OUTDOOR EXTRAVAGANZA
Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza, for a full day of live music and engaging activities!
This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show set to music starting at 8:30 PM.
This event is FREE and fun for all ages.
Times and activities are subject to change.
Check out the 2022 Petalpalooza digital map for a sneak peek of what you will see in 2023!
SWIPE TO CHECK OUT PETALPALOOZA 2023!
What's Happening at Petalpalooza presented by Chase
*Please note, these listings are subject to change
- Rock Climbing Wall – 24ft rockwall with 3 routes that engages participants of all ages and activity level
- Participant/Activity tents
- Cherry Blossom Follies (Art in Bloom presented by Amazon) – wooden cherry blossom cutouts with slits on the sides that enable pieces to be fit together and built into interactive 3D sculptures
- Metro Transit Police Department – interactive games and giveaways
- iHeart – step and repeat with cherry blossoms and station logos, table tent prizes games, yard games
- Hands on Heart – teaching first aid
- Mobile Rock Climbing Wall – 24 foot climbing wall
- Movement Gyms – on the ground climbing games and climbing skills demonstrations
- Paragon / Evolve – protein shake giveaways
- Harris Teeter – truck activation with tent + giveaways
- National Children Museum – blossom-themed kids flower craft activity
- Stage
- Yoga/Music – instructor on stage engaging the crowd in relaxing exercises to the beat of the music ; mobility and fitness classes
- Mayweather Gym
- Food Trucks + Picnic tables
- Large Yard Games
- Picnic Tables / Hammocks – tables and hammocks