The luck of the Irish meets the luck of the Kentucky Derby. All around town this month, the arts are kicking up and Derby preparations are officially underway. Get out your calendars, and start filling your month with all of these great March events and happenings in Louisville.

17 March Events in Louisville

Through April 8, 2018: 42nd Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays

The 42nd Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays takes place all through March. Each year, thousands of theatergoers come to Louisville for the opportunity to see groundbreaking works before they travel to stages across the nation and around the world. Prices vary based on ticket packages, and showtimes vary daily. actorstheatre.org

March 2, 2018: Bluegrass, Bourbon & BBQ at The Ice House

Enjoy a fun, casual evening of live bluegrass music, hors d’oeuvres and samplings from a variety of local barbecue vendors and bourbon distilleries, including Mark’s Feed Store, Four Roses and Buffalo Trace, on Friday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 and include one drink ticket, all bourbon and barbecue tastings and a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Silent and live auctions will benefit the Summit Academy, an independent nonprofit school for children with learning disabilities. Additional drink tickets will be sold at the event. app.etapestry.com

March 2, 2018: Wine, Women & Shoes, a Fundraiser for Family Scholar House

Ladies, do you love wine? Do you love shoes? On Friday, March 2, the Family Scholar House will host its fundraiser with fashion and wine at The Henry Clay from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be a fashion show, as well as silent and live auctions. Tickets start at $250. Don’t miss it! winewomenandshoes.com

March 2, 2018: Dress in Blue Day for Colon Cancer Awareness

Dress in Blue Day to promote National Colon Cancer Awareness Month is Friday, March 2. This is part of a public awareness campaign to increase colon cancer screening. When you dress in blue, be sure to tell your friends why, and call your doctor today to make a screening appointment. Don’t let fear, embarrassment or any other reason keep you from taking the next step. kycancerprogram.org

March 2-4, 2018: Kentucky Crafted Market at the Kentucky Expo Center

Nearly 200 exhibitors of fine art, crafts, books and food will come together for a day of all things Kentucky. Enjoy two days of Americana, bluegrass and world music performances, specialty food products from Kentucky Proud members and hands-on activities. Tickets range from $5 to $10, and event hours vary daily. artscouncil.ky.gov

March 2-4, 2018: Home, Garden & Remodeling Show at the Kentucky Expo Center

The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show is the largest home show in the region that has over 350 exhibitors and hundreds of new products for any home-building or remodeling project. With three stages for entertainment acts and featured speakers, an outdoor living pavilion, food courts and much more, this is no ordinary home show, but a great family-friendly event. Parking is $8, tickets start at $8, and the showtimes vary daily. louisvillehomeshow.com

March 3, 2018: Around the World with Woodford Reserve Dinner

We may not be able to travel the world, but we can eat from around the world! Enjoy a culinary adventure from the warm confines of the Woodford Reserve Distillery. With each course, guests will travel to a new country and experience a new cuisine. Guests must be 21 and over to attend. This event takes place from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and tickets are $80. woodfordreserve.com

March 3, 2018:  Speed Art Museum Gala

The Speed Art Museum’s Annual Gala will take place on Saturday, March 3. Guests are invited to explore the entire museum and discover the cinema, galleries, exhibitions and site-specific commissions that make the Speed one of the flagship arts and cultural institutions of the region. This event supports the museum’s mission, exhibitions, programming and vision, which embraces the Speed’s responsibility as a hub of creativity and culture. Benefactor tickets are sold out, but “Late Night at the Speed,” which includes drinks, dancing and desserts, will begin at 9 p.m. and last until 1 a.m. Attire is white- or black-tie, and valet parking is available. Tickets start at $200. speedmuseum.org

March 8, 2018: Lemonade Day Kickoff at KMAC Museum

It’s not Beyoncé’s latest album, it’s the KMAC’s first-ever Lemonade Day Kickoff event. Lemonade Day is an organization that helps today’s youth become the business leaders, social advocates, community volunteers and forward-thinking citizens of tomorrow — one lemonade stand at a time. At the kickoff event, enjoy KMAC Museum’s exhibits, participate in a craft, snap some pics at the Lemonade Day photo booth and enjoy appetizers and of course, lemonade. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. There will also be speeches from Shark Tank deal winner Ryan from Ryan’s Ruffary, local restauranteur Darnell ‘Superchef’ Ferguson and Lemonade Day’s 2017 National Entrepreneurs of the Year, Katie Vonder Haar and Hailey Hertzman. lemonadeday.org

