We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.

Orchid show

March 1 – 22, 2020

See 10,000 blooms at The Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden. Enjoy live music on Tuesdays & Thursdays (10 a.m.), photographer hours on Tuesdays (8:15 a.m.), and a plant sale on March 26.

Free children’s music

March 3 – 31, 2020

(Tuesday noon)

Stroller Grooves is a one-hour music series for kids at noon in the Crystal Gardens on Navy Pier. Free.

Orchid evenings

March 5, 12, 19, 2020

See 10,000 blooming orchids, and buy cocktails and light bites during Orchids After Hours at Chicago Botanic Garden on Feb. 13, 14, 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19. Evening with Orchids is a special cocktail tasting on March 11.

Custom car show

March 6 – 8, 2020

World of Wheels features hot rods, competition cars, specialty, concept vehicles, and celebrity guests at the Rosemont convention center.

Shopping-cart race

March 7, 2020

Shopping cart riders race through Wicker Park pushed by humans in the Chiditarod, on the same day the Alaska Iditarod dog-sled race begins. Donate food. [Line up begins at noon in front of Cobra Lounge.]

Jazz

March 7, 2020

Choose from a dozen different jazz performances in Oak Park restaurants during Jazz Thaw. Free.

St. Patrick’s Day parade (west)

March 7, 2020

(noon)

Celebrate Irish tradition with leprechauns, clowns, jugglers, dancers, bagpipers, marching bands, and floats at Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Free.

St. Patrick’s Day party cruise

March 7 – 17, 2020

Wear green and join the St. Patrick’s Day Booze Cruise for stellar views, DJ dance music, and a cash bar aboard Anita Dee II, departing from DuSable Harbor for age 21+.

St. Patrick’s Day – green river

March 14, 2020

Watch the Chicago River flow green at Dyeing of the Chicago River, which is best viewed “from the east side of Michigan Avenue, the west side of Columbus Drive, or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.” They say the time and location are subject to change. Free.

Festival of colors

March 14, 2020

Global Connections: Holi features Indian music and performances in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Wear a white shirt to be permanently stained if you want to join the traditional throwing of color outdoors in the beer garden. Free admission and colored powder while it lasts.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 14, 2020

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade goes north on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe, rain or shine. Free.

Beer festival

March 14, 2020

A ticket to Chicago Beer Festival includes 40 tasting tickets, with live music and food for sale at The Field Museum for age 21+.

St. Patrick’s Day festival

March 14, 2020

After the big parade, enjoy Irish music, dance, food, activities, and Irish gifts for sale at St. Patrick’s Festival throughout the Irish American Heritage Center. Children age 12 and younger are free.

Antique glass show

March 14 – 15, 2020

Shop from 25 dealers selling early American pattern glass, elegant or handmade glassware, depression glassware, kitchen glassware, Pyrex, Fire King, and Fenton at Glass Show & Sale at Midwest Conference Center in Northlake. Identification and repair available.

Maple sugar fair – Schaumburg

March 14 – 15, 2020

Enjoy an outdoor pancake breakfast with real maple syrup and see how it’s made in a pioneer sugar camp at Sugar Bush Fair, which includes a puppet show and a hayride in Schaumburg.

Flower and garden show

March 18 – 22, 2020

Chicago Flower & Garden Show features 20 gardens, dozens of vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, and a kids’ activity garden at Navy Pier.

Discount tickets $10 (child $2.50)

Tattoo convention

March 20 – 22, 2020

Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention features live tattooing, seminars, and entertainment at Rosemont convention center.

Chocolate & wine

March 21 – 22, 2020

The West Loop Spirits, Wine & Beer Festival promises vendors displaying products for you to sample, wine and spirits tasting, and chef demonstrations at Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium. Held in March and Oct.

Shamrock 8K race

March 22, 2020

Billed as the world’s largest timed 8K race, the Shamrock Shuffle begins and ends in Grant Park and includes a post-race party. It also has a 2-mile walk.

Flower show

March 22 – April 5, 2020

Macy’s Flower Show features flowers and exotic topiaries in landscapes, plus scheduled events at Macy’s on State Street. Free.

Whisky festival

March 27, 2020

Taste 350 whiskeys, and learn from master distillers and blenders at pricey Whisky Fest Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Rock classics by Queen

March 28, 2020

(8 p.m.)

Hear classic rock songs by Queen (We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, and more) performed with uncanny realism by One Night of Queen at Rosemont Theatre.