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 things to do in March up in the air.
Ski resorts 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 coming of spring in Colorado, discover these fun mile-high activities this March, listed below.
Here are some things to do in CO during March 2025:
Try out local brews
If you’ve never been able to get tickets or don’t want to put up with the long lines at the annual Great American Beer Festival, then plan to attend the Mile High Beer Fest this April. This smaller-scale beer event highlights over 25 breweries, plus local food trucks and live music. It’s a great way to sample a bit of Colorado in a laid-back atmosphere everyone can enjoy.
Where: Stockyards Event Center, Denver
When: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Manitou Springs Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off
Manitou hosts its very own unique Carnivale including the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off and a parade through downtown. City Hall comes alive with colorful decorations, costumes, and of course, plenty of beads.
When: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Celebrate Mardi Gras mountain-style
Mardi Gras celebration at Snowmass
Head to beautiful Snowmass for a Mardi Gras party in the mountains. In true Colorado style, this long-standing tradition starts with the Mother of All Ascensions uphill race, followed by the traditional bead toss, live music, and a finale firework show to complete the festivities.
When: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Mardi Gras celebration at Keystone Resort
The Mardi Gras celebration at Keystone Resort isn’t just about the party itself, but also about the food! Give your taste buds something to be excited about with the gumbo cook-off. The event is rounded out with live music, bead throwing, and brightly-colored costumes.
When: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Colorado
While most of Colorado will host their versions of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, two big events are well-known throughout the state. Centered are elaborate parades in downtown Colorado Springs and Denver, these are exciting events to attend. This year they’re on the same Saturday so pick your location and get there early.
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 61st 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 am at Wynkoop and 19th.
Where: Downtown Denver
When: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade
In its 38th 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: Saturday, March 15, 2025
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 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. 2025 is the 42nd anniversary of the festival, bringing extra excitement to the event.
Where: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
When: Friday–Sunday, March 7-9, 2025
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 craft 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 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: Friday–Sunday, March 14–16, 2025
Find your new favorite restaurant
The Mile High City hosts its 21st annual Denver Restaurant Week this month, featuring hundreds of participating eateries that offer set-price menus. For either $25, $35, $45, or $55 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 is included in this 10-day event, so be sure to poke around and try out somewhere new.
Where: Denver, Colorado
When: Friday–Sunday, March 7-16, 2025
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.
Buy Colorado Day on 3/03—A New State Holiday