March is the month when the UK properly wakes up. The clocks go forward, the evenings stretch out, and the events calendar shifts into a higher gear as spring arrives. From St Patrick's Day celebrations and comedy festivals to the first outdoor events of the year, March offers a rich and varied programme of things to do. Here is your guide to the best March events across the UK.
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day on the 17th of March is celebrated with enthusiasm across the UK, not just in Northern Ireland. London hosts one of the largest St Patrick's Day parades outside of Ireland, with a procession through the city centre followed by a free festival in Trafalgar Square featuring live music, dance performances, and food stalls. Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and other cities with significant Irish communities also host parades and festivals.
Pubs across the country embrace St Patrick's Day with live Irish music, traditional food, and plenty of Guinness. Whether you have Irish heritage or simply enjoy a good celebration, St Patrick's Day events are some of the most sociable and lively of the year. Many are free to attend, though ticketed events at specific venues are also common -- check Tickts for what is happening near you.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival typically runs through March and is one of the largest comedy festivals in Europe. It features hundreds of shows across venues throughout Glasgow, from the city's dedicated comedy clubs to theatres, bars, and community spaces. The lineup includes international headliners alongside the best of Scottish comedy, and ticket prices are generally very reasonable.
If you cannot make it to Glasgow, the wider comedy circuit is equally active in March. Many comedians are in the final stages of developing material for spring tours and the Edinburgh Fringe, meaning work-in-progress shows are plentiful and affordable.
Spring festivals begin
March marks the start of the outdoor festival season, with the first events of the year tentatively testing the spring weather. Beer festivals, food festivals, and craft markets begin to appear across the UK, and some of the year's earliest music festivals launch in late March if the weather cooperates.
The Cheltenham Festival -- one of the most prestigious events in the horse racing calendar -- takes place in March and draws huge crowds. Even if horse racing is not your usual thing, the atmosphere at Cheltenham is an experience in itself. The Cheltenham Literature Festival runs separately in autumn, but the town's broader cultural scene is active in March too.
Mothers Day events
Mothering Sunday falls in March (the date varies with Easter) and generates a wave of events and experiences aimed at treating mums. Afternoon tea events, spa experiences, brunch pop-ups, craft workshops, and family-friendly activities all appear in the weeks around Mothering Sunday.
For something more memorable than flowers and a card, consider booking a shared experience -- a gig, a comedy show, a theatre trip, or a food event that you can enjoy together. Browse Tickts for events near you around the Mothering Sunday date and give the gift of a brilliant day or night out.
Theatre and touring shows
March is a strong month for theatre across the UK. Spring touring seasons are in full swing, with new productions from the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and major commercial producers hitting regional theatres. It is also a busy time for fringe and independent theatre, with companies launching new work ahead of the summer festival season.
If you are London-based, March is an excellent time to visit the West End. The post-Christmas lull means availability is generally good, and last-minute ticket deals are more common than during peak season. Regional theatres are equally active, with many premiering new plays and hosting the best of the touring circuit.
Music tours continue
The indoor touring season is at full capacity in March. Arenas, concert halls, and independent venues across the UK host a packed schedule of gigs spanning every genre. March is particularly good for catching artists in medium-sized venues -- large enough for a proper production but small enough to feel connected to the performance.
New album release cycles often see artists touring in March and April, meaning you can experience brand-new material performed live shortly after it drops. Check Tickts regularly for new gig listings in your area -- with zero booking fees, you get the best value on every ticket.
Outdoor activities and nature events
March is when the British countryside begins to bloom. Daffodils carpet parks and woodlands, lambing season draws families to farms, and the longer evenings make outdoor activities viable again after months of early darkness. Organised walks, cycling events, and nature reserve open days all increase in March.
The Spring Equinox around the 20th of March marks the official start of spring and is celebrated with events at heritage sites including Stonehenge, where visitors gather to watch the sunrise. Wildlife events, including dawn chorus walks and bird-watching sessions, begin to appear as the natural world comes back to life.
The Six Nations finale
The Six Nations Championship reaches its conclusion in mid-March, with the final round of matches often deciding the tournament. Super Saturday -- when all three matches are played on the same day -- is one of the most exciting days in the sporting calendar. Pubs across the UK are packed with fans watching the drama unfold, and the atmosphere is electric.
March is a month of renewal and possibility. The winter is behind you, the festival season is ahead, and the events calendar is brimming with reasons to get out and do something brilliant. Make the most of it.
