New York In March - Events, Weather & What To Pack

Last Updated on 4th January 2026

This post about visiting New York in March contains affiliate links.

Are you planning to visit New York City in March? Do you need some inspiration for the best things to do in NYC in March? Perhaps you just need some advice about the weather in March? This ultimate guide has got you covered with everything you need to know!

The middle of March marks the beginning of spring in New York City; the promise of a new season usually brings better weather, lighter days and an abundance of fun activities in the Big Apple!

While January and February are typically the cheapest months to visit NYC, the beginning of March can also still be quite affordable. However, there are several events throughout March in NYC, including St. Patrick’s Day, Easter (depending on when it falls each year), as well as several sporting events throughout the month which can make certain days in March pretty expensive to visit New York.

As with my January and February guides, I’m sharing everything you need to know if you’re planning a trip to New York in March. The guide below includes everything you need to know about what to do in New York in March, the best events in the city throughout the month, what you can expect from the weather in March in New York City and more!

Do you still need help planning your trip to NY in March? Grab a copy of my Ultimate New York City Travel Guide Ebook which includes over 230 pages of useful tips, recommendations and itineraries! You can also join my New York Facebook Group where I share plenty of free travel tips, advice and inspiration for visiting New York City all year round!

Check out my other monthly guides to NYC here:

Is it good time to visit New York in March?

March is a great time to visit New York City as you can usually expect better weather than January and February as spring slowly starts to make its way into the city. While warm temperatures and sunshine aren’t guaranteed in March in NYC, the weather does usually start to improve, especially towards the end of the month.

It’s also a great time to visit New York as prices are still relatively cheap compared to the super expensive festive months and as the summer crowds have yet to make their way into the city, March can actually be quite an affordable time to visit NYC (as long as you’re not visiting on St. Patrick’s Day or over Easter!).

New York in March weather

Temperatures in New York in March usually range from around 8°C to 13°C (46.4°F to 55.4°F), however it can also get as cold as 1°C (33.8°F) and as warm as 20°C (68°F). As with anywhere in the world, these temperatures can fluctuate enormously, so it’s hard to predict exactly how warm/cold it will be in NYC in March.

I would highly recommend checking out the Weather Spark website for the most accurate and historic weather data for NYC for any month of the year. They provide historic data for snowfall, precipitation, temperature and more, so it’s a great website to check regardless of when you’re travelling to New York.

Will it be cold in NYC in March?

March certainly isn’t as cold as January and February in New York City, but it does typically rain more, with an expected 8 days of rain in March on average in NYC.

The chance of snow in March in New York rapidly decreases throughout the month, with the beginning of March expected to experience between 89mm and 119mm of snow compared to just 28mm at the end of the month.

This also means that temperatures start to become much warmer towards the end of the month as well.

Things to do in New York in March 2026

There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in New York City in the month of March. While most of the city’s ice rinks close for the season by the end of the month, as this signifies the beginning of spring, it means that there are many more outdoor attractions to enjoy in the city instead.

From enjoying the last few days of the ice skating season to checking out a Broadway show to finally enjoying some time outdoors in the intermittent sunshine, March is always a great time to visit New York!

Ice skating

The festive season may well and truly be over by the time March rolls around, but many of the city’s top ice skating rinks remain open throughout the month.

Bryant Park’s Winter Village Ice Rink will close during the first weekend of the month, but The Rinks at both the Rockefeller Center and Brookfield Place will remain open until the last few days of the month, so if you’re planning a trip to New York in March, you can still enjoy many of the city’s fantastic outdoor ice rinks!

Bryant Park Winter Village Rink – until the 1st of March 2026
Wollman Rink in Central Park – until the 19th of March 2026
The Rink at the Rockefeller Center – until the 30th of March 2026
The Rink at Brookfield Place – until the 3rd of February 2026

Read more: 10 Best Ice Rinks In NYC

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar igloos

The iconic igloos at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, aka one of my favourite rooftops in New York City, are available from November to April each year, so if you’re visiting NYC in March, you can still enjoy an experience at the igloos throughout the whole month.

The igloos at 230 Fifth are available on a walk-in basis and there are no minimum spending requirements to enjoy them. The igloos are shared with other guests, unless you book a private igloo for your group which costs $2500 in exchange for food and beverage credit for up to 25 guests.

Guests under 21 years old are welcome at 230 Fifth and inside the igloos, except after 7 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, so they’re a great option if you’re visiting New York with kids.

Find out more about the igloos on the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar website.

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar Review

Broadway shows

Of course, you can watch a Broadway show at any time of the year in New York City, but if the weather is likely to be particularly miserable during your visit to the Big Apple, you might want to book a Broadway show one evening to keep you out of the cold and rain.

Of course, all the classic Broadway shows such as The Lion King, Wicked, Aladdin, MJ: The Musical and many more are all still available to watch in New York in March.

Museums

There are so many museums in NYC that can be visited and enjoyed all year round, but it’s worth mentioning some of the city’s top museums in this guide about visiting New York in March, especially if the weather isn’t great during your visit as they make for an excellent indoor activity.

Here are some of the best museums that are worth visiting in March in New York City:

Events in NYC in March 2026

As well as all the awesome things to do in March in NYC, there are also many wonderful events to enjoy during the month.

From food festivals to basketball tournaments to both the St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Parades, if you’re visiting New York City in March, you certainly won’t be stuck for things to do!

NYC Winter Wine & Food Festival – 7th March 2026

Hosted just minutes from 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, the NYC Winter Wine & Food Festival™ by Crush WineXP is back for its 14th year on the 7th of March 2026.

