March is calling! From can’t-miss concerts and hands-on workshops to foodie finds and inspiring talks, discover what’s happening across the Shoreline in March. Your calendar just got a whole lot better.

Out of Hibernation Afternoon Tea at Old Lyme Inn, Old Lyme | Saturdays in March enjoy assorted tea sandwiches, Harney’s and Son’s fine teas, petite sweets along with scones. Special Little Bears menu for the young ones. $45 adults | $25 children

Community Music School Music Lessons, Centerbrook | March – May: Ready to grow this spring? Sign up for private music lessons. Flexible start dates, 30–60-minute options. Secure your weekly spot and make this your most musical season yet. $46 per half hour lesson.

Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat at The Garde, New London | 3.7.26: Rainy day blues? Not here! The world’s #1 Cat in the Hat show bursts onto the stage with Thing One and Thing Two, laugh-out-loud mischief, and nostalgic fun the whole family will love. Don’t miss it! $29 -$75.

Irish Music at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington | 3.8.26: Raise a glass and sing along. Saltwater Farm Vineyard hosts Irish Music & Songs of the Sea featuring My Druthers, plus wood-fired bites from The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck. Wine, sea shanties, and cozy vineyard vibes await.

Sculpture at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Old Lyme | 3.8.26 – 5.17.26: Sculpture lovers, take note! Enjoy masterpieces from the Kronberger Collection, over 230 exquisite 19th- and early 20th-century French bronzes by icons like Gérôme, Carpeaux, and Bonheur. A rare chance to see bronze at its finest. Preview Event with Guest Lecture on 3.7.26, Tickets $100.

White Gate Farm Sicilian Dinner, East Lyme | 3.8.26: Travel to Sicily without leaving Connecticut. This chef collaboration celebrates Mediterranean flavors with arancini, citrus salads, Cornish hen, vegan options, and cannoli, all served in White Gate Farm’s cozy farmhouse setting.

Fishing the Local Waterways with Rowan Lytle, Lyme | 3.10.26: Curious what’s swimming in Lyme’s waterways? Join local fishing guide Rowan Lytle at Lyme Public Hall for an insider’s look at our fisheries, conservation challenges, and how anglers help protect the waters we love. Hosted by Lyme Land Trust.

RJ Julia presents Joan Lunden, Madison | 3.11.26: Trailblazing journalist Joan Lunden pulls back the curtain on her fearless memoir JOAN: Life Beyond the Script, sharing powerful stories of breaking barriers, redefining motherhood, survivorship, and aging on her own bold terms.

Basket Weaving for Beginners,  Guilford | 3.11.26:  Weave something beautiful! Join the Beginner “Catch All” Basket Weaving Class at Folklore Flower and create a handcrafted piece perfect for home or gifting. A cozy, creative night you’ll love. $75

Women & Family Life Center 2026 EmpowHER Gala, Branford | 3.12.26: Celebrate the power of women. Don’t miss the Women & Family Life Center’s 2026 EmpowHER Gala, an inspiring night honoring Shoreline leaders making a real impact. Enjoy live music, photo booth fun, auctions, buffet dinner, and an unforgettable evening of empowerment. $125.

Essex Steam Wine and Chocolate Train, Essex | 3.13.26: All aboard for indulgence! The Essex Clipper Dinner Train hosts a Wine & Chocolate tasting with artisan pairings, Mediterranean bites, river views, and a sweet finale. Flavor, elegance, and romance on the rails. $84.99 pp.

Guilford Green Stage Open Mic Night, Guilford | 3.13.26: Grab the mic, or just grab a drink! Open Mic Night returns to The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center with live music, poetry, cocktails, small plates, and community vibes. Donate, perform, or cheer! Admission donation requested.

Musical Masterworks presents The Sacred and The Profane, Old Lyme | 3.14.26 – 3.15.26: Drama, devotion and virtuosity, featuring The Sacred and the Profane with Debussy, Bach, Britten, Dowland, and Caplet’s thrilling Mask of the Red Death. Tessa Lark and an all-star ensemble will bring a powerful, can’t-miss chamber music experience. $45 | $5 Students.

16^th Annual Oscar Night at the Kate, Old Saybrook | 3.15.26: Roll out the red carpet! The Kate’s glamorous Oscar Night returns with Hollywood-worthy photo ops, a live Academy Awards screening on the BIG screen, decadent bites from Fresh Salt, raffles, auctions, and more, all supporting the Katharine Hepburn Museum. $85.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Saybrook Point Resort, Old Saybrook | 3.15.26: Get your Irish on! Don’t miss a lively St. Patrick’s celebration with The Clan O’Cleary Band, Grey School Irish Dancers, festive cocktails, and classic Irish fare. Call (860) 388-1111 to reserve your seat, this one will fill fast!

Goodspeed Musicals NYC Fundraising Tour, NYC | 3.18.26 – 3.22.26: Escape to NYC with Goodspeed Musicals for Broadway hits, luxury Times Square lodging, behind-the-scenes experiences, great food, and new this year, no single supplement for solo travelers. $4,450.

East Lyme-Niantic Restaurant Week, East Lyme & Niantic | 3.20.26: Dine out. Do good. Support local favorites during Restaurant Week and help benefit Care & Share of East Lyme. Ask about specials, visit multiple spots, collect stamps, and enter to win fun prizes!

Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers Model Tugboat Show, Mystic | 3.20.26 – 3.22.26: Explore 50+ detailed models of tugboats, towboats, fireboats, and barges, spanning the 1860s to today. Meet the Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers, learn about their craft, and see models of the hardworking vessels up close. Free with admission.

Cozy French Inspired Night at Kitch, Mystic | 3.20.26: Bonjour, food lovers! Join Chef Amanda for a French-inspired cooking class featuring carrot-apple salad, chicken in white wine herb cream sauce, dreamy Gruyère mashed potatoes, and chocolate pots de crème. Cook, gather, sip, and savor! $95.

Film Screening and Conversation at Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London | 3.21.26 Step into history. Experience Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning, then join a live Zoom conversation with her granddaughter, filmmaker Dyanna Taylor. An intimate, powerful evening for photography and history lovers alike. $10 (Members $5)

Essex Go Bragh Irish Parade, Essex | 3.21.26: March in one of the Shoreline’s biggest community celebrations. Showcase your business or organization, connect with neighbors, and be part of the music, smiles, and sea of green.

Mystic Irish Parade, Mystic | 3.22.26: Go green in Mystic! Don’t miss the Mystic Irish Parade, then lace up for the Mystic Irish 5K the next day. Celebrate, run, and cheer alongside community dignitaries and supporters in true Irish spirit!

Essex Winter Series, Chester | 3.22.26: Award-winning Trio Animoso performs French Impressions, American Echoes at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, featuring Debussy and more in a luminous chamber concert. $45

Spring Table Cooking Class with Weekend Kitchen, Essex | 3.28.26: On the cusp of spring, savor Chef Jeanine Kelly’s rustic-meets-Mediterranean menu! Think creamy mushroom risotto, lemon-caper chicken, crisp Greek salad, and a berry mascarpone limoncello cake finale. Fresh, vibrant, and perfectly seasonal, come hungry! $95