As the perfect intro to spring, March is packed with holidays, school breaks, warm days and plenty of events to keep the whole family busy. Lincoln is welcoming the season with a mix of outdoor and indoor events — from live theater and garden shows to day camps and bird watching.
Look through our most anticipated events in the city, pick your own favorites and mark your calendars. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll even celebrate International Day of Happiness. There may only be 31 days in March, but we found 32 events to ensure you stay entertained. So get ready for a fun-filled month!
Pop In Storytime: Birds
When: Thursday, March 2, 6:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: University of Nebraska State Museum, Hall of Nebraska Wildlife
Price: Regular Museum Admission
On the first Thursday of each month, Lincoln City Libraries hosts a pop-in storytime. For March, you and your family can learn all about birds through stories, songs and movement. The stories and activities are tailored to children ages 3 – 5, but everyone is welcome to come and participate!
Sitting Bull’s Last Waltz
When: March 2 – 5, various times
Where: Carson Theater
Price: $25 / $15 for students
This post-punk rock opera tells the story of Sitting Bull’s final years. Along the way, you’ll experience the events and meet the characters leading to his death — including his time as a celebrity performer in the Wild West Show, his friendships with Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill, his involvement with the Ghost Dance and more. Get your tickets today!
This Random World
When: March 2 – 12, various times
Where: UNL Temple Building, Studio Theater
Price: $12 – $18
UNL’s Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film is performing This Random World, a comedic play exploring the lives happening just out of reach of our own. You’ll meet an ailing woman planning one final trip, her daughter planning one great escape and her son falling prey to a prank gone wrong. Choose your showtime and buy tickets online!
Mamma Mia!
When: March 3 – 5, various times
Where: Lied Center Main Stage
Price: $14 – 69
This classic musical combines the hits of ABBA to tell a story of a wedding, one girl, one mother and three possible dads. Don’t miss the farewell tour as it comes through Lincoln at the beginning of March; get your tickets before they sell out!
First Friday at Sheldon: Lincoln PhotoFest 2017
When: Friday, March 3, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Sheldon Museum of Art
Price: Free
Lincoln PhotoFest is a month-long celebration of photography. Join Sheldon Museum of Art as they kick off the event with a free reception. You’ll get the chance to interact with students and community members as you create and share your own stories through pictures!
Lincoln Stars
When: March 3 – 25, various times
Where: The Ice Box
Price: $16.50 – $17.50
The Lincoln Stars hockey team is playing at home for eight games in a row from March 3 – 25. Cheer them on while they play Sioux Falls, Chicago, Bloomington Thunder, Team USA and more! Choose your match-up and buy your tickets today because prices go up the day of the game.
2017 Crane Migration Tours: Group Viewing Blind Tours
Morning Tours:
March 4 – March 11, 5 – 7:30 a.m.
March 12 – April 1, 6 – 8:30 a.m.
Evening Tours:
March 4 – March 11, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
March 12 – April 1 , 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center
Price: $35
March is the height of the Sandhill Crane migration in Lincoln. Experience it with the pros by booking a tour with Crane Trust. The event will start with a presentation in their visitor center and continue with a quick walk to a prime viewing blind on the Platte River. You can also book a Footbridge Evening Tour, a Private Overnight Viewing or a VIP Crane Viewing Experience!
44th Annual Rocky Manginelli Memorial Swap Meet
When: Sunday, March 5, 7 a.m.
Where: Lancaster Event Center
Price: $5 per vehicle
Join Eastern Nebraska Western Iowa Car Council for their annual swap meet. You’ll get to see what their members have been working on, learn about vintage cars and more! There will also be food concessions on site. To get in, bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Lincoln!
Mueller Planetarium Laser Shows: KinderBop
When: Friday, March 10, 6 p.m. + Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m., 12 and 6 p.m.
Where: UNL Mueller Planetarium
Price: $3 – $6
This is the perfect show for kids — and to find your inner child! You’ll be singing and dancing along to childhood songs with a pop twist as the laser show lights up the planetarium.
