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Hudson River tourism directors share their top picks for places to go, sights to see, and things to do throughout the month of March.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are a ton of things to do in the Hudson Valley each month. While we can’t wait for the springtime to usher in warmer weather (and with it, even more outdoor activities, colorful blooms, and outdoor dining), March is chock-full of exciting events like a tattoo convention, garden exhibition, and, naturally, St. Patrick’s Day parades aplenty.
To help scout out the best events in the Valley, we reached out to local tourism directors from Albany to Westchester for their top picks for things to do. Check out their selections, then get planning!
Albany County
Annual Sweat-er Run
Quackenbush Square, Albany
March 4, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Kick off Irish American Heritage Month with a run! The event will commence and conclude in Quackenbush Square, and the route will include a stretch of Albany’s recently opened Skyway. After the run, refuel with food trucks and relax to the tunes of indie-folk band The Good Morning Nags.
Mac-n-Cheese Bowl
Remsen Street, Cohoes
March 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Grab your tickets to the cheesiest event to hit Albany County this month. All along Historic Remsen Street in Downtown Cohoes, attendees will discover competing mac and cheese tasting stations, beer tastings, and more to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. General admission costs $35, whereas a VIP ticket—which includes samples from 10 participating breweries—will run you $55.
Columbia County
Princess & Protector Tea Party
FASNY Museum of Firefighting, Hudson
March 11, 10:30 a.m.
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This Columbia County event is just for royalty, so be sure to don your finest prince or princess attire as Queen Phoenix and local women in the fire service will host this tea party. In addition to tea and crumpets, royals in attendance will work on arts and crafts with firefighters and may enter the Museum of Firefighting for free. Talk about a royal treatment!
Cardboard Classic!
Catamount Ski Resort, Hillsdale
March 11, 1-3 p.m.
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Show off your creativity at Catamount’s first Cardboard Classic Event, where the only limit is your imagination as you design and race your very own cardboard sled. Will your sled falter, or will it glide down the hill with ease? Either way, this event promises a ton of late-winter fun, and awards will be given out in categories like fastest sled, most creative design, best overall sled, and best team spirit.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Vosburgh Brewing, Elizaville
March 17, 6-9 p.m.
Dress in your very greenest garb and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Vosburgh Brewing. At 6 p.m., attendees will be so lucky as to listen to a set by The Little Creek Band, a mishmash of rock, county, and Irish folk. When you finally pull yourself away from the dance circle, be sure to sample Vosburgh’s limited beer release and food from Church St. Catering’s food truck.
Dutchess County
Amadou & Mariam
Bardavon Theater, Poughkeepsie
March 24, 8 p.m.
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For decades, this musical duo has been able to “joyfully combine their love story with a musical career” as they expose audiences across the globe to Malian and African music. Snag your tickets—they start at just $39—to see the Grammy-nominated Amadou & Mariam perform hits from albums like La Confusion, Folila, and Wati.
International Hudson Valley Tattoo Convention
MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie
March 31 – April 2
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Who’s ready to get inked? At this convention, over 200 tattoo artists from around the world congregate in the Hudson Valley to celebrate the art of the tattoo. All artists are carefully selected based on the quality of their work across a variety of styles and techniques. If you’re not quite ready for your next piece, that’s A-OK—in addition to tattooing, the convention also features contests, entertainment, and live performances like Telepathic Moon Dance on Friday and The Brighton Beat on Saturday.
“The Adaptive Exhibit” by Runway of Dreams
Steel Plant Gallery at Marist College, Poughkeepsie
Through March 13
This student-led exhibition centers clothing made for folks with disabilities. Student designers at Marist will showcase their own innovative designs along with pieces from major brands like Steve Madden, Seven7, é Ispirante, Zappos, and Mai We Care, growing their own portfolios while also promoting positive change in the adaptive fashion space.
Orange County
All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, Chester
March 5, 6 p.m.
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This play by Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes (who wrote The Mystery of Edwin Drood) depicts U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—also known as RBG—as she regales a friend with stories of her life, standout trials, and her passion for human rights. Theater buffs will not want to miss this one-night-only performance in Sugar Loaf.
Annual Wedding Show
The Thayer Hotel, West Point
March 19, 12-3 p.m.
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This event is a must for anyone planning to get hitched sometime soon. Attendees will meet top wedding vendors in the Hudson Valley, speak with the wedding professionals at the Thayer Hotel, and tour spaces overlooking the Hudson (how about a wedding with a view?). Additionally, there will be raffles, delicious food tastings, complimentary champagne, and giveaways.
Celtic Angels
The Paramount Theatre, Middletown
March 11, 7-9 p.m.
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Celebrate all things Ireland at The Paramount Theatre this month as the starlets of the Celtic Angels come to town, promising “their cherished heritage through Irish dance, music, and song.” What’s more, The Celtic Knight Dancers and The Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin will also be in attendance to deliver even more traditional Irish artistry.
Putnam County
Maple Sugaring & Pancake Breakfast
Green Chimneys’ Clearpool Campus, Carmel
March 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ever wonder where your maple syrup comes from? At this breakfast event, enjoy a plate of plain or chocolate chip pancakes with eggs and bacon, then follow it up with hiking, arts and crafts, and a demonstration of “the maple sugaring process of boiling down sap to make pure maple syrup.” Breakfast for kids younger than 10 is $8.50; everybody else pays $10.
