stage like you’ve never experienced before! Grab a drink yourself and watch five classically-trained (and intoxicated) actors attempt to recreate some of Shakespeare’s most famous works to hilarious results!
19. Sip into spring at the Spring Wine Fling
What better way to celebrate spring?! The Spring Wine Fling—held by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington from Monday, March 20 through Sunday, March 31—is a partnership with restaurants throughout D.C. offering “two Glasses, two courses, one price.” This new offering includes a $55 prix fixe dinner menu of an appetizer, an entrée, and two wine pairings! Learn more as participating restaurants are announced here.
20. Witness the infamous Philippe Petit walk a high wire above the National Building Museum’s Great Hall
Philippe Petit, the French high wire artist best known his breathtaking walk between New York City’s Twin Towers in 1974, will be taking his act to Washington, D.C.’s National Building Museum. Having successfully completed 100 high wire walks on five continents, Petit will mark his first D.C. performance—Wonder On The Wire—by walking a wire approximately 50 feet above the museum’s Great Hall, on Thursday, March 23. Learn more here.
21. Check out one of these must-see exhibits
Every history and art lover’s dream, Washington D.C. is home to over 70 museums, including 19 free Smithsonian museums and galleries. With each museum boasting a rotation of numerous exciting exhibits, we rounded up some of March’s must-sees you don’t want to miss!
- National Museum of American History
- “Entertainment Nation”
- Hirshhorn Museum
- “One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection”
- “A Window Suddenly Opens: Contemporary Photography in China”
- National Gallery of Art
- “Philip Guston Now”
- “Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South”
- “This Is Britain: Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s”
- Renwick Gallery
- “This Present Moment- Crafting A Better World”
- The Rubell Museum
- “What’s Going On”
- National Museum of Asian Art
- “Ay-Ō’s Happy Rainbow Hell”
- “The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayas”
- Zenith Gallery
- “Black Like Me”
22. Grab coffee and a pastry at Maman
D.C.’s flagship location of the French-inspired, NYC cafe chain Maman is now open in Georgetown, and it’s the perfect way to kick off a spring day! With a quaint but beautiful ambiance, seasonal sips, and delicious staples like the honey lavender latte and nutty chocolate chip cookie, no matter what you choose you can’t go wrong!
23. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses! Learn more about these two different offerings here and here.