March is that funny month in British Columbia. Winter hasn’t quite left. Spring hasn’t quite arrived. Your wallet is still recovering from the holidays, and now spring break is staring you down.
But here’s the thing about March in BC—it’s quietly one of the most generous months on the calendar. Free festivals. Free museum days. Free skating. Cherry blossoms that cost nothing to stand under and everything to remember.
We put together a week-by-week calendar of what’s happening across Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Kamloops, the Fraser Valley and beyond. Because planning your month is the single best way to enjoy it without overspending.
Week 1: March 1-8
The Big Dates:
• Sunday, March 8 – Daylight Saving Time. Clocks spring forward at 2 a.m. You lose an hour of sleep but gain evening light for the next eight months. Set your alarm Saturday night.
• Sunday, March 8 – International Women’s Day. A global celebration that Vancouver takes seriously.
Vancouver Highlights:
• HSBC Vancouver Sevens (March 7-8, BC Place) – Rugby, costumes, festival energy. Tickets required but atmosphere spills into the streets for free.
• Vancouver International Wine Festival kicks off March 7
• International Women’s Day March (March 8, noon-3 p.m., Vancouver Art Gallery) – Free with sign-making stations, kids activities, speeches
Victoria Highlights:
• Mini Mariner Mornings (March 7, Maritime Museum) – Free drop-in for kids ages 3-8
• Beehive Spring Fibre Market (March 8) – Free admission
• Matt Andersen at Royal Theatre (March 2)
Week 2: March 9-15
Key Events:
• Friday, March 13 – Last day of school before Spring Vacation for many BC districts
• St. Patrick’s Day festivities start building
Vancouver:
• Vancouver International Wine Festival continues with International Festival Tastings (March 12-14, Convention Centre)
• CelticFest Vancouver (March 13-15) – Western Canada’s largest Celtic festival
• BC Home and Garden Show begins
Victoria:
• Crafted Farmhouse Market (March 13-14, Mary Winspear Centre)
• Cherry blossom season underway with early varieties blooming
Kelowna & Other Regions:
• Spring Vacation begins March 16 for Central Okanagan schools
• Nanaimo Crab Fest continues with passport prizes
• BC Outdoors Show (March 13-15, Abbotsford)
Week 3: March 16-22 (Spring Break!)
Key Events:
• Monday, March 16 – Spring Break officially starts for most BC school districts
• Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
Vancouver:
• Les Misérables opens at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (March 18-29) – Tickets from $66
• CelticFest and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
• Cherry blossom season intensifies – Early Whitcomb and Accolade varieties blooming
Victoria:
• Spring Break at Royal BC Museum (March 16-27) – Special programming and interactive exhibits
• Ballet Victoria: The Rite of Spring and New Works (March 20-22)
• Derek Edwards comedy show (March 20)
Family Budget Tip: Lead with free stuff. Museums, parks, community centres all have free spring break programming.
Week 4: March 23-31
Key Events:
• March 27 – Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival begins (through April 12)
• Monday, March 30 – Schools reopen in most BC districts
Vancouver:
• Les Misérables continues through March 29
• Monster Jam (March 27-29, Pacific Coliseum)
• Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – Completely free! Visit Burrard SkyTrain Station, Queen Elizabeth Park, VanDusen Gardens
Victoria:
• Community Day: Seas the Break! (March 26-28, Maritime Museum) – Free spring break fun
• Alan Doyle with The East Pointers (March 27-28, Royal Theatre)
• War on the Catwalk drag show (March 26)
Other Regions:
• Nanaimo Crab Fest continues
• Free community skating and spring break activities across all regions
Smart Spending: Your March Family Budget
March can sneak up on you. Spring break camps, St. Patrick’s dinners, event tickets, and the general exhaustion of keeping kids entertained for two weeks. Here’s how to keep March manageable:
Before the month starts:
• Write down your total March budget—not a mental note, but a number on paper
• Separate spring break spending from your regular monthly expenses
During spring break:
• Lead with the free stuff. Every city has free programming designed for families
• One paid big event per week is enough. Kids remember experiences, not quantity
For St. Patrick’s Day:
• Cook at home. Irish stew, soda bread, and a movie costs a fraction of restaurant dining
When payday feels far away:
March has 31 days, which means some pay periods stretch longer than expected. If rent, spring break expenses, and surprise costs all land in the same week, that gap between now and payday can feel very real.
That’s exactly what Cash Advantage exists for—not as a lifestyle, but as a bridge. A short-term payday loan in BC with transparent terms and no surprises. Apply now at CashAdvantage.ca and get back to enjoying your March.