March is here, and spring is that much closer. As you know, we love nothing more than to help you discover all of the incredible things you can do to keep yourself entertained and exploring in our province. As always, the month ahead is jam-packed with events, activities, and more. We’ve got St. Patrick’s Day, International Women’s Day, and several other things to get excited about.
So, saddle up for a wild ride and have fun cherry picking your March itinerary from this list. If nothing else, we hope you have the opportunity to get out and about in your community and beyond and enjoy this wonderful province over the next few weeks. Enjoy!
International Women’s Day Ladies’ Lap
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Castle Mountain Ski Resort is inviting everyone who identifies as she/her, they/them, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ to join in on a fun community lap. The Ladies’ Lap will take place on March 8th, kicking off at 11 am. Everyone will be meeting at the top of the Huckleberry Chair to ride together and enjoy the day and the community.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
You’ll be excited to hear that the enchanting Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge is throwing a fun and unique St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 15th and 16th. You can get excited about Japanese Whisky, Celtic Melodies, and captivating Irish Tales. The schedule includes the Irish Dome Stories in the beautiful Kamakura Projection Dome, the Wander West Celtic Band Performance, a Japanese Whisky Guided Experience, and more. The event is likely to sell out quickly, so be sure to snag your tickets for the portions you want to get it on ASAP.
Easter Eggstravaganza in Grande Prarie
If you’ve got little ones who are excited for the Easter Bunny’s return, we’ve got just the event for you. On March 30th, head down to the Grande Prairie Museum’s Heritage Village for the Easter Eggstravaganza from 9 am to 5 pm. There are 30-minute timeslots available at $5 per child, and parents can accompany their kids for free. Your kids will have a whole lot to check out, including a couple of Easter egg hunts for different ages, a colouring contest, cookie decorating, crafts, a scavenger hunt, a bunny toss, an Easter Bunny photo booth, and more. Book your spots, rally your kids, and get ready for a wholesome and fun Easter experience.
Alberta Bike Show
If you’re a bike lover, you’re going to want to check out the Alberta Bike Show on March 16th and 17th at the BMO Centre in Calgary’s Stampede Park. This show will be bringing together the best and the latest in bikes and special offers from some of the best cycling brands and retailers. You can ride the test track, check out high-flying action at the Alberta Jump Jam, learn about the coolest cycling destinations and trips, meet pro riders, and learn a ton from experts. You’ll find all things biking, including mountain biking, road cycling, e-biking commuter bikes, and more.
The Original St. Patrick’s Day Road Race
If you’re a runner who’s itching to hit the pavement this season, this is the event for you. Join thousands of runners for Calgary’s first big race of the year on March 17th, kicking off at Central Memorial High School. This race was started 37 years ago by the Calgary Road Runners, and it’s been a fan-favourite among local runners for decades. Supporting the Calgary Roadrunners and Diabetes Canada, it’s great fun and great exercise for a great cause. Grab your best green athletic wear and get ready for the big event!
Red Deer Home Show
If you love all things decor, style, home renovations, and more, you need to add the Red Deer Home Show to your calendar this year. On March8th to 10th, this annual event highlights award-winning builders, renovators, innovative products, inspirational ideas and beautiful decor. Hosted by the Building Industry and Land Development Association of Central Alberta, this show is known far and wide for having the best of the best in home-related offerings. This awesome show is only $12, and it will feature over 300 booths, Belt Sander Races, Kids Zone, Tiny Homes and lots of fun for the entire family. Whether you’re a new homeowner, you’re getting excited about the prospect of some renovations, or you’re just looking for something cool and unique to do, you’ll love this.
Edmonton International Beer Fest
Are you a beer lover? We’ve got just the thing for you. Edmonton’s International Beer Fest is back for another incredible year from March 21st to 23rd at the Edmonton Convention Centre. This massive event is pulling together hundreds of beers from around the world, eight bands, revolving entertainment including stilt walkers, magicians, and other street performers, two stages with live entertainment, BeerSchool, and a whole lot more. If you want to learn more about beer, there are tons of remarkable opportunities to learn from the best in the business. If you’re just hoping to sample delicious beers from local and international vendors, you’re also in luck. This isn’t an event you want to miss.
Nightrise at the Banff Gondola
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Nightrise at the Banff Gondola this winter, this is officially your last chance. This enchanting event only runs until the end of November, and it’s something you’re going to want to experience for yourself. There are four multi-sensory art installations sitting atop the gorgeous Sulphur Mountain. The exhibition brings the Banff Gondola’s summit building to life in the most dreamy way possible. It’s included with your gondola ticket, so you get the full experience without having to break the bank. Honouring the magic of the sacred mountains, the four wonders that you get to interact with might just take your breath away.
The Jasper SkyTram
Another opportunity to get up close and personal with the Rocky Mountains, the Jasper SkyTram’s season kicks off each year in March. The tram will take you up for some of the most breathtaking views available in the area. The Tramway travels to an astonishing elevation of 2,277m, making it Canada’s highest and longest aerial tramway. Once you get to the top, you can take a guided tour to the Whistler Mountain Summit, go snowshoeing, or simply stand back and enjoy the view.
Wildlife Festival
If you happen to be in or around Lethbridge between March 8th and 10th, you should definitely make time to check out the Wildlife Festival. You can meet a sloth, hop with a kangaroo, and even pet a porcupine. On Friday, the event is open for general admission from 1 pm to 6:30 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm for adults only. On Saturday it’s on from 10 am to 6 pm, and then again from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. There will be a ton of exotic animals for you to view and interact with, some awesome learning experiences, and drinks and fun to be had during the Adult Only night on Friday. If you want to really elevate the opportunity, you can grab tickets for the VIP experience for a smaller-group guided session and private time with the animals.
Pigeon Lake Ice Golf Tournament
On March 16th, you can get ready for the Pigeon Lake Ice Golf Tournament at Mulhurst Bay. If you’ve been missing golf throughout the winter, this is just the thing. Ice golf is a super fun and really unique way to swing some clubs and have a blast with your friends before the snow melts. You’ll need three clubs, and you can join in on the winter adventure challenge, tons of fun, and prizes. It’s an awesome way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at this wacky, legendary, winter golf tournament, hosted on Pigeon Lake Alberta. When the canons boom, 27 teams will start a 9-hole round of best-ball golf on top of the frozen lake that’s been decked out with greens, flags, and more. Sign up now to make sure you can get in on the action.
SkirtsAfire Festival
Until March 10th, you can enjoy the SkirtsAfire Festival in Edmonton featuring the work of women in the arts. The festival spans several venues in Old Strathcona. There’s a MainStage Play and countless other captivating performances and workshops including theatre, music, dance, spoken word, design, visual art, comedy, and more. There is absolutely something for everyone, and you’ll love the lively, vibrant, and welcoming community atmosphere. Check out the event schedule and grab your tickets now.
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the 2023/24 Cool Winter Guide advertising feature. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
