Chicago events & things to do in March 2027
Start with Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, Garfield Park Conservatory, plus Millennium Park and Cloud Gate. March in Chicago averages 9°C / 48°F highs, 0°C / 32°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 9°C/48°F days and about 11 rainy ones in March. Start with these:
- Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise★ 4.8 · 3.3k reviewsThe architecture cruise runs along the Chicago River past Marina City, Merchandise Mart, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Aqua, and newer riverfront…
- Garfield Park Conservatory★ 4.8 · 10.4k reviewsJens Jensen designed the glasshouse complex, which opened in 1908 on the West Side.
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Bicket, Weiss & BachMar 4Chicago Symphony Center · Source: SeatGeek
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Chicago in March 2027
Weather
TempTemperature
48°F / 32°F
9°C / 0.1°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
2.4in · 60mm
LightDaylight
11.7h
March is early spring but windy, so keep architecture cruises weather-dependent and use museums as backup.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Mar 4 – Mar 5
- Mar 5
- Mar 6
Show all 37 events for March
- Mar 6
- Mar 6 – Mar 7
- Mar 7
- Mar 9
- Mar 11
- Mar 11
- Mar 11
- Mar 11 – Mar 12
- Mar 12
- Mar 12
- Mar 12
- Mar 13
- Mar 13
- Mar 13 – Mar 14
- Mar 14
- Mar 14
- Mar 17 – Mar 20
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
Associated occasion: St.
Planning lead · projected date · Source: festival calendar
- Mar 17
- Mar 18 – Mar 19
- Mar 18
- Mar 20 – Mar 21
- Mar 20
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Once Upon a Symphony: The Elves and the Shoemaker
theater.
Source: SeatGeek
- Mar 20
- Mar 21
- Mar 23
- Mar 23
- Mar 24
- Mar 24
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Lang Lang Plays Beethoven Piano Concertos 1 & 4
theater.
Source: SeatGeek
- Mar 25 – Mar 26
- Mar 26
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Lang Lang Plays Beethoven Piano Concertos 2 & 3
theater.
Source: SeatGeek
- Mar 27
- Mar 27 – Mar 28
- Mar 27
- Mar 31
About Chicago
City overview
Chicago rises on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago River, with the Loop, Magnificent Mile, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Pilsen, Hyde Park, and lakefront neighborhoods giving the city its architecture, music, food, and museum range. The elevated L, river bridges, and 1871-fire rebuilding story make the urban form as important as any single attraction.
Food & drink
Chicago food arguments start with deep-dish pizza versus tavern-style thin crust, then move to Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs, jibaritos, pierogi, and Garrett popcorn. For a first route, use West Loop restaurants, Pilsen taquerias, Chinatown around Cermak, and the Maxwell Street Market on Sundays.
Top sights
Ranked for March suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
- 2Willis Tower Skydeck
- 3Lincoln Park Zoo
- 4Art Institute of Chicago
- 5Wrigley Field
- 6Field Museum
- 7Museum of Science and Industry
- 8Navy Pier
1Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
4.7★ · 39,155outdoorThe downtown park opened in 2004 over rail yards and parking, with Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate, Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Crown Fountain, and Lurie Garden. It connects directly to Maggie Daley Park and Grant Park.
2Willis Tower Skydeck
4.6★ · 36,470outdoorOpen dailyThe 1973 Sears Tower, now Willis Tower, rises 442m above the Loop, and the Skydeck's glass Ledge boxes sit on the 103rd floor. Quincy and Union Station are both nearby.
3Lincoln Park Zoo
4.6★ · 38,206outdoorOpen dailyThe free zoo dates to 1868 and sits inside Lincoln Park near the conservatory, North Pond, and lakefront paths. It is one of the easiest family stops north of downtown.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Art Institute of Chicago
- 5Wrigley Field
- 6Field Museum
Neighborhoods
1The Loop
The Loop is the downtown rail-and-office core, with the elevated tracks, State Street, Millennium Park, Art Institute, theaters, Daley Plaza, and river bridges close together.
2Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
North Michigan Avenue and Streeterville bring shopping, hotels, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier access, and high-rise lake views.
3Wicker Park and Bucktown
Wicker Park and Bucktown center on Milwaukee, Damen, and North avenues, with music rooms, vintage shops, restaurants, cocktail bars, and Blue Line access.
Day trips
16km / 25min by Green Line from the Loop
Oak Park
Oak Park has Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Unity Temple, Wright district houses, and Ernest Hemingway birthplace sites.
20km / 35min by Purple Line or Metra from downtown Chicago
Evanston and Northwestern lakefront
Evanston adds campus walks, lakefront beaches, the Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette, and restaurants near Davis Street.
80km / 75min by South Shore Line from Millennium Station
Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan dunes, beaches, marsh trails, and birding make the closest national-park day from Chicago.
Getting around
CTA trains form the L system, with Ventra cards or contactless payment on Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow lines plus buses. Use the Red Line for north-south lakefront trips, the Blue Line for O'Hare-Wicker Park-Loop, and river or lakefront walks when the weather is good.
Planning a Chicago trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in March.
Common questions about Chicago in March
- What to pack for Chicago in March
Pack for March's weather, not a generic Chicago checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 9°C / 48°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 0°C / 32°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Chicago
- 4 days covers the main Chicago highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Chicago worth visiting in March
- Yes. March in Chicago averages 9°C / 48°F highs, 0°C / 32°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan Chicago?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Chicago plan for March 2027, every place checked for your exact dates.