Feeling lucky? March in the Bay Area means green hills and green beer. In San Francisco, Marin County and beyond, there are a wealth of food fairs, film festivals and cultural events. Take a photo with Lou Seal at Giants FanFest. Try a new dish during Oakland Restaurant Week. Ride a float in San Francisco’s 175- year-old St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Partner Events
On the Scene: Community Events and Fundraisers
March 1 By the Bay Health’s Annual Gala
By the Bay Health hosts its annual gala to raise funds in support of its Community Care Fund, which helps patients and families in need with equal access to quality, compassionate care and support programs. This year’s theme, Black and Gold, is a tribute to the organization’s 50th anniversary. Photos: Steven Gregory Photography
March 14 Off the Reef Benefit Auction
Support ocean education and outreach through the International Ocean Film Foundation’s (IOFF) annual Off the Reef benefit. During this elegant night, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, sustainable dinner and trailers from the upcoming IOFF film festival selections. Proceeds from the silent and live auctions will go towards IOFF’s continued efforts to raise environmental awareness through film and storytelling.
March 20 St. Vincent de Paul Ladies’ Luncheon
Each year the St. Vincent de Paul Auxiliary Board hosts its annual Ladies’ Boutique, Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Meadow Club to draw in supporters and raise money to help end senior homelessness in Marin. Last year’s luncheon raised over $100,000 to combat homelessness. Photos by Steven Gregory Photography
March 22 Bay Area Red Cross Gala
The annual Bay Area Red Cross Gala is one of the Bay Area’s most sought after fundraiser tickets. All proceeds from the event will go toward funding Red Cross Blood Services, which supports much needed blood drives and donations to save lives across the country. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner plus live entertainment and dancing.
Events
March 4 Mardi Gras in the Mission
The colors, costumes and music of Mardi Gras light up February, and the city’s Mission District is taking part. Music, costume and dancing are hitting the Mission District on Fat Tuesday. Organized by Carnaval San Francisco, multiple venues host live music and performances all night for Fat Tuesday. Practice your steps for salsa, cumbia and all sorts of Latin stylings.
March 7-9 Marin Arts & Crafts Show
Witness the Marin Center’s Exhibit Hall turn into a market of handcrafts and artisan wares for the Marin Arts and Crafts Show. With jewelry, decor, textiles and more, the show is a hotbed of original designs and craft.
March 14 Pi Day at the Exploratorium
With a brass band, pie slices and a parade that circles the Pi Shrine 3.14 times, the Exploratorium’s 38th annual Pi Day celebration is packed with activities themed around the irrational number. How many digits do you know?
March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
A 175-year old San Francisco tradition, this annual parade emphasizes cross-cultural connection as it winds from 2nd and Market to the Civic Center, where a music festival will follow. Expect appearances by city officials, fabulous groups like a burlesque marching band and more than 120 floats made by community members and celebrants from all over.
March 19-23 Sonoma International Film Festival
The 28th annual Sonoma International Film Festival draws in filmmakers and film lovers from around the world. It shows over 100 international films while also celebrating the food and drink that makes Sonoma Wine Country world-famous.
March 20-30 Oakland Restaurant Week
Experience 10 days of unexpected pairings and fusion-style flavors within Oakland’s vibrant food scene. During this yearly event, a range of eateries ranging from food trucks to neighborhood eateries to Michelin rated restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus showcasing the city’s diverse food culture.
March 21-23 California Artisan Cheese Festival
Ever been on a cheese crawl? A crawl through The Barlow in Sebastopol is just one of many events, along with pairings and seminars, during this three-day cheese festival showcasing the best of the California cheese scene.
March 23 Annual Marin Powwow
The Marin American Indian Alliance hosts the county’s annual Marin Powwow, bringing the community together to celebrate the cultural diversity of several indigenous peoples. The festivities include a number of indigenous arts and crafts vendors, plus performances that can include intertribal dancing, traditional California Indian dancers, Azteca dancers and Hawaiian dancers.
2025 Date TBD March Madness Viewings at Thrive City
Just outside of the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center lies Thrive City, a retail and community space. Lounge in a lawn chair and watch the final matches of the yearly college basketball tournament projected on the big screen.
March 28-29 Marin Ballet Spring Concert
Every year, the students of Marin Ballet showcase their artistry and technique in a spring concert series. March’s concert features the company’s older dancers in a series of repertory performances. See the talents of Marin Ballet in full costume and splendor. Photos by Sara Abushaban and Sandy Lee.
2025 Date TBD Spring Faire
Bring the kids to the Mill Valley Community Center for food, games and an Easter egg hunt. This event, formerly known as Eggstravaganza, is the perfect way to usher in spring.
2025 Date TBD Novato Spring Trash to Treasures Flea Market
The Margaret Todd Senior Center will be filled with second-hand treasures for sale at its spring flea market.
2025 Date TBD ODC Dance Downtown
A weekend of breathtaking dance is coming to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. See ODC/Dance’s Dance Downtown, a series which includes world-premiere works by expert choreographers like Kimi Okada and Brenda Way, the ODC founder and recent California Hall of Fame inductee. Special events follow select performances, like March 29’s post-show gala and March 30’s LGBTQIA+ Night.
2025 Date TBD Unnamed Footage Film Festival
Fans of the shaky cam will love this film festival that’s dedicated to found footage and faux documentary film. Think Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity. Warning: the flicks may be spooky.
2025 Date TBD Sausalito Easter Egg Hunt and Parade
For many, Sausalito is ground-zero for candy-filled egg treasure hunters at the city’s annual Easter egg hunt. Even grownups can get in on the action during the 21-and-over adult egg hunt, with more than $3000 in prizes from local businesses and restaurants to be found. The Easter Bunny may make an appearance during the town’s traditional Easter Parade, which winds down Caledonia Street to Dunphy Park.
2025 Date TBD Photos with the Easter Bunny
Bon Air shopping center in Greenbrae has a very special guest hopping by from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get free photos with the Easter Bunny in the adorable Bunny Hut in front of Mollie Stone’s. Kids can also walk away with some jellybeans, courtesy of our fluffy friend.
2025 Date TBD Women’s History Month at SFJazz
SFJazz is swinging into Women’s History Month with six different shows featuring innovative instrumentalists and vocalists like Christina Galisatus, Jacqui Naylor and more. This series also includes the 10th Annual Girls Day on March 9, a free workshop for young women musicians.
2025 Date TBD SF Giants FanFest at Oracle Park
The last stop of the Giants’ FanFest Tour, Oracle Park will be full of fans, players and broadcasters during the park’s Open House. Reserve your free ticket now to sidle up next to a trophy or get a rare view of the field from the home dugout.
2025 Date TBD Flower Bulb Day
Tulips, tulips and more tulips are coming to Union Square. Pick your favorites from the 80,000 of the Dutch flowers that will spring up for one day only. We suggest that you show up right when the garden opens.
2025 Date TBD 25th Annual Persian New Year
Jump over the fire and into spring! Visitors can expect an evening of lively dancing and delicious food at this celebration of Nowruz, or Persian New Year, at San Rafael’s McNears State Beach from 6–10 p.m.
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Give Back When You Go Out: Volunteer
Looking for more ways to give back to our community by volunteering your time? Here’s a list of Marin County nonprofits supporting a variety of causes — ranging from helping our most vulnerable residents to keeping our environment healthy — where your assistance can really make a difference.
