March Events in Syracuse, NY

As winter begins to transition toward spring, Syracuse fills the calendar with festivals, food, music, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or exploring close to home, March events in Syracuse, NY, offer something for every kind of traveler.

Here’s your guide to the best things to do in the Greater Syracuse area this month.

Downtown Dining Weeks | First two weeks of March

Enjoy $15 two-course lunches and $40 three-course dinners at participating restaurants throughout Downtown Syracuse. It’s the perfect excuse to plan a date night or explore a new culinary favorite. Check out this year's Syracuse Downtown Dining Week's menu!

Thornden Park Association’s 29th Chili Bowl Festival | March 1

Happening on March 1st from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, enjoy this family-friendly event that features both meat and vegan chili options, live music, heated outdoor seating, raffle prizes, hot cocoa and so much more, all for a good cause. The proceeds from this event benefit Thornden Park itself. Be sure to go back and visit the rose garden during the spring and summer, as the Syracuse Rose Society is the oldest rose society in continuous existence in the United States, affiliated with the American Rose Society, founded in 1911. P.S they’re always looking for volunteers.

Honor Women’s History Month

Hidden Perspectives: Women’s Lives on the Erie Canal | March 2 - 31

The Northern Onondaga Public Library at North Syracuse (NOPL) is hosting an impactful event where we’ll travel through time and learn the story of the women whose lives were impacted by the Erie Canal! Whether they worked on it, traveled on it, or had their political awakenings as a result of it. This exhibit is based on the vast collection of images owned by the Erie Canal Museum as well as Canal writings. Keep an eye out for other Women-focused events happening throughout Central New York all month long.

Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade | March 14

Salina Street will once again be packed to celebrate the 44th annual Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade on Saturday, March 14th. The parade may kick off at noon, but the fun starts before and goes all day long at various locations throughout downtown. Grab your friends, watch the parade and then check out a few Irish pubs like Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub and Shaughnessy's Irish Pub to keep the fun going. 

Breakfast with the Bunny at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo | March 15, 22, 29

Start your Sunday with a festive breakfast at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, featuring the Easter Bunny! This is your chance to meet and take a photo with the Bunny, and enjoy a delicious and fun breakfast that the whole family will enjoy.

Dirty Dancing in Concert at Crouse Hinds Theater | March 19

Have the time of your life at the Crouse Hinds Theater on March 19th at 7:30 pm, where you can experience this live-to-film concert event. The original film will be projected in full and accompanied by a live band and singers performing every unforgettable song from the soundtrack. 

Brit Floyd at Crouse Hinds Theater | March 24

The Moon, The Wall, and Beyond 2026 tour is a new production that celebrates two of Pink Floyd’s most influential albums. See Brit Floyd at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, accompanied by a state-of-the-art light show, lasers, video projections, inflatables, and theatrical staging. Prices for tickets vary, so get yours today!

Pancake and Sugarbush Saturdays at Beaver Lake | March 28

Indulge in the last Pancake Saturday on March 28th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. March is the perfect time for maple syrup. Continuous tours of the sugarbush are available. There is no charge for the tours beyond the standard park admission fee. You'll find the sugarbush along the Woodland Trail, just a quick 0.3-mile walk from where we start. As you go, you can show off what you know about maple syrup by answering some fun, maple-themed questions! Afterwards, dive into a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage and local maple syrup! (Cost ranges from $ to $8 depending on your appetite.) 

March in Syracuse is where festive traditions, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun come together to celebrate the shift in seasons. However you choose to explore, there’s no better time to experience the energy and charm of the Greater Syracuse area.