18 Southern Events & Happenings: March 2026
March is in full bloom across the South. Whether you're planning a getaway or staying local, there’s no shortage of reasons to step out and celebrate the season. Image: Facebook / Beale Street Memphis
Longer days and warmer weather signal spring’s return, and across the South, celebration is in full swing! From St. Patrick’s Day parades and meaningful fundraisers to can’t-miss food and wine festivals, March delivers a calendar packed with standout events. Consider this your guide to the best of the season.
March 2 – 22, 2026: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — Houston, TX
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest rodeo and a Texas‑sized celebration of livestock, music, and cowboy culture. Expect championship rodeo competition, big‑name concerts, carnival fun, livestock exhibitions, and plenty of Texas tradition rolled into one unforgettable event. To purchase tickets and see the complete list of events, visit rodeohouston.com.
March 4 – 8, 2026: Charleston Wine & Food Festival — Charleston, SC
Charleston’s preeminent food and wine festival celebrates 20 years of culinary excellence with five days of tastings, dinners, classes, and events that spotlight top chefs, winemakers, brewers, and local flavors across the city and region. From the fan-favorite Culinary Village at Johnson Hagood Stadium to signature dinners and workshops, the festival turns every plate and pour into support for the Lowcountry’s vibrant food and hospitality community. Ticket prices vary by event. charlestonwineandfood.com
March 5 – 7, 2026: Savannah Antiques & Architecture Weekend — Savannah, GA
The 2026 Savannah Antiques and Architecture Weekend celebrates its 10th anniversary with “British Roots – Island Style,” featuring renowned designer India Hicks. Blending exclusive home tours, a grand gala, lectures, and intimate receptions that honor Savannah’s architectural heritage and British influence, proceeds support the preservation of the historic Andrew Low House Museum and Green-Meldrim House. Ticket prices vary. savantiquesweekend.com
March 7, 2026: 5th Annual Feast for Hope Gala — Birmingham, AL
The 5th Annual Feast for Hope Gala transforms the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama warehouse into one of the city’s most unforgettable dining rooms. The evening features a five-course culinary showcase curated by the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, complete with expertly paired wines. It’s a celebration of bold flavors and an even bolder mission: ending hunger across central Alabama. Individual tickets are $125. feedingal.com
March 7, 2026: Tailspin Ale Fest — Louisville, KY
Tailspin Ale Fest returns with more than 50 breweries and 250 beers, spotlighting Kentucky’s standout craft scene. Beyond the pours, the festival brings the energy with live music, Drake’s Silent Disco, Cox’s Cigar Lounge, and a lineup of local food trucks, vendors, and photo-worthy moments. All of it unfolds against a backdrop of planes on display. General admission tickets are $69, and “Flight Attendant,” designated driver tickets are $18. tailspinalefest.com
March 7, 2026: St. Paddy’s Half Marathon & 5K — Nashville, TN
Dress in green and get ready for the Nashville St. Paddy’s Run/Walk! Choose from 5K, 10K, half‑marathon, or kids’ fun runs — virtual or in person — and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with festive gear, finisher swag, and plenty of cheer. runsignup.com
March 7, 2026: The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off — Birmingham, AL
The 22nd Annual Chili Cook-Off, the largest fundraiser for The Exceptional Foundation and a Birmingham favorite, delivers all-you-can-eat chili, live music, a kids zone, and family-friendly fun. After welcoming 138 cook teams and 14,000+ attendees in 2025, the event remains a powerhouse fundraiser supporting programs for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities. Tickets are $16 in advance, $21 at the gate, and free for children 12 and under. exceptionalfoundation.org
March 8 – April 13, 2026: Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White & Blooms — Nashville, TN
Cheekwood in Bloom welcomes spring with a spectacular floral celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary. The estate bursts to life with 250,000 red and white tulips, violas, hyacinths, and daffodils, creating a vibrant canvas of color and renewal. Visitors can enjoy live jazz from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music on select weekends, stroll the gardens, visit food trucks, and explore American art in the Historic Mansion. For additional details and to purchase tickets, visit cheekwood.org.
