There are a lot of fun, exciting, and even free things you can do this March in the city. Here’s a list of a few things you and your loved ones can do this spring!
Chicago Spring Holiday Spots
One fun thing to do around Chicago in March is watch the river turn green for St. Patrick’s Day. There’s no doubt Chicago is the place to be when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t miss the annual green river dyeing followed by the St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown.
Also, you could even catch a concert or comedy show. Chicago is known for its second-to-none improv and sketch empire. This has launched the careers of comedy legends like John Baluchi and Gilda Radner. Even comedic megastars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Eugene Levy.
You could also celebrate Women’s History Month. March is Women’s History Month. There are so many great ways to celebrate it, and many prominent women from Chicago to recognize.
Furthermore, you could attend a new museum exhibit, the choices are great. You can visit either the Art Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, and many more options.
If you’re not too keen on the museum you can catch a spring flower show at one of the city’s conservatories. Or you can take a stroll through the Millenium
Park, visiting the lively outdoor garden and the different artworks it holds.
You could also go to the Chicago Botanic Garden and stop and smell the roses while exploring the sprawling, lush area in nearby Glencoe. There you could find and explore 27 unique gardens that burst into bloom in the springtime, such as their Japanese zen garden.
In the springtime, Chicago truly embodies its official city motto; Urbs In Horto — “City in a Garden’.
Spring Activities
Chicago has multiple parks, a sparkling waterfront, and not to mention world-renowned museums, and inspiring architecture. This all makes for a great spot for not only tourism but for locals to enjoy themselves too. Chicago is truly a great spring break destination.
Moreover, Fulton Market will be home to this month’s artisan market. The market will feature some of Chicago’s best local vendors showcasing their handmade goods, art, jewelry, food, fashion, and more.
You can also visit the Chicago River once it’s dyed a bright shade of green for the city’s big St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This precedes the famous St. Patrick’s Day parade, the parade starts in Grant Park and travels down Columbus with bagpipers and other festivities in tow.
Another event this spring is the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Irish Film Festival. The festival will bring some of the year’s best films from Irish filmmakers to a Chicago audience.
Some more fun Spring Options
The city will also feature many great live performances of plays, music, and other fantastic art forms. Art truly has become the backbone of what makes the Windy City a beacon of culture in the Midwest. Enjoying the Arts in Chicago can lead you to different events.
In Chicago, a lot of people have big parties and celebrations. For example, you can visit the downtown where you could go and find a myriad of events you can enjoy yourself at.
Pride Month is also fast approaching in the city. There are plenty of ways to celebrate this year, including Pride nights, drag story time, music festivals, drag brunch events, and more.
There will also be a joyous two-day street festival later this year in the historic downtown neighborhood. The parade attracts more than 60,000 attendees who gather to celebrate LGBTQIA+ life, community, and culture.
Spring break for college students in Chicago
Some college kids go home to see family, or some even go out to do things like dance the night away in a club downtown. You’ll find them exploring the cocktail scene, laughing at a local comedy club, and even more.
- Baseball season kicks off in spring, with the Chicago White Sox hosting their home opener on March 28. Also, the Chicago Clubs will be returning to Wrigley Field on April 1.
- They might enjoy a concert in the landmark circa 1892 opera house, Thalia Halls. Thalia Halls hosts concerts by some of the most well-known and up-and-coming musical acts.
- They also go to fun house parties with friends and dance to nice music. Spring breakers might also find themselves enjoying a bit more mature fun attending places like Dave& Busters or Punch Bowl Social.
Ideas for art & culture lovers
In Chicago, art is around any corner you may turn. There’s public art sprawled across the city streets, in the world-known museums, and art will even light up our buildings after dark. You can plan a truly magical art and culture-filled spring break with these events and exhibits.
- The latest exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago is Picasso, Drawing from Life. This exhibit will run through April 8. It features over 60 of Picasso’s rare works. It will showcase how the iconic artist’s relationships inspired his art, offering a behind-the-scenes look into his fascinating life.
- Every 3rd Friday, the Bridgeport Arts Center opens its studios for an evening of mingling with Chicago-based artists of different mediums. Such as painters, sculptors, photographers, fashion, ceramics, and woodworkers involved in the Bridgeport Arts Center’s exhibits.
- In the evening, if you walk around the Riverwalk you can experience Art on the Mart. Art on the Mart is set to return. The art show features the works of multiple different artists. Lights are projected on the Merchandise Mart with a sound show in the background nightly in the month of April.
Chicago offers many different ways you can experience your spring this year.
Written By Simone Hall
Sources:
TimeOut: The best comedy clubs in Chicago to see improv, stand-up and sketches
Choose Chicago: Your guide to spring break 2024 in Chicago
TimeOut: Chicago events calendar for 2024
Featured Image Courtesy of Jamie Bernstein’s Flickr – Creative Commons
First Inset Image Courtesy of Devyn Caldwell’s Flickr – Creative Commons
Second Inset Image Courtesy of dog97209’s Flickr- Creative Commons
