Whether you’re looking to learn something new, celebrate the end of winter, or welcome spring, our 12 things to do in Michigan in March 2023 has something for you.
March 1-April 30 Butterflies are Blooming – Grand Rapids
This winter may not have been as harsh as those of the past, but it still meant not seeing some of our favorite little friends, like butterflies, not to mention brisk temperatures. Put an end to both of those winter downsides by visiting the annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens. It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation. Step into the warmth of the conservatory and meander about amongst 7,000 of these stunning, tropical creatures from around the world. Did you know that the newly hatched caterpillars of some butterfly species are smaller than a grain of rice? Did you know that a butterfly’s wings are covered in fragile, microscopic scales, overlapping like roof shingles? Discover fun facts, or just enjoy the natural beauty of these little wonders.
March 1-April 19 Scooby-Doo!™ Mansion Mayhem – Dearborn
Those meddling kids have made it to Michigan. In this unique new exhibit at The Henry Ford Museum, a jewel-thieving ghost has dodged the police and was last seen in a spooky mansion. Guests are invited to help the Mystery, Inc. gang solved the caper. You’ll enter through the graveyard and start asking questions. Search the spooky Hall of Portraits with Daphne. Help Velma find her lost glasses in the Library or Music Room. Team up with Fred in the villain’s secret workshop, Where will you find Scooby and Shaggy? In the kitchen, of course, where you’ll have to think with your stomach. Do your best to solve the case and snap a selfie with the whole gang as you unmask the villain. There will also be a few unique programs and several showings of films starring Scooby at the Giant Screen Experience during the run of this exhibit.
March 5-11 Downtown Marquette Restaurant Week – Marquette
One of the great joys of spring is the thaw that makes our waterfalls explode with power. Head to the U.P. to explore the natural beauty, and specifically to Marquette to explore the peninsula’s cuisine capitol during its restaurant week. Participating Downtown Marquette restaurants will offer special deals all week long. You’ll find culinary delights like Calabrian Chicken, Duck Confit Truffle Fries, and Mediterranean Whitefish. Check out the website for participating eateries and to view the deals.
March 8-12 Laughfest – Grand Rapids
The news of the day can sometimes be daunting, so make some time to laugh this month by heading to Grand Rapids for this annual giggle fest. The nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter is back again with a phenomenal mission and a wonderful lineup. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Scheduled performances this year include a Clean Comedy Showcase, Tig Notaro, D.J. Demers, Daphnique Springs, Mike Vecchione, and Pete Holmes. In addition to headlining acts, there will be lots of free events for the whole family.
March 9-12 Ultimate Sports Show – Grand Rapids
Hunters, anglers and anyone who loves the great outdoors will be excited to gear up during this showcase at DeVos Place. Find the latest in outdoor apparel and equipment. Discover travel tips and info. Explore a variety of fishing boats. This event features nearly 100 fishing and hunting seminars across five stages and even includes what organizers call Lake Ultimate, a 110,000 gallon indoor lake. You’ll also find antique lures, a trout pond, woodcarvers, a rock wall, and the infamous Hawg Trough. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children.
March 11 Waldenwoods 15th Annual Winetasting – Howell
With St Patrick’s Day coming up, March events tend to put a lot of emphasis on whiskey and ale, but what about you wine lovers? Fear not, as Waldenwoods has you covered. Representatives from Michigan’s finest wineries will be there to answer questions and make recommendations at this cool tasting event. The wine will be paired with hors d’oeuvres made fresh by the house chef. Bottles will be available for purchase after the tasting. You must be 21 years old or older to partake in this event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets call 810-632-6401.
March 11 Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival – Jackson
This long-standing Jackson tradition is now being held in the relatively new American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds with food trucks, games, fire pits and activities held out on the patio. The event will showcase over 150 craft beers, ciders, meads and wines along with food choices such as Pizza, Burgers, Brats and BBQ to name a few. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door, if available. They entitle the bearer to admission and 10 tasting tokens. There are also VIP tickets for $50.00 that get you 15 tasting tokens, a chance to come in one hour early, and a commemorative hat. While in Jackson, be sure to check out all of the amazing murals downtown that are the result of five years of a mural festival.
March 17-20 Carnival Weekend – Boyne Falls
Always a blast, the team at Boyne Mountain has reimagined Carnival Weekend this year, so if you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to return. Mixologists will be spinning beats from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The beloved Costume Contest is moving to Disciples Overlook, accessible by skiers, riders, AND pedestrians via the exciting new SkyBridge Michigan. This is a weekend for the young and young at heart. Whether you want to shoosh your way down a slope or just soak in some fun, this weekend destination will come through for you.
March 18 Michigan Makers Market – Muskegon
Looking for a shopper’s delight, in a cool setting? Venture off the Muskegon for this indoor shopping event featuring over ninety craft and fine art exhibitors. There will also be giveaways, make and take projects, and a cash bar serving up Michigan made wine, beer, and spirits. This annual winter market takes place at the Convention Center in the heart of Downtown Muskegon, which means you can also explore the town. Enjoy a decadent breakfast at Toast N Jams or cap off your excursion with a cocktail at 18th Amendment Spirits. If its still snowy, check out all the recreational opportunities at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. If spring has taken hold, visit Muskegon State Park for a lovely stroll along the shore.
March 18-19 & 25-26 Maple Row Sugarhouse Maple Festival – Jones
The winter thaw means maple syrup season. There are lots of events around the state providing ample chances to get your maple fix, though this family-owned sugarbush offers some unique elements. You can see maple syrup being made in a modern style sugarhouse, and also watch a re-enactment of how a French Colonial family would have made maple syrup and sugar. The weekend of the 18-19 also includes a Civil War encampment, while the 25-26 features a Lumberjack Camp. Take a free tour of the sugarhouse. Devour a pancake breakfast. Kids will love the coloring contest, petting farm, puppet show, and other activities. While there, of course, stock up on lots of scrumptious maple products.
March 21-26 Ann Arbor Film Festival – Ann Arbor
Movie lovers will want to head to A2 this month for some unique screenings as the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in North America returns. The six-day festival presents 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction, and performance-based works. If you can’t make it in person, online viewing options are also available.
March 24-25 Michigan in Perspective: Local History Conference – Novi
Are you a history buff? Perhaps you just wish you knew more about Michigan history. In either case, this event will enlighten and entertain. The conference hosts hundreds of attendees, speakers, sponsors, and vendors at the Suburban Collection Showplace with topics centered on Southeast Michigan and its surrounding areas. You’ll find banquets, keynotes, content sessions, and a robust exhibit hall filled with vendors. Topics for this year’s gathering include The Motown Museum story, Detroit’s first great migration, the Kosher Meat Riot of 1910, Hamtramck at 100, and more.
Join us on social media for ongoing discussions about Michigan travel destinations. Tweet @BuyMichiganNow or tag us in a picture on Instagram when you make it to one of our 12 things to do in Michigan in March 2023. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page regularly.
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