Warmer temperatures, longer days, and bursts of color decorate the Bay Area as we officially welcome spring on March 20. Immerse yourself in a garden of dazzling cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park or the magnificent Filoli estate in Woodside. Celebrate the luck of the Irish at dance performances and parades surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. And all month long, head outside and explore an outdoor local market near you to soak up the bounty of spring: fresh food, flowers, live music, and more!
Read below for a handful of my top picks for this month, and be sure to let me know if you have a favorite that should be on this list!
Jazz Bash By The Bay | Monterey | Mar. 7-9
Get your dance on! Dixieland Monterey presents the 45th Annual Jazz Bash by the Bay, featuring 20+ bands and 100+ musicians performing American Classic Jazz, from ragtime and swing to gypsy and blues. Dance, dine, and tap your feet for four days straight at the Portola Hotel & Spa in beautiful Monterey. For more information, visit jazzbashmonterey.com.
Ballroom Performance Series | Woodside | Mar. 11-13
Enjoy an intimate evening inside the magnificent ballroom at Filoli Estate with Opera San José as part of their Ballroom Performance Series. The three-part evening opens with works from the company’s 42nd season, including a preview of the upcoming Zorro, the Northern California premiere of Héctor Armienta’s electrifying opera. Purchase tickets at Filoli.org.
An Evening With Branford Marsalis | Stanford | Mar. 12
Delight in the sounds of legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis in a solo performance at Bing Concert Hall, presented by Stanford Life. A New Orleans-born, multi-award‐winning saxophonist, band leader, classical soloist, and film and Broadway composer, Marsalis thrills audiences around the world. Purchase tickets here.
Velocity Irish Dance | Campbell | Mar. 14
Immerse yourself in a high-octane celebration of Irish dance at Campbell Heritage Theater. Led by five-time world champion of Irish dance David Geaney, as well as Guinness World Record-holder Tyler Schwartz, the event features a motley crew of mind-blowing musicians and world-class dancers in a multimedia show for all ages to enjoy. Purchase tickets here.
Shamrock Run | San Jose | Mar. 15
Bring out your inner leprechaun at San Jose’s largest St. Patrick’s Day running party, one of the most special local races of the year. Participate in a 5K or 10K and snag a festive shirt, a custom medal, and a free beer (ages 21+) at the finish, plus live music and Irish dancing! Kids 12 and under get to enjoy their very own Leprechaun Chase, a fun ½-mile scamper. Sign up here.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration | San Francisco | Mar. 15
Find your pot of gold in San Francisco! The 174th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration hosted by the United Irish Societies is one of the city’s most popular parades and events. Follow this colorful parade down Market Street to Civic Center Plaza for a multi-cultural celebration of dance, music, arts and specialty food. Learn more here.
THE CHER SHOW | San Jose | Mar. 18-23
Attention, Lovelies! THE CHER SHOW, the Tony Award®-winning musical of the iconic performer’s life story, is coming to San Jose! This dynamic performance showcases her smash hits, decades of stardom, both husbands, and multiple coveted awards. Find more info here.
Sonoma International Film Festival | Sonoma | Mar. 19-23
Lights, camera, action! Head to Wine Country and discover brand new films at one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by Movie Maker Magazine. Enjoy 4 days packed with film, food, wine and fun! For schedule and tickets, visit sonomafilmfest.org.
Flower Bulb Day | San Francisco | Mar. 22
The seasons are changing! Celebrate spring and all the revitalization it brings at Union Square in San Francisco. Come see the square transformed into a giant tulip garden with 80,000 flowers and pick a free colorful bouquet of your own! Learn more here.
Cinderella | Santa Clara | Mar. 29-30
Come make a wish with the Los Gatos Ballet as they present this iconic rags-to-riches story to the delight of all ages. Pageantry and humor, love and fairy magic are sure to make this one to remember! At the Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University. More info here.
7th Annual Taste Of Campbell | Campbell | Mar. 30
Taste delicious bites from a dozen of Campbell’s best restaurants and sample beer and wine from a variety of local wineries and breweries at this year’s anniversary of Taste of Campbell. Enjoy live music and dancing plus a silent auction to help raise funds for Campbell CERT, an organization that trains and equips a network of citizen first-responders. Get tickets here.
Easter Egg Hunt at Gamble Garden, Palo Alto, Mar. 30
Celebrate springtime and the advent of Easter at Gamble’s popular Easter Egg Hunt! Fabergé eggs, a petting zoo, treats, toddler area, arts and crafts all make for a very special and beautiful egg hunt. Sign up for 1-hr egg hunts starting at 9:30am, 11:00am, or 12:30pm. Register here.
42nd Annual Wildflower Run | Morgan Hill | Mar. 30
Join in the 42nd annual Wildflower Run, a Morgan Hill tradition for the whole family including a certified 10K, 5K, 5K stroller/baby jogger run, kids’ run, and an all-age 2K run/walk. This volunteer-run event by the American Association of University Women provides grants, scholarships, and leadership programs for women and girls. Learn more and register here.
