The weather may (or may not) be getting warmer over the month of March in Alberta, and this makes room for enjoying the great outdoors without freezing.
Credit: Alberta Pond Hockey Championships
Along with enjoying the last of winter recreation in Alberta, you can take part in a variety of festivals and celebrations, including St. Patrick’s Day. Other festival celebrations include sport and recreation, springtime, performing arts, and food and drink.
Alberta Pond Hockey Championships in the Peace Region
When: March 8-10, 2024
Where: Lac Cardinal at Queen Elizabeth PP near Grimshaw
How much: $500 per team to register to play, free to attend and spectate.
The Wildlife Festival in Lethbridge
This travelling festival stops in select cities around Alberta, with Lethbridge’s Wildlife Festival in mid-March, and Medicine Hat to follow in April. The Wildlife Festival is a showcase of smaller animals from around the world with interpretive information, interactive opportunities, and an adults-only night on March 8th.
When: March 8-10, 2024
Where: DA Steel Buildings 3401 Parkside Dr. S, Lethbridge
How much: $16-$30 per person
SkirtsAFire Festival in Edmonton
The annual SkirtsaFire theatre festival in Edmonton runs during the first week of March and a bit. The festival features live shows from actors, poets, writers, designers, dancers, musicians, comedians, and more, and showcases female talent from all around Alberta. Tickets are available for single shows, or as Festival Passes.
When: February 29, 2024 – March 10, 2024
Where: various venues in Old Strathcona
How much: $59-$149
Spring Nature Fest in Lethbridge
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge this March. The family festival is free to attend with fun for all ages including indoor and outdoor activities, including. Take part in scavenger hunts, building challenges, games, and more.
When: March 15, 2024
Where: Helen Schuler Nature Centre 300 Indian Battle Rd., Lethbridge
How much: free
Pigeon Lake Ice Golf Tournament
Ice Golf
The Pigeon Lake Ice Golf Tournament gives visitors and locals a chance to enjoy a unique game while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The exciting event will include fun sponsored holes, warm drinks and snacks along the iceway, and many chances at cool prizes.
When: March 16, 2024
Where: Mulhurst Community Hall, Mulhurst
How much: Free to Watch
Orchid Fair in St. Albert
The annual Orchid Fair at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert involves a wonderful showcase of the flowers, plus much more. There will be opportunities to see incredible types of orchids, to buy art and other flowers, and to win door prizes. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be put out for guests as well.
When: March 22-24, 2024
Where: The Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Dr, St. Albert
How much: $10
Find a St. Patrick’s Day Party
- Calgary’s Irish Pubs are gearing up by scheduling parties for the 17th, and pre-parties for the 16th! These parties include Irish and non-Irish pubs alike: James Joyce Pub, Brewster’s Crowfoot, Back Alley Nightclub, or Big Al’s Bar & Grill, to name but a few. Also in Calgary for St. Patrick’s Day is the Road Race: the marathon raises funds for Diabetes Canada and is the first big marathon of the season.
- Near Calgary in Okotoks is the Saint Patrick’s Day Party at the local Big Beaver Brewing.
- Celebrate St. Patty’s in Edmonton with pubs (and their official parties) like the Chateau Louis, Evario Kitchen & Bar, Brewsters Meadowlark, or the Pint on Whyte.
- Near Edmonton in Fort Saskatchewan, you can celebrate at the DOW Centennial Centre with a performance from the Irish Descendants.
Celebrate Easter in the City
Start your celebrations in Edmonton or Calgary this Easter with a premier dining experience. Both locations have options all around the city for Easter brunches and dinners.
- In Edmonton, reserve a spot for Easter Sunday Brunch at MKT in Old Strathcona or the Hotel MacDonald in downtown Edmonton.
- Visit Calgary’s historic Heritage Park for Easter Sunday Brunch, the Calgary Zoo for Easter brunch on Saturday or Sunday,
Celebrate Easter in the Mountains
Alberta’s mountain parks have a lot to offer. And over the Easter weekend, each location has its own unique offerings when it comes to Easter dining. A visit to Jasper for Easter fun can include a celebration brunch, as well as a ride on the SkyTram, wildlife viewing, hiking, and shopping. Easter weekend in Banff can be spent on guided tours, visiting glacier lakes, as well as hiking and shopping, too!
- Celebrate Easter at the Jasper Park Lodge with their Sunday Brunch or at the town’s The Nook Restaurant.
- In Banff National Park, find Easter brunch events at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Springs Hotel’s Vermillion Room, or Easter Afternoon Tea at the Banff Springs’ Rundle Room. Additionally, the Stirling Dining Room & Lounge in Canmore will host an Easter Sunday Brunch.
Food and Drink Events in Calgary
- Calgary’s WineFest will kick off the month on March 1-2 at Stampede Park’s BMO Centre.
- Dine around Calgary for theYYC Food & Drink Experience. This event runs March 15-31 and is a way to taste and see what local restaurants in the city have to offer.
Edmonton Beerfest
Edmonton hosts two annual spring beer festivals: the International, and the Craft Beer Festivals. Both are an excellent and economic tasting opportunity. And no matter your drink preferences, these festivals have something for everyone. They serve primarily beer but are also used to feature new drinks like spirits, coolers, and more.
- International Beerfest (March 22-23) takes place in downtown Edmonton at the Convention Centre near dozens of hotels.
