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 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 2
Cincinnati Chili Week
Inaugural homage to Cincinnati’s culinary staple, featuring $5–7 chili deals all week long. February 24–March 2
March 1
2025 Mainstrasse Mardi Gras Parade
Mainstrasse Village, 7p
Mainstrasse Pub Crawl will be immediately following the parade.
March 1–2
Mittenfest
Washington Park
Craft beers from local tri-state area breweries, a DJ, tented food vendors, and other surprises.
Rescheduled from February 15–16
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 Saturday, 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 2
SCRAPS: A Food-Centric Fundraising Event
Rhinegeist, 2–5p
Several area chefs will participate in a cook-off with surprise ingredients; the crowd sampling their dishes and voting for their favorites. Each bite is paired with a Rhinegeist beer. Presented by Our Daily Bread, a nonprofit soup kitchen and safe gathering space.
Tickets
March 3–9
6th Annual Asian Cuisine Week
acw.asianati.com
March 5
Fish Fry Season Begins
Ash Wednesday is February 14, which means Fish Fry season is back for Lent: March 5–April 17.
March 6–8
Cincy Wine Fest
Freestore Foodbank
Sip on wine (more than 800from around the globe) and support more than 30 local nonprofits.
Tickets
March 7–9
33rd 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 new for 2025, Rosedale OTR.
March 8
International Women’s Day
Check out the Weekend Rundown for International Women’s Day events in the area.
Opening Day
The Root Beer Stand
Another sure sign of spring is this local institution opening for the season—its 67th 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 10
Best Restaurants 2025
MadTree Parks & Rec, 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 15
LepreCON: St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
The Banks, 12–9p
57th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade (12–2p), live music by Ethan + Joey + Jada (2:30–9p), and food and drink specials at participating bars and restaurants.
March 15–16
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
Fountain Square
Festivities on Saturday and Sunday, featuring a complete band lineup and festival concessions that will be serving bangers & mash, corned beef sandwiches, Shepherds Pie, funnel cake, and green cotton candy. The Fountain Square Bar will be open and serving beer, wine, seltzers, and specialty drinks.
March 16
2025 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.
mid-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 18–23
Come From Away
Aronoff Center
March 20
First Day of Spring
March 27
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.
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!