Things to do in March

Cherry blossoms. Warm winds. A little more sunshine and, with any luck, a little less rain.

March is the start of spring in the Fraser Valley and with the changing seasons come a few exciting new things to do and see—as well as plenty of activities that will help you and your friends and family get back outside.

Festivals

Spring is the very beginning of festival season. The first events are kicking off before the arrival of summer and the valley’s best weather (and biggest crowds). The BC Beer and Beverage Festival will feature different live music and, of course, a wide variety of beverages. It will be at Abbotsford’s Tradex on March 17.

A spring break country music festival will also be at the Tradex later this month, on March 25. And, if you like your guitar-based bops on the twangier, acoustic side, Mission’s Folk Festival is running a concert series and one of the performances, Quebecois folk band Le Vent du Nord, is happening at the Clarke Theatre on March 20. The festival itself will happen this summer.

Though the Fort Langley Jazz Festival won’t hit the stage until July, their youth jazz workshop is happening on March 26.

Concerts and music

While festivals can be a blast, a classic concert offers a great evening with good music in a less intense atmosphere. Several artists will be popping up for concerts in the Fraser Valley throughout the month.

Harrison Hot Springs is holding a free family-friendly fiddle extravaganza on March 11. The barn dance will feature some of BC’s top fiddlers and promises a called square dance and toe-tapping tunes. An ”almost-spring” dance in Agassiz will feature live music and raise money for the Agassiz Fall Fair on March 4.

Langley’s Bez Arts Hub will host several top artists this month, including funky jazz group The Justin Glibbery Quintet on March 3, Jacob Moon on March 4, and rocker Hawksley Workman March 17.

The Chilliwack Cultural Centre will host several musical (and some less musical) events this month, including magician/musician Chris Funk on March 10 and a “legends” show featuring performers impersonating superstars of the past on March 18.

Get (back) outside

As spring approaches, temperatures warm, and sunlight lingers into the evenings opportunities to enjoy the outdoors increase.

One of those seasonal opportunities is checking out the cherry blossoms as they bloom heavier and heavier throughout the month. This website has a list of the best places to see them in Metro Vancouver.

Outdoor events and activities will soon start up. Mission’s first-ever Shine Bright Festival takes place March 3. Locals have erected light displays along First Avenue to represent parts of the town. There will also be food trucks, live music, and activities for kids.

Abbotsford’s Mango Market will start up for the season on March 25.

Special events aren’t the only time to enjoy the warmer spring sunshine. Check out accessible urban parks large or small, like Byron Lagoon in Langley or the Fraser Valley Heritage Park in Mission.

Tougher trails abound throughout the valley, too. Early season hiking can be unpredictable, but using sites where fellow hikers leave reviews on trail conditions regularly can help your first few trips of the season go smoothly. Check out this list of local trails (and their recent reviews) to start planning yours.

• Elk Mountain (Chilliwack)

• Chadsey Lake (Abbotsford)

• McKee Peak (Abbotsford)

• Houston Trail (Langley)

• Tavistock Point (Langley)