North Carolina in March is a time of transition from winter to spring. There are many fun things to do in North Carolina in March, along with the changing weather, first flowers, and signs of spring.
Tons of local events and festivals begin popping up all over the state. We’ve handpicked more than 15 and ordered them by starting date, alphabetizing by city when multiple local events occur.
Read More: The NC Tripping Events Calendar
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Enter the Conversation!Things to Do in North Carolina in March 2026
This post covering things to do in North Carolina in March is part of our series of monthly events in North Carolina. We included a few of these March events (along with April and May) in our Spring Things to Do in North Carolina, too!
- North Carolina Potters Conference in Asheboro (March 5-7)
- Bloomtime Ciderfest in Cameron (March 14)
- St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run in Carolina Beach (March 14)
- Green River Revival at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte (March 14)
- Battle of Guilford Courthouse Observance in Greensboro (March 14-15)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Wearin’ O’ the Green Festival in Raleigh (March 14)
- Asheville Fringe Arts Festival (March 15-22)
- Art in Bloom at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh (March 18-22)
- Cosmic Rays Film Festival in Chapel Hill (March 20-22)
- Bentonville Battlefield Anniversary (March 21)
- The Fremont Daffodil Festival (March 21)
- Assault on Blackrock in Sylva (March 21)
- Feast Wilmington (March 28-29)
- Birds, Brews & BBQ at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck (TBD)
- Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival in Hickory (March 27-28)
- Bull City Food and Beer Experience in Durham (March 29)
North Carolina Potters Conference in Asheboro
2026 Event Dates: March 5-7, 2026
Event Info
North Carolina’s pottery tradition lives on in Asheboro, with the North Carolina Potters Conference organized by the Randolph Arts Guild. This year’s theme is Addition Through Reduction, and potters and non-potters alike are encouraged to attend.
If you missed registration this year, check back earlier next year for availability.
We know pottery and the NC Zoo are huge draws for this area. If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Asheboro and beyond in Randolph County, read this guide!
Read More: The Best Day Trips from Greensboro
Bloomtime Ciderfest at James Creek Cider House in Cameron
2026 Event Date: March 14, 2026
Event Info
Bloomtime Ciderfest is a lovely spring festival celebrating North Carolina’s craft cider scene. The event will be held in the apple and peach tree orchards at James Creek Cider House in Cameron.
Live music and food trucks converge to make this festival worthy of anyone’s calendar, including yours!
St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run in Carolina Beach
2026 Event Dates: March 14, 2026
Event Info
The Steve Haydu St Patrick’s Lo Tide Run in Carolina Beach raises money for New Hanover County residents fighting cancer who need financial assistance. Register to run or walk to raise money and compete for individual or team awards.
Read More: Carolina Beach State Park (and 7 Great Things to Do There!)
Green River Revival at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte
2026 Event Dates: March 14, 2026
Event Info
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Charlotte with outdoor adventure at the US National Whitewater Center’s 10th Annual Green River Revival. There are many festivities throughout the day, including kayaking, rafting, a “Color Me Green” 5K Trail Run, and more.
Read More: 21+ Amazing Restaurants in Charlotte (Where to Eat in Queen City!)
Battle of Guilford Courthouse Observance in Greensboro
2026 Event Dates: March 14-15, 2026
Event Info
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse Observance is a truly historic way to commemorate North Carolina in March. The event occurs at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, one of our favorite National Parks sites.
Both days are packed with events starting at 10 a.m. with music, programs, and vendors.
Read More: America 250 Events in North Carolina (Red, White, and Blue from the Mountains to the Sea!)
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Wearin’ O’ the Green Festival in Raleigh
2026 Event Dates: March 14, 2026
Event Info
Raleigh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will paint downtown Raleigh green on Lane St. and Salisbury St. The parade begins at 10:00 am and is one of the most anticipated Raleigh events in March!
Read More: Kid-friendly Events in North Carolina
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
2026 Event Dates: March 15-22, 2026
Event Info
The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival brings together a vibrant mix of artistic mediums under one unmistakably Asheville umbrella. Across venues throughout the city, artists, actors, dancers, and boundary-pushing performers transform familiar spaces into stages for this unique festival.