At this iconic wine festival, you’ll get the opportunity to sample a choice of more than 100 wines from across the world, as well as small bites from artisanal food stalls.

Tickets start at just $59 and can be purchased online in advance via TicketTailor.

Big East College Basketball Tournament – 11th to 15th March 2026

If you’re a huge basketball fan planning a trip to NYC in March, you’re in luck as the Big East College Basketball Tournament will be held at Madison Square Garden from 11th to 14th March 2026.

There are 10 games to be played across the four days, with 11 college teams participating in total, including Georgetown University, Providence College, Villanova University and more.

Tickets range from around $20 to $200 for most tickets, however, prices exceed $7,400 for court side tickets for some games! You can purchase tickets to all the games via the Ticketmaster website. Get more information about the tournament on the Big East website.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 17th March 2026

The annual NYC Parade will be held on Tuesday 17th March in 2026. The Parade starts on 5th Avenue at 44th Street at 11 AM and ends on 5th Avenue at 79th Street at approximately 4.30 PM.

You can stand pretty much anywhere along 5th Avenue between 44th and 79th Streets to get a good view of the Parade. Of course, this is one of the most highly anticipated parades in the New York calendar, so it’s a good idea to get there as earlier as possible if you want to ensure that you get a good view

However, it’s important to note that there are no public toilets available along the Parade route, so this is something to bear in mind if you’re considering getting there early!

Get more information on the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade website.

New York Knicks games at MSG – 6 home games in March 2026

As well as the Big East College Basketball Tournament in March 2026, you can also enjoy seven New York Knicks basketball games at their home venue of Madison Square Garden!

Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs – 1st March 2026
Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder – 4th March 2026
Knicks vs Golden State Warriors – 15th March 2026
Knicks vs Indiana Pacers – 17th March 2026
Knicks vs Washington Wizards – 22nd March 2026
Knicks vs Washington Wizards – 24th March 2026

New York Rangers ice hockey at MSG – 10 home games in March 2026

If you’re more of an ice hockey fan, you’ll be pleased to know that there are also seven home games for the New York Rangers ice hockey team at Madison Square Garden in March 2026.

New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets – 2nd March 2026
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs – 5th March 2026
New York Rangers vs Calgary Flames – 10th March 2026
New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings – 16th March 2026
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils – 18th March 2026
New York Rangers vs Winnipeg Jets – 22nd March 2026
New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators – 23rd March 2026
New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks – 27th March 2026
New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers – 29th March 2026
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils – 31st March 2026

New York International Children’s Film Festival – 27th February to 15th March 2026

Held at many venues across the city throughout three weekends in March 2026, the New York International Children’s Film Festival showcases over 100 short and feature films in many genres from around the world.

The festival boasts various film previews, events, Q&As, industry panels and much more throughout its duration from the 1st to the 17th of March. Aimed at children aged between 3 and 18 years old, the film festival has some incredible programs for the 2026 season as it aims to celebrate the art of film and encourage the creation of independent and intelligent films that inspire children of all ages.

Get tickets and find out more about the event on the NYICFF website.

Asia Week New York – 19th to 27th March 2026

Hosted from the 19th to 27th March 2026, Asia Week New York is intended to celebrate Asian art through a variety of auctions, showcases and events.

Find out more and plan your visit via the Asia Week NY website.

Pink Pier at Watermark Pier 15 – 9th January to 1st March 2026

Despite Valentine’s Day being held in February, that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t enjoy a romantic pink-themed evening in March thanks to the highly-coveted Pink Pier at Watermark Pier 15.

This pink pop-up welcomes visitors with pink-themed food and drink, as well as spectacular decor and a bustling atmosphere. It’s a great place for a fun and unique date night in NYC and thanks to its epic location in Seaport, you can also enjoy fantastic views of the Brooklyn Bridge!

Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival – 5th April 2026

The Easter Bonnet Parade & Festival is one of the most iconic events in NYC that signifies the beginning of spring. Held on Easter Sunday this year (5th of April), the New York Easter Parade starts at 10 AM and it marches north on Fifth Avenue from 49th Street up to 57th Street.

For the best views of the Parade, make sure to hang around St Patrick’s Cathedral in between 50th and 51st Streets. The festivities of the day usually conclude around 4 PM; the Parade is completely free to watch and enjoy!

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden – 7th February to 26th April 2026

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden is the place to be for flower enthusiasts.

Boasting a remarkable variety of spectacular orchids across vast exhibits, the Orchid Show cannot be missed on a trip to NYC in March!

Check out the NYBG website for more information.

Macy’s Flower Show – 2026 dates tbc

Another flower-filled exhibition that takes place in New York between the end of March and the beginning of April, the Macy’s Flower Show is an annual floral festival that’s hosted at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store.

The displays for the 2026 Flower Show have been created in partnership with Dior to showcase how the infamous brand makes its fragrances. It’s completely free to visit and is definitely worth stopping by while you’re exploring one of the biggest department stores in the world!

What to take to New York in March

While the temperatures in March are usually warmer than in January and February, there can definitely still be a chill in the air and sometimes even a chance of snow, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with a warm winter coat, as well as a hat, scarf and gloves.

As it’s expected to rain for around 8 days during the month of March, it’s also a good idea to pack a waterproof coat for your trip to NYC as you’ll likely experience at least a little bit of drizzle!

Waterproof walking boots are also a good idea in case it rains, but I would also suggest bringing a very comfy pair of trainers as well as you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking!

Conclusion – New York City March guide

I hope you found this NYC March guide useful for planning your own trip to the Big Apple! March can be a great time to visit New York as prices are still relatively affordable and the weather is starting to get a little warmer!

Related posts: