March is one of the most eventful months of the year: it carries end-of-winter celebrations, spring equinox traditions, major faith festivals, and globally recognized UN observances.
Below is a practical, date-led guide to the major festivals and cultural moments in March 2026—with a note that some observances (especially those based on lunar calendars) can shift by location.
At-a-glance calendar of major March 2026 events
| Date (2026) | Event | Where it’s commonly observed |
|---|---|---|
| March 1–31 | Women’s History Month | Primarily the United States |
| March 3 | Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi) | India + Hindu communities worldwide |
| March 3 | Purim (begins at sundown Mar 2 in many calendars) | Jewish communities worldwide |
| March 3 | Total lunar eclipse (date may appear as March 2/3 depending on time zone) | Visible from the night side of Earth |
| March 4 | Holi (Rangwali Holi / Dhulandi) | India + diaspora communities |
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | Worldwide |
| March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day | Ireland + global Irish diaspora (major in the US) |
| March 19–20 (approx.) | End of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr | Muslim communities worldwide |
| March 20 | International Day of Happiness | Worldwide |
| March 20 (around the equinox) | World Storytelling Day | Worldwide |
| March 21 | International Day of Nowruz | West & Central Asia + global diaspora |
| March 22 | World Water Day | Worldwide |
| March 28 (last Saturday of March) | Earth Hour | Worldwide |
Major religious and cultural festivals in March 2026
Holi (March 3–4, 2026)
Holi is one of the most visually iconic festivals in the world, celebrating spring, joy, and the triumph of good over evil.
- Holika Dahan falls on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (bonfire night).
- Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi) falls on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (colors day).
These dates are widely published for 2026.
This is also a great moment for family-friendly storytelling—mythology, local legends, and “why we celebrate” narratives land especially well with children.
Purim (early March 2026)
Purim is a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the events told in the Book of Esther. In many widely used calendars, Purim begins at sundown on March 2, 2026 and continues into March 3, 2026, though specific timing can vary by tradition and location.
Because Purim includes costumes, food gifts, and public readings, it’s a natural fit for community cultural programming.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (Eid approx. March 19–20, 2026)
Ramadan’s end and Eid al-Fitr are determined by lunar observation, so the exact date can vary by country and local moon sighting committees. For planning purposes, many published calendars expect Eid al-Fitr around Friday, March 20, 2026 with celebrations beginning the evening before (Thursday, March 19). Treat this as approximate unless you’re following a specific local authority.
Major social, historical, and UN-recognized observances in March 2026
Women’s History Month (all month)
In the United States, Women’s History Month runs through March and is often paired with school programming, library exhibits, museum events, and local speaker series.
If you’re creating a content theme for March, this can anchor weekly profiles of women creators, leaders, and community builders.
International Women’s Day (March 8)
International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 worldwide, with events ranging from marches and panels to workplace programming and school projects.
It’s a strong date for:
- youth storytelling sessions featuring women role models
- intergenerational interviews (grandmothers, mothers, daughters)
- community podcast episodes on women-led change
International Day of Happiness (March 20)
Observed annually on March 20, this UN day is often used to spotlight well-being, mental health, and community connection.
It’s also a useful counter-balance in your editorial calendar: between big festivals, a “small, human” theme performs well—gratitude lists, kindness challenges, and short audio stories.
International Day of Nowruz (March 21)
The UN’s International Day of Nowruz is marked on March 21. In many cultures, Nowruz is tied to the spring equinox and renewal, and celebrations can extend across multiple days depending on tradition.
For families, Nowruz themes (fresh starts, cleaning rituals, nature, food symbolism) translate beautifully into story formats.
World Water Day (March 22)
World Water Day is observed on March 22 and is one of March’s most important sustainability dates. It’s a high-impact opportunity for schools, companies, and creators to talk about water access, conservation, and climate resilience.
If your work includes sustainability communication, this is a cornerstone date for publishing:
- a water footprint explainer
- a community water story (local rivers, wells, lakes)
- practical water-saving actions that don’t shame people
ustainability events in March 2026
Earth Hour (March 28, 2026)
Earth Hour is typically held on the last Saturday of March, which in 2026 is March 28. The idea is simple: switch off non-essential lights for one hour locally (often at 8:30 pm), and use the moment to spark bigger climate conversations.