Best things to do in Phoenix in March 2022: Ostrich Festival, Nowruz, Chicago Fest
March brings St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Tony Award-winning musicals and plenty of outdoor festivals to metro Phoenix.
Embrace the beautiful weather and spend some time outside at free cultural and community events such as the Melrose Street Fair in Phoenix, the Folk & Heritage Festival in Glendale and the Persian New Year Festival in Scottsdale. Or groove along at the plethora of music festivals happening this month, such as M3F Fest and the Chandler Ostrich Festival.
Another massive auto auction is coming to town, with Mecum Auctions bringing 1,500 vehicles to State Farm Stadium.
Here are 17 things to do throughout metro Phoenix in March.
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Morgan Harper Nichols at Changing Hands Bookstore
Morgan Harper Nichols is a popular Phoenix-based poet and artist on Instagram whose merchandise can be found at major retailers such as Target. Nichols will appear at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix to promote her new book, "Peace Is a Practice."
Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $30.83 covers entry and book. 602-274-0067, https://www.changinghands.com.
Arizona Opera's 'A Little Night Music'
Arizona Opera’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical “A Little Night Music” — whose music and lyrics were created by Stephen Sondheim — will be staged in downtown Phoenix.
Details: March 4-6. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. Starting at $25. 602-266-7464, https://azopera.org.
Maricopa County Home and Landscape Show
The largest home show in the Southwest will take place over three days at State Farm Stadium. Be inspired by demonstrations from artisans and local businesses and immerse yourself in "the sensational world of landscape lighting" in the new exhibit "Glow Scapes."
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, March 4-6. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. $8, $3 for ages 3-12; discounts available. https://maricopacountyhomeshows.com.
M3F Fest
Leon Bridges, Kaytranada, Spafford and A R I Z O N A are just a few of the acts that will take the stage during M3F Fest at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix.
Details: Friday-Saturday, March 4-5. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix. One-day general admission starts at $85 plus fees. https://m3ffest.com.
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Melrose Street Fair
Seventh Avenue’s Melrose Street Fair will bring food trucks, a beer garden, a marketplace, live music and Chester’s Classic Car Show to the storied street.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Seventh Avenue between Indian School and Camelback roads, Phoenix. Free. https://melrosemerchantsassociation.com.
Folk & Heritage Festival in Glendale
The 32nd annual Folk & Heritage Festival will celebrate the history and culture of folk music at Sahuaro Ranch Park. The event features a full schedule of live performances and musical workshops.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6. Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. Free. https://www.glendaleaz.com/play.
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Scottsdale Persian New Year Festival
The fourth annual Persian New Year Festival is back after taking a hiatus in 2021 and will bring live music, dance performances, artwork and Middle Eastern cuisine to the Scottsdale Waterfront. The event is free to attend; those who pre-register on Eventbrite are eligible for a free cup of hot tea at the festival.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road. Free. https://www.persiannewyearfestival.org.
“An Officer and a Gentleman” at the Orpheum Theatre
The musical “An Officer and a Gentleman,” based on the Academy Award-winning 1982 film of the same name, will stage five performances at the Orpheum Theatre from Friday, March 11, through Sunday, March 13.
Details: March 11-13. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. Starting at $35.25. 602-262-7272, https://americantheatreguild.com/phoenix.
Chandler Ostrich Festival
Major musical acts including the Beach Boys, Flo Rida, Nelly and The Band Perry will perform during the two-weekend Chandler Ostrich Festival. There will also be more than 50 carnival rides and plenty of food vendors at Tumbleweed Park.
Details: March 11-13 and 17-20. Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler. Starting at $20, $15 for ages 4-12, free for age 4 and younger. https://ostrichfestival.com.
Ostrich Festival guide: All the concerts, rides and how to get discounts
St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire
The 39th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire will take to the streets of downtown Phoenix (starting at Third and Oak streets) at 10 a.m. before continuing the celebration with Irish music, bagpipers and step dancing at Margaret T. Hance Park.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St, Phoenix. Parade is free; $12 for general admission to the fair. https://stpatricksdayphoenix.org.
