March in Colorado brings a little bit of everything: sunny days, snowstorms and an array of exciting ways to celebrate, no matter what the weather brings.
Whether you’re embracing the last of winter activities or eagerly welcoming the first signs of spring, Colorado has many ways to have fun – from quirky parades and vibrant festivals to delicious cuisine and fascinating learning opportunities.
March 1: Celebrate Mardi Gras while giving back to man’s best friend
The town of Frisco celebrates Mardi Gras with a twist by hosting a costumed canine parade and street party for dogs and their families. All proceeds from the event go to Hope for Animals – Clear Creek Rescue, a non-profit organization that helps abandoned, lost and suffering animals through rescue, shelter and public education.
Register for the parade or come enjoy live music, “Yappy Hour” and a costume contest to crown the king and queen pup of the parade.
March 7: Enjoy a ‘First Friday’ event
It’s time to shake off cabin fever and get out on the town. Many cities host a “First Friday” event, the perfect excuse to get out.
In Fort Collins, the Frist Friday Art Walk offers a self-guided walking tour celebrating creativity, culture and community in historic Downtown.
Rain or shine, join hundreds of others for The First Friday Art Walk in the Denver Art District on Santa Fe from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Check out galleries, studios, co-ops, and art in the streets and alleys.
Experience the rich culture of Pueblo through art during its First Friday Art Walk from 4-6 p.m. Your self-guided tour includes free admission to all the galleries.
In Colorado Springs, celebrate Colorado Springs’ First Friday and Old Colorado City First Friday.
March 7-9: Monte Vista Crane Festival
If you want to see “where the cranes meet the mountains,” this is the spot. Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds are on their seasonal route and make a stop in the San Luis Valley. This event features expert speakers, special tours and an abundance of viewing locations.
March 8: Celebrate women at evrē 2025
Celebrate women at UCHealth’s annual wellness event, evrē 2025 – pronounced “every.” Join UCHealth at the Stockyards Event Center from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 8. This year’s guest speaker, Dr. Rebecca Heiss, will challenge you to think of stress energy differently. Fitness instructors will lead you through yoga, strength and cardio sessions, and you’ll learn tips on healthy aging while meeting other amazing women. Registration is required.
March 1-16: Embrace your inner foodie
From March 1-14, enjoy one-of-a-kind menu specials from 50 Fort Collins restaurants during Great Plates of Downtown. This event celebrates 20 years of dining traditions in Fort Collins. Check out limited-time breakfast, lunch, dinner and all-day menu specials at various price points.
With a long list of award-winning restaurants participating, Denver Restaurant Week is a 10-day event from March 7 to 16 that showcases creative and exciting menus and highlights cuisine from all over the world.
Both events have set special menu prices, allowing you to get a deal that’s just right for your budget. Reservations are recommended.
If you’d rather learn and acknowledge where the food came from, consider attending the Sun Soil Water Summit 2025 in Pueblo. This weekend-long event, March 14-15 and hosted by Pueblo County CSU Extension and the Pueblo Food Project, aims to bring people closer to their food system. The summit includes a day-long conference where you’ll gain knowledge to better engage with your food system. Afterward, explore the Makers’ Market to see new ideas and products, or take a nature stroll for the “Bird Crawl,” test your skills during trivia night or learn how to make sausage.
March 15: Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park
Looking for something a bit “weird” for your St. Patrick’s Day weekend? Look no further than the Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park. This quirky festival has a fascinating backstory that adds to its unique charm.
After his grandfather died in Norway, Trygve Bauge had his grandfather’s body shipped to the United States in hopes of preserving it until science could find a way it back to life. Grandpa Bauge was preserved on dry ice for the trip and then stored for three years in liquid nitrogen at the Trans Time cryonics facility in California. In 1993, Trygve moved his grandfather’s body to a shed on his property in Nederland, Colorado, where he and his mother continued to keep him frozen. This move, along with a lot of other publicity Trygve acquired from other actions near Boulder, made for great stories and for about 20 years, a local festival. Grandpa Bauge is still “on ice” today.
The festival, traditionally held in Nederland, was moved to Estes Park to become part of the town’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Events start March 14 and continue through March 16 at the Estes Park Events Complex and The Stanley Hotel, as well as other satellite events happening around town.
Don’t miss the coffin races, polar plunge (Trygve broke the world record for ice bathing), frostbite fashion show and many other fun events. All ages welcome. Want to take the whole family? Get a discount on the festival’s general admission price by entering “FAMILY” in the promo code.
March 15: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day originated from the belief that it makes you invisible to leprechauns, who were said to pinch anyone they could see; hence, according to Irish folklore, wearing green served as protection.
Run entirely by volunteers, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of the largest in Colorado. It features hundreds of colorful floats, dancers, performers and live music. Families are encouraged to enjoy the fun, with plenty of activities for children and adults alike.
The Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates its 41th year. The city’s largest parade begins at noon on March 15 along Tejon Street in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. Start the day off early with the event’s fun run.
Boulder boasts the “world’s shortest” St. Patrick’s Day parade. But don’t worry, there is nothing “short” about this block-long celebration. Enjoy fun on 16th Street, between Pearl and Spruce streets, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In Greeley, everyone is Irish on March 15 and welcome to join the Blarney on the Block celebrations from 2-6 p.m. on the 9th Street Plazas Downtown. The event kicks off with a short parade featuring a pipe and drum band and Irish dancers. There will be local music and fun for everyone.