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
Unfortunately, there’s no St Patrick’s Day Parade in Bristol in 2025 – with organisers choosing to “focus on delivering an even bigger and better event for 2026”. But that won’t stop the celebrations of Irish culture and heritage, with a St. Patrick’s Day Fleadh Cheoil (pronounced “FLAH-kyoh-uhl”) instead on Sunday, March 16. This includes a free party at the Glass Arcade in St Nicholas Market filled with traditional Irish music and dance, as well as a ticketed event at Revolution Bar. You can learn more here.
2. Unwind to the timeless sounds at a Candlelight concert
Picture it: A string quartet, a breathtaking church, your favourite music, and hundreds of gently glowing candles. Sounds pretty spectacular, right? There’s nothing more special than a Candlelight concert – and there’s a performance something for everyone too! Shake It Off with a Taylor Swift tribute on March 28, or witness Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed in full on March 14. To see all the Candlelight concerts in Bristol this March head here.
3. Pick up a good book
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. Meanwhile, the town’s iconic Hay Festival is heading to Bristol Beacon for a one-off night of readings, performances and provocations on Match 27 – featuring Fara Dabhoiwala, Vanessa Kisuule and Will Storr.
4. Cheer England on to Six Nations glory
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 15). To not miss a scrum, kick or tackle, check out the best places to watch the Six Nations in Bristol.
5. Go for a skate in Debenhams
The former Debenhams store on The Horsefair is being transformed into an indoor skatepark in March. The Bristol-based, skater-owned, not-for-profit, Campus Skateboarding has secured a short-term lease for the space to create a “skate plaza”. It will also host bike polo and roller derby activities, as well as a bar managed by Dean Lane’s The Dame.
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 Sunday, March 30 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. Take a trip to Bath
Sure, you’ve probably been to Bath a million times. But, the Michelin Guide recently picked it as one of only 10 world’s most exciting foodie destinations. Home to 13 Michelin Guide restaurants, including two Bib Gourmands and one One-Star restaurant (Olive Tree), there’s more than enough choice for a foodie weekend getaway. The Guide particularly highlights the plant-based MICHELIN Green Star bistro, OAK. To read more 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 is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 31 – between 9:11am (at Newnham) and 10:46am (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 20 to 23. There are several 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. Try the best pastel de natas in Bristol
If there’s one item you have to try at Farro – one of the top artisan bakeries in Britain – then we’d go for its canelés. But Bristol’s addiction to Farro’s pastel de natas is so intense they bake hundreds on the daily. Whatever you choose, this small St Paul’s bakery is jam-packed with delights. Milling its own flour, you’ve got to try its fresh, flavoursome and nutritious sourdough loaves. But don’t leave without trying its uniquely flakey and buttery Viennoiserie or grabbing a house espresso from Bristols’ very own Triple Co Roast.
12. Fall in love with a modern update on Romeo & Juliet
You know ‘Romeo & Juliet’. If you haven’t seen it live, read it in class, or watched Baz Luhrmann’s movie, you still know what to expect. But you’ve never seen it like this. Keeping all the feuding families and forbidden passion of Shakespeare’s original romantic tragedy, this modern take adds new, original elements of rap, soul and R&B. You can catch ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Bristol Old Vic from March 12 to April 5. To learn more head here.