Orlando’s March mornings start at 17°C (63°F), rising to 28°C (82°F) with daylight stretching from 06:35 to 19:37 (early month) and 07:30 to 19:30 (post-clock change). EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival bursts with color, and spring break crowds fill the parks. The Florida Strawberry Festival and DTOLive! Chalk Art Festival add local flavor. Afternoon humidity and rain begin to build. Theme park reservations are essential for spring break. Weekday mornings offer the best access to topiaries and rides before crowds swell. March is lively, but planning is key.
Pro tips for visiting Orlando in March
• Book theme park reservations for spring break (March 7–April 5) at least 60 days ahead. • Go early to EPCOT for Flower and Garden topiaries—weekdays before 11:00 are quietest. • Head to Plant City for the Florida Strawberry Festival—arrive before 10:00 to beat crowds. • Reserve EPCOT Outdoor Kitchens dining packages in advance for best availability. • Choose weekday visits to avoid peak spring break crowds. • Pack a light rain jacket—afternoon showers become more likely from mid-month. • Skip major parks on weekends if you want shorter lines. • Local events like DTOLive! Chalk Art Festival are free and less crowded than theme parks.
What to eat in Orlando in March: Seasonal delicacies
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Florida Strawberries (Plant City Variety)
Plant City strawberries are Central Florida’s winter crop, known for sweetness from cool growing temperatures. March matters because the season runs December to March and overlaps with the Florida Strawberry Festival window, so markets and menus feature them heavily. Buy them in the morning for the freshest picks and eat them the same day. Available at Lake Eola Park Farmers Market in Downtown Orlando.
Peruvian ceviche cures raw fish in citrus-based leche de tigre with ají amarillo, garlic, and ginger, served with red onion, corn, and sweet potato. March fits because warmer days return and Orlando’s Peruvian scene on South Semoran ramps into its spring-to-fall popularity window. Eat it early in the meal and pair with something starchy. Available at El Inka Peruvian Restaurant on South OBT.
An açaí bowl blends açaí berry purée into a thick base, topped with granola, banana, honey, and coconut. March works because Orlando warms up quickly and this is peak “cool breakfast” season before summer humidity gets heavy. Go for a mid-morning bowl after an early start, it’s common in local café culture. Available at Blenders and Bowls on Edgewater Drive.
Florida mahi-mahi is a firm, mild Atlantic fish often grilled with citrus butter and served with Caribbean-leaning sides. March fits because warmer weather signals the start of its best-quality window when fish migrate closer to Florida’s coast from spring into early fall. Order it grilled rather than fried to taste the fish itself. Available at seafood restaurants across Orlando, including The Osprey Tavern in Baldwin Park.
Dim sum is a spread of small Chinese dishes like har gow, siu mai, cheung fun, and BBQ pork buns served in bamboo steamers. March is practical because it’s one of Orlando’s driest, most walkable months, so weekend brunch in Mills 50 feels easy. Go Saturday or Sunday between 08:00 and 14:00 and order a mix of steamed and fried. Available at Ming’s Bistro in Orlando.
Universal’s multi-week Mardi Gras season combines a nightly parade of illuminated floats with bead throwing and an international food marketplace. Saturday nights add concert headliners that drive the biggest crowds. The parade is in park admission, but concerts often need separate tickets.
A long-running classical music festival hosted at Rollins College, staged around choral and orchestral concerts in Knowles Memorial Chapel. The experience feels local and tradition-heavy, not tourist-driven. Choose dates early, because prime weekend concerts and seats tend to sell first.
EPCOT’s spring horticulture season fills the park with Disney character topiaries, landscaped displays, and the Outdoor Kitchens food marketplace. Garden Rocks concerts run alongside the garden programming. It’s included with admission, but dining packages help if you want reserved concert viewing.
A major agricultural fair in Plant City, often done as an Orlando day trip, built around fresh winter strawberries, livestock exhibits, and a carnival midway. Big entertainment acts bring evening crowds. Go on a weekday if you can, weekend traffic and parking lines can slow the day.
Citywide St. Patrick’s Day celebrations cluster around Downtown Orlando’s entertainment district and the Wall Street Plaza outdoor bar zone, with additional themed food and drinks at major parks. The atmosphere is nightlife-led rather than parade-led. Expect tighter security and longer waits at bars after dark.
A Princess-themed runDisney race weekend at Walt Disney World with a half marathon plus 5K and 10K events and a costumed runner scene. The courses run through resort areas and parks, so it doubles as a spectator event. Expect early morning starts, road closures, and higher hotel demand in the Disney zone.
Spring exhibition programming at Downtown Orlando’s main local history museum, with rotating shows tied to Florida’s civic and cultural calendar. It’s the clearest way to understand Orlando’s Timucua and Seminole roots, citrus economy, and pre-Disney history. Check the current exhibition list before you go, because themes change and affect how long you’ll want to stay.
The spring calendar at Dr. Phillips Center brings Broadway touring shows, orchestral concerts, and dance programming into Downtown Orlando. It’s the city’s flagship performing arts venue and a strong non-park evening option. Buy tickets as soon as dates and titles fit your trip, premium weekends and best seats move first in peak travel months.
The Savannah Bananas trick-play baseball show is confirmed to return to Walt Disney World’s sports complex in 2026, with specific dates listed as TBC. It’s a high-demand, family-focused ticket that can sell quickly once released. If it’s on your trip wishlist, track on-sale announcements and avoid planning the day around walk-up availability.
Orlando in March at a glance
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Weather
Maximum temperature: 28°C
Minimum temperature: 17°C
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Daylight
Around 13 hours 2 minutes of daylight
Sunrise: 6:35am
Sunset: 7:37pm
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Key events
Universal Mardi Gras: Int'l Flavors, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, Orange County Regional History Center Exhibitions
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Crowds
Balanced crowds, with manageable queues and a mix of tourists and local visitors in the city.
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