March 12 – 15, 2026: Louisiana Food & Wine Festival — Lake Charles, LA
The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival showcases Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage with all‑inclusive food and drink tastings, live music, chef demos from the region’s culinary superstars, and special events, like the Best Taste Awards, Fire on the Lake, Grand Tasting, and a Sunday Jazz Brunch. Most events are 21+, and weekend packages start at $250. louisianafoodandwinefestival.com
March 12 – 18, 2026: SXSW Conference & Festivals — Austin, TX
SXSW in the heart of Texas’s capital is the can’t-miss convergence of tech, film, television, and music, where industry leaders and creative minds collide for a week of discovery and connection. Expect packed conference sessions, film screenings, music showcases, comedy lineups, exhibitions, and awards celebrating the best in innovation and culture. To see the full schedule and purchase tickets, visit sxsw.com.
March 14, 2026: Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade — Memphis, TN
The 53rd Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade lights up Memphis’ iconic Beale Street with marching bands, steppers, twirlers, and colorful floats. Free and open to all, the festivities kick off at 2 p.m. bealestreet.com
March 14 & 15, 2026: 52nd Annual Orange Beach Festival of Art — Orange Beach, AL
For more than 50 years, the Orange Beach Festival of Art has marked the island’s first rite of spring with a vibrant celebration of visual, literary, musical, performing, and culinary arts. Ranked among the nation’s top 100 fine art and design shows — and a three-time “Best Art Show in Alabama” winner — this free festival features two entertainment stages and an impressive artist marketplace. orangebeachal.gov
March 20 – 29, 2026: International Cherry Blossom Festival — Macon, GA
Macon, the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, bursts into pink each March as thousands of Yoshino cherry trees bloom. The 2026 International Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the season with a lively parade, Bed Race, Cherry Blossom Ball, and more, turning the city into a blooming spectacle of beauty and fun. To see the complete schedule, visit cherryblossom.com.
March 25 – 29, 2026: Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival — New Orleans, LA
The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival marks its 40th anniversary in 2026, celebrating literature, theatre, cuisine, and music in the heart of the French Quarter. Book lovers and theater fans gather from near and far for panels, craft sessions, author interviews, culinary events, walking tours, music, and of course, the iconic Stella Shouting Contest. Event prices vary. tennesseewilliams.net
March 27 – 29, 2026: Georgia Food & Wine Festival — Marietta, GA
The Georgia Food + Wine Festival transforms Marietta into a Southern flavor showcase, featuring chef-driven tastings, standout wines and spirits, live cooking stages, and experiences rooted in regional ingredients. It’s a celebration of local talent and the vibrant culinary community that makes Georgia a must-visit (and taste) destination. Ticket prices vary. georgiafoodandwinefestival.com
March 28, 2026: Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival — Jackson, MS
Jackson’s beloved Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival returns with the theme “Stars, Stripes, & Shamrocks” to celebrate America 250. Grand Marshal Mayor John Horhn leads the free celebration, featuring a pet parade, children’s parade, and the main parade at noon. Festivities kick off early with the “Run The Rainbow” Walk/Run Race (March 21), and The Stomp (March 27), a lively tradition starting at Cathead Distillery and ending at Hal & Mal’s with food, drinks, and music. halsstpaddysparade.com
March 28, 2026: 2nd Annual Chocolate Gravy Festival — Celina, TN
The Chocolate Gravy Festival is returning to downtown Celina this spring! Starting at 9 a.m., the festival celebrates the Southern, Appalachian-style breakfast staple and features street vendors, tastings, live music, a chocolate gravy cooking competition, and more family-friendly fun. For additional details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
March 28 & 29, 2026: Bayou City Art Festival — Houston, TX
One of Houston’s premier art events, the 54th Annual Bayou City Art Festival is a weekend celebration featuring 250+ artists from across the nation, live entertainment, and delicious food. General admission tickets are $22, and children 12 and under are free. bayoucityartfestival.com
Here’s to an amazing March!
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To see more great Southern events, check out our Happenings calendar.
Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.