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San Francisco Events in March 2024

Jill on a windy day at the Golden Gate Bridge

by Jill Loeffler  •

Updated: March 5, 2024

San Francisco events in March 2024 include Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, Cirque du Soleil's Kooza, and Golden State Warriors basketball.

Other highlights include several performances by the SF Ballet and SF Symphony, free walking tours, and lots of great museum exhibits.

I've also included some of my favorite ideas for Easter, top concerts, additional theater shows, and our best festivals this month!

Red dressed dancers on Market Street during the Saint Patty's Day Parade in SF.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Cirque du Soleil - Kooza

Dates: 1/17 - 3/10

Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub

This month, you will find several performances of Cirque du Soleil - Kooza. It's the story of a naïve clown trying to find his way in this complicated world. 

These high energy performances include acrobatics, live music, colorful costumes and an unforgettable experience!

All performances are in the Grand Chapiteau at Oracle Park.

While the venue is heated, from my experience of attending these performances over the years, it's still a bit chilly in certain areas of the tent, so make sure to dress in something warm that you are comfortable wearing the entire performance.

>> Additional theater performances this month

More Theater Performances in March

  • Big Data at the Toni Rembe Theater (2/15 - 3/10), find tickets
  • Wild Kratts - Live at the Golden Gate Theater (3/6), find tickets
  • The 39 Steps at the San Francisco Playhouse (3/7 - 4/20), find tickets
  • Paw Patrol Live at the Orpheum Theatre (3/9 & 3/10), find tickets
  • Sign My Name to Freedom at the Z Space, 450 Florida Street, (3/29 - 4/13), find tickets
  • SQREAM at SF Oasis (2/14 - 3/23), find tickets

Concerts & Live Music in March

Concerts

Dates: Several

While in San Francisco, head out to one of the awesome concert venues around town to enjoy some live music. There's something happening almost every night of the week, from the hottest bands to local artists. 

This month, you can watch top performers at places such as the Nob Hill Masonic Center, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Chase Center, and smaller venues such as The Independent and the Great American Music Hall.

In the greater Bay Area this month, you can attend concerts in Oakland, San Jose, or Berkeley. 

3/1 & 3/2: Bad Bunny at the Chase Center, find tickets

3/6: G. Love & Special Sauce at The Independent, find tickets

3/16: Mania - The ABBA Tribute at the Palace of Fine Arts, find tickets

3/22: Umphrey's McGee at the Warfield, find tickets

3/28 & 3/31: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at The Chase Center, find tickets

>> Find a list of upcoming concerts and ticket info 

Cruises Around the SF Bay

SF Bay Cruises

One of the best things to do this month is to check out some of our bay cruises. You can spend an hour cruising around the bay or catch a sunset.

Most of the cruises leave from the Fisherman's Wharf area. My favorite part of taking these tours is that they offer both indoor and outdoor seating with gorgeous views around the bay.

My favorite views when I take these cruises is of the Golden Gate Bridge, the SF shoreline, and Alcatraz Island. It's a fun way to spend an hour or two on your visit to the City by the Bay!

Here are a few that I love the most.

Sunset Cruise: This 1.5 hour cruise around the bay offer spectacular views all around. See famous landmarks, cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, and soak in the views from either indoors or out. It typically runs Thursday - Sunday throughout the month of March from Pier 43 1/2. Find ticket availability for all dates in March.

Bay Cruise: This 60-minute cruise leaves from Fisherman's Wharf several times each day. This is the most popular cruise and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Hear all about SF's history through the onboard narration. It leaves from Pier 39. Find ticket availability for March.

Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise: The reason I love going on this cruise is that it's a smaller group tour, so I find it's a more personal experience. You will still get to see all of the great attractions around the SF Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, but in my experience, it's a more relaxed environment. This cruise leaves from Pier 39 and runs daily in March. Find more details and ticketing availability.

Where to Stay in Fisherman's Wharf

Easter 2024

Date: Sunday, 3/31

Easter is in March this year. It's a fun time to visit with dozens of San Francisco events in March all weekend long.

You can catch a theater show, hunt for eggs in Golden Gate Park, or attend the annual Hunky Jesus contest. Another great way to kick off Easter morning is to head up to the top of Mount Davidson for their popular sunrise service. 

Plenty of places are open on Easter Sunday so you can enjoy lunch or dinner with your family. You can then head out on an afternoon cruise or explore SF on one of many walking tours. 

>> My full calendar of events this Easter Day Weekend in SF

Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors Basketball

Dates: 3/6, 3/7, 3/9, 3/18, 3/20, 3/22

Location: Chase Center in SF

Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub

Watch the Bay Area's one and only pro basketball team light up the court at the Chase Center in San Francisco's Mission Bay District. 