Northern Westchester Putnam Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Mahopac
March 12, 2-6 p.m.
Celebrate the Irish holiday by watching this parade comprising bands, police and fire departments, and civil servants from our state.
Cold Spring Farmers Market
Boscobel House and Gardens, Garrison
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Located on the gorgeous grounds of Boscobel House & Gardens, this farmers’ market is a must-visit for foodies in the Hudson Valley to load up on fresh ingredients. Open year round, this market boasts a range of vendors like All You Knead, Mozzarella 4 U, Noble Pies, Orchard Hill Organics, and Pura Vida Fisheries. Once you’ve done your grocery shopping, be sure to walk the grounds and take in the gorgeous view of the Hudson River or head into Garrison for a day on the town.
Rensselaer County
Capital Region Flower & Garden Expo
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy
March 24-26
Revel in the first signs of spring at this expo with amazing floral creations and stunning garden exhibits. The schedule is jam-packed with seminars and workshops—take Orchids 101 with Northeastern New York Orchid Society, create a miniature fairy garden with Cornell Cooperative, and dream of growing herbal tea right in your backyard with Short and Stout Tea Company. Don’t forget to check out the intrastate wine, cider and spirit tastings.
The 9th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert
Brown’s Revolution Hall, Troy
March 25, 6 p.m.
With over $100,000 in funds raised over the past eight years for nonprofits, this event is a concert with a cause. Proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Rensselaer County’s mental health services. This year, concert attendees can anticipate a special reunion of the Bob Etoll Band. Many of the Capital Region’s most popular bands like Emerald City, Soul Sky, and Super 400 will also perform.
Troy Chromatic Concerts 125th Anniversary Reception
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
March 31, 5:30 p.m.
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Since 1894, Troy Chromatic Concerts has presented superb performances of classical music and, since 1918, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has been their sole venue. The grand finale to their 125th season takes place this month. Celebrate this milestone with a leading ensemble, the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, joined by conductor Daniel Hope, as they dive into the robust repertoire of American music.
Rockland County
Nyack Feasts
Nyack
March 1-9
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Sniff out the diverse restaurant scene in Nyack with special menus and discounts. During this nine-day celebration of the city’s culinary scene, “diners can choose their formats and flavors from participating restaurants” with discounts of up to 20 percent. Participating restaurants include The Greekish, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Alain’s Bistro, and more.
Sparkill Concert Series
Union Arts Center, Sparkill
March 1, 15, 19
Music snobs will feel right at home at Union Art Center’s concert hall, with its “custom-designed sound clouds for excellent acoustics and elegant atmosphere.” This month’s concert series includes JazzLounge Supper Club with the David Kikoski Trio; LatinLounge with Grammy-nominated singer and pianist Ariacne Trujillo Duran; and Oxana Mikhailoff and Vassily Primakov of One Piano Four Hands.
Pride & Prejudice
Elmwood Playhouse, Nyack
March 10 – April 1
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You may be familiar with this book by Jane Austen, but the story comes alive in a whole new way with this staged adaptation by Kate Hamill. The classic tale “explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life.” Snag your tickets online for $27.
Ulster County
Ashokan Maple Fest
The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge
March 18-19
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At this outdoor event, scarf down a plate of pancakes and observe a tree-tapping demonstration. Keep the family-friendly afternoon going with self-guided nature walks, blacksmithing demonstrations, and live music from The Mapletones, Russ Rentler, and Jay Ungar & Molly Mason.
Catskill Ballet Theater Presents Alice in Wonderland
Ulster Performing Arts Center, Kingston
March 10-12
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Join Catskill Ballet Theatre as they take a trip to Wonderland with Alice and a cast of eccentric characters in their rendition of Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale. Tickets cost $25-30 and may be purchased online.
Prosendale: Memoir Readings for Women’s History Month
Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale
March 4, 2 p.m.
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New to the Rosendale Theatre is this bimonthly literary event—dubbed “Prosendale”—where local authors will read from their published memoirs in celebration of Women’s History Month. After the readings, there will be a panel discussion with the authors and an audience Q&A. Attendees can look forward to hearing passages from the works of Mary Lois Timbes, Laura Shaine Cunningham, Denny Dillon, Mourka, and Nicole Quinn. Tickets are $12 for non-members.
Westchester County
African American Heritage Trail
Westchester
Ongoing
Venture to the African American Heritage Trail in Westchester County and explore a collection of historical sites that preserve and celebrate African-American history in our region. The trail passes through important landmarks such as the collection of African art at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase; in Yonkers, visitors will find a statue of Ella Fitzgerald and the Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden. Check out the full list of landmarks on Westchester County’s website.
Finding Philippines Benefit Dinner
Goosefeather, Tarrytown
March 13, 6:30 p.m.
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Celebrity Chef Dale Talde will host a one-night fundraising dinner in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Proceeds from the dinner ($135 per plate) will go entirely to the James Beard Foundation, which supports programs such as Good Food for Good. Chef Talde will prepare “a multi-course dinner exploring the Filipino diaspora.”
White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade
White Plains
March 11, 12 p.m.
The White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee began in 1997 and, every year since, Irishmen from Westchester and beyond have joined together in celebration of their heritage. The parade kicks off at noon from the intersection of Mamaroneck Avenue and Old Mamaroneck Road. Extravagant floats and a long-standing history makes this a parade worth coming out for.
Related: 4 Day Trip Itineraries to Follow in the Hudson Valley