March marks the start of spring in Texas, and with it comes a plethora of outdoor activities, festivals, and events to enjoy. Whether you're a visitor or resident, there are plenty of unique experiences in the Lone Star State this month. Here are some of the best experiences to take in Texas in March, as curated by Texas Shuttle.
Wildflower Season
March is peak wildflower season in Texas, with vibrant fields of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and other native wildflowers bursting into bloom across the state. Take a drive through the Texas Hill Country or the Big Bend National Park to see these beautiful flowers in their full glory.
Celebrate Texas Independence Day
March 2nd marks Texas Independence Day, a state holiday celebrating the declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836. In honor of this important day, various communities across the state host parades, festivals, and other events that pay tribute to Texas' rich history. Whether you're in Austin, San Antonio, or any other city, there's sure to be a celebration near you that you can attend. travel between Austin and San Antonio
Austin's South by Southwest Festival
South by Southwest (SXSW) is a massive music, film, and interactive festival in Austin every March. With over a hundred thousand attendees worldwide, SXSW is the largest and most significant event of its kind. Whether you're a music lover, film buff, or tech enthusiast, there's something for everyone at SXSW.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
It is a must-visit event for any rodeo or western music fan. With over twenty days of rodeo events, live music performances, and fair-style food and attractions, this event celebrates Texas culture at its finest.
The Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the largest and most colorful St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country. With green-clad marchers, floats, and Irish dancers, this lively parade is a great way to celebrate the luck of the Irish.
San Antonio's Fiesta San Antonio
Fiesta San Antonio is a city-wide celebration of San Antonio's rich cultural heritage, with a week-long schedule of events, parades, and festivals. With food, music, and cultural events for all ages, this is one of the most family-friendly events in Texas in March.
Whether you're interested in history, culture, or just having a good time, there's something for everyone in Texas during this particular month. Texas Shuttle provides convenient and comfortable transportation services for all these events and many more, ensuring that you can fully submerge yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of Lone Star State. Book your ride today and experience the best things to do in Texas this March!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good spots to see wildflowers in March?
Drive through the Texas Hill Country or Big Bend National Park for vibrant fields of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes.
When is Texas Independence Day celebrated?
Texas Independence Day is celebrated on March 2nd with parades, festivals, and events across the state.
What's happening in Austin during SXSW?
SXSW features music, film, and interactive events with over a hundred thousand attendees from around the world.
How long does San Antonio Fiesta last?
San Antonio Fiesta is a week-long celebration with parades, festivals, and cultural events for all ages.
What's the Weather Like in Texas in March?
March is one of the most pleasant months to explore the Lone Star State, but conditions vary widely by region. In North and Central Texas — including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin — average high temperatures range from the 60s to the 70s Fahrenheit (15–25°C), while overnight lows typically range from the 30s to 40s Fahrenheit (0–10°C). Pack layers, because a warm afternoon can turn into a chilly evening.
In East Texas and along the Gulf Coast, including Houston and the coastal bend, highs can be in the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit (20–27°C), with overnight lows in the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit (10–20°C). The weather is usually warm and breezy — ideal for outdoor festivals and waterfront strolls.
Rainfall also differs by region. The northern and western parts of Texas, including cities like Amarillo and El Paso, tend to have lower average rainfall amounts, often ranging from around 0.5 to 1.5 inches (13–38 mm) per month. Central and eastern regions typically see more, with average rainfall ranging from around 2 to 3 inches (51–76 mm). Bring a light rain jacket just in case.
| Region | Typical Highs | Typical Lows | Average Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| North & Central Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin) | 60s–70s°F (15–25°C) | 30s–40s°F (0–10°C) | Roughly 2–3 inches (51–76 mm) |
| Gulf Coast & East Texas (Houston, Tyler) | 70s–80s°F (20–27°C) | 50s–60s°F (10–20°C) | Roughly 2–3 inches (51–76 mm) |
| West & Panhandle (Amarillo, El Paso) | Cooler than the coast | Cool nights | 0.5–1.5 inches (13–38 mm) |
Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum
One of the Southwest's most celebrated spring festivals, Dallas Blooms transforms the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden on the shores of White Rock Lake into a sea of color. This annual floral festival is filled with more than 5,000 spring-blooming bulbs — think tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths — along with themed displays and family activities. Arrive early on a weekday to enjoy the gardens before the crowds, then drive the scenic loop around White Rock Lake afterward for views of the Dallas skyline.
Zilker Kite Festival in Austin
If you're looking for a classic, family-friendly Austin tradition, head to Zilker Metropolitan Park, just west of downtown near Barton Springs Pool. Kite-flying festivals have been held on these lawn fields since the late 1920s, and March's steady breezes make it the perfect time to watch the sky fill with color. Bring your own kite or buy one on-site, pack a picnic, and enjoy a relaxed day that costs little more than parking. It pairs perfectly with a pre- or post-SXSW escape from the downtown bustle.
