March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Let’s hope that’s the case. The weather has been strange all around the country so it would be nice if things warmed up and became a little more predictable. Of course, life isn’t predicable so maybe it’s fitting that we’ve all experienced some turbulence lately. Things will get better, they always do. Even if it isn’t as warm as we might like, there are still plenty of wonderful events in San Francisco this March to get out and enjoy. From the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to The Great San Francisco Corn Dog Festival, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy this month in San Francisco.

Events in San Francisco this March

Black Cuisine
When: March 2nd, 2019
Where: Dr. George Davis Senior Center
1753 Carroll Avenue
San Francisco, CA

The free event, presented by Bayview Senior Services, will feature live music, vendor booths, a Kid’s zone, and a dazzling variety of food venues. Some of the offerings include fried chicken, catfish, oxtails, ribs, links, black-eyed peas, red beans and rice, greens, yams, mac & cheese, cornbread, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, pound cake and other soulful delights–all of which will be sure to rival mama and grandmas’ down-home cooking.

Black Cuisine will also give soul food novices and chefs an opportunity to share their culinary talents by entering the Soul Food Cooking contest with winners receiving cash prizes. Last year’s festival drew more than 2,000 attendees and we anticipate that number increasing this year.

2019 Carnaval SF Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Kick-Off Celebration!
When: March 5th, 2019
Where: Mission District
San Francisco, CA

Come meet your neighbors and make new friends at our 2019 Carnaval San Francisco Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party in several venues in the Mission District! FREE

Come enjoy live samba drummers, dancers winding their way through the party, and lively music from salsa and soca to cumbia and rumba, so don’t miss out on the fun! Wear your costumes, masks & beads and join us in celebrating Fat Tuesday in true Carnaval San Francisco style!

International Ocean Film Festival
When: March 7-10, 2019
Where: Various San Francisco Locations
Now in its 16th year, the IOFF is an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, science, and marine life to sports and coastal cultures.
We look for films that not only entertain audiences but also educate and inspire people to participate in environmental efforts in and around the ocean, as well as promote better ocean stewardship.

The Great San Francisco Corn Dog Festival
When: March 9th, 2019
Where: SoMa StreEat Food Park
428 11thStreet
San Francisco, CA

Corn dog, corn dog, corn diggity dog!

You batter believe it — your favorite time of the year is here! It’s your special dog, all dressed up with a quick dip, a simple twirl, and deep fried to golden-perfection! SoMa StrEat Food Parkand FunCheapSFare teaming up to bring you another festival filled with scrumptious bouquets of deliciously-battered, perfectly-fluffy, and oh-so-satisfyingly-crisp corn dogs from the Bay’s best food trucks!

March 9th, get your fix of this beloved hot dog on a stick. Vendors will be dipping, frying, saucing, and serving specialty corn dogs all day long — try yours cheesy, wrapped in bacon, or smothered in saucy goodness. Or, switch up your protein with a juicy Louisiana hot link, a spiced kielbasa, or tasty veggie dog — the corn(dog)-binations are innumerable! Paired with all you can drink craft beer, and it’s a match made in corn doggie heaven.

Don’t forget to dress up in your favorite corn(dog)-y get-up! Special prizes will be awarded to the best corn dog costume and corn dog decorators!

2019 SF St Patrick’s Day Parade
When: March 16th, 2019
Where: Civic Center/UN Plaza Station

The West Coast’s largest Irish event celebrating Irish history and culture. The Parade will start at the corner of Market and Second Streets where over a hundred colorful floats, Irish dance troupes and marching bands will wind their way to Civic Center Plaza.

Holi 2019
When: March 16th, 2019
Where: California College of the Arts
1111 8thStreet
San Francisco, CA

Holi is the Indian festival of colors. It celebrates the colors and vitality of spring by marking the change of seasons.

Come celebrate the biggest Holi event in San Francisco. Be prepared to leave the festival looking much different than you arrived!

What better way to welcome spring than by dousing friends with color, enjoying performances, and dancing the day away with a live DJ! Unlimited color is included in the ticket.

Colors used at the event are made from starch and food grade dyes. The powder is completely non-toxic, water soluble and environmentally friendly.

Plant Exchange in Oakland, CA
When: March 23rd, 2019
Where: Ability Now Bay Area
4500 Lincoln Ave.
Oakland, CA

The Plant Exchange is a free community event that began in Oakland, California in October 2007 as a way for our neighbors to get to know each other. It also encourages reuse, recycling, organic living, resource sharing, and information exchange.

This event rapidly grew to include gardeners, landscapers, urban farmers, and outdoor fans from all 9 Bay Area counties.

We receive plants of all types and sizes. We also have an area for tools and other garden related items and happily accept yard art, mulch, goldfish, books, equipment, compost bins, and lawn furniture.  We have master gardeners to answer questions and plant specialists to help identify donations. And, it is all free to everyone.

California Artisan Cheese Festival
When: March 23rd– 24th, 2019
Where: Sonoma County Event Center
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA

A weekend long celebration brought together by a lively and friendly group of experts and presenters from the wonderful world of artisan cheese. The festival promotes broad awareness of the artisan cheesemaking community and enjoyment of its products.

Macy’s Flower Show
When: March 24th– April 7th, 2019
Where: Union Square
San Francisco, CA
For more than 70 years, Macy’s Flower Show has featured floral materials native to many different landscapes, all blooming in unison despite their unique climatic DNA.

Taking root in unexpected settings such as store countertops, windows and specially-designed architecture, including grand bridges, columns and topiaries, Macy’s Flower Show is staged in unique fashion at three flagship locations nationwide—Herald Square in New York City, State Street in Chicago and Union Square in San Francisco. The show offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy these magnificent blossoms. Macy’s invites visitors to take part in flower demonstrations, marvel at breathtaking floral scenes and take advantage of free tours in select cities. This two-week exhibition is free to the public during store hours.

San Francisco Chocolate Salon
When: March 30th, 2019
Where: SF County Fair Building, Gallery
San Francisco, CA

Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world’s great culinary metropolitan areas. The Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate Show on the West Coast takes place at the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon