- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- EnvironmentFestivities
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every March 20
- Holiday emoji:
- 🌎
The March Equinox ushers in a period of renewal and balance every March 20. It marks the sun’s crossing of the celestial equator, bringing nearly equal day and night across the globe. Embrace this astronomical event by connecting with nature, planning outdoor activities, and celebrating new beginnings.
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Expected March Equinox Deals
As the March Equinox signals the arrival of spring, expect retailers to launch seasonal promotions. While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that brands like The Home Depot and Lowe’s offer deals on gardening supplies and outdoor living. Apparel retailers such as Target and Old Navy will showcase spring fashion collections. Travel sites like Expedia and Booking.com often feature discounts on spring getaways, while local nurseries and farmers’ markets will highlight fresh produce and planting essentials. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 20 approaches.
Platform Guide for March Equinox
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MarchEquinox. Share vibrant photos of spring blooms, outdoor adventures, or your garden’s first signs of life.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MarchEquinox. Create short videos showcasing spring cleaning hacks, time-lapses of plants growing, or outdoor activities to welcome the season.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MarchEquinox. Share local spring festival announcements, community garden projects, or tips for celebrating the equinox with family and friends.
March Equinox Hero
Carl Sagan
History of March Equinox
Wherever you may be on Earth, the equinox brings us several seasonal effects which have been noticeable to nature lovers around the globe for years. The word ‘equinox’ originates from two Latin words: ‘aequus’ meaning equal and ‘nox’ meaning night. The literal meaning is ‘equal night.’ Our ancestors, who had far less precise timekeeping than we do, believed that night and day were equal. But today we know this is not true.
People have been celebrating the March Equinox for centuries and since it is associated with spring the festivals tend to celebrate fertility and agriculture. The Romans used this day to celebrate their goddess Cybele who has driven around in a chariot drawn by lions. Ancient Persia in roughly 550 B.C., celebrated the vernal equinox as Nowruz, their New Year. Modern Iranians still celebrate this time as their New Year. During the era of the Shang Dynasty, which ruled China from 1600 to 1046 B.C., it was believed that the spring equinox marked a mythic beginning, a type of ‘start of their line.’ Jews in the 12th Century believed that the spring equinox marked the day in the year in which the Biblical plague that turned Egypt’s water into blood occurred.
The festival of ‘Holi’ is the March equinox festival in India. This is celebrated in honor of various Hindu deities and legends. It signals the triumph of Good vs Evil, the most notable being the legend of Krishna and Rhada. Ancient cultures had great awareness of nature, the seasons, and the movement of the celestial bodies. Many built sites that had a glaringly obvious use: that of a calendar. These were often aligned to display shafts of sunlight during solstices and equinoxes. Examples of these are Chichen Itza in Mexico, Mnajdra Temples in Malta, and Stonehenge in England.
March Equinox timeline
The sun lines up with Aries on the spring equinox but in 2567 the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Sham el-Nessim is an ancient Egyptian holiday that can be traced back to 2700 B.C.
The Gregorian calendar is created and is based on the March equinox, falling from March 11 to March 21, the date it occurred in 325 CE.
In Japan, those who practiced Shintoism used the March equinox to honor their ancestors.
How Businesses Can Celebrate March Equinox
Local businesses can embrace the March Equinox by aligning with the themes of renewal and growth. Nurseries and garden centers can host workshops on spring planting or offer promotions on seasonal flowers and seeds. Cafes and restaurants can introduce special spring menus featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Retailers might launch new spring collections or organize outdoor-themed events. Consider partnering with local environmental groups for clean-up drives or educational talks, promoting community engagement around the natural world.
March Equinox FAQs
When is March Equinox?
In 2027, the March Equinox occurs on Saturday, March 20. It’s a significant day that heralds the official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
What happens during the March Equinox?
The March Equinox marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing warmer temperatures and new growth. Conversely, it signals the start of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, with days gradually shortening.
How often does the March Equinox occur?
The Earth experiences two equinoxes each year—the March (vernal) equinox and the September (autumnal) equinox. These two moments are when the sun crosses the celestial equator.
What is the difference between an equinox and a solstice?
Equinoxes occur when the Earth’s axis is neither tilted towards nor away from the sun, leading to balanced light. Solstices happen when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward or away from the sun, creating extreme differences in daylight hours.
March Equinox Activities
Spring Clean
The March equinox is the perfect time to give your house an overhaul. Start by decluttering your house.
Do some gardening
Growth symbolizes triumph over death and being reborn therefore it has become a tradition to plant seeds at this time of the year. Add some colorful flowers to your garden to celebrate spring.
Visit ancient sites
Various ancient sites are linked to March equinox celebrations and traditions. Pack a bag, call a friend or two and set out on an adventure.
5 Facts About The March Equinox
The sun rises and sets the fastest
The fastest sunsets and sunrises occur during this time of the year.
Spring occurs on two different days
There are two different calendars: the astronomical and the meteorological calendar. If we go by the astronomical calendar, spring will fall on March 20 but if we go by the other, spring will occur on March 1.
It’s Mother's day
In Arab countries, Mother's Day is often observed on the March equinox.
It marks the middle of Spring
In East Asian countries the March equinox marks the halfway point of spring.
It signals the start of a festival
Boatyard employees and sailboat owners in the U.S hold the Burning of the Socks festival where socks are burnt to celebrate the warmer weather.
Why We Love March Equinox
It is celebrated around the world
The March equinox is celebrated by many cultures around the world. We love that it has a unifying factor.
It signals new beginnings
The March equinox symbolizes growth and new beginnings. It is a clear marker of the change from winter to spring.
Days are longer
Along with longer days, the weather starts to warm up as well. Nature reflects this change with the blooming of new flowers and plants.
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