With the worst of winter hopefully behind us, Clevelanders have their sights set on spring. While we don’t officially welcome the new season until later in March, milder temperatures and Case Western Reserve University’s upcoming spring break are reminders it’s on its way.
This month, you can celebrate the warmer weather and completing midterms with some familiar events in The Land. We have three suggestions to get you started, but check out the Destination Cleveland website to gather more ideas.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17
Join fellow Clevelanders in one of the city’s biggest traditions: the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Each year, the parade draws upwards of 500,000 visitors as 10,000 participants make their way through Downtown Cleveland on Superior Avenue from East 18th Street to East 3rd Street.
The parade, which kicks off at 1:04 p.m., is organized by the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland, a nonprofit organization composed of representatives from 28 Irish organizations.
Want to join in on this Cleveland tradition? Get details about how to make the most of it.
2025 NCAA March Madness
March 21 & 23
Some of the biggest games in college men’s basketball will take place in Cleveland this year. The city is set to host matchups in the first and second rounds of the 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament.
While many will catch the games on their TVs, Clevelanders can get up close with the action on March 21 and 23 at Rocket Arena.
Tickets are available now. If the prices are too steep, consider attending the MAC basketball championships at Rocket Area. The men’s teams will play March 13–15, with the women’s teams competing March 12–15.
Cleveland International Film Festival
March 27–April 5
Each year in March and April, Cleveland draws filmmakers from around the world to showcase their productions at the Cleveland International Film Festival, an Academy-qualifying film festival.
Festival-goers can select from hundreds of films based on their interests. Productions are grouped into themes to help make the selection process easier. Interested in the dark and mysterious? Consider viewing some of the “After Hours” films. In need of a good laugh? Check out the options in the “Comedies” section. Or perhaps you are interested in seeing works that relate to Black communities and the African diaspora, Indigenous communities around the world, or those about empowering women. The festival offers the opportunity to learn about people from different cultures and backgrounds through film.
Learn more about the festival and how you can secure your tickets.