March Things To Do

March in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is the first bloom of the season. Boating season kicks-off, cherry blossoms bloom near the Maryland State House, and our charming festival season begins. Here’s what’s happening this month around town. 

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend 

Annapolis St. Patrick’s Parade – March 8, 2026 

Downtown Annapolis’ streets go full green as pipes, drums, dancers, and floats with rainbows roll through downtown. Learn more about the 2026 route at https://stpatricksweekend.com/annapolis-st-patricks-day-parade/.  

11th Annual St. Patrick’s Hooley – Saturday, March 7, 2026 

The 11th Annual St. Patrick’s Hooley is also known as the official Irish Parade Kick-Off Party. This evening event honors Grand Marshals both past and present. It is also a chance to enjoy great live Irish music, traditional & delicious Irish fare, an open bar with specialty cocktails, and to celebrate all that is Irish with family & friends! Unfortunately, Shamrock The Dock will not happen for the next couple of years due to the construction on City Dock, per Stpatricksweekend.com. 

🎬 Annapolis Film Festival – March 26–29, 2026 

Downtown transforms into a walkable film-lover’s dream. More than 70 new films screen, plus filmmaker Q&As, panels, and special events throughout the city. 

Named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World,” this four-day experience brings serious creative buzz to Annapolis. If you love discovering stories before everyone else does, this is your weekend. 

🦪 Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning – March 21, 2026 

Spring in Annapolis ‘officially’ begins when winter socks meet a bonfire at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. 

Freshly shucked oysters. Live music. Waterfront views. And yes, you toss your socks into the flames to welcome boating season in America’s Sailing Capital. It’s quirky. It’s coastal. It’s very Annapolis. 

⚓ Maryland Day Week – March 19–25, 2026 

For one full week, more than 50 historic and cultural sites across the region open their doors with $1 or free admission. It’s one of the best ways to experience the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, from guided tours and living history to hands-on family programs. If you love history but prefer it walkable and waterfront-adjacent, Maryland Day is your moment. 

Don’t miss the William Paca Garden – Maryland Day Self-Guided Tour (March 20. 2026) Wander the restored 18th-century dreamy garden at your own pace.  

 🎶 United States Naval Academy Glee Club Spring Tour 

Catch the Midshipmen performing on select March dates. If you’ve never experienced a USNA performance, this is your sign. Also on the music calendar: the United States Naval Academy Pipes and Drums Spring Concert and the Drum & Bugle performance later in the month. 

🎭 Stage & Ballet Moments 

Hansel and Gretel – A whimsical performance at Maryland Hall, perfect for families and lovers of classic storytelling. 

Sleeping Beauty – Presented by the Chesapeake Ballet Company, this timeless ballet brings elegance and artistry to the March lineup. 

 Also running weekends all month: City of Angels by Colonial Players of Annapolis. 

🛍️ Markets, Makers & Local Finds 

First Sunday Market – Local vendors, seasonal goods, and early-spring farm energy at Honey’s Harvest Farm. 

GatHER Marketplace – A curated shopping experience spotlighting local makers and small businesses. Come for one thing, leave with five.  

And all month long, don’t forget, Anne Arundel County Farmers Market (Sundays), kid-friendly programs at Captain Avery Museum, weekend walking tours of the Maryland State House and United States Naval Academy, and Annapolis Harbor & USNA Cruises. 

🌷 Plan Your March Getaway 

March is when the waterfront gets livelier, events stack up, and the city feels awake again. 

Whether you're here for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Maryland Day history, film festival premieres, or tossing your socks into a bonfire by the Chesapeake Bay - there’s no wrong way to do March in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. 

For full event details, tickets, and trip planning inspiration, head to our home page and start mapping out your weekend. 

See you at the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Or at the bonfire. Or both.