10 Things to Do in Sedona in March

Sedona is an Arizona city with a series of towering rock formations that rise out of an unparalleled arid landscape. During the month of March, this desert is reborn and offers a mind-blowing visual spectacle of vibrant vegetation.

Among the best things to do in Sedona in March are many outdoor activities and annual celebrations. For example, you can take a hiking trail, enjoy a tour of the vineyards, and even take to the skies in a hot air balloon. You'll also have the opportunity to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Yoga Festival, and the city's Film Festival, among other things.

Attending the Film Festival & Workshop is another thing to do in Sedona during the month of March. This is an annual event with over 20 years of tradition, where you'll see a number of independent film productions from around the world.

This festival runs from late February in Sedona through early March, specifically on weekends. You will have to go to the Harkins Theaters in the city and enjoy more than 160 screenings: feature films, short films, documentaries, animations, etc.

You will also have the opportunity to attend some complementary activities such as conferences, film workshops, question and answer debates, among others. All this, led by experienced filmmakers and dictated in the conference room of some of Sedona's resorts and restaurants.

After traveling the world thanks to the magic of the film productions exhibited at the festival, you can continue getting to know the city. Perhaps join a bus tour of Sedona, visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village and experience the cultural diversity it has to offer, etc.

March marks the beginning of spring in Sedona and thus the rebirth of nature on the city' s desert trails. It's the perfect time to embark on an ATV adventure through this region to see the vibrant vegetation dotting the red cliff landscape.

This off-road adventure will take you to a number of natural tourist destinations, some of which include the following:

• The Walk Devil's Bridge, which is an impressive sandstone arch.
• The Airport Mesa; this is a trail that circles Table Top Mountain and offers good panoramic views.
• The Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1956 on a hill in Sedona and surrounded by monumental rock buttresses.

As you travel along the route of this Sedona Canyon ATV tour, you will see cactus in bloom and some wildflowers, which contrast with the characteristic red color of the rock formations. You will also have the opportunity to see the local wildlife: elk, snakes, javelinas, coyotes, among other animals.

Sedona's dark skies are a perfect setting for stargazing, especially during the new moon phase. Take advantage of this natural phenomenon in March and be amazed by the dozens of celestial bodies in the firmament. And, if you are lucky, you might spot a UFO.

To carry out this astronomical experience you can go to the base of Cathedral Rock. This is a privileged destination for stargazing. During the week of the new moon, the sky in this part of the city is illuminated by a slight glow given by the Milky Way. Added to this is the dark tone of the firmament due to the absence of cloud cover.

You will be able to see the stars and constellations with your naked eyes. However, you have the option to enhance this experience by joining a stargazing and UFO viewing tour in Sedona. This way, you will have the company of a guide and special equipment such as military night vision goggles, etc.

If you are a yoga enthusiast and your trip coincides with the first half of March, then you must attend the Sedona International Yoga Festival. You will enjoy lectures, more than 200 classes and other activities that will allow you to live a unique experience.

In this festival you will have several activities led by experts in the field, some of them being the following:

• The guided yoga and meditation class, where you can find your energy flow.
• An excursion through the canyons and rock formations, where you will get in touch with nature and learn about the power of the energy vertices while doing a yoga practice.
• Some lectures, which usually have as a theme the philosophy of yoga and metaphysics, in addition to analyzing some aspects of human nature.

Undoubtedly, this is an unmissable experience in March, which you can incorporate into your itinerary along with other outdoor activities. Such is the case of a trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Sedona, a hike through the city's trails, a visit to the Grand Canyon, and more.

Another celebration that takes place in the month of March in Sedona that you surely don't want to miss is St. Patrick's Day. Dress in green and make your way to this lively parade route on the streets of downtown, celebrate cultural heritage and have fun.

The parade usually takes place around 10:30 a.m. and runs between Jordan Road, starting from Jordan Historical Park all the way to Mesquite Avenue. Along this route, you will see picturesque floats and dozens of people in their traditional Irish costumes.

In addition, you will enjoy a series of troupes that with the melody of their bagpipes, harps and piccolos, year after year enliven the parade. You can't help but dance to the traditional Celtic music of Western Europe.

Afterwards, you can continue your St. Patrick's Day celebration with a beer at a local pub and enjoy Sedona by night. For example, Mooney's Irish Pub & Burger Bar is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, offering themed parties during the holiday.

Watching the first rays of the sun rise behind the red stone hills that surround Sedona is a beautiful natural spectacle. And what better way to enjoy this panorama, but as the crow flies. Take advantage of the moderate wind speed (3 Bft) in March and enjoy a leisurely, turbulence-free hot air balloon flight over the region.

You should board the balloon at least 15 minutes before sunrise, which in March is usually around 7:10 am. This way, you will be soaring the skies at the exact moment when the sun makes its appearance on the horizon. You'll see Sedona's canyons and hills gradually light up, revealing a vibrant natural scene.

You'll be able to see the city's major rock formations. For example, Cathedral Rock, Red Rock State Park, Oak Creek Canyon with its colorful walls, among others. Also, the vegetation reborn in this month that marks the beginning of spring stands out in the panorama.

Your itinerary of at least 3 days in Sedona in March will not be complete without a hiking trail. During this month the weather is transitioning from winter to spring, so the environment will be quite cool and the vegetation will have begun to bloom, bringing a particular color to the landscape scene.

There are many destinations in the city of Sedona for a hiking tour. You could visit Boynton Canyon, which is a very popular place because it is home to one of the famous energy vortexes. In addition, you will enjoy several wooded areas with trails of different levels of difficulty.

Other destinations you can visit include Oak Creek Canyon, which stands out in March for its picturesque nature and trails. Also, the famous sandstone arch, Devil's Bridge, located within the Coconino National Forest.

With each change of season comes a renewal of energy in the environment. So, if you plan to spend 1-2 days in Sedona or more during the month of March, you should take the opportunity to visit the city's famous energy vortexes. These are places with great energetic power where you can connect with your spirituality.

To discover Sedona's most famous vortexes, you should visit four important natural monuments in the city. Such is the case of Cathedral Rock, which is an imposing sandstone hill; the Airport Vortex, located a few meters from the Airport Loop; Boyton Canyon, with a peculiar box shape; and Bell Rock, which is a hill located in the northern region of the Village of Oak Creek.

When you reach the vortexes, you must connect with nature through meditation to heal your body and soul. You will experience the magic of Sedona and enjoy the stunning cliff scenery dotted with beautiful nature, which is in full bloom in March. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history and geology of this region.

Spring days in March are a good time to visit Sedona's vineyards, as they are just beginning to awaken, meaning the buds and leaves are in the process of blooming. This is the most beautiful time in these plantations. Enjoy this privileged landscape while tasting some wines.

Throughout this activity, considered one of the best tours and day trips in Sedona, you can visit wineries and vineyards of great historical importance to these lands.

Some must-see destinations when embarking on a wine tour in Sedona are usually:

• Page Springs Winery, located about a 20-minute drive from town. This family-owned winery offers a picturesque vineyard, tastings and even yoga sessions.
• Oak Creek Vineyard; a family-owned boutique winery with a variety of balanced wines for your palate. It is a 20-minute drive from the city.
• Alcantara Vineyard. This is a winery approximately 40 minutes from Sedona by car. You will find a beautiful landscape with bald eagles flying overhead and more than 20,000 vines.

With the rebirth of vegetation in March following the end of the winter season in Sedona, some birds make their presence known as they forage for food for their young. Therefore, it's the perfect time for you to explore the city's nature and go bird watching.

Some of the favorite places for birders tend to be the Broken Arrow OHV, Airport View trail, Red Rock State Park, among others. All of them offer moderate routes for easy exploration.

Throughout this adventure, you will have the opportunity to observe about 200 species of birds in Sedona. You'll just have to keep an eye on your surroundings. As you enter the respective wilderness areas, it will only be a matter of time before you begin to enjoy the diversity of birds.

March bids farewell to winter and welcomes spring, so the weather is more pleasant, offering a warm but cool atmosphere. Temperatures reach an average high of 14ºC, rising 3ºC daily. They rarely drop below 10ºC or exceed 20ºC.

The minimum temperature in Sedona increases 3ºC daily, with an average of 3ºC to 6ºC. And, with respect to rainfall, 3 to 8 rainy days are usually recorded in this month, which corresponds to a maximum of 48 millimeters of water. In addition, the wind force is 3 Bft and the average UV index does not exceed level 3.

Although winter is behind us, March is still a bit chilly, especially at night. So, ideally, you should pack some basics such as long pants and a light coat.

You should also pack shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and comfortable closed-toe shoes that will keep your feet protected during long walks. This will be appropriate during outdoor excursions and tours. For example, if you take an Antelope Canyon adventure from Sedona.