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What to Do in NYC in March

Updated: February 1, 2024

This post lists the top things to do in New York in March, updated for 2024.

March is a good time to visit New York City as there is always something to do inside or out, daylight or nighttime.

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.

Regarding New York weather, it's possibly too early for a light jacket. Winter coats, scarves, and gloves are best, at least for the evenings.

Afternoons have an average high around the mid-40s early in the month and the low to mid-50s in late March.

There are also around 10-11 days on average that have precipitation. It might be worthwhile to pack a small umbrella or to have a water-resistant coat.

March runs close to 80% humidity on average. Read more about March weather here.

Below, we list free, nighttime, as well as family-friendly events and activities that can be found in New York City this month.


TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

This is our list of the ten best events and things to do in NYC in March. 

For even more suggestions, see our comprehensive guide to things to do in NYC.  

Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.

For tips on the most popular activities in NYC, check out the following posts:


1. Go to a Concert

There are so many amazing performers that come through New York City and its surrounding cities.

Whether you're a fan of hard rock, pop music, or even classic 80s tunes, there are plenty of great concerts in the NYC area this March.

Pop/Rock/Country Concerts

Classical/Opera Concerts

Music Festival

Check here for even more concerts in the NYC area this March.


2. Go to the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera will be performing several classic productions throughout the entire month.

No matter what your favorite opera is, chances are you'll have an opportunity to see it live this March.

Here are some of the planned productions:

  • Roméo et Juliette
  • La Rondine

Check out this list of Metropolitan Opera performances to find one you might want to see this month.


3. Attend a Performance of the New York Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic will be performing several times this month, and this is an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best musicians in the world.

Best of all, they will be playing some of the best classical music ever composed!

Guests can expect the chance to hear the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and other master composers.

All of this takes place in the new David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center.

New York Philharmonic | March 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 24th


4. Take a Walking Tour with Free Tours by Foot

March is a good month to take a walking tour.

The weather is agreeable and we begin to run more tours than we do in the winter.

Consider a Pedicab tour of Central Park where you can see early spring foliage in bloom.

Our guided walks are free to join and operate on a pay-what-you-like basis.

This means that you decide what a tour is worth or what you can afford (even free) once the tour is over.

We also offer self-guided and GPS-enabled audio tours of every neighborhood that you will likely visit as a tourist in NYC.


5. See a Broadway Show

There are dozens and dozens of plays playing on Broadway in March.

While there aren't many new productions to see, you will be able to see some of the most popular shows of the last few years.

Here are just a few of the best Broadway musicals this month:

Be sure to read our posts on how to get cheap Broadway tickets and use the TKTS Booth for tickets.

We list several ways you can save money on what is sure to be a fun night out. 


6. See a Stand-up Comedy Show

The New York area attracts some of the biggest names in comedy, and you'll find some of them performing in March.

Stand-Up Comedy

Comedy Venues

For even more opportunities to chuckle, check this list of live stand-up comedians in New York City this March.

Read our post on things to do in NYC at night for other after-dark activities.


7. See a Sports Event

March is a perfect time to watch an ice hockey game, and all three major NYC hockey teams have multiple games to choose from. 

For excitement off the ice, there is are basketball games and a few basketball tournaments.

Basketball

Basketball is in mid-season, so why not head out to Madison Square Garden or the Barclays Center to catch a game?

Basketball Tournements

Ice Hockey

Check here for even more sporting events in March.

TIP: If you are curious to learn more about MSG, take a tour of Madison Square Garden.


8. Attend a Family Friendly Show

If you're looking for a family-friendly show to take your kids to, there are a few taking place in the New York area in March.

For something else fun for kids age 6-13, you might try a sleepover at the American Museum of Natural History.


9. See a Special Exhibit

The Met has a special exhibit running from February 25th- July 28th called The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism.

"Through some 160 works of painting, sculpture, photography, film, and ephemera," it explores the ways black artists showed everyday life during the period from 1920 to 1940.

NOTE: Admission to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is included on several New York tourist passes.


10. Look into Getting a Tourist Discount Pass

tourist discount pass offers discounted admission into most of NYC’s popular attractions.

Passes themselves aren’t free, but with some advanced planning, you can create an itinerary where you will end up paying nothing for one or two attractions each day.

There are several different types of passes, so be sure to read our comparison post to learn about how you can save the most money on your trip.

If you've already decided which pass works best for your purposes, one can be purchased here:

All Inclusive - Go City New York | Explorer - Go City New York | Day Pass - New York Sightseeing | Flex Pass - New York Sightseeing


10. Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival

In 2024, the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival will be held on March 31st.

Not your typical parade of floats and marching bands, this is a more casual stroll of paraders adorning their best Easter bonnets.

You’ll see some wildly creative bonnets, from flower-covered foot-tall toppers to hats shaped in various designs.

The route runs along Fifth Avenue heading north from 49th Street to 57th Street. 

The best place to watch is from the area around St. Patrick's Cathedral which in and of itself is a beautiful place to visit. 

For even more suggestions for April, see our comprehensive guide to things to do in NYC.  


