March ushers in spring, and there’s no better way to welcome the season than by exploring everything our city has to offer. From the blooming Carlsbad fields to celebrations for International Women’s Month and St. Patrick’s Day, there’s plenty happening this month. Here are some amazing things to experience in San Diego in March 2026.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch – a vibrant 55‑acre display of giant blooms in Carlsbad, California – opens for spring on March 1. Each year, this is a much-awaited event for San Diegans, excited for the spectacular sea of color. You can walk through the fields, enjoy special activities like tractor rides, art exhibits, yoga, music, and more. Keep in mind that yhe blooms typically peak in mid‑spring.
Enjoy a wonderful candlelight concert
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in San Diego. There’s a show for everyone happening this March! Check out Hans Zimmer, Queen vs. Abba, Tribute to the Beatles, Tribute to Bad Bunny, and much more. Follow this link and pick your favorite show – some tickets are going fast!
From $0
For a truly memorable early-March moment, set an alarm for the total lunar eclipse – known as the Blood Moon – visible over San Diego in the early morning of Tuesday, March 3rd. The partial eclipse begins at 1:50 AM, with totality from about 3:00 AM. The show wraps up around 4:00 AM. Best views are from dark-sky spots like Mount Laguna, Agua Caliente County Park, or La Jolla Cove.
CRSSD
Set against the scenic backdrop of San Diego Bay, the Spring 2026 edition of CRSSD Festival reinforces its reputation as a premier destination for electronic music. The event features a diverse schedule of global icons and crossover innovators – including Cirez D, Dom Dolla, Lane 8, Amelie Lens, and Tycho – performing across 3 signature stages. Beyond the world-class lineup, you can enjoy great food and cocktails, a vinyl market at the CRSSD Lab, and the “After Dark” afterparty series.
The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is an immersive new habitat that just opened at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Here, you can get up close and personal with a herd of African elephants, and enjoy spectacular views of the animals socializing and cooling off. Read below for more info!
Padres Opening Day
San Diego Padres kick off their 2026 Opening Day on Thursday, March 26. They’ll host the Detroit Tigers! Expect all the classic Opening Day energy: pageantry, tradition, and plenty of excitement.
Friday keeps the vibes high with Party in the Park, featuring live entertainment and discounted drinks starting at $5.
The series wraps up Saturday with pregame fun at Gallagher Square. After the game, stick around for a postgame Fireworks Spectacular to cap off the Opening Series in style.
Residents free days at Balboa Park
Several museums in Balboa Park offer free admission on certain days. For example, The San Diego Natural History Museum offers free admission on the first Tuesday of each month, while The San Diego Air & Space Museum and the Comic-Con Museum have free admission on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. On the 3rd Tuesday, check out The San Diego Museum of Art. And on the 4th Tuesday of the month, head to The Museum of Us.
St. Patrick’s Day events
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, honors Irish culture and heritage with a lot of fun: like parades, music, and plenty of green everywhere. In San Diego, the holiday comes alive with festive events across the city, from lively pub crawls and Irish-themed parties to family-friendly celebrations and parades. You’ll find traditional Irish fare and drinks, while live music and dancing bring the spirit of Ireland to the streets.
For example, head to Brewery X for St. Patrick’s Day specials like Shepherd’s Pie, a juicy Pub-Style Burger, or loaded Irish Nachos. They all pair well with fan-favorite green beer!
Step Into Banksy’s World at The Art of Banksy: Without Limits in San Diego
From $20
If you’re looking to add a dose of thought-provoking street art to your March plans, this acclaimed exhibition is in San Diego for a limited time. Explore over 200 pieces, ranging from certified originals and sculptures to immersive installations like the Infinity Room featuring elements from Dismaland. You’ll also get to admire some of Banksy’s iconic murals reproduced with his stencil technique, exclusively for this exhibition. Get your tickets below!
Taste your way through Seaworld’s Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival
SeaWorld San Diego’s Seven Seas Food Festival returns throughout the whole month of March, running Fridays through Sundays. With more than 20 globally inspired food and drink festival huts, this year’s festival invites you to taste your way around the world and discover flavors influenced by Italian, Brazilian, Polynesian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Caribbean, Asian cuisines and more. Signature offerings include Cubano sandwiches, spicy poke bowls, fried Spam musubi, escargot, braised meatballs, and mango bread pudding, alongside rotating seasonal selections.
The festival provides non-stop energy with 6 stages of cultural entertainment throughout the park, plus live performances by artists including Fitz and the Tantrums, The Band Perry, Phillip Phillips, and newly announced Walker Hayes. The festival and concerts are included with park admission.
Check out the Cherry Blossom Festival this March in San Diego
Between March 12 – 15, the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place at Japanese Friendship & Garden Museum. Check out new attractions, including a wall of lanterns and community art. Sample a variety of cultural food, or delicious beverages in the popular beer and sake garden. Don’t miss the chance to shop from the amazing local vendors in the upper garden – and of course, take a leisurely stroll through the cherry blossom grove. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring!
33rd Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival
The Media Arts Center San Diego has hosted the San Diego Latino Film Festival for over 30 years, growing from a student-focused event into one of the world’s most respected Latino film festivals. Over its history, it has screened more than 4,000 films from Latin America and the U.S., attracting over 350,000 attendees. Beyond film, the festival also offers live music and parties on the “Sonido Latino” stage in the Mission Valley mall courtyard.
San Diego Half Marathon & Padres 5K
The San Diego Half Marathon kicks off at Petco Park, winds through downtown and along Harbor Drive with views of the bay, skyline, Spanish Landing, and Cancer Survivor Park. It then heads through historic Liberty Station past NTC Park and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Finally, runners climb up Washington Street through Mission Hills and Hillcrest before cruising downhill past the palm trees of Balboa Park. It all wraps up with an epic finish on 5th Avenue, complete with a live jumbotron and a Gaslamp Block Party. It takes place on March 22.
North Park Art Walk
On March 14 from 12 PM, local artists are taking over North Park Mini Park on 29th Street for an afternoon of creativity and community. Expect tons of artwork on display, art activities and live demos so you can see the magic happen in real time. More than 60 vendors will be set up with food, products, and services. Moreover, ‘A Way Home for Dogs’ will also be there with adoptable pups, so you might just leave with a new furry friend.
Don’t miss the annual Art & Beer Night Market This March in San Diego
AleSmith Brewing Company hosts a showcase of local artists, food and craft beer. What more could you wish for?! Tickets to the event are free, but local vendors will be at the event selling their products. It all takes place on March 19 from 5 PM, and you can reserve a spot here.
San Diego Theatre Month
San Diego Theatre Month is a citywide, month-long celebration of live performance. It spotlights everything from theatre and music to dance and comedy. With tickets starting from $15, it’s an easy way to catch a wide range of high-quality shows.
If you’re craving a fresh new restaurant to add to your March lineup, LA-born Bacari has opened a Mediterranean wine bar at 3823 30th Street in North Park, taking over the former Urban Solace building. The spot features shareable Mediterranean plates, two full bars, a plant-draped patio, and live blues and jazz Thursday–Saturday.
If you’re up for an easy spring day trip from San Diego, Temecula Valley transforms with fragrant purple wisteria draping vineyard paths. Top viewing spots include South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Somerset Winery, Ponte Vineyard Inn, and more – read below for details!