Mueller Planetarium Laser Shows: Lasermania
When: Friday, March 10, 7 p.m. + Saturday, March 11, 1, 2 and 7 p.m.
Where: UNL Mueller Planetarium
Price: $3 – $6
This high-energy laser show features a collection of the most current rock and pop hits. It’s the ideal setting to rock out and enjoy a sensory adrenaline rush!
Mueller Planetarium Laser Shows: Laser Led Zeppelin
When: Friday, March 10, 8 p.m. + Saturday, March 11, 3 and 8 p.m.
Where: UNL Mueller Planetarium
Price: $3 – $6
If you’re a die-hard Zeppelin fan, don’t miss this laser show! The Mueller Planetarium has laserized all your favorites — including Immigrant Song, Over the Hills and Far Away, Heartbreaker, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, and of course, Stairway to Heaven.
Husker Lawn & Leisure Show
When: March 10 – 12, various times
Where: Lancaster Event Center
Price: $7
Each year, the Husker Home & Leisure Show fuels our spring fever. The Midwest’s premier home and garden show, they’re celebrating their 15th year in 2017. You’ll see incredible landscape displays, interactive exhibits and much more!
Lincoln Children’s Museum Superhero Day
When: Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Children’s Museum
Price: Regular Museum Admission
Due to popular demand, Lincoln Children’s Museum is bringing back Superhero Day. Wear your best costume and bring your capes to explore the museum on Saturday. You’ll meet local heroes like Lincoln Fire & Rescue and No Coast Derby Girls as well as comic book heroes like Thor!
Shamrock Shuffle 5k
When: Sunday, March 12, 10 a.m.
Where: RailYard
Price: $30
Decked out in green, runners can explore the RailYard and end with a lively after party. Complete with Irish music, costume contest, photo booth and food specials, this event is a can’t miss for runners and revelers alike. Each registered participant will receive a shirt, free beer and a commemorative medal so register today!
Mueller Planetarium Laser Shows: Lasers in Space
When: Sunday, March 12, 2 and 3 p.m.
Where: UNL Mueller Planetarium
Price: $3 – $6
At this educational show, you’ll discover how lasers are transforming the study of astronomy and space exploration. The subjects will include photography, robots, laser guns and more. In between educational segments, you’ll get to rock out to some of your favorite songs and watch the accompanying laser show!
Camp Sonshine: Ultimate Spring Break Experience
When: March 13 – 17
Where: Camp Sonshine
Price: $215
This camp combines the two most popular Camp Sonshine programs — Solaris Spring Break and Sonshine Spring Break. If you can’t choose between the two, go with both for an unforgettable experience!
Camp Sonshine: Sonshine Spring Break Day Camp
Photo courtesy of Camp Sonshine
When: March 13 – 17, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Camp Sonshine
Price: $35 per day / $150 week
For this day camp, you can choose the individual days that match your child’s Spring Break or register for the whole week. Every day, current K – 6th grade campers and any past LITs will get to participate in their favorite camp activities and get a head start on new 2017 attractions!
Camp Sonshine: Solaris Spring Break Overnight Camp
When: March 14 – 16
Where: Camp Sonshine
Price: $175
This 3 day, 2 night overnight camp program is for 4th – 8th grade students. In addition to all the high energy activities planned during the day at Camp Sonshine, campers will travel to Camp Solaris for more games and adventures in the evening — including black-light activities, archery tag and more!
Nature Explorer Camp
When: March 13 – 17, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneers Park Nature Center
Price: $180
During Lincoln Public School’s spring break, your kids can keep learning with Lincoln Parks & Recreation! They’ll study ecology, wildlife and more while hiking, exploring, playing games and making crafts outdoors. All registration info needs to be complete by February 28.
2017 Crane Migration Tours: Footbridge Evening Tours
When: March 15 – March 26, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center
Price: $15
After a presentation on the Great Sandhill Crane Migration, your guide will take you to Crane Trusts private footbridge over the Platte River. There, you’ll be able to view flocks crisscrossing the sky and roosting for the night. You can also book a Group Viewing Blind Tour, a Private Overnight Viewing or a VIP Crane Viewing Experience!
