See our listing of events taking place in Illinois throughout March.
Midwestern Herb and Garden Show
March 6-7, 2026, Mount Vernon
A bit of basil or dish of parsley brightens any dish. Learn more about culinary, medicinal and decorative herbs at the annual Midwestern Herb and Garden Show in Mount Vernon.
This three-day event, held at Times Square Mall, features speakers and workshops honoring herbs and other aspects of gardening, including water plants, dried flower arrangements, books, woodcarving and basket making.
For more information, visit facebook.com/midwesternherbandgardenshow or call 618-242-3151.
Maple Sugaring Days
March 7, 2026, St. Charles
Taste pure, local syrup and learn how to tap maple trees this spring at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Maple Sugaring Days. After watching naturalists demonstrate the process, guests can try drilling and setting their own taps and simmering sap over an open fire until it thickens into syrup. The family-friendly event also includes educational guided nature hikes teaching visitors how to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees. Don’t forget to stop by the Maple Cafe afterward for the chance to taste sweet local syrup. The event takes place at Creek Bend Nature Center located within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve from noon to 3 p.m. both days. For more details, go to kaneforest.com or call 630-444-3190.
Railsplitter Alpaca Show & Illinois Alpaca and Fiber Fest
March 7-8, 2026, Springfield
Visit the Illinois State Fairgrounds in early March for a weekend of friendly competition and adorable alpacas. This Doubleheader Show Weekend features both the Railsplitter Alpaca Show and the Illinois Alpaca and Fiber Fest. Attendees can learn more about alpacas firsthand as breeders showcase their animals in the show ring. In addition to the show, Fiber Fest hosts fiber arts competitions as well as vendors offering everything from raw fiber and yarn to handmade crafts, garments and gifts. The event takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more details, visit railsplittershow.com.
Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale
March 7-8, 2026, St. Charles
Buried treasure awaits you at the Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
Antique lovers can find authentic pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries at this event, which draws more than 50 dealers from 15 states. Produced by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association, this year’s show takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $10. For more information, visit csada.com.
Festival of the Sugar Maples
March 7-8 and 14-15, 2026, Marengo
Get a taste of Marengo maple syrup and learn how it’s made at the Festival of the Sugar Maples, an annual celebration at Coral Woods Conservation Area that takes place during the first two weekends in March.
The free festival invites guests to take a guided tour of the property, which includes a half-mile hike and a maple syrup tasting. In addition, a pancake breakfast will take place on both Sundays from 7 a.m. until noon at Smithwood Bar & BBQ in Union.
Visit mccdistrict.org to learn more about the Festival of the Sugar Maples, or call 815-338-6223.
Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival
March 14, 2026, Chicago
Visit Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry this March for a night of wine, science and fun at Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival. Taking place from 7 to 11 p.m., the festival features more than 100 wines from around the world, gourmet food options and full after-hours access to the museum. General admission tickets are $70 and include an 8 p.m. entrance, unlimited wine tasting and museum access for three hours. VIP tickets are also available for $100 and include a 7 p.m. entrance for an additional hour of tasting with a smaller crowd, food vouchers and museum access for four hours. Guests must be 21 and over to attend.
For more information, visit uncorkedwinefestivals.com/chicago-wine-festival.
Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14, 2026, Springfield
You won’t want to miss the annual Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade this year, when the Irish holiday falls on a Saturday.
Each year the parade has a unique theme. The floats and marching bands participating in the impressive parade will make their way through the heart of downtown Springfield, beginning at Jefferson and Sixth, and looping back down Fifth and Capitol.
For more information about the parade and complete guidelines for float entries, visit springfieldstpatricksparade.com.
Shamrock’n the Block
March 14, 2026, Chicago
Celebrate all things Irish at Old St. Patrick’s Church at the annual Shamrock’n the Block event. On the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, the church will host a pop-up pub in a heated tent outdoors. The family-friendly block party includes live entertainment, Irish dancing, tasty pub fare, beverages, children’s activities and more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit oldstpats.org/shamrockntheblock or call 312-648-1021.
Peoria St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, 2026, Peoria
Celebrate all things Irish at this annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hosted by the St. Patrick Society of Peoria, the family-friendly parade starts at 11 a.m., winding through the downtown streets. The event takes place rain or shine. For more information about the parade and a route map, visit stpatpeoria.com or facebook.com/stpatrick societyofpeoriaillinois.
Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale
March 20-21, 2026, Bloomington
The annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale focuses on “alleviating suffering at home and abroad,” a goal its more than 1,500 volunteers work to accomplish by hosting a two-day sale that raises money for the Mennonite Central Committee and local charities.
The sale includes auctions that feature a variety of household items and handcrafted quilts as well as booths stocked with art, crafts, books and decorations. Sale-goers can also enjoy plenty of food, including homemade cheesecake and from-scratch pies, and hundreds of patrons attend both the Friday evening fish and BBQ chicken dinner and the Saturday morning pancake and sausage breakfast.
For more information about the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale, check out ilreliefsale.org.
Maple Syrup Festival
March 21-22, 2026, Makanda
Calling all fans of maple syrup! Hosted by Southern Illinois University at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, this two-day festival offers both fun and education, not to mention delicious maple syrup.
Festivities include interpretive hikes, lumberjack and maple syrup demonstrations, children’s activities and plenty of vendors and artisans providing goods for purchase. Taste the sweet syrup harvested from the actual sugar maple trees on the property at the pancake breakfast… your taste buds will thank you.
To learn more, call 618-453-1121 or visit ton.siu.edu/events/maple-syrup-festival.php.
Share Your Illinois Event
Are we missing your favorite July events in Illinois? Send the details to ilfbpartners@farmflavormedia.com, and we may feature them on this website and in a future issue of Illinois Partners magazine.
