March in San Francisco Just Got Brighter: Things To Do This Month

When people think of the best months to travel, March rarely tops the list. But whether you are visiting from out of town or are a local looking for something new, spending time in San Francisco this March might just be your best decision yet. The city has a way of surprising you no matter how many times you have been, and this month is packed with events that prove exactly that. From free community gatherings to dazzling light installations on the Bay, here is your guide to the best things to do in San Francisco in March.

Downtown First Thursdays: The Best Free Night Out in SF

The month kicked off on a high note with the beloved Downtown First Thursdays. Every first Thursday of the month, people gather in the Financial District to enjoy live music, great food, and a sense of community that is unique to the Bay Area. It is the kind of night that reminds you why San Francisco is such a special place to be. March's headliner was Sofia Kourtesis, a DJ with over 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, bringing an electric energy to the heart of the city. It is always a fun, reliable night out — and with free tickets, making plans for one night a month is a no-brainer. If you missed it this month, mark your calendar: the next one is on April 2nd.

Chinese New Year Parade: A San Francisco Tradition Like No Other

Just recently on March 7th, San Francisco hosted its iconic annual Chinese New Year Parade. Winding through the heart of downtown, this celebration is one of the most culturally significant events for San Francisco and one of the largest Chinese New Year parades outside of Asia¹. San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America, and this parade is a beautiful reflection of just how deeply Chinese culture is woven into the fabric of this city. Floats, dragon dancers, firecrackers, and live performances filled the streets as locals and visitors came together to welcome the Year of the Horse in true San Francisco style. Best of all, the parade is always free and open to everyone, making it one of the most accessible and memorable traditions San Francisco has. 

St. Patrick's Day in San Francisco: Leprecon and the City's Liveliest Weekend

One of the most anticipated weekends still ahead this month is St. Patrick's Day. While some may be heading to Chicago to watch the river turn green, San Francisco has plenty of its own reasons to celebrate. On March 13th and 14th, SF is hosting its annual St. Patrick's Day bar crawl, now officially dubbed "Leprecon." Guests 21 and over can purchase tickets online to receive a wristband, unlocking discounts at a lineup of participating bars across both days. Whether you plan to hop between one bar or ten, it is shaping up to be one of the liveliest and most social weekends of the year in the city². 

Pi Day at the Exploratorium: Where Math Meets Fun

For those who are under 21 or spending March 14th with family, the city has another fantastic option just steps from the waterfront. Pi Day at the Exploratorium is exactly the kind of only-in-San-Francisco experience that makes this city so endlessly entertaining. On March 14th, the Exploratorium will be celebrating with a brass band parade, free pie, and hands-on math games that make the famously irrational number feel anything but boring³. The Exploratorium itself is one of San Francisco's most beloved institutions — a science museum unlike any other, where curiosity is the whole point and every exhibit invites you to engage, experiment, and explore. Its location on Pier 15 along the Embarcadero makes it one of the most perfectly situated attractions in the city. After spending a few hours inside, guests can step out and wander along the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf or the Ferry Building, turning a single outing into a full day of exploration. It is the ideal stop for families, curious minds, and anyone who wants to see San Francisco's playful, intellectual side in action.

The Bay Bridge Lights Are Back: San Francisco's Skyline Is About to Look Better Than Ever

If you are sticking around for the latter half of March, there is something truly special to look forward to: The Bay Bridge Lights are coming back. The iconic light installation originally debuted in 2013, transforming the bridge into one of the most photographed landmarks on the West Coast, before going dark in 2023⁴. The decision to dim the lights came down to budget constraints at the time, but the city is bringing them back brighter and better than ever⁴. On March 20th, the north side of the Bay Bridge will once again illuminate the San Francisco skyline — this time featuring 48,000 brand new LED lights that will make the bridge a breathtaking sight both day and night⁵. It is the kind of landmark moment that feels genuinely exciting for longtime San Francisco residents and first-time visitors alike, and it is not one you want to miss.