Since 2002, the Fringe Arts Festival has championed small and emerging local artists, proudly continuing that tradition this year.
Read More: Things to Do in Asheville
Art in Bloom at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh
2026 Event Dates: March 18-22, 2026
Event Info
The North Carolina Museum of Art‘s annual fundraiser, “Art in Bloom,” will feature multiple special events and over 50 floral art interpretive pieces. During this event, the museum will extend its hours and offer food to those in attendance.
General tickets go on sale on February 6.
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Raleigh
Cosmic Rays Film Festival in Chapel Hill
2026 Event Dates: March 20-22, 2026
Event Info
The first of our things to do in North Carolina in March is happening in Chapel Hill. The Cosmic Rays Film Festival is an annual showcase of short films by some of today’s most exciting filmmakers and artists.
Screenings and live audiovisual performances await at this exciting event in Central NC!
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Chapel Hill and Orange County
Bentonville Battlefield Anniversary
2026 Event Dates: March 21, 2026
Event Info
Bentonville commemorates the anniversary of the largest battle on North Carolina soil, fought March 19-21, 1865. Presented in collaboration with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, explore the journey of surgeons, stewards, and the wounded during and in the aftermath of the battle of Bentonville.
Living history demonstrations include medical care in and around the Harper House field hospital, as well as weapons demonstrations.
Read More: 20+ Great Things to Do in Johnston County (JoCo’s Best Places!)
The Fremont Daffodil Festival
2026 Event Dates: March 21, 2026
Event Info
For a day of flowers, fun, and fun, take a trip to the Fremont Daffodil Festival, just north of Goldsboro in Wayne County. Celebrate spring’s arrival with music, food, crafts, entertainment, history, and more!
Read More: 21 Amazing Things to Do in Goldsboro and Wayne County
Assault on Blackrock in Sylva
2026 Event Dates: March 21, 2026
Event Info
A race stretching seven miles and covering over 2,000 feet in elevation, Assault on Blackrock in Sylva will push trail runners to the extreme. Proceeds from this event will go to the Jackson County Public Schools Back to School Bash.
Read More: Bear Lake Reserve in Jackson County
Feast Wilmington
2026 Event Dates: March 28-29, 2026
Event Info
Three days of food and drink excitement await at Feast Wilmington at Riverfront Park.
Starting with a VIP Event on Friday, the fun rolls into the weekend with two Saturday events (Brunch Elevated and Pier Party) and concludes with Craft + Cuisine on Sunday.
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington and Nearby (Bucket List)
Birds, Brews & BBQ at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck
2026 Event Date: TBD
Event Info
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is back with Birds, Brews, and BBQ in March. This event brings together Eastern NC Barbecue, NC craft beer, and the world’s largest collection of rare and endangered waterfowl.
Local barbecue cooks will compete in a BBQ cook-off, which you can vote on after trying them all. A ticket to this event also includes admission to Sylvan Heights Bird Park.
Games, music, and more fun await, too!
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Medoc Mountain State Park
Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival in Hickory
2026 Event Dates: March 27-28, 2026
Event Info
Enjoy a display of pottery and meet these talented creators at the annual Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival in Hickory.
The festival kicks off on Friday with a special Preview Party for VIP and Premiere ticketholders with the opportunity to purchase early. The public can attend the event at the Hickory Metro Convention Center on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Read More: The Best Day Trips from Boone
Bull City Food and Beer Experience in Durham
2026 Event Dates: March 29, 2026
Event Info
For the Bull City Food and Beer Experience (previously held in February), 30 of Durham’s restaurants will be paired with 30 breweries from all over the US at DPAC.
The “On Stage Experience” showcases local food and live music, and proceeds go to the Inter-faith Food Shuttle.
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Durham
Ready For These Fun Things to Do in North Carolina in March?
We hope you’re as excited as we are to experience these fun things to do in North Carolina in March. If you are, too, which one is your favorite?
Also, is there something we should add to this list of March events in North Carolina? We’d love to know about it. Kindly send us an email and we’ll take a look!
Note: If you’re reaching out on behalf of a business, PR agency, or DMO, please visit this page.
More Things to Do in North Carolina in March (and Beyond!)
We’ve featured these March events in many of our NC Travel guides. Here are a few examples.
