Featured image: Rhythms of the South / TravelSouth
March in the South means one thing—festival season is in full swing! From food and wine to live music and parades, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. All month long, find ways to indulge in crawfish in Louisiana, toast local chefs in Mississippi, or sing along to your favorite songwriters in Alabama.
Here’s where to head for guaranteed fun this month.
225 Fest
March 1-2 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is bringing the heat! 225 Fest is back and bigger than ever, turning the city into a hub of music, makers, and mouthwatering eats. With over 30,000 attendees last year, this fest has solidified itself as the place to soak up the city’s energy. Expect killer performances, plenty of local flair, and a celebration of everything that makes Baton Rouge shine.
Charleston Food & Wine Festival
March 5-9 | Charleston, South Carolina
Sip, savor, and celebrate in true Lowcountry style! Charleston Wine + Food is a bucket-list event for food lovers, featuring more than 50 unique experiences that spotlight the region’s rich culinary heritage. Think masterclasses with top chefs, perfectly paired sips, and unforgettable flavors—all in one of the South’s most charming cities.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend
March 7-9 | Memphis, Tennessee
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend is a hip-shakin’ good time, featuring the best tribute artists from around the world, live concerts, and all things fit for the King. Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or just looking for an excuse to break out your blue suede shoes, this weekend is filed with Burnin’ Love.
JXN Food & Wine Festival
March 15 | Jackson, Mississippi
Get ready to wine and dine, Mississippi-style! The JXN Food & Wine Festival is a foodie’s dream, bringing together the city’s best chefs, perfectly paired pours, and live music to keep the good vibes going. Expect bold flavors, Southern charm, and a toast-worthy way to welcome spring.
40th Annual Wearin’ of the Green Parade
March 15 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Irish pride meets Louisiana parade culture in this beloved Baton Rouge tradition. For 40 years, the Wearin’ of the Green Parade has filled the streets with high-energy krewes, bagpipers, and a sea of green. Whether you’re catching beads or raising a pint, this is the only way to do St. Patrick’s Day in the Capital City.
Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17 | Savannah, Georgia
Historic charm + Irish spirit = one of the best St. Paddy’s celebrations in the country! Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an iconic tradition, drawing thousands to the city’s picturesque streets. From decked-out floats to the famous greening of the fountains, it’s a full-blown Irish affair in the heart of the South.
Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade
March 22 | Jackson, Mississippi
If St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras had a wild, confetti-filled baby, it would be Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade. This Jackson tradition is a full day of music, dancing, and green beads galore. Expect a larger-than-life parade, a high-energy street party, and a whole lot of Southern-fried fun
Louisiana Crawfish Festival
March 20-23 | Chalmette, Louisiana
Crawfish season is in full swing, and Chalmette is serving it up hot! Celebrating 50 years of mudbug magic, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival dishes out everything from classic boils to étouffée, plus live music from Chapel Hart, Laine Hardy, and more. Come hungry and ready to pinch some tails.
Macon Cherry Blossom Festival
March 21-30 | Macon, Georgia
Spring in Macon means one thing: a pink paradise! The Macon Cherry Blossom Festival turns the city into a fairytale, with over 350,000 cherry trees in bloom, live music, arts and crafts, and family-friendly fun. It’s basically the most Instagrammable event of the season.
Feast Wilmington
March 24-30 | Wilmington, North Carolina
One week. Endless flavors. Feast Wilmington is the ultimate celebration of coastal Carolina cuisine, featuring chef-driven dinners, waterfront brunches, and craft brews that showcase the city’s culinary creativity. If your love language is good food, this is your kind of festival.
Opelika Songwriters Festival
March 27-30 | Opelika, Alabama
Big talent, small-town charm. The Opelika Songwriters Festival brings some of the best storytellers in music to intimate venues across the city, from cozy coffee shops to historic pubs. Expect soulful lyrics, unforgettable performances, and an up-close look at the magic of songwriting.
Mardi Gras Events
We know the South is packed with incredible Mardi Gras celebrations, so we’re making it easy by putting them all in one place! Whether you’re catching beads in New Orleans, celebrating centuries-old traditions in Mobile, or enjoying a small-town spin on the season, there’s a parade (or five) calling your name. Read more about Mardi Gras on the Mississippi coast here!
- Mobile Mardi Gras – Various dates (Mobile, AL)
- Auburn Mardi Gras Parade – March 1 (Auburn, AL)
- Foley Parade – March 1 (Foley, AL)
- Krewe of Mullet Mates – March 1 (Mullet Point, AL)
- Mystics of Pleasure – March 1 (Orange Beach, AL)
- The Shadow Barons – March 1 (Daphne, AL)
- Fort Morgan Parading Society – March 2 (Fort Morgan, AL)
- Loyal Order of the Fire Truck – March 2 (Daphne, AL)
- Order of Mystic Magnolias – March 3 (Fairhope, AL)
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans – March 4 (New Orleans, LA)
- Gulf Shores Parade – March 4 (Gulf Shores, AL)
- Orange Beach Parade – March 4 (Orange Beach, AL)
St. Patrick’s Day Events
With so many great St. Patrick’s Day events happening across the South, we’ve rounded them up in one place to make sure you don’t miss a single shamrock-filled celebration. Whether you’re toasting to Irish heritage in Savannah, joining the sea of green in Baton Rouge, or dancing in a street parade in Jackson, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.
- 40th Annual Wearin’ of the Green Parade – March 15 (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 15 (Wilmington, NC)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival – March 15 (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
- St. Pat’s in Five Points – March 15 (Columbia, SC)
- Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17 (Savannah, GA)
- Charleston St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17 (Charleston, SC)
- Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade – March 22 (Jackson, MS)
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