For the best possible view of this iconic return, Red and White Fleet's Sunset Cruise departs daily at 7pm and puts guests in the perfect front-row seat for this stunning display. As the sun dips below the horizon and the city begins to glow, there is simply no better vantage point than from the water. If seeing the Bay Bridge lights is on your San Francisco bucket list, this is the way to do it.

Tulip Day at Union Square: San Francisco's Most Photogenic Event of the Year

On March 21st, Union Square will transform into a sea of color as 80,000 tulips take over the plaza in celebration of Tulip Day⁶. Each guest will be invited to hand-pick 8 tulips to take home, turning a simple outing into something genuinely memorable⁶. It is the kind of event that stops you in your tracks — a burst of color and joy right in the middle of one of San Francisco's most iconic public spaces. The tradition began in 2018, rooted in San Francisco's longstanding connection with the Netherlands and inspired by the vibrant flower festivals of Amsterdam⁷. Now heading into its 7th year in San Francisco, Tulip Day has quietly become one of the most beloved events on the city's spring calendar, drawing locals and tourists alike who are eager to take part in something a little unexpected. If you have never been, this is the year to go — it is absolutely worth planning around.

Renegade Craft Fair: San Francisco's Creative Community on Full Display

Rounding out the month in style, the Renegade Craft Fair takes over Fort Mason Center on March 28th and 29th. For two days, over 250 independent makers, artists, and designers will set up shop in one of San Francisco's most iconic event spaces, offering an incredible range of handcrafted goods — from ceramics and jewelry to fine art, clothing, candles, and everything in between⁸. The Renegade Craft Fair has been a staple of the independent art and maker community since 2008⁹, and its San Francisco edition is one of the most celebrated stops on its national tour. What makes it special is not just the shopping — it is the atmosphere. Walking through the fair, you get a genuine sense of the creativity and craftsmanship that has always existed at the heart of this city. San Francisco is often talked about in terms of its tech industry, and rightfully so, but events like the Renegade Craft Fair are a good reminder that this is also a city of artists, makers, and independent thinkers. Fort Mason Center itself is worth the trip — perched on the northern waterfront with sweeping views of the Bay, it is one of the most beautiful event venues in the city. Come ready to support small businesses, discover something new, and leave with a bag full of things you did not know you needed.

March in San Francisco: There Is Something for Everyone

Whether it is your first time or your hundredth time exploring San Francisco, March is a wonderful month to be here. From free concerts and lively bar crawls to illuminated bridges and fields of tulips, the city has something for everyone this month. Come experience it for yourself — and if you want to see San Francisco from its most spectacular angle, we will be out on the Bay waiting for you.

Sources

1. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade. History. Chinese Chamber of Commerce. https://chineseparade.com/history/

2. LepraCon SF. San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl. CrawlSF. https://lepraconsf.com/

3. Exploratorium. Pi (π) Day. https://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/calendar/pi-p-day

4. Campbell, Tara. New Bay Bridge Lights Being Tested, Just Weeks Away from Full Comeback. ABC7 News, January 23, 2026. https://abc7news.com/post/new-san-francisco-bay-bridge-lights-illuminate-being-tested-weeks-away-full-comeback/18452477/

5. Illuminate. The Bay Lights to Return Friday, March 20, 2026. February 19, 2026. https://illuminate.org/2026/02/19/the-bay-lights-to-return-friday-march-20-2026/

6. Barnard, Cornell. Tulip Day 2024: Festival Brings Hope for San Francisco Union Square's Economic Recovery. ABC7 News, March 10, 2024. https://abc7news.com/post/tulip-day-2024-union-square-80000-tulips-san-francisco-netherlands/14508851/

7. San Francisco Chronicle. SF Tulip Day at Union Square. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-tulip-day-union-square-20228866.php

8. FunCheap SF. 2026 Renegade Craft Fair Market at Fort Mason (March 28–29). https://sf.funcheap.com/2026-renegade-craft-fair-market-at-fort-mason-march-28-29/

9. Renegade Craft. San Francisco. https://www.renegadecraft.com/city/san-francisco/