March is just a few days away, and Greater Phoenix is already gearing up for one of its busiest and most exciting months of the year. The weather is perfect, the events calendar is packed, and there is truly something for everyone across the Valley. Whether you are a longtime local, a seasonal visitor, or someone just passing through, here is your go-to guide for the best things to do in Phoenix in March 2026, so you can start planning right now.
Leave Your Calendar Open for These Events
The Renaissance Festival Is Already Happening, and March Weekends Are the Best Ones
If you have not made it out yet, you still have time. The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open every Saturday and Sunday through March 29, 2026, and the upcoming March weekends each bring their own theme:
-
March 7 to 8: Wizards and Wonder Weekend
-
March 14 to 15: Celtic Celebration Weekend
-
March 21 to 22: Carnivale of Masks Weekend
-
March 28 to 29: Magic and Merriment Weekend
Location: 12601 AZ-60, Gold Canyon (about 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine
Parking: Free
There are 16 stages of live entertainment, full-contact jousting, over 200 artisan vendors, and all the giant turkey legs you can handle. The themed weekends make it worth visiting more than once, and the Celtic Celebration on March 14 to 15 lines up perfectly with St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Two Days of Music and Community Giving at the M3F Festival
Mark your calendar for March 6 and 7, 2026. The M3F Music Festival is a locally produced, nonprofit event that donates all proceeds to local charities, having already contributed over $2 million since 2022. The 2026 lineup features Mau P, Peggy Gou, Polo & Pan, Magdalena Bay, and Cuco, along with immersive art installations and local food vendors throughout the grounds.
Location: Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
Tickets: Starting at $115 at m3ffest.com
Tickets are on sale now, so grab yours before the weekend sneaks up on you.
350+ Artists on Mill Avenue: Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts
From March 13 to 15, 2026, Mill Avenue in Downtown Tempe transforms into one of the best outdoor art markets in the country. Consistently ranked in the Top 20 Art Festivals in the nation, this event draws nearly 225,000 visitors over three days. Expect ceramics, photography, wearable art, woodwork, and handmade pieces from over 350 juried artists from across the country.
Location: Mill Avenue, Downtown Tempe
Hours: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: Free to browse
The Greenest Day in the Desert: 43rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Get your green ready. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls through Downtown Phoenix on March 14, 2026, starting at 10 a.m. The free parade runs down 3rd Street from Oak Street south to Margaret T. Hance Park, where the St. Patrick’s Day Faire continues until 5 p.m. with:
-
Live Irish music and step dancing
-
Bagpipers
-
Irish food, beverages, and craft vendors
-
A children’s play area and Irish cultural clubs
Location: 3rd Street and Oak Street to Margaret T. Hance Park, Phoenix
Admission: Free
Vintage Finds at the Phoenix Weekend Vintage Market
Running the same weekend as the Tempe arts fest, the Phoenix Weekend Vintage Market sets up at Margaret T. Hance Park from March 13 to 15, 2026. If you love hunting for unique vintage goods, locally handmade products, and one-of-a-kind finds, this is a weekend worth circling on the calendar now.
Location: 67 West Culver Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Aloha Vibes at Tempe Beach Park: Arizona Aloha Festival
Coming up on March 21 and 22, 2026, the Arizona Aloha Festival takes over Tempe Beach Park to celebrate the cultures of Hawaii and the South Pacific. Expect live island music, traditional dance performances, an Island Marketplace full of handcrafted goods, and food vendors serving Hawaiian favorites like spam musubi, kalua pig, and malasadas.
Location: 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
North Phoenix Goes All Out with Valleypalooza 2026
One of the most talked-about North Phoenix community events this spring is arriving fast. Valleypalooza brings together 100+ local vendors, food trucks, live music, and over 55 activities for families, 55+ communities, and new residents exploring the area. New for 2026: Bollywood-inspired performances, henna artists, and cultural experiences are part of the lineup.
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: Paradise Valley Community College, North Phoenix
Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Get Out There and Be Part of It
March across Greater Phoenix is loading up fast, and the best way to make the most of it is to start planning before the month even begins. With free parades, world-class outdoor art walks, all-day music festivals, and community gatherings spread across the Valley, there is no shortage of ways to spend your weekends well.
Want to stay on top of what is coming up next? Head over to Greater Phoenix Living for more local event roundups, neighborhood guides, and community highlights worth bookmarking before the month gets away from you.
Sources: arizona.renfestinfo.com, m3ffest.com, downtowntempe.com, stpatricksdayphoenix.org, eventbrite.com, azalohafest.org, livingnorthphoenix.com
Header Image Source: arizona.renfestinfo.com