Trinity Irish Dance Company
When: March 17, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lied Center Main Stage
Price: $13 – $43
Trinity Irish Dance is one of the most innovative Irish dance companies in the world. And they’re bringing their show to Lincoln to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! The complex group performances mix traditional and modern techniques and each one will impress you in brand new ways. Buy your tickets today!
Happier Lincoln
When: March 19, 1 – 5 p.m.
Where: KZUM
Price: Free
March 20 is the 5th International Day of Happiness, but radio station KZUM is starting celebrations early with Happier Lincoln! This annual conference on well-being and civic health will feature presentations on positive psychology research, play, building unity and more. With a little live music thrown in, this is a great intro to your Day of Happiness!
Comedian Sam Tallent at 1867 Bar
When: March 22, 9 – 11 p.m.
Where: 1867 Bar
Price: $10
Sam Tallent has worked alongside many of the biggest names in comedy, including Louis CK, Dave Chappelle, Dana Carvey and more. In between comedy festivals and TV appearances, he tours the country and this March he’s coming right here to Lincoln! Don’t miss his quick wit and improv style!
6th Annual Cornhusker Classic Tractor Pull
When: March 23 – 25, various times
Where: Lancaster Event Center
Price: $20 – $50 / $5 for children 6 – 11 / Free for children 5 and under
Need a few more tractors and trucks in your life? Head down to Lancaster Event Center at the end of the month for the 6th Annual Cornhusker Tractor Pull!
Weekend Cabarets
Images courtesy of Nebraska Wesleyan University
When: March 23 – 26 various times
Where: Nebraska Wesleyan University, Studio Theater
Price: $7.50 – $17.50
For four different weekends during the school year, NWU’s theater students show off their musical and dancing talents in the unique and intimate setting at Studio Theater. Each Cabaret has a different cast and a different theme so you can come every day this weekend and get a brand new experience!
Billy Joel
When: March 24, 8 p.m.
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena
Price: $62.50 – $142.50
Over the past quarter century, Billy Joel has sold 150 million records. As one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history, he has also become one of the highest grossing touring artists in the world. Don’t miss his Lincoln show! It will be packed with all your favorite songs and is guaranteed to be an experience you won’t forget.
Riders in the Sky
When: March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lied Center Main Stage
Price: $9.50 – 27
Riders in the Sky is a salute to the iconic western movie, music and TV star Roy Rogers. It’s song-filled, action-packed and will have you laughing from beginning to end!
Snow White
When: March 24 + 25, various times
Where: North Star High School
Price: $15 – $25
Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company is performing the classic story of Snow White. There are just three performances over Friday and Saturday, so don’t miss this intimate and impressive show! You’ll meet the dwarves, the evil queen and, of course, Snow White herself.
Journey with Special Guest Asia
Image courtesy of Pinnacle Bank Arena
When: March 25, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena
Price: $39.50 – $99.50
Since 1973, Journey has been one of the most popular American bands of all-time — with some of the most recognizable songs across the globe. Celebrate their April Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with a spectacular live show at the end of March!
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
When: March 26, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lied Center Main Stage
Price: $27.50 – $99
For the first time ever, this award-winning orchestra is playing in Lincoln at the Lied Center. Featuring Broadway hits, classic George Gershwin melodies and legendary music from the silver screen, you’ll be dancing and humming along all night!
Jeff Foxworthy & Larry The Cable Guy
Photo courtesy of Pinnacle Bank Arena
When: March 31, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena
Price: $59.50
Superstar comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy are reuniting for the We’ve Been Thinking Tour. Each one will present brand new material and have you laughing well into the night!
Mother of All Garage Sales
When: March 31 – April 1
Where: Lancaster Event Center
Price: $3
This grand garage sale event brings over 7,000 people to Lincoln each year. At each booth, you’ll find crafts, gently used items, clothes and much, much more. If you’ve been looking for a new statement piece or need to fill your closet, head down to Lancaster Event Center to wrap up March!
Have fun this March
If we missed your favorite local event, let us know!