Attend the Orchid Show

The Orchid Show returns for its 21st year, this year bringing a fashion-inspired celebration of orchids.

The show runs from February 17th - April 21st at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory of the New York Botanical Gardens.

There will also be nighttime events with food, cash bars, and music for those aged 21 or older.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.


Visit Some New York Institutions

A visit to New York City wouldn't be complete without a visit to at least some of its best-known locations.

A few of them are:

A number of these are in Midtown Manhattan so you won't have to go far to see quite a lot.

If you only want to visit just one observation deck, our post could help you make your decision. We also have a post on free museums in NYC.


THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN MARCH

Here are some suggestions for things to do at night in March. 

These are in addition to the items in the top 10 section above, such as seeing a Broadway Show, a nighttime sports event, or a concert.

You can find many more after-dark activities from our full post on things to do in NYC at night.


Take a Night Walking Tour

In March, we begin to run some of our night tours. Our offerings include:

See what is available in March by looking at our full calendar.


Walk Over the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge can be walked over 24 hours a day.

While we don't recommend a 4 am stroll, a sunset or twilight tour is ideal to see the city's sparkling skyline.

For those who want some guidance on how to enjoy the bridge after dark, read our guide to walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Or join us for our 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Night Tour which runs as a private tour and takes approximately two hours. 


Eat New York City's Iconic Foods

You've probably got a list of NYC foods to try like pizza and bagels. But you might not know where to get the best of these foods.

Our pay-what-you-wish food tours offer you the chance to sample delicious and cheap highlights of NYC food. 

See our Food Tour offerings here

When in NYC, read our post on 8 classic foods to try. You might also like our posts on: 


Grab a Drink

St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, 2024.

Extend the festivities to any night of the month by visiting one of several historic New York City bars, including McSorley’s Old Ale House.

If history isn't your thing, check out one of NYC's rooftop bars, many of which are enclosed and heated on chilly nights. 

Remember to look at our things to do in NYC at night post for more ideas.


FREE THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

Here are just a few of the many free things you can do in New York City in March.

For year-round free things to do see our comprehensive post, Free Things to Do in NYC

Also, be sure to check out the other sections of this post, as many of the activities and events are listed, such as taking a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.


Macy's Flower Show

For two weeks annually, this famous New York department store showcases garden installations created by leading floral experts. 

The free show includes beautiful, bright floral arrangements as well as special events, including live music and kids' activities.

There are also tours running every 20 minutes.

For more information, click here


Saint Patrick's Day Parade

This annual parade draws thousands of people from all over who come to celebrate their Irish heritage. . 

The parade route starts on 44th St. 5th Avenue, and continues to 79th St., finishing at East 82nd Street, not far from the American Irish Historical Society.

Activities take place on March 16, 2024, and begin at 11:00 AM.

Get more parade details here

If you are looking for a Guinness, look at our post on the best pub crawls in NYC.


Check Out Street Art in Bushwick

New York has some of the finest street art in the world and Bushwick in Brooklyn is one of the parts of the city to see street art created by world-renowned artists.

Visiting Bushwick and the Bushwick Collective Street Art Gallery is easy using our self-guided tour.

You can join us on any of our pay-what-you-like Street Art Tours including our Bushwick Street Art Tour which is offered daily.

To find other fantastic street art in NYC, read our posts, Manhattan Graffiti and Street Art and Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art.


Visit Central Park

In March, the trees and flowers of this iconic park started to bloom.

Because Central Park is very large with a fascinating history, we recommend that you take a guided walking tour to help you find your way through this huge park. 

We offer several pay-what-you-like tours of Central Park including a tour of the lower section and one of the middle section.  

We also offer bike tours which are super fun for the kids!   

If you can’t join us, explore the park on your own using our Guide to things to do in Central Park and our audio tour

If you want a romantic (but not free) experience, you can take a Central Park Horse and Carriage Tour.

For more free activities, see our post, Free Things to Do in NYC!


FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN MARCH

As you can see in the Top Ten and Free Things to Do sections above, many activities are kid-friendly such as seeing a sports event, seeing the puppets of New York, or even taking a food tour.

Below is a list of even more activities.

Check out our post, Things to Do with Kids in New York City, our 3-day itinerary for families, and our list of over 100 things to do in New York City which includes dozens of kid-friendly activities. 


New York International Children’s Film Festival

At this annual and unique festival, you and your kids can see thought-provoking and inspiring movies from around the world that focus on youth.

The festival will present the best new animation, live-action, documentary, and experimental films.

This event will likely take place from March 1st-17th.

You can see the schedule here.  


Go Ice Skating

As winter comes to a close, you can still find a few ice rinks open in March. 

Find out where all the rinks are from our post on where to go ice skating in New York City


Play in Central Park

If ever a park was made for children, it is Central Park.

With its many playgrounds and wide-open spaces, it is a fabulous place to let your kids run wild. Your family might enjoy taking a bike tour of the park.

Take a look above in the things to do for free section to find out more about things to do in Central Park. 

For more ideas for keeping your kids entertained, see our post on top things to do with kids in New York City.


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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: February 1st, 2024
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