While much of the month is still technically winter, the start of March is considered by many to be the start of the spring season in Pennsylvania. And, as winter gives way to warmer weather, many of this month’s events allow you to get outside and enjoy the beauty of PA.
Whether you want to sample delicious wines, watch one of the state’s best parades, or explore a historic site, you won’t want to miss what’s going on in Pennsylvania in March.
After scouring the internet, here are a few of the best things to do in Pennsylvania in March 2024.
(Article updated on February 11, 2025 for Pennsylvania events in March 2025.)
Ice and Fire Festival in Harrisburg – March 1
The Ice and Fire Festival will return to downtown Harrisburg this March. This one-day event will feature many great ice sculptures throughout the downtown area, Midtown, City Island, Italian Lake, and more. There will also be an ice slide, live ice carving, fire dancers, and more.
In addition to these great wintertime attractions, there will also be vendors, live entertainment, and a ton of great food.
Find out more on the city’s website.
PHS Philadelphia Flower Show – March 1-9
The nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event returns to the Philadelphia Convention Center this March. This year’s theme is “Gardens of Tomorrow”, and will “take you into a new world of imaginative designs and boundless inspiration”.
During the show, visitors can stroll through incredible gardens created by some of the world’s premier landscape designers. There will also be sessions and other chances to learn about designing gardens, exciting plants, a butterfly garden, parties, and much more.
For more information and tickets, visit the event’s website.
Uncork the Alleghenies in Altoona – March 8
Wine lovers will want to head to Altoona this March for the annual Uncork the Alleghenies event at the Blair County Convention Center.
Over two dozen wineries and distilleries from across the state will be at the festival serving samples of some of their best wines ad liquors. The event will also feature dozens of vendors, live music, and much more.
There is even a chef-created menu of food for those looking for lunch or dinner during one of the event’s two sessions.
Find out more here.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton – March 8
Many communities around Pennsylvania host St. Patrick’s Day parades, but none of them come close to the size of the parade in Scranton. In fact, it is the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country.
During this annual event, over 12,000 participants will march through downtown Scranton to celebrate this famous Irish holiday. The parade includes marching bands, floats, balloons, and, of course, Irish music.
For more information on the parade, head over to the event’s website.
Charter Day throughout Pennsylvania – March 9
Every year, during the second weekend in March, Pennsylvania celebrates Charter Day, the day William Penn received the charter for Pennsylvania from the King of England.
The main highlight of the weekend is free admission at many of the state-run museums and sites around PA. If you’ve been wanting to visit a great museum or historical home in Pennsylvania, it’s worthwhile to see if they are offering free admission during the weekend.
You can also view the original Pennsylvania Charter at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. This document is only taken out on Charter Day weekend, making it a can’t-miss event.
For more information, visit the websites of your favorite museum or historical site.
Lehigh Valley Auto Show in Bethlehem – March 20-23
If you love cars, you won’t want to miss the Lehigh Valley Auto Show this March at the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA.
This event will feature 100,000 square feet of cars, trucks, and other vehicles from more than two dozen manufacturers, ranging from legacy American car companies to some of the highest-end vehicles in the world.
During the event, visitors will have a chance to browse the vehicles in a no-pressure sales environment, which is great if you just want to see what’s new in the automotive industry. There will also be celebrity meet-and-greets, kids’ activities, and more.
Find out more on the event’s website.
Phipps Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show in Pittsburgh – Starts March 22
One of the most popular annual shows at Phipps Conservatory will return this March as the Spring Flower Show kicks off. Featuring tens of thousands of spring flowers in every color of the rainbow, this show is the perfect way to shake off those winter blues and enjoy the beauty of spring.
The theme for the spring 2024 show is “A Bloom for Every Room”, and the show will be open daily from March 16 through April 20. If you want an early taste of spring, this show shouldn’t be missed.
Find out more on Phipps’ website.
American Treasure Tour Photo Workshop in Oaks – March 22
Join me on Saturday, March 22 for my first photo workshop of 2025 at the fabulous American Treasure Tour Museum in Montgomery County, PA.
Normally, you have to take an indoor tram ride to see most of the massive collection of artifacts at the museum. However, during this special event, you can actually walk through the collection, taking your time to get the photos of anything you are interested in.
This is an event not to be missed.
Find out more and sign up here.
Shaver’s Creek Maple Harvest Festival in Huntingdon County – March 22-23
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Education Center will be hosting its annual Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast once again this March.
The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast in the morning (tickets required).
After breakfast, learn how to identify and tap maple trees, and then how to turn that sap into delicious syrup. Costumed interpreters will show you a variety of ways our European and Native American ancestors used this sap.
There will also be animal demonstrations, live entertainment, and the chance to hike the center’s great trails.
Find out more about the festival on Shaver’s Creek’s website.
See Spring Wildflowers – Throughout March
During the second half of March, spring wildflowers start to pop up throughout Pennsylvania, and are a great first scene of spring.
While there are places throughout the state where you can see them, there are some great wildflower preserves spread throughout the state that are excellent destinations. Personal favorites include the Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park in western PA and Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County.
Looking for other things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out our list of things to do in February and our list of things to do in PA in April.
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