March in Dutchess County is that in-between season we secretly love—when winter starts to loosen its grip and the first hints of spring sneak in. The days get a little longer, the sunshine feels a little warmer, and suddenly there’s every excuse to get back out into the real world after hibernating at home for the past few months. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, welcoming the spring equinox, or just ready to swap cabin fever for community fun, this month delivers.
From spring garden shows and festive pub nights, to hands-on workshops, live performances, markets, and family-friendly outings, March is full of ways to reconnect, recharge, and maybe even try something new. Consider this your official invitation to step into spring—Dutchess County style.
Adams 2026 Lawn & Garden Show
Sunday, March 1
Adams Fairacre Farms, Poughkeepsie & Newburgh Locations
Travel around the globe without leaving your neighborhood; Adams’ spring garden show showcases a variety of landscapes, climates, and garden inspirations from around the world! Tropical escapes, sun-soaked landscapes, striking succulents – every display is designed to ignite your creativity! Enter to win a special travel-themed gift basket.
adamsfarms.com
Winter Sushi Omakase Dinner
Sunday, March 1
Dassai Blue Sake Brewery, Hyde Park
Enjoy the last evening of Dassai Blue’s Sushi Omakase Dinner, featuring a 16-course menu by Michelin-starred Chef Tasuku Murakami. Experience an intimate, interactive night in the style of a classic sushi counter, where you can engage directly with the chef as he prepares each dish.
dassai-blue.com
Cottage Courses: Spoon Carving
Sunday, March 1
Troutbeck, Amenia
Learn spoon carving with woodworker Kate Hawes in this hands-on workshop. Practice safe techniques to carve a functional, beautiful spoon—perfect to keep or give as a thoughtful gift.
troutbeck.com
Juliet Izon, The Encore: A Novel
Wednesday, March 4
Oblong Books, Rhinebeck
Hudson Valley author debuts her book at Oblong Books, a captivating journey of love, sacrifice, and destiny playing out in the world of music. In conversation with Liza Donnelly.
oblongbooks.com
Adult Palette Painting
Thursday, March 5
Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls
Explore nature through paint at Bowdoin Park! Dutchess County Parks’ Park Palette workshops guide adults from beginner basics to advanced acrylic techniques in inspiring outdoor settings.
dutchessny.gov
Maple Syrup Madness Weekend
March 7-8
Trevor Love-Joy Zoo, Millbrook School, Millbrook
FREE tastings of Maple Syrup all weekend long! Maple syrup-making demonstrations with director, Dr. Alan Tousignant! Locally made maple syrup and other maple products will be for sale.
trevor-lovejoy-zoo.org
Galen Pittman Jazz Quartet
Friday, March 6
Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, Pine Plains
Original interpretations of classic Jazz standards and melody lines, as well as compositions by contemporary and classic composers. Rooted in tradition but alive with spontaneity, this performance blends familiar tunes with creative twists, inviting listeners into a warm, expressive night of jazz at its most engaging.
stissingcenter.org
The Wedding Singer at the Rhinebeck Theatre
March 6-8, 13-15, 20-22
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck Theatre Society is pleased to present The Wedding Singer, a musical based on the hit New Line Cinema movie written by Tim Herlihy. Directed by Randi Kiersnowski and Risa Petrone, Musical Direction by Paul and JoAnne Schubert, Choreography by Risa Petrone.
centerforperformingarts.org
31st Annual Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 7
Wappingers Falls
Don’t miss the 31st Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wappingers Falls! Parade proceeds along Route 9D to Mesier Park with Irish music, floats, and cheer.
https://www.dcsppc.org/
Wild Word of Animals at the Rhinebeck Theatre
Saturday, March 7
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck
Two by Two Animal Haven presents their Wild World of Animals show! Travel the world with fun and exciting animals. Learn about diet, habitat, and other fun facts. Be on the lookout for a kangaroo, parrot, ball python, sulcata tortoise, North American alligator, hedgehog, bearded dragon, and cane toad!
centerforperformingarts.org
Drag Show at Denning’s Point Distillery
Saturday, March 7
Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon
Pissi Myles, the Hudson Valley’s favorite drag queen, shows up and shows out at Denning’s Point Distillery with a wild show. Enjoy live vocals, comedy, and so much chaos.
denningspointdistillery.com
Elegant Bridal Production Show
Saturday, March 7
The Inn at Bellefield, Hyde Park
Attention all 2026 brides! Elegant Bridal Productions will be hosting dozens of local wedding vendors all in one room at the Inn at Bellefield for a show and walkthrough. Take your time browsing through the vendors and create your premium wedding-prep experience. Enter to win a free honeymoon and special gifts!
elegantbridal.com
Asian Cuisine Boot Camp
Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park
It’s still technically the beginning of the new year, so plenty of time to pick up a new hobby/talent! Join the CIA’s Cooking Boot Camp for a multiple-day course in Asian cuisine. With each intensive day, you’ll get to experience the cuisines of different Asian countries and regions—from India in the southwest to China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ciafoodies.com
A Night in Napa Wine Dinner
Friday, March 13
Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Indulge in an unforgettable night celebrating the bold flavors of Napa Valley with Shadows’ Round Pond Wine Dinner. A 5-course tasting menu paired with delicious wine selections awaits you at Shadows on the Hudson!
shadowsonthehudson.com
Exhibition: Robin Adler, In the Future When We Can See the Past
Friday, March 13
BAU Gallery, Beacon
For Robin Adler, storytelling is the most powerful way for people and cultures to share information and gain insight. Her new exhibition, In the Future When We Can See the Past, celebrates stories as stepping stones that help us clarify who we are and where we need to go. Her large-scale monotypes ask: How do we face the current crises? Since we live in the footprint of other civilizations, what lessons do we learn from stories of the past?