In this last full month of regular season home games, the Warriors will face the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and others.

Go Dubs!

>> Full schedule and game day details

>> Additional information on sports events in SF and the Bay Area

SF Giants Fan Fest

Date: 3/9

It's not quite baseball season yet, but the SF Giants and their fans are going to kick into action this month with the annual Fan Fest event. 

This is your chance to meet Giants alumni, take photos with the World Series trophies, play catch on the field, and purchase new merchandise. 

Admission is totally free, but you do need to get tickets to the open house in advance (find them here). So, get on your orange and black and get ready for a fun-filled day at beautiful Oracle Park from 10 am to 3 pm. 

>> More details about Fan Fest as well as the 2024 game schedule

>> Additional free things to do this month in SF

SF Ballet

SF Ballet

Dates: 3/1 - 3/31

Location: War Memorial Opera House

Tickets: Find tickets to all performances

These San Francisco events in March include two different, stunning performances by the oldest ballet company in the country. The first is Swan Lake. It runs from 3/1 - 3/3 this month. 

The second performance in March is A Midsummer Night's Dream. Dates for this month are 3/12 - 3/23.

>> More about the renowned SF Ballet 

Free Museum Days: San Francisco Events in March

Free Museum Days

Dates: Several toward the beginning of the month

Plan ahead before paying to visit any SF museums! Several of them offer free admission days each month, so you can view their world-class collections and exhibits without spending a lot of money. 

Click the link below to find out which days in March you can visit the Asian Art Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum of Fine Arts, Legion of Honor, and others for free. 

>> A detailed schedule of free museum days

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day in San Francisco

Parade: Saturday, March 16

Holiday Date: Sunday, 3/17

It's that time of year again, when SF turns green! Whether you're looking for parties, pub crawls, cultural festivals, or family fun, you'll find plenty of ways to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in the city. 

One of the biggest San Francisco events in March is the annual parade, which will take place on Saturday in the downtown/Civic Center neighborhood. This year's parade theme is UniteSF 2024.

This year, there will also be a UniteSF Multicultural Celebration after the parade from 2:30 pm to 6 pm at the Civic Center.

On Sunday, you will also find plenty of fun things to do including watching the NCAA Tournament selection, exploring Irish culture, and hitting up the more than a dozen Irish bars and restaurants around town!

>> Get more details about Saint Patrick's Day festivities in SF 

Red Cross Gala 2024

Red Cross Gala

Date: 3/21

Join the American Red Cross for their 29th Anniversary Gala. This year's event is at the Pier 27 along The Embarcadero.

The event is to recognize and honor several people in the Bay Area that have made a positive impact to help the American Red Cross with their mission.

It is also an annual fund-raiser. If you can't make it to the Gala, don't miss the After Gala party with cocktails, bites, live music and dancing. 

>> Visit their site for details and ticketing information

Game Developers Conference

Game Developers Conference

Dates: 3/18 - 3/22

With over 27,000 attendees, GDC is the largest professional game industry event in the world. 

The week-long conference is hosted at SF's Moscone Center and attracts everyone involved in the industry, from game designers to programmers, artists and producers. 

This is the premier event to attend lectures, panels, tutorials, and round-table discussions about computer, online, and smart phone games.

>> More details about the conference

SF Comedy Shows

Comedy in March

Dates: All month long

Have you ever wanted to see comedians like Louis CK, Dana Carvey, Russell Peters, Anjelah Johnson, or Zach Galifianakis live on stage? 

SF's two largest comedy clubs, the Punch Line and Cobb's, both regularly host standup's biggest stars, including those mentioned above and more. 

In addition to standup, San Francisco also offers improv and comic theater.

>> Check out the schedule of upcoming performances

Hotel Deals

Click the links below to find great hotel deals all around town. Plus, read recent guest reviews to make sure you find the right hotel for you!

BookingFind great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay

TripAdvisorWhat's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!

VRBO: In addition to hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here

SF Symphony Performances

SF Symphony

Dates: Various dates from 3/1 - 3/31

The elegant Davies Symphony Hall will feature several San Francisco events in March in the Civic Center district. 

Top performances this month include Scriabin's Prometheus & Bartok's Bluebeard (3/1 - 3/3), Salonen, All Sibelius (3/14 - 3/16), and Carmina Burana (3/23).

A night at the symphony is a great excuse for getting a little dressed up, going out for a nice dinner or drinks nearby, and relishing SF's high culture.

>> Full schedule for this month and tips to attend a performance

Museum Exhibits in March in San Francisco

Museums in SF

Dates: Throughout the Month

You will find a variety of museum exhibits this month in San Francisco. Here is a small sampling of what you can see at some of our top museums.

