March Fun in Philly: Local Events Not to Miss in 2026

March is a great time to be in Philadelphia. One of the city’s best foodie neighborhoods, East Passyunk hosts its restaurant week. The world’s oldest Flower Show brings lots of color to the Convention Center. Plus, if sports are your thing, the Phillies and the Union both host their home openers this month.  

Here’s a look at some of our favorite events and activities in Philadelphia in February 2026.

Indulge in East Passyunk Restaurant Week

East Passyunk is already one of our favorite places to eat in the city, and restaurant week just gives us another excuse to show up hungry. Through March 6, dining in the neighborhood is extra affordable, with more than 20 restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe menus for lunch or dinner.

Depending on where you go, meals are priced at $20, $40, or $60, great for trying somewhere new or returning to a favorite. From a Filipino feast at Perla to authentic Vietnamese at Gabriella’s Vietnam to burgers at P’unk Burger, there is lots of excellent food to try.

Get inspired during Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and there is programming around the city. Stop by the National Constitution Center to see their exhibit on the 19^th Amendment and additional programming on women like Harriet Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe (all month). At the Museum of the American Revolution, you can learn about Revolutionary-era women’s roles in the fight for independence

See the creativity of the Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show is on our to-do list every year. This year’s theme, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, brings some truly creative displays, including a design inspired by Romeo and Juliet (our pick for best of the show!) and a garden featuring plants that most of us consider weeds. Juried competitions, art, workshops, a market, and much more are also part of this event that brightens up late winter at the Convention Center February 28-March 8, 2026.

Attend a Saturday Firstival

All year long, 52 Weeks of Firsts showcase all the fascinating things that started in Philadelphia. These Saturday Firstivals happen every Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm through the end of the year and include stories, family activities, and entertainment.

• First Flower Show: Head to Marriott Downtown to learn the story of the world’s first flower show that started nearly 200 years ago (March 7).

• First Women’s Medical College: Get inspired by the women of Drexel University who attended the first medical school for women. See the challenges they faced and sexist barriers they overcame to pave the way for future physicians (March 14)

• First Match Folder: Before there was the matchbook, the first paper match folder was invented here. Learn more about it at the
  Science History Institute (March 21)
• First Medical School in America: Before the American Revolution, Philadelphia was already making its importance known as the home of the first medical school in the colonies. The tradition continues more than 260 years later at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine (March 28).

Cheer at the Union home opener

The 2025 Philadelphia Union season was one for the history books, with the team claiming the top spot in Major League Soccer’s regular season, the Supporters Shield. The new season kicks off March 1 at Subaru Park against New York City FC.

There are two more matches in March—one against San Jose Earthquakes on March 7 and another versus Chicago Fire on March 21.

Experience winter at Longwood Gardens

Think winter isn’t a great time for enjoying flowers and plants? Then you haven’t seen the genius of Longwood Gardens this time of year. The beautiful complex has two great reasons to visit now.

• Garden Glow: When the sun goes down, the lights come on creating an enchanted environment filled with luminaria, light installations, and sparks that remind us of fireflies. The bonsais under blacklight were particularly unique to see. Garden Glow is on Friday through Sunday evenings until March 8, 2026.
• Winter Wonder: The Conservatories have always been our favorite destination on a visit to the gardens. They’re filled with vibrant orchids in bloom, Cape primroses, Japanese camellias and more that fill up the space in bursts of color (through March 22, 2026).

See the new Universal Theme Park exhibit at Franklin Institute

The creativity and innovation that have made Universal theme parks some of the most popular in the world is now on display at the Franklin Institute. The huge exhibit,Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, includes 25 interactive experiences like designing monster masks and parade costumes. We especially loved dreaming up our own roller coaster. It runs through September 7, 2026.

Get festive at the Paddy’s Day Parade

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is always an epic amount of fun. Enjoy the marching bands, dance groups, and floats as they head down the Ben Franklin Parkway beginning at 11am on March 15, 2026.

Welcome the Phillies back at their home opener

There’s something about the Phillies home opener that makes the city feel alive again—like peeling back the winter blankets and stepping into spring. Bryce Harper and crew bring the competition back to Citizens Bank Park on March 26 with a series against the Texas Rangers. That day, the players get their 2025 division championship rings and Ashburn Alley gets a new pennant (plus, the fans do, too!).

Enjoy the beauty of the Cherry Blossom Festival

I don’t think it gets much better than early spring in Philadelphia when everywhere from Kelly Drive to Morris Arboretum is alive with the colors of thousands of cherry blossoms. In fact, I have a small obsession with photographing them around the city.

There’s no better way to celebrate the beautiful display and Japanese heritage than at the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. This season’s festival marks 100 years since Japan gave 1600 cherry trees to Philly and celebrates the 250 new trees given in honor of America’s 250^th birthday. Enjoy the music, traditional dancing, face painting, and crafts at Shofuso and the Fairmount Park Horticultural Center March 28-29, 2026.