baugallery.org
Closing Reception – This Must Be The Place
Saturday, March 14
Maxon Mills, Wassaic Project, Wassaic
Last day to check out Wassaic Project’s winter exhibit – This Must Be The Place! Stick around for a talk with the artists in the afternoon, followed by their new open studios project with March artists-in-residence.
wassaicproject.org
Open Studios
Saturday, March 14
Maxon Mills, Wassaic Project, Wassaic
Take a walk around the Wassaic Project’s March Open Studios exhibit, featuring new artwork installations from artists-in-residence Roseline Armange, Lehna Huie, Jenny Ibsen, Jonathan Korotko, Charlotte Robertson, Kenny Shapiro, and Dara Silverman.
wassaicproject.org
5th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Run/Walk
Saturday, March 14
JH Ketcham Memorial Park, Dover Plains
Join the Eastern Dutchess Road Runners Club for a 5k run (or walk!), which will begin and conclude at JH Ketcham Memorial Park in Dover Plains. Light refreshments and shamrock shakes will be provided after crossing the finish line!
runsignup.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Green
Saturday, March 14
Main Street, Beacon
Get your green on and get ready for Beacon’s 11th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting on Main Street at noon!
facebook.com/paradeofgreen
Cottage Courses: Pastel Drawing from Life
Sunday, March 15
Troutbeck, Amenia
In this Troutbeck workshop, Polly Shindler will lead participants in creating works on paper from still-life flowers and fabric. Participants will learn to focus on the exploration of form and composition while using pencils and pastels.
troutbeck.com
“Makin’ Cake” Performative Storytelling
Sunday, March 15
Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, Pine Plains
“Makin’ Cake” is more than a performance–it’s an experience! Through powerful storytelling, Dasha Kelly Hamilton takes the stage to slice into history, unpacking race, class, and culture in a way that’s as thought-provoking as it is engaging.
thestissingcenter.org
Sunrise Stroll
Friday, March 20
Walkway Over the Hudson, East (Poughkeepsie) and West (Highland) Entrances
Celebrate the start of a new season with a Sunrise Stroll on the World’s Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises in line with the Walkway deck, making for a spectacular photo opportunity. Gates will be open early at 6:30 am at both entrances to allow everyone to enjoy this magnificent experience. Free for all!
walkway.org
Dinoman Dinosaurs!
Saturday, March 21
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck
Learn about the creatures that roamed the earth in the Mesozoic Era, and about the amazing fossils they left behind at the Rhinebeck Theatre’s Sunday Morning Family Series. With amazing props, merriment, and a little mayhem, this program is fun and informative for kids of all ages!
centerforperformingarts.org
Americana 250 Concert
Saturday, March 21
Marriott Pavilion, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park
Celebrate our nation’s 250th with a multimedia tribute to Colonial Hudson Valley life. Programming will include Colonial Dances by Florence Price and Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Featured performers include Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk and Native American Flutist Premik Tubbs.
ndsorchestra.org
“Queen Kelly” Screening + Film Talk
Saturday, March 21
Starr Cinema, Rhinebeck
See the legendary unfinished masterpiece by Erich von Stroheim, produced by and starring the era’s most glamorous film actress, Gloria Swanson. A great opportunity for all the film buffs out there to see what movies were like in the late silent era!
upstatefilms.org
Open Mic Night
Saturday, March 21
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction
This relaxed, welcoming event is the perfect space to showcase your talent in a friendly atmosphere. Musicians, vocalists, poets, storytellers, and comedians are welcome! 10 am – 3 pm brunch served beforehand.
treasurycider.com
Maple Weekends at Soukup Farms
March 21-22 + March 28-29
Soukup Farms, Dover Plains
Maple season is back at Soukup Farms! Join them for self-guided maple tours, maple popcorn and cider donuts, syrup making, product samples, and more!
soukupfarms.com
Darrah Carr Dance
Sunday, March 22
Banning Hall, Stissing Center, Pine Plains
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Stissing Center’s Darrah Carr Dance! Enjoy championship Irish dancers, live fiddle and accordion music, high-energy performances, audience participation, and a thrilling showcase of Irish traditions for all ages.
thestissingcenter.org
In the Deep Heart’s Core: A Mystic Cabaret – from the Works of W. B. Yeats
Friday, March 27
Stissing Center, Pine Plains
“In the Deep Heart’s Core” is at once a poet’s autobiography and a deeply moving journey through the romantic imagination and the national soul of Ireland. It follows the life of the Celtic visionary poet and activist William Butler Yeats, moving through dreams and heartbreaks toward ultimate spiritual triumph.
thestissingcenter.org
An Acoustic Evening With Buddy Wakefield and Holly Miranda
Saturday, March 28
Troutbeck, Amenia
This special performance brings together acclaimed poet Buddy Wakefield and singer-songwriter Holly Miranda for a night of music and raw storytelling. Together, they offer a stripped-back, up-close performance that highlights the power of words and music in their purest form. Extend your evening at Troutbeck and stay for dinner!
Out of The Mist…A Dragon
Saturday, March 28
Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, Pine Plains
Using elegant reproductions of the classic Bunraku puppets of Japan, a romantic, poignant drama unfolds into the world of myth and legend to portray a young man’s journey of self-discovery. His encounters with traditional folk puppets from North America, England, and Indonesia give exotic glimpses of different puppetry styles.
stissingcenter.org
Film Showing: “Hundreds of Beavers”
Saturday, March 28
Banning Hall, Stissing Center, Pine Plains
Stranded in a bizarre winter world, Jean Kayak battles sinister mascot creatures and harsh elements, crafting clever traps to win the affection of a mischievous lover in this surreal theatrical adventure at the Stissing Center.
thestissingcenter.org