To Teach and Inspire: The Julia Brenner Textile Collection at the de Young Art Museum

Gillian Laub: Family Matters at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

Alexander Calder: Dissonant Harmony at the Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA)

>> Full schedule of all exhibits in SF

SF Giants Exhibition Games

SF Giants

Dates: 3/26

Tickets: Find tickets to the game at Oracle Park

This month, Spring Training comes to a close and the SF Giants will come home to prepare for their 2024 season. 

On the last few days of March, you can watch them take on their Bay Area rivals, the Oakland A's of the American League, at Oracle Park. This year's game is on 3/26.

You can also catch a game in Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum. This year's game is on 3/25.

Baseball fans, that time of year is finally here! 

>> Find out more about the Giants, ballpark, and tickets

Fight for Air Climb - San Francisco

Date: 3/2

This annual event takes place principally at 555 California, one of SF's tallest buildings with 52 flights of stairs, or 1,197 steps.

The organization has designated 22 additional urban staircases—some indoor and some outdoor—as part of the challenge, and if you were to climb all of them, you'd do 4,176 steps in total! 

You can participate on as many staircases as you want, as an individual or as a team. There is a registration fee, and proceeds go to the American Lung Association's support of people fighting lung disease. 

>> Learn the details about this annual event and sign up

Superfine Art Fair

Dates: 3/21 - 3/24

The spring Superfine Art Fair will be at the Fort Mason Center from March 21 - 24.

This event features top local and global artists. It's a great place to fine unique art, clothing, jewelry and other hand crafted items. 

>> Visit their site to learn more and pick up your tickets today

More March Activities

What else is happening this March in SF? You will find tons of fun things to do this month from cruises around the bay to trips to Yosemite to a chance to see whales just off the coast.

I've pulled together a list of the best things to do this month, so you can find even more fun during your vacation.

>> More fun things to do this March

Tips to Pack & Weather in March

Are you looking for tips on what to wear in March? On my weather page, you will find recommendations on what to pack for your stay. It includes typical highs and low as well as a few additional fun things to do this month.

>> Find more tips to visit in March

Free Things to Do in March

Check out these budget-friendly ideas for your trip. My list of 25 of the best free things to do includes top events, museums, and a few of our best attractions. Click the link below to learn more and to add some of these items to your list.

>> Best free things to do this month

SF Bay Area Calendar of Events for March

San Jose Sharks

Dates: 3/5, 3/7, 3/9, 3/21, 3/23, 3/26

Tickets: Find tickets to all games in March

Head to the South Bay to watch the San Jose Sharks play at the SAP Center downtown. This team routinely goes deep into the playoffs, so you know these fierce Sharks are in it for the win.

This month at the Shark Tank, you can watch them take on the Dallas Stars, New York Islanders, and the Tampa Bay Lightening.

>> Full schedule in March

Sonoma County Barrel Tasting

Dates: 3/2 - 3/3

California's beautiful wine country (about an hour north of San Francisco) invites visitors to discover its culinary and winemaking excellence during 2 full days of barrel tasting and more.

This special event will allow you to taste wine, directly from the barrel, and buy "futures" since many of them are small batch and will not be available to normal customers at a later date. 

>> Details for this year's event

Jazz Bash by the Bay

Dates: 3/1 - 3/3

The annual Jazz Bash by the Bay is one of the larger SF Bay Area events in March. It has been a tradition for more than 40 years in historic Monterey, a vibrant coastal city about three hours south of San Francisco. 

Known for Cannery Row, written by John Steinbeck, this is now a world class city with some of the best restaurants, hotels and more. These three days will be full of all types of American jazz, from ragtime and swing to gypsy jazz, zydeco, and blues. If you love jazz music, plan a weekend getaway to enjoy the lively festival.

>> Visit their site for info on this year's event

Oakland Running Festival

Date: 3/17

The Oakland Running Festival has become a fun annual event in this East Bay city, offering a marathon, half marathon, 4-person relay, 5K, and kids' fun run so that everyone can get involved.

Come stretch your legs and celebrate the diverse community and beautiful scenery of Oakland, CA. The race starts from Eastshore Park near lovely Lake Merritt on Sunday morning. Registration is required to participate.

>> Visit their site to register

Handcrafted Originals Art Fair

Dates: 3/23 - 3/24

This local artisan fair takes place along the covered walks at the Carlmont Village Shopping Center in Belmont, California. This quaint town is on the peninsula about half an hour south of San Francisco. 

You can visit the over 20 booths from 10 am to 5 pm each day, and browse unique art pieces ranging from ceramics and jewelry to paintings and photography.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

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March Events Pinterest Pin

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