World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest in Houston
Kickoff weekend for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo belongs to barbecue. The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest brings pitmasters from across the state to the Houston rodeo grounds, where teams compete for bragging rights while attendees sample smoked brisket, sausage, and ribs. The contest features live music, a carnival atmosphere, and cook-off tents that are part competition and part party. This is a must-do for any barbecue fan — and a perfect warm-up before the rodeo's 18-day run of bull riding, bronc riding, and steer wrestling competitions, where top-notch cowboys and cowgirls compete for prestigious titles.
Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival
Fort Worth's Cowtown culinary scene takes center stage each spring at the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival, a multi-day celebration featuring tastings from local chefs, Texas wineries, and craft brewers across venues around downtown Fort Worth. While you're in town, stop by the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, where "Butterflies in the Garden" runs from March 1 into April — thousands of live butterflies fill the conservatory, making it one of the most beautiful spring experiences in North Texas. Round out the day with a stroll through the Stockyards National Historic District.
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail in Tyler
East Texas puts on its own floral show each March in the city of Tyler. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail winds through eight miles of historic residential streets in the city's brick-street district, passing thousands of azaleas, dogwoods, and spring gardens. The trail is free to drive or walk at your own pace, and the nearby Tyler Rose Garden — the largest rose garden of its kind in the country — makes a great photo stop while you're in the area.
Luckenbach Spring Hug-In in the Hill Country
For a taste of old Texas, take Highway 290 west from Fredericksburg, then follow Ranch Road 1376 to Luckenbach, Texas — the tiny settlement made famous by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Each March, the town hosts its Spring Hug-In, a laid-back gathering of live music, craft vendors, and, as the name suggests, plenty of friendly hugs under the historic oak trees. Combine it with a Hill Country wildflower drive for a perfect Hill Country day trip.
Houston Greek Festival
Every March, Houston's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral near Montrose opens its doors for the Houston Greek Festival, a weekend of authentic Greek food, folk dancing, live music, and church tours. It's one of the city's longest-running cultural festivals and an easy detour between the museum district and downtown.
Hidden Gems Worth the Detour
- Texas Rabbit Works — San Saba: This quirky specialty museum tells the surprising story of a small-town operation that, at its peak, processed 6,000 rabbits a day in the early 20th century. Volunteers lead the tours — one longtime guide, 86-year-old Lucia, shares stories of her husband Don, an original Rabbit Works worker and the local country singer star. Visitors consistently say two hours flies by.
- Charro Days — Brownsville: This binational celebration of Mexican heritage runs on both sides of the Rio Grande and wraps up around March 1st, with parades, costumes, and folklorico dancing.
- Goliad Massacre and Living History Program — Goliad: Held March 29–30 at Goliad State Historic Park, this program features a reenactment of the Battle of Coleto Creek and hands-on family activities, timed alongside the Goliad County Fair and PRCA Rodeo in mid-March.
- Texas Pinball Festival — Frisco: End-of-March fun north of Dallas, with more than 400 vintage and new pinball machines and classic video games in a 40,000-square-foot game room — no quarters needed to play.
- North Texas Irish Festival — Dallas: A longtime Fair Park tradition celebrating Celtic music, dance, and culture, held on the first weekend of March.
Getting Around Texas in March
March is one of the busiest months on Texas highways — spring break traffic, SXSW crowds, and rodeo season all hit at once. Rather than navigating festival parking in Austin, Houston, or San Antonio, let Texas Shuttle handle the driving. Our Texas travel blog covers routes and itineraries statewide, including how to get from Austin to San Antonio for Fiesta season and rodeo weekends.
Looking for a Different Month?
If your trip dates don't line up with March, don't worry — Texas has something going on year-round. Wildflower season stretches into April, summer brings lake season and Fourth of July celebrations, and September, October, and November offer cooler weather perfect for Hill Country wine trails and state park hikes. Whatever month you visit, you'll find local festivals, different landscapes, and plenty of places to explore across the state's many regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Texas in March?
Expect highs in the 60s to 80s Fahrenheit (15–27°C) depending on the region, with cooler overnight lows in the 30s to 60s Fahrenheit (0–20°C). Western Texas is drier, while eastern and coastal areas see about 2–3 inches of rain.
Is March a good time to see bluebonnets in Texas?
Yes. March is peak wildflower season, especially in the Texas Hill Country along highways like Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12, with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes blooming through the month.
What is the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest?
It's the barbecue kickoff to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where pitmasters compete while attendees enjoy smoked meats, live music, and carnival attractions.
Where can I see spring flowers besides the Hill Country?
Visit Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum, the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail in Tyler, and the Butterflies in the Garden exhibit at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden from March 1 into April.
What is Luckenbach's Spring Hug-In?
A laid-back March festival in the tiny Hill Country town of Luckenbach, featuring live music, vendors, and community gatherings beneath the town's historic oaks.
Is March a busy time to travel in Texas?
Yes — spring break and major events like SXSW and the Houston Rodeo make roads and airports busy. Booking airport shuttle transportation in advance is highly recommended.