- Edmonton’s Craft Beer Festival (March 8-9)
Cave & Canyon Tours
Alberta’s Rockies have some unique structures around them and inside of them. The canyons and caves of Alberta’s Rockies might be a little dangerous for going it alone, but these tour guides have mountaineering, ice walking, and rock climbing experience to help you explore caves, Johnston Canyon, or Maligne Canyon.
- The Canmore Cave Tours operate year-round with options for two different tour packages. These tours take you deep down on either 4.5 or 6-hour expeditions through the Rocky Mountain passages.
- Johnston Canyon, west of Canmore’s Cave Tours, can be explored with the help of guided tours.
- Maligne Canyon Icewalks are available with SunDog Tours until March 30th. The tours bring visitors to Jasper National Park’s Maligne Canyon to explore it all from within the canyon.
Unique Tours in Alberta
These are the sort of miscellaneous tours that should not be missed or glazed over! These are unique opportunities in Alberta for different ways to see the province: by train, helicopter, or on foot!
- The Battle River Train Excursions kick off their 2024 season in March with the Shake Off Winter train excursion on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).
- The Waterton Dark Sky Guides have daily availability in March for their Starry Skies Townsite Stroll stargazing tour.
- Explore David Thompson Country in many ways with Nordegg Adventures all year. For March 2024, they offer a variety of heli sightseeing packages!
Wildlife Tours
- Explore the Jasper National Park wildlife this March with the expert guides of SunDog Tours. Their Wildlife Tours run until April this year and last about 3-3.5 hours.
- The Jasper Tour Company also offers Wildlife Tours, with these available by request and all year round.
- Explore a unique and carefully conserved part of Alberta’s wildlife this March at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. The centre provides places for visitors to see the wolfdogs from a distance, as well as more interactive experiences for adults.
The Last Month for Banff Gondola Winter Experiences
There are three main experiences to try when visiting the Banff Gondola and riding to the top of the mountain! These are on until March 31.
- The Banff Gondola’s Nightrise is an evening event which includes an immersive digital art display to enjoy after the gondola ride.
- The ride and art display can then be followed by dining at either the Northern Lights kitchen or the Sky Bistro.
The Jasper SkyTram Opens
Jasper’s own sightseeing gondola, the SkyTram, officially opens for the spring and summer seasons on March 22. The SkyTram brings visitors up a mountain and up over 2000m. Once at the top, there are areas for safe hiking, and some of the most incredible mountain views. There is also the Summit Café, with views overlooking the valley.
When: open for 2024 on March 22
Where: Whistlers Road
How much: $67 per adult, $38 per child
Book a Campsite in Alberta’s Parks
Take advantage of Alberta’s mild weather with an early-season March camping trip. If your equipment or accommodations allow for it, there are several great and beautiful campsites open in March in Alberta.
- Carson-Pegasus campground in the Provincial Park of the same name is a couple hours northwest of Edmonton. The smaller and quieter park surrounds two lakes and offers wonderful birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Beauvais Lake campground will bring your March camping trip to southern Alberta near Pincher Creek. The area has numerous natural areas to explore, including rushing spring waterfalls.
- The Crimson Lake campground is in a nice and central location within Alberta. The area may offer places for biking, if the snow is gone, or hiking and snowshoeing if the snow remains.
Hiking in the Badlands
Why the badlands for March or spring hiking? This part of Alberta is likely to be dry and free of heavy snow, as well as mild in temperatures. These make the conditions ideal for hiking, even for longer, more extensive adventures. For places to stay around the badlands, hikers have options for vacation rentals, spring camping, hotels, and motels. Search in Drumheller, as well as the surrounding counties.
- Visit the Royal Tyrell Museum (inside or out) and take a 1.4 interpretive trail through Midland Provincial Park. The area and trails offer excellent viewing areas over the badlands.
- The Michichi Creek Boardwalk is a 1km wetland trail north of Drumheller that looks out over grass-covered badlands and the creek.
- Uncover and witness the incredible canyons around Drumheller: these include Horsethief Canyon, and Horseshoe Canyon and shorter hiking trails in each area.
Go Snow Tubing
These ski hills around Alberta will have their snow tubing parks, downhill areas, and restaurants open for March. This is the last month to visit most of these local ski hills for family-friendly fun.
- Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer offers weekend evening snow tubing this March. This includes snowtubing at a perfect time for the sunset over the river valley and Friday GLOW Nights. They also offer a Tube N Dine package with the help of Stonefired Italian Pizza.
- Kinosoo Ridge in Cold Lake opens their tube park from Friday-Sunday each weekend in March. The park also offers skiing and snowboarding and The Ridge restaurant.
- The winter season at Vista Ridge in Fort MacMurray runs until late March for snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Also onsite is the Clearwater Lounge with a pub-style menu.
- The Whispering Pines Ski Hill is northwest of Fairview in northwest Alberta, with a fully open calendar for March, including their tube park.
Hit the Slopes One More Time in the Alberta Rockies
TheseRocky Mountain ski hills and resorts in Alberta offer many reasons to visit throughout the winter. But March provides skiers and snowboarders with one of the last opportunities of the season to visit these areas. And, if you visit any of them for Easter long weekend, you’ll chance an encounter with the Easter Bunny on the hill. These mountain playgrounds are open for March:
- Marmot Basin in Jasper
- Lake Louise Ski Resort in Banff
- Castle Mountain Ski Area in southwestern Alberta
- Mt. Norquay in Banff
- Nakiska in Kananaskis