Every month Tour de Cincinnati creates a shortlist of notable events around Greater Cincinnati—large festivals, food weeks, entertainment, and ongoing series—to make sure you mark down these dates to keep in mind as you make plans in the coming weeks.
Here are several important dates for local events in March to get in your calendars now:
through March 1
Cincinnati Chili Week
Inaugural homage to Cincinnati’s culinary staple, featuring $5–7 chili deals all week long. February 23–March 1
Cincinnati Home + Garden Show
Cincinnati Convention Center
Two-weekend show with several new features, a new charitable partnership with the Cincinnati Nature Center, and 350+ home improvement, kitchen and bath, outdoor living, landscaping and gardening experts. February 20–22, February 27–March 1.
What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine
Cincinnati Art Museum
The unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its start in 1952 as a popular humor comic book to its evolution into a beloved magazine.
Tickets
Winter Discount Days
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Discounted admission courtesy of US Bank, with tickets for as little as $9 for adults and $6 for children on select days. Learn more about the winter-hardy animals at the Zoo and the natural adaptations that prepare them for the cold.
through March 2
Cincinnati Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz
Music Hall
There’s no place like Music Hall for choreographer Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, a production featuring special effects and gorgeous sets and costumes.
through March 8
Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical
The Children’s Theatre at Emery Theater, 7p
Featuring original illustrations and animations by Jeff Kinney, author and illustrator of the beloved children’s book series. Recommended for ages 4+. Runtime: 60 minutes. February 20–March 8.
Tickets
Illustrated Memoir Project
Contemporary Arts Center
The Illustrated Memoir Project positions immigrant and refugee youth as the authors of their own stories and provides a platform on which they can share their lived experience and unique ways of knowing the world.
through March 18
Cultural Traditions & Artistic Voices
Studio San Giuseppe Gallery (MSJ)
Creative Asian Society’s extended exhibition highlighting artistic influences, traditions, and innovations in the Greater Cincinnati area. January 20–March 18
Free admission
through March 22
Wayfarer Tavern Pizza Collaborations
With local restaurants
Week 1 (Feb. 9–15): Galactic Fried Chicken
Week 2 (Feb. 16–22): Lang Thang Group – Lunar New Year collaboration
Week 3 (Feb. 23–March 1): Pata Roja
Week 4 (March 2–8): Carmelo’s
Week 5 (March 9–15): The Aperture
Week 6 (March 16–22): The Pickled Pig
Fridays in March
Fish Fry Season
Ash Wednesday is February 18, which means Fish Fry season is back for Lent: February 18–April 2.
March 1–30
Women’s History Month
Commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Be sure to follow along with the Weekend Rundown for women’s history events, including International Women’s Day festivities on Sunday, March 8. To sign up for the weekly newsletter, all you have to do is go to tourdecincinnati.com where you will be prompted to subscribe.
March 3–15
The Wiz
Aronoff Center
Broadway in Cincinnati’s production of the Tony® Award-winning Best Musical in an all-new Broadway tour—the first one in 40 years.
Tickets
March 5–7
35th Annual Cincy Wine Fest
First Financial Convention Center
Sip on wine (more than 800 from around the globe) and support more than 30 local nonprofits.
Tickets
March 6–8
34th Annual Bockfest
OTR Brewery District
Bockfest returns to its roots in the neighborhood with four partners hosting events as their official Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Rhinegeist Brewery, and more. the Bockfest parade will be on Friday, March 7, at 6p.
Admission to enjoy the Parade, bock beer, music, and entertainment at all Bockfest Halls and official venues is FREE all weekend long.
March 7
Opening Day
The Root Beer Stand
Another sure sign of spring is this local institution opening for the season—its 69th in business. The Root Beer Stand purveys footlong cheese coneys, cheeseburgers, homemade root beer, and more, and also features a playground, which makes it a family favorite. You can also get your food to go and have a picnic at nearby Sharon Woods.
March 8
International Women’s Day
Check out the Weekend Rundown for International Women’s Day events in the area.
March 9
Cincinnati Magazine’s Best Restaurants Event
Newport Car Barn, March 9, 6–8:30p
Featuring small plate samples from some of the best NEW restaurants in town, as featured in the upcoming March issue of Cincinnati Magazine, plus some Queen City favorites you know and love.
Tickets start at $50
March 14
LepreCON: St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
The Banks, 12–9p
86th annual St. Patrick’s Parade (12–2p), live music, and food and drink specials at participating bars and restaurants.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Winterhaus on Fountain Square
Festivities featuring a complete band lineup and festival concessions, including beer, wine, seltzers, and specialty drinks. The St. Patrick’s Parade will be just a few blocks away at The Banks at noon.
March 15
2026 Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon & Walk
Downtown
Raise awareness and lifesaving funds for victims and honor survivors of heart disease and stroke. Full schedule of events includes half marathon, 15K, 5K, 1K Steps for Stroke, 1.5K Kids Race, and Koncert 5K Heart Walk, which all benefit life-saving science.
March 20
First Day of Spring
mid- to late-March
Weeping Cherry Grove
Ault Park
In mid-March (dates vary by year; click here for updates) the trees bloom in the Japanese Cherry blossom tree grove. It is a beautiful and wonderful way to get excited for spring and the warm season to come.
March 26
Reds Opening Day
Opening Day is an unofficial holiday in Cincinnati, seeing that we are home to the oldest professional baseball team. Opening Day festivities include the Opening Day Celebration at Washington Park (10a–4p), Findlay Market Opening Day Parade (12p), parties on Fountain Square and The Banks, and—of course—the game itself, with first pitch being at 4:10p against the San Francisco Giants. Stay tuned for Tour de Cincinnati’s annual Opening Day Guide which will be shared on Instagram ahead of the big day.
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
