See our listing of events taking place in Illinois throughout March.

Kids learn how to tap a maple tree at the festival
Photo credit: Brittany Kovach

Maple Sugaring Days

March 2, 2024, St. Charles 

Taste pure, local syrup and learn how to tap maple trees this spring at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Maple Sugaring Days. After watching naturalists demonstrate the process, guests can try drilling and setting their own taps and simmering sap over an open fire until it thickens into syrup. The family-friendly event also includes educational guided nature hikes teaching visitors how to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees. Don’t forget to stop by the Maple Cafe afterward for the chance to taste sweet local syrup. The event takes place at Creek Bend Nature Center located within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve from noon to 3 p.m. both days. For more details, go to kaneforest.com or call (630) 444-3190.


Festival of the Sugar Maples

Festival of the Sugar Maples

March 16, 2024, Marengo

Get a taste of Marengo maple syrup and learn how it’s made at the Festival of the Sugar Maples, an annual celebration at Coral Woods Conservation Area that takes place during the first two weekends in March.

The free festival invites guests to take a guided tour of the property, which includes a half-mile hike and a maple syrup tasting. In addition, a pancake breakfast will take place on both Sundays from 7 a.m. until noon at Smithwood Bar & BBQ in Union.

Visit mccdistrict.org to learn more about the Festival of the Sugar Maples, or call (815) 338-6223.


Man riding a horse in barrel racing arena
Photo credit: iStock/Marilyn Nieves

Illinois Horse Fair

March 1-3, 2024, Springfield

The Illinois Horse Fair serves as the largest all-breed horse event in the state. Fairgoers will enjoy unique educational opportunities with Olympic champions, world and national champion trainers and exhibitors, and up-and-coming clinicians plus two nights of rodeo, carriage rides and Illinois’ largest equestrian trade show with vendors from across the country. The event takes place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit facebook.com/IllinoisHorseFair.


herbs

Midwestern Herb and Garden Show

March 8-9, 2024, Mount Vernon

A bit of basil or dish of parsley brightens any dish. Learn more about culinary, medicinal and decorative herbs at the annual Midwestern Herb and Garden Show in Mount Vernon.

This three-day event, held at Times Square Mall, features speakers and workshops honoring herbs and other aspects of gardening, including water plants, dried flower arrangements, books, woodcarving and basket making.

For more information, visit facebook.com/midwesternherbandgardenshow or call (618) 242-3151.


Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade
Facebook/Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

March 16, 2024, Springfield

You won’t want to miss the 35th annual Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade this year, when the Irish holiday falls on a Saturday.

Each year the parade has a unique theme. The floats and marching bands participating in the impressive parade will make their way through the heart of downtown Springfield, beginning at Jefferson and Sixth, and looping back down Fifth and Capitol.

For more information about the parade and complete guidelines for float entries, visit springfieldstpatricksparade.com.


Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale

March 9-10, 2024, St. Charles

Buried treasure awaits you at the Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.

Antique lovers can find authentic pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries at this event, which draws more than 50 dealers from 15 states. Produced by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association, this year’s show takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $10. For more information, visit csada.com.


Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale
Facebook/Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale

Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale

March 16, 2024, Bloomington

The annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale focuses on “alleviating suffering at home and abroad,” a goal its more than 1,500 volunteers work to accomplish by hosting a two-day sale that raises money for the Mennonite Central Committee and local charities.

The sale includes auctions that feature a variety of household items and handcrafted quilts as well as booths stocked with art, crafts, books and decorations. Sale-goers can also enjoy plenty of food, including homemade cheesecake and from-scratch pies, and hundreds of patrons attend both the Friday evening fish and BBQ chicken dinner and the Saturday morning pancake and sausage breakfast.

For more information about the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale, check out ilreliefsale.org.


Attendees pose for a picture at Uncorked Wine Festivals
Photo credit: Uncorked Wine Festivals

Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival

March 9, 2024, Chicago

Visit Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry this March for a night of wine, science and fun at Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival. Taking place from 7 to 11 p.m., the festival features more than 100 wines from around the world, gourmet food options and full after-hours access to the museum. General admission tickets are $70 and include an 8 p.m. entrance, unlimited wine tasting and museum access for three hours. VIP tickets are also available for $100 and include a 7 p.m. entrance for an additional hour of tasting with a smaller crowd, food vouchers and museum access for four hours. Guests must be 21 and over to attend.

For more information, visit uncorkedwinefestivals.com/chicago-wine-festival.


Three wome in St. Patrick's attire at Shamrock'n the Block
Photo credit: Meg Giovingo

Shamrock’n the Block

March 16, 2024, Chicago

Celebrate all things Irish at Old St. Patrick’s Church at the annual Shamrock’n the Block event. On the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, the church will host a pop-up pub in a heated tent outdoors. The family-friendly block party includes live entertainment, Irish dancing, tasty pub fare, beverages, children’s activities and more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit oldstpats.org/shamrockntheblock or call (312) 648-1021.


maple syrup bottle
Photo credit: iStock/showcake

Maple Syrup Festival

March 23-24, 2024, Makanda

Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host the family-friendly Maple Syrup Festival at its Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda in March. The two-day event includes a home-cooked pancake breakfast both days, ongoing maple syrup processing, nature hikes, live music, lumberjack games and demonstrations, and children’s activities. The festival also features several artisan vendors offering everything from pottery and jewelry to handmade soaps, spices and more. The Maple Syrup Festival is free to attend and open to all ages, but guests must purchase tickets for the pancake breakfast. Find more details at ton.siu.edu/community-events or call (618) 453-1121.


Maple Syrup Festival

March 23-24, 2024, Makanda

Calling all fans of maple syrup! Hosted by Southern Illinois University at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, this two-day festival offers both fun and education, not to mention delicious maple syrup.

Festivities include interpretive hikes, lumberjack and maple syrup demonstrations, children’s activities and plenty of vendors and artisans providing goods for purchase. Taste the sweet syrup harvested from the actual sugar maple trees on the property at the pancake breakfast… your taste buds will thank you.

To learn more, call (618) 453-1121 or visit ton.siu.edu/events/maple-syrup-festival.php.

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