With the close of winter upon us and as we head into spring, March in Colorado can be an unpredictable month with extreme weather patterns. Spring snowstorms are met with warm, summer-like days, leaving most activities in March up in the air.
Ski resorts start to anticipate their potential closing dates, spring events get everyone excited for warmer weather on the horizon, and the days start to get longer as we say goodbye to winter in the Rockies. To help celebrate the start of spring in Colorado, discover these fun mile-high activities this March, listed below.
Here are some things to do in CO during March 2023:
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Colorado
While most of Colorado will host their own versions of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, there are two big events that know how to party as the Irish do. Great news, this year they’re on different weekends so it’s like one extended celebration in both Denver and Colorado Springs.
Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Perhaps the biggest St. Patty’s Day event in Colorado, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day parade is a long-time tradition in the Mile High City that both locals and tourists enjoy every year. In its 59th year, the parade will be bigger and better than ever before with hundreds of colorful floats, dancers, performers, and music, all honoring our police, fire, and first responders. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Wynkoop and 19th.
Where: Downtown Denver
When: March 11, 2023
Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade
In its 37th year, the Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade rivals its neighbor in Denver with its biggest community event of the year. The parade starts at noon at the corner of Tejon Street and E. St. Vrain in downtown Colorado Springs. Beyond the parade, there are running and cycling events, plus the Sports & Wellness Expo at the Mining Exchange.
Where: Downtown Colorado Springs
When: March 18, 2023
Enjoy a unique March festival
March in Colorado is filled with plenty of events to keep you busy and thinking about the spring season. From coffin races in the mountains to a popular annual bird migration, there is a unique and fun event to fill your calendar every weekend this month.
Monte Vista Crane Festival
Every year in early spring, the migration of the sandhill cranes makes its way through the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge in southern Colorado. Thousands of cranes choose this refuge as their home from mid-February through Mid-April during which visitors can view the activity of these beautiful birds up close.
In celebration of this natural wonder, the town of Monte Vista hosts the Crane Festival, which features wildlife tours, guest speakers, a craft fair, and photography workshops. 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the festival, bringing extra excitement to the event.
Where: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
When: March 10 – 12, 2023
Frozen Dead Guy Days
Maybe one of the more unique events in Colorado, Frozen Dead Guy Days is a springtime tradition dating back over 20 years. This native festival pays tribute to Bredo Morstal, who is currently frozen and housed in a Tuff Shed on dry ice above the town of Nederland. The three-day festival features live bands paired with local crafts brews, food, and a few thousand of your closest friends.
But the highlight of the festival is the unique events held throughout the weekend, including coffin racing, icy turkey bowling, human foosball, costumed polar plunging, a frozen t-shirt contest, plus a showing of the documentary of “Grandpa Bredo”. If there is one event to add to your Colorado bucket list, this is it. FDGD is one of the strangest festivals around.
Where: Estes Park, Colorado
When: Fri-Sun, March 17 – 19, 2023
Find your new favorite restaurant
Denver hosts their annual restaurant week this month, featuring hundreds of participating eateries that offer set-price menus. For either $25, $35, or $45 you’ll have a three-course meal experience at an array of restaurants around town. Everything from international cuisines to award-winning chef creations and even food halls are included in this 10-day event, so be sure to poke around and try out somewhere new.
Where: Denver, Colorado
When: Fri-Sun, March 3 – 12, 2023
Catch a game at Ball Arena
Denver is loaded with professional sports teams, and March is primetime for games at Ball Arena. Whether your sport is hockey, basketball, or lacrosse, consider giving any of the teams a chance. Watch the Colorado Avalanche take on all their NHL rivals, the Nuggets charge toward the NBA playoffs, or even a few rounds of NCAA March Madness. Not to be underestimated, the Mammoth might put on an exciting NLL show at Ball Arena.
Hit the slopes after dark
Ski resorts like Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, and Echo Mountain offer night skiing for those who just can’t get enough during the day. While night skiing at these resorts is available throughout the ski season, temperatures in March and into April are a bit more bearable than they are in the dead of winter. Be sure to check the resort’s websites, as each varies in their night skiing schedules.
Hopefully, you’ve found a few festivities above to entertain you through March’s wild weather, until warmer temperatures settle in for spring and summer. Even more so than March, April is a month of transitions, with new life literally in bloom. Reminiscing? Check out February’s things to do.
4 Best Hotels in Georgetown, Colorado