More St. Patrick's Day events: Guide to the parade, live music and a green fountain
Carvana Arizona Tennis Classic
After a two-year hiatus, the Arizona Tennis Classic (now the Carvana Arizona Tennis Classic) will return to Phoenix. Part of the ATP Challenger Tour, the event will feature a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw.
Details: March 14-20. Phoenix Country Club, 2901 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. Starting at $15. http://arizonatennisclassic.com.
Mecum Auctions
Approximately 1,500 vehicles and 200 pieces of road art and memorabilia are coming to State Farm Stadium this month during the four-day Mecum Auctions.
Details: March 16-19. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. Starts at $20. https://www.mecum.com.
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Greening of the Fountain in Fountain Hills
The Fountain Hills fountain, per its annual tradition, will flow emerald green in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Those who can't attend can watch the water show on the town's livestream.
Details: Noon and 5 p.m. Thursday, March 17. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-816-5185, https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/fountain.
“Jersey Boys” at the Orpheum Theatre
The Tony- and Grammy Award-winning musical about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will take to the Orpheum Theatre for one night.
Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. Starting at $45.25. 602-262-7272, https://americantheatreguild.com/phoenix.
Nowruz — Persian New Year — at Phoenix City Hall
A celebration of Nowruz — the beginning of spring — will bring food, dance and music performances and arts and crafts to Phoenix City Hall. Vendors include Arya Catering, Cafe Chenar, ZK Kabob and AZ Pops.
The free bazaar will be in the courtyard near the Orpheum Theatre. The first 300 attendees will receive a commemorative tote bag. A complimentary parking pass can be found at https://www.nowruzphx.com.
Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Free. https://www.nowruzphx.com.
Chicago Fest West
A "celebration of Chicago" will take place at Mesa Convention Center this month. Live music, a cornhole tournament and a Chicago hot dog-eating contest will be part of Chicago Fest West.
Details: 2-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. Starting at $12. https://chicagofestwest.com.
Shea Homes Good Life Festival and Buena Vida Festival
The annual Shea Homes Good Life Festival Presented by Subaru is a two-day event this year, Saturday-Sunday, March 19-20. There will be live music, boutique shopping, beverage tastings and on-site RV camping and glamping.
Saturday performances include Jefferson Starship and Grand Funk Railroad. On Sunday, Lupillo Rivera and El Coyote y Su Banda Tierra Santa will take the stage.
Shea Homes Good Life Festival: 2 p.m. March 19. Schnepf Farms, 24610 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Starting at $75. https://www.thegoodlifefest.com/events/tglf-schnepf-farms.
Shea Homes Buena Vida Festival: Noon March 20. Schnepf Farms, 24610 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Starting at $45. https://www.thegoodlifefest.com/events/bvf-schnepf-farms.
Black Theatre Troupe's "Ain't Misbehavin'"
The Tony Award-winning musical tribute to jazz legend Fats Waller will be Black Theatre Troupe's final production of the season. The show marks local "American Idol" Season 19 contestant Ronda Felton's Black Theatre Troupe debut.
Details: March 25-April 10. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $44. 602-258-8128, https://www.blacktheatretroupe.org.
KNIX Barbecue and Beer Festival
This barbecue and beer festival promises to be “the ultimate rib fan’s paradise.” There will be 30 barbecue pit masters, kid-friendly activities and live music from country artists such as Lee Brice at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler.
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler. Starting at $20. https://forty8live.ticketspice.com.
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Arizona Super Show 2022
The Arizona Super Show's famous car hop exhibition will showcase "the top contenders in the industry" at State Farm Stadium. The event, which will take place both inside and outside, will bring classic lowriders, live concerts and food and drinks to Glendale.
Details: Noon Saturday, March 26. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. $47; free for children under 2 years. https://www.thearizonasupershow.com.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Things to do in Phoenix in March 2022: classic car shows, Nowruz
