Top Things to Do in March in St. Louis

March is a great time to visit the Butterfly House in Faust Park when thousands of bright blue morpho butterflies are on display inside the garden conservatory on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in March 2020. This variety of butterflies is found mostly in South America, Mexico, and Central America. The dazzling "free flight" site features over 1,500 Blue Morphos and makes a wonderful event for kids, as they learn the critical role butterflies play in nature. Adults will enjoy hearing about the Butterfly House's conservation efforts in Costa Rica, too. Special weekend workshops are available.

You don't need summer temperatures to get excited about spring. Just take a stroll through the Missouri Botanical Garden's orchid show held daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 22, 2020. Featuring hundreds of blooming orchids in the garden's Orthwein Floral Display Hall, this event celebrates their expansive living collection. Fountains and lovely foliage transport you to another place (or, at least another season).

March is the best time of the year for basketball fans. And the action in St. Louis begins with Arch Madness, the 30th anniversary of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. Games take place at Enterprise Center from March 5–8, 2020. And the winner goes on to play in the NCAA tournament.

Each month, the Fabulous Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis hosts a variety of touring Broadway shows and other fun performances. And while tickets are slightly cheaper than in New York City, the quality of the performance doesn't lack one bit. Catching a touring Broadway show while on vacation could even be the highlight of your city stay. In 2020, the venue features the Broadway musical "The Band’s Visit" through March 8, the TV romance show "The Bachelor" Live on Stage on March 13, and Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" from March 17-29. Check the schedule and buy tickets ahead of time, as the venue generally fills.

Gain inspiration and ideas for home improvement at the 43rd Annual Builders St. Louis Home & Garden Show at America's Center—travelers can also make a business trip out of it. Contractors, decorators, and architects network at the trade show, which has over 1,400 vendor booths and six areas: Lawn & Garden, Kitchen & Bath, Interior Design, Pool & Spa, New Construction Zone, and Home Products. Enjoy the event on March 5–8, 2020, and tour the city sites after hours.

The Schlafly Stout & Oyster Festival on March 20–21, 2020, is one of the local brewery's most popular and free events. Schlafly brings in more than 80,000 fresh oysters, plus teams of star shuckers to serve them up raw. Enjoy over 15 Schlafly stouts and various other beers for sale—such as White Lager, IPA, Pale Ale, and Boomerang—to wash down the mollusks. And catch several live music acts Friday night and all day on Saturday, followed by the annual East Coast vs. West Coast vs. Mid-Coast Shuck Off.

St. Louis shows its Irish pride with the big Downtown St. Louis Parade and a more traditional parade held in Dogtown, the Irish section of the city.

The 51st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade held downtown on March 14, 2020, boasts floats, giant huge cartoon-character balloons, marching bands, clowns, and more.

Dogtown's 37th Annual Ancient Order of Hibernians Saint Patrick's Day Parade features horse-drawn carriages and floats honoring law enforcement, firemen, and local leaders on March 17, 2020. Stick around for the Third Annual Dogtown Irish festival afterward to enjoy music, family entertainment, and food.

The Pageant music venue—which opened in the year 2000—placed fourth in Pollstar's 2018 rankings of top clubs worldwide. Famous national acts like Tesla, Candlebox, and Electric Hot Tuna have all graced the stage at this hopping nightclub. Leave the kids with a hotel sitter and enjoy an adult night out on the town, from pop band Fitz and the Tantrums on March 3 to rock group The Revivalists on March 10, 2020. And make sure to hit the Halo Bar before or after the show for premium beverages and late-night entertainment.

On March 14, 2020, from 6–9:30 p.m at Hyatt Regency at the Arch in St. Louis, the World Bird Sanctuary will host Fete du Feather Gala and Auction: A Celebration of Feathers! Guests should dress up in cocktail attire to enjoy dinner and drinks, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment. Buy tickets online in advance.

Sausage is king on March 27–29, 2020, in the small German town of Hermann, Missouri, about an 80-minute drive from St. Louis. Attend their festival and sample homemade bratwurst, liverwurst, and summer sausage, or take a class in making sauerkraut. Listen to German music while sipping some of Missouri's best wines, too. Wurstfest events happen all weekend at the Hermannhof Festhalle and Stone Hill Winery.