March 10, 2018: St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Broadway & Baxter

It’s back and luckier than ever! The 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 10 at the corner of Broadway and Baxter. Wear your green to avoid getting pinched, and enjoy one of the city’s most loved events from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to arrive early to grab a good spot! louisvilleirish.com

March 14, 2018: A Drink for You at Mint on Mellwood

The Sober Voyager Foundation provides hope to communities through the Mocktail Project and A Drink for You. This event is a social mixer to raise awareness about the Mocktail Project — a mission to help provide a choice, eliminate unnecessary social pressures and remove societal stigmas to create a safer, more inclusive drinking culture. A dollar of each mocktail sold supports efforts to provide recovery to our communities’ most at-risk and vulnerable citizens. More than raising money, the goal of this event is for people to have fun without the social pressures of alcohol. Tickets start at $65. mocktailproject.com

March 15, 22 & 29, 2018: Kids Baking Competition at MESA

Watch contestants in MESA‘s first-ever kids’ baking competition battle it out in the finale of the competition with cupcakes. Event guests, the featured judges and an online audience will vote to select the grand prize winner. MESA will provide ingredients for each of the three rounds and will include a surprise ingredient to challenge contestants. Bakers will be judged for technique, flavor and presentation. ​Each competition takes place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 plus gratuity. mesachefs.com

March 17, 2018: Pearls & Pumps at Millionaire’s Row

Rock out in style with fellow fashion aficionadas at the Pearls & Pumps Fashion Show on Saturday, March 17. The show will feature the new spring lines of all your favorite Louisville-area boutiques. There will be a brunch buffet, cocktails, celebratory Survivor Runway Walk, a photo booth and raffle items. All proceeds benefit Charles and Mimi Osborn Cancer Center and 3 Park Tower. This year’s fashion show will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Millionaire’s Row at Churchill Downs. Tickets start at $85. supportbaptisthealth.org

 March 21, 2018: Spring Alive at Liv Boutique: Laugh, Love, Liv!

Six influential women representing different aspects of the Louisville community are coming together to host a spring-themed charitable, social and shopping event at Liv Boutique. Bringing together women from all over the area is part of a new community-minded initiative at Liv, and Liv is also partnering with Maryhurst and a percentage of the evening’s proceeds will go to that organization. The hosts include Austin Anderton, Ritu Furlan, Hollis Gargala, Annie Locke, Amanda Schriber and Elizabeth Woolsey. This event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and it is free and open to the public. livboutiqueonline.com

March 22, 2018: Runway for the Roses at Westport Village

Whether you are hosting a party at home, living it up in the infield, cheering in the grandstand or sitting on Millionaire’s Row, the Runway for Roses fashion show will have you looking your best this Derby. On Thursday, March 22, see the latest fashions from local Westport Village boutiques and walk away with the perfect ensemble. Proceeds from this year’s Westport Village fashion show will benefit Maryhurst, the oldest nonprofit in Kentucky working with kids and families to prevent abuse, restore hope and empower survivors of trauma. Tickets start at $30 for earlybirds, and the event takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. westportvilliage.com

March 24, 2018: 3rd Annual NuLu Bock Fest

Local breweries, goat racing, music and the Inaugural Wurst Fest — sign us up! The 3rd Annual Nulu Bock Fest continues an annual spring ritual dating back to the mid-19th century to mark the changing of the season when the dark German lager, known as bock, was released across the city after a winter of aging. Wurst Fest will feature local restaurants that will create their own version of a cased sausage. And enjoy live local musicians in the hip NuLu neighborhood. This free event takes place from noon to 7 p.m. at the 600 and 700 blocks of East Market Street. eventbrite.com

March 29, 2018: Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show at Horseshoe Casino

It’s the biggest Louisville fashion show of the year — The Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show features a runway of the latest styles for spring and Derby outfits and accessories from local boutiques. The event will be held in the showroom of Horseshoe Casino in Southern Indiana. The night will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 7 p.m., and the fashion show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35, and all ticket price levels include a 2018 Fashion Show pin. discover.kdf.org

Luck o’ the Irish to you this month!

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