March brings the beginning of spring activities in Charlotte, with festivals, Mardi Gras celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day parties, Women’s History Month events and more.
Plan March 2025 with this list of the top things to do this March in Charlotte.
We’re highlighting around more than 20 events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas in March. This calendar will be updated all the time. Or just jump to the day by day list.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
March Highlights in Charlotte
Mardi Gras Celebrations
Mardi Gras Celebrations
Date: March 1 to 4, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Most are free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Learn about many Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the Charlotte area.
Museums on Us
Museums on Us: Free museum admission for Bank of America/Merrill customers
Date: March 1 and 2, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: Mint Museum Uptown, Mint Museum Randolph, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Cost: Free
Features: Free admission for Bank of America/Merrill customers. Bring credit/debit card for free admission for one person. Separately ticketed exhibitions might not be included.
Women’s History Month Events
Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day Events
Date: Varies
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Mostly free
Features: Learn about all the Women’s History Month events taking place in the Charlotte area.
Boomtown Bash: Life at a Carolina Gold Mine
Boomtown Bash
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, North Carolina
Cost: $5 for anyone age 5 and up
Features: Living history event featuring America’s first gold rush, in the 1850s. Period mining techniques, historic cooking, woodworking, more. Panning available for $3.
CLT Hot Chicken Week
CLT Hot Chicken Week
Date: March 1 to 10 p.m.
Time: Varies
Place: Many restaurants
Cost: $8
Features: Restaurants around Charlotte are offering a specialty hot chicken sandwich for $8. Vote on your favorite for a chance to win prizes.
Charlotte Camellia Society Show and Sale
Charlotte Camellia Society Show and Sale
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Maplewalk Garden, 4255 Kingswood Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Explore over 140 varieties of camellias, and talk to experts about growing them.
Goodwill’s Bridal Sale
Goodwill Bridal Sale
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Bridal gowns starting at $99. Bridesmaid and special occasion dresses starting at $49.
Features: One-day pop-up sale. Hundreds of dresses in new and gently used condition.
Inner Peaks NoDa’s Youth Open House
Youth Open House at Inner Peaks NoDa
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Inner Peaks NoDa, 1837 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Registration required. kids 14 and under can take part in guided rock climbing sessions, climbing games and challenges and much more.
Matthews Comic-Con
Matthews Comic-Con
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Matthews Community Center, 100 E McDowell Street, Matthews, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Comic vendors, craft vendors, game vendors, comic artists, cosplay contest, more.
Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: City of Rock Hill Amphitheater, 144 Black Street E, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, inflatables, face painting, food trucks, vendors.
Green River Revival
Green River Revival
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. $12 for parking. Charge for rafting, trail race, activities.
Features: Music, “Color Me Green” 5K, and yoga. The river will turn green.
Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: Parade: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m; Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Free
Features: Irish music and dancing, vendors, food trucks, more.
Huntersville Spring Car and Truck Show
Huntersville Spring Car and Truck Show
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Along Main Street at Veterans Park in Huntersville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, farmers’ markets and cars and trucks
More St. Patrick’s Day Events
St. Patrick’s Day Events in the Charlotte Area
Date: varies
Time: varies
Place: varies
Features: Big list of festivals, block parties, concerts, artisan markets and more.
Gaston Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
Gaston Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
Date: March 15 and 16, 2025
Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Gastonia Farmers’ Market, 410 E Long Avenue, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: See minerals and fossils from around the world. There will be a workign sluice ($5 and $10 sand buckets), a chance to get your own rocks identified and more.
Olé España: Flamenco, Paella and Sangria
Olé España
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and dance performances, paella cooking demonstration
Mooresville Day Festival
Mooresville Day
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Mooresville, North Carolina
Cost: Free admission. Might be a cost for some features of the festival
Features: Street fair, artisan market, live performances, rides and attractions.
Gaston MAX Multicultural Arts Xperience
Gaston Max
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 107 N South Street, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, art, literature and culture
Matthews Beats ‘n’ Bites Outdoor Concert
Matthews Beats ‘n Bites
Date: March 28, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: This is the first of this year’s outdoor concert and food truck series in Matthews. On the Border (an Eagles tribute band) is performing.
Museum of the Waxhaws Spring Festival
Museum of the Waxhaws Spring Festival
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Museum of the Waxhaws, 8215 Waxhaw Highway, Waxhaw, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Living history demonstrations, exhibits, games, crafts, Easter Bunny visit, more.
Tech Fest at York Technical College
Tech Fest
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: York Technical College, 452 S Anderson Road, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate 60 years of York Technical College with a car show, live music, interactive demos, kids’ corner and much more.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
