From music genres to spring flower blooms, America will take just about any excuse to throw a party or festival. What can we say, we love a good time filled with friends, food, and all sorts of festivities.
While Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day are some of the more popular celebrations in the U.S., I’m a big fan of the quirky events—the ones that may not share the same spotlight as, say, Coachella or Comic Con. If you’re ready to celebrate the weird and wacky side of life, check out these seven quirky events happening in March, in select cities across the U.S. Be sure to check ’em out if you’re in the area.
1. International Festival of Owls – Houston, Minnesota
- When: March 6 to 8, 2026
- Where: Houston, Minnesota
The International Festival of Owls is a hoot—seriously! Live presentations, educational exhibits, and children’s artwork from 32 different countries are just a few of the main attractions at this family-friendly Minnesota festival. Come check out the live owl programs, where you can see a variety of native owl species and learn all about these wondrous raptors. There will also be food vendors, local artists selling things like jewelry and crafts, and much more.
2. Arizona Ren Fest – Gold Canyon, Arizona
- When: January 31 to March 29, 2026 (weekends only)
- Where: Gold Canyon, Arizona
The Renaissance Festival makes its way through the country, and if you’re in Arizona, you can’t miss Arizona’s Ren Fest in March. Take a step back in time when you enter the Village of Fairhaven and immerse yourself in the time period. The open-air Artisan Market is overflowing with incredible arts and crafts that you’ll want to take home. And the food? Absolutely incredible. Where else can you walk around with a giant turkey leg? Bonus points: Parking is free, and hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry – Virginia City, Nevada
- When: March 14, 2026
- Where: Virginia City, Nevada
The 35th annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry celebrates this regional delicacy—aka, deep-fried bull testicles—alongside St. Patrick’s Day for one epic day of fun. Get ready to have a ball (or two)! The whole day is jam-packed with live Irish music, festive drinks, a St. Patrick’s Day parade, a costume contest, and, of course, plenty of chefs cooking up Rocky Mountain oysters. You can even join a bar crawl this year, or stick back with the kiddos and enjoy crafts and games.
4. In a Pickle Festival – Rosenberg, Texas
- When: March 7, 2026
- Where: Rosenberg, Texas
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, get yourself over to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg on March 7 to celebrate the largest pickle festival in Texas! Every year, In a Pickle Fest features pickle-themed contests, live entertainment, and several local vendors slinging drinks and food for everyone to enjoy. You can even dress up your dogs in their best pickle-themed costume for a parade. Follow the Pickle Festival on Facebook to stay up to date as the festival date draws near.
5. World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Hot Springs, Arkansas
- When: March 17, 2026
- Where: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Blink, and you’ll miss the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs, Arkansas. On March 17, the parade will march 98 feet down historic Bridge Street in Hot Springs. But don’t worry: There will be a whole day of festivities to enjoy right after, including performances from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, costume contests, Irish food and drink vendors, and live music from local bands. You might even get a photo op with the Parade King and Queen! Check out the schedule and follow the festival on Facebook to stay in the know.
6. PEEPS in the Village – Lahaska, Pennsylvania
- When: March 9 to April 12, 2026
- Where: Lahaska, Pennsylvania
Peddler’s Village, a historic inn and shopping plaza in Lahaska, presents the seventh annual PEEPS in the Village this March, one of the most popular spring events in Philadelphia. PEEPS marshmallows have been an Easter mascot of sorts for many years, and this family-friendly festival takes it to new levels. Come see what artists can make out of these iconic marshmallows, from scenes like gameshow sets, doll houses, and school bus rides, or sculptures completely made out of the marshmallow goodness. They are truly masterpieces! Feeling crafty? The deadline to enter the competition is March 4, 2026.
7. Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo – Garden City, New York
- When: March 7 and 8, 2026
- Where: Garden City, New York
Grab your Uno cards and Settlers of Catan set and head to the largest tabletop gaming convention in the northeast U.S. The Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo, held in the Cradle of Aviation Stadium, will feature booths with hundreds of classic and original board games, card games, RPGs, and anything analog gaming-related you can think of. Compete against fellow gamers, buy unique merch from the vendors, and share your original ideas with creative attendees. There will even be notable guest speakers in the game development world!
Which of these cool and quirky events will you be attending this year? If you’re hoping to travel to these festivals, parades, and conventions, make a weekend trip out of it using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner. It’ll help you figure out where to stay, dine, and what other attractions to see…