We might still be in hibernation somewhat due to the cold weather but there are plenty of activities and events to get involved in this March, which will be worth creeping out of our little cocoon for. From holidays, like St Patrick’s Day and Mothering Sunday, to seeing the city aglow to unique experiences like candlelight concerts. The fun will not stop with these things to do in Bristol this March.
1. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Tá fáilte roimh gach duine! The annual St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 17. Departing from the M Shed at 1 pm and finishing with a huge party around St Nicholas Street, the free festivities will include a full day of music and dancing – featuring giant puppets, dance performances, bands, street performers and more. Between 2 and 8pm, 12 acts will perform in St Nick’s Market glass arcade, with Irish jigs and river dancing encouraged. There’s also a ticketed event later in the evening, with live bands, dancers, musicians and more in Revolution Bar. To see the full programme head here.
2. Unwind to the timeless classics of Coldplay at this candlelight concert
It’s been a blue and weary winter, so let this Candlelight concert Fix You this March. Coming to the stunning All Saints Clifton on March 8, a talented string quartet will be performing classical renditions of Coldplay’s biggest hits in a sensational evening. Expect some of the band’s most iconic songs with unique versions of Paradise, Yellow and The Scientist. Grab your tickets to this gorgeous candlelight concert here. There are also lots of other candlelight concerts happening in Bristol this March, which you can learn about here.
3. Visit the world’s first book town
The yearly World Book Day celebrates on March 7, so use this month to visit the cute ‘book town’ Hay-on-Wye. Self-described as the ‘World’s First Book Town’, it is legendary in the literary world for its large number of secondhand bookshops – around 20, more than one bookshop for every 100 residents. Among them is the legendary Richard Booth’s Bookshop; Hay’s newest secondhand bookshop, Green Ink Booksellers; Murder and Mayhem, which specialises in detective fiction; and the wittily-titled Gay on Wye for LGBTQ+ literature. If you can’t find a book here, maybe try one of Bristol’s bookshops.
4. Cheer England on to glory throughout the Six Nations
The Six Nations is in full swing with the last few matches being played this month. So it goes without saying you’ll want to make sure you have a prime position to see every bit of the action. There are some amazing showings of the final epic matches this March (Which ends on March 23). To not miss a scrum, kick or tackle, check out the best places to watch the Six Nations in Bristol.
If that wasn’t enough, England will host Wales at Ashton Gate for Women’s Six Nations on March 20. And even if you don’t have tickets, the atmosphere in Bristol will be electric as the Red Roses look to defend the title. The other home game sees the Red Roses v Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London on April 20, on top of games against Italy (March 24), Scotland (April 13) and France (April 27).
5. Travel back in time to this Park Street bar
It was a sad day when this iconic, much-loved bar on a busy Park Street, Goldbrick House closed back. Eight years on, it will reopen in the same location on March 1. With a capacity of 300, the multi-level bar offers a drop-in bar for beers on the ground floor, a table service bar with a wide list of Champagne and wines upstairs, and a disco room on the second floor. You can also expect to find steak nights, boujee bottomless brunches and a retro Sunday lunch!
6. Support some independent, women-owned businesses
We should definitely be doing more of this if we can, but March 8 marks International Women’s Day. So why not show some love and solidarity by purchasing items from businesses run by women? To name a few businesses run by women from Bristol and the surrounding area that you can support, there’s Ozaria Plants and Panda Pots, to name a couple. Discover more of the women-led, independent businesses in Bristol here.
7. Treat your mum or mother figure to an afternoon tea for Mother’s Day
Of all the events on this list, this is the one you really don’t want to forget for heaven’s sake! Put March 10 in your diary. It’s your chance to treat your dear mum or mother figure to something special – you can’t go wrong with an afternoon tea, so why not book one this March or order one online to come straight to her door?
8. Add a splash of colour with this ‘Paint In The Dark’ experience
March isn’t as dark as other months but it’s still not shining bright, but we say embrace it! Start the year under UV lights, with this new and immersive Paint in the Dark experience. With a brush in one hand and a glass of wine (or a beer or a soft drink) in the other, brush up on your painting skills from March 6 to 9. The adults-only, drink and paint workshop will rekindle your love of art under a neon glow, as you rekindle your creativity. To get your tickets head here.
9. Surf the waves of this rare river phenomenon
Jack Churchill became the first person to surf the River Severn in 1955 – inventing river surfing in the process. Thanks to a rare natural phenomenon, waves can rise as high as 25ft (7.5m) and reach a top speed of 27 km/h – attracting hundreds of surfers and onlookers to the world’s third-largest tidal bore. The rarest, biggest and most popular bore is scheduled to take place on March 12 – between 8:21am (at Newnham) and 9:56am (at Over Bridge). Or you could just try Bristol’s inland surf park, The Wave.
10. Get artsy at Bristol Gallery Weekend
Showing off Bristol’s art scene in Bristol, the inaugural Bristol Gallery Weekend takes place from March 21 to 24. There are 19 art galleries and spaces – including Centrespace, Hidden Gallery and Martin Parr Foundation – taking part in a range of events over the weekend. To see the full arts programme on offer (including talks, private views, family workshops and special events) head here.
11. Celebrate three years of the MAZI Project
Bristol’s youth-led charity empowering disadvantaged 16–25-year-olds through food, The MAZI Project, is throwing a special fundraiser to celebrate its 3rd anniversary. Taking place at Left Handed Giant Taproom on March 27, expect live performances (including a special guest) and a delectable Greek BBQ experience curated by Pash Peters, Head Chef at The Bristol Lido. Tickets range from £9.50 to £18.50, get yours here.
12. Jump on a ferry and grab a pint at Beeses
‘Bristol’s best kept secret’ reopens on March 29! The riverside pub, Beeses in Brislington, is only open in the summer months – which means its almost time to soak up some sunshine! Located on the River Avon, on the edge of Eastwood Farm nature reserve, its tranquil setting is ideal for relaxing in the sun with a few pints, and close family and friends. On Fridays, you’ll find live music playing, while on Sundays offer a cracking roast dinner. The best way to get to Beeses is by ferry – with both the Bristol Ferry and the Bristol Packet offering trips along the river!