27 Toronto events worth checking out this March

There’s more to look forward to in March than just (slightly) warmer weather and (somewhat) longer days.

In fact, there’s plenty of fun events happening in and around the city that’ll have you ready for spring in no time – St. Patrick’s Day, anyone?

Plan your month with our March 2019 events guide and you’ll be kept busy nearly every day of the month.

See also

• One of Toronto's most elegant events is returning to the city this spring
• The largest Tulip Festival in the world is back in Ontario this spring (PHOTOS)
• A bingo rave with 600 kg of confetti is coming to Toronto

Ai Weiwei: Unbroken

What: Ai Weiwei, one of the world’s most influential living artists and human rights activists, is bringing a collection of his ceramic works to Toronto’s Gardiner Museum. Called Unbroken, the exhibit will present an array of Ai’s ceramic works while highlighting “urgent global issues.”

When: On now until June 9
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park
Admission: $15 for adults

ED The Sock Live in Toronto

What: Ed the Sock and Red (from Late Night with Ed days) have officially launched their “War On Stupid” Ontario tour. Performing to a sold-out crowd at his first stop in London, Ed moves on to Toronto at The Rockpile on March 1, with music from The Big Shiny Tunes band following the show.

When: March 1
Time: 8 pm
Where: The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas Street West
Admission: Tickets start at $25

Winter Brewfest

What: For its fourth year in a row, the two-day festival celebrating craft beers and the festive feelings they stir up will be landing in Toronto. Of course, there will be some mighty good eats on site too. With all that beer tasting, you can’t risk an empty stomach.

When: March 1 and 2
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 1 am; Saturday, 12 pm to 5 pm and 7 pm to 1 am
Where: Evergreen Brick Works – 550 Bayview Avenue
Admission: Packages start at $20.99

Toronto Irish Film Festival

What: Now in its ninth year, the Toronto Irish Film Festival celebrates the very best of Irish cinema by promoting the work of Irish filmmakers to the Greater Toronto Irish community and the general public.

When: March 1 to 3
Time: Showtimes vary by the day
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West
Admission: Ticket prices vary by screening

Toronto International Bicycle Show

What: The biggest consumer bicycle show in the world is back in Toronto this month for its 32nd season. From March 1 to 3, test ride electric and pedal bicycles, practice on a mini-velodrome, and enjoy thrilling action events at the massive event.

When: March 1 to 3
Time: Friday, 12 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: The Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place
Admission: $15 for adults

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show

What: Toronto’s Vintage Clothing Show is back this weekend, bringing the largest vintage clothing sale in the city to the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. According to event organizers, this is Canada’s largest sale of vintage clothing and the massive sale will feature clothing from the twenties to the eighties plus accessories, handbags, jewelry and designer vintage.

When: March 2 and 3
Time: Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Enercare Centre, Hall C, Exhibition Place
Admission: $10 (includes entrance to both events)

The Toronto Toy and Nostalgia Show

What: The Toronto Toy and Nostalgia Show will be taking place this month, where you can browse through hundreds of new and vintage toys, collectibles and all things pop culture.

When: March 3
Time:  10 am to 4 pm
Where: Montecassino Hotel & Event Centre, 3710 Chesswood Drive
Admission: $7 for adults

A Conversation With Ellen DeGeneres

What: One of televisions most exciting talk-show hosts is coming to Toronto for a Q&A session. Ellen DeGeneres, host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and voice of Finding Nemo‘s Dory, is bringing her smiling, dancing, pranking, and fun-loving personality to Scotiabank Arena for two shows titled, A Conversation With Ellen DeGeneres. 

When: March 3
Time: 2 pm and 6 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Admission: From $171

Persefony Songs

What: The Toronto Dance Theatre continues its 2018/2019 season this month with the world premiere of a new work from Artistic Director Christopher House, Persefony Songs, which is on stage at the Fleck Dance Theatre this March.

When: March 5 to 9
Time: Performances begin at 8 pm
Where: Fleck Dance Theatre at the Harbourfront Centre
Admission: Regular tickets start at $20

Tyler Hilton playing Hard Luck Bar

What: You might recognize him from his days on One Tree Hill and the film Walk The Line when he played Elvis Presley, but now he’s heading to Toronto to promote his new album City on Fire. 

When: March 6
Time: 7 pm
Where: Hard Luck Bar, 772 Dundas Street West
Admission: Tickets start at $17.50

Neo Retreat

What: Neo Retreat, a newly launched half-day event in Yorkville, will feature five wellness experts who will explore a variety of activities such as “Wim Hof”; style breathwork with Wellness Coach Bryan Hardy, Biohacking Better Sleep with Biotechnology Scientist Oksana Andreiuk and Yoga-Pilates fusion with Yin Yoga and Pilates Instructor Tyler Jackson.

When: March 9
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Mindset Brain Gym, 62 Cumberland Street
Admission: $148.91

Robyn in Toronto

What: Call your girlfriend! Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn has announced that she’ll be stopping in Toronto as part of her 2019 international tour. So you better get ready to hang with her while dancing on your own. Not to mention, the 39-year-old performer recently launched her newest album – Honey.

When: March 14
Time: Doors open at 6 pm, the show is at 7 pm
Where: REBEL, 11 Polson Street
Admission: Tickets start at $146

International Women’s Day Gala

What: You can attend the annual WISE International Women’s Day Gala this month.  This formal event commemorates the incredible achievements of women everywhere and is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, and advocacy.

When: March 15
Time: 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle
Admission: $20 to $25

Toronto Comicon

What: Comicon returns to Toronto this month for an action-packed weekend filled with exciting family-friendly activities, celebrity guests, educational activities, computer coding workshops, and more.

What: March 15 to 17
Time: Friday, 4 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Admission: Tickets start at $20

Bingo Loco

What: Self-dubbed as Ireland’s maddest bingo party, Bingo Loco has filled theatres across Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom, entertaining more than 60,000 people in the process. But what makes their event so different from an ordinary game of bingo? Think conga lines, party anthems, lip-synch battles, dance-offs, and cannons filled with 600 kg of confetti.

When: March 16
Time: Doors open at 4:30 pm, first game at 5:45 pm
Where: Toybox – 473 Adelaide Street W, Toronto
Admission: Tickets are available online for $30 (taxes and fees incl.)

SPD Toronto

What: This St. Patrick’s Day, the fifth annual Guinness SPD will welcome 6,000 green-clad party-goers for a free pancake breakfast, live music, Irish fiddlers and dancers and tons of activities like life-sized games and foosball at a sprawling 45,000-sq-ft party on Toronto’s harbourfront.

When: March 16
Time: 11:30 am to 9 pm
Where: 11 Polson Street
Admission: From $15

KISS at the Scotiabank Arena

What: Are you ready to Rock and Roll All Nite? Rock legends KISS has announced that after an epic 45-year-career, they will launch their final tour ever in 2019. The 44-city North American tour is stopping in Toronto this March.

When: March 20
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Admission: Tickets start at $149.94

The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

What: Star Wars fans can experience the scope and grandeur of The Empire Strikes Back like never before with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performing the timeless music by Oscar-winning composer John Williams live to the films.

When: March 20 to 23
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Roy Thompson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street
Admission: Tickets range from $50.90 to $126.75

KODO Drummers of Japan

What: International taiko drumming legends Kodo will be returning to Toronto for their 35th anniversary. One Earth Tour: Evolution will be presented for one night only on March 21 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, bringing their unique brand of thunderous spectacle to the stage with both new compositions and iconic favourites.

When: March 21
Time: 8 pm
Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street
Admission: Tickets range from $55 to $95

Citadel + Compagnie: Amorous Playlist

What: The latest collaboration between talented Toronto based artists Riley Sims and Blunt Chunks, Amorous Playlist is a dance/concert hybrid that celebrates the glory and pain of love.

When: March 27 to 30
Time: Performances are at 8 pm
Where: 304 Parliament Street
Admission: Tickets range from $20 to $25

One of a Kind Show Spring Edition

What: While this market is much larger than your typical artisan market, the One of a Kind Show is the perfect opportunity to shop for Canadian handmade goods while it’s still freezing outside. With over 500 artisans showing off their creations, there’s something for everyone at the One of a Kind Show.

When: March 27 to 31
Time: Wednesday, 10 am to 9 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 11 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd.
Admission: $15 for adults

Toronto Blue Jays’ Home Opener

What: The Toronto Blue Jays’ long-anticipated 2019 Opening Day is only a few weeks away! On Thursday, March 28 the Jays will face the Detroit Tigers. While there may still be a chill in the Toronto air, things will be heating up at Rogers Centre.

When: March 28
Time: 3:37 pm
Where: Rogers Centre
Admission: Tickets start at $41.50

Dinner with a View

What: Dinner with a View attendees will dine in heated, clear and frameless domes that offer a gorgeous view of the city around them. And your surroundings aren’t the only thing that’ll be beautifully designed: menus have been created by Chef René Rodriguez, Top Chef Canada Season 4 Winner. You’ll have the chance to choose from three blind menu categories – meat, fish or vegan – and from there, the adventure is a delicious surprise.

When: March 28 until May 2
Where: The Bentway
Time: Depends on booking
Admission: Tickets are available online

The Butterbeer Bar Crawl

What: Grab your drinking crew, or make a new one, and be prepared to fly through four themed bars in Toronto’s Entertainment District this March. There will be exclusive themed drink specials, themed decor at each location, Tri-Wizard challenges at every bar, and a Yule Ball after party.

When: March 30
Time: 3 pm
Where: Toronto Entertainment District
Admission: Tickets are available online for $25

An Evening with Anderson Cooper

What: One of the most recognizable faces on television is heading to Toronto this March. That’s right, CNN’s Anderson Cooper will be hosting an intimate evening to discuss current events both at home and abroad as well as high light-hearted take on pop culture.

When: March 30
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Roy Thompson Hall
Admission: Tickets range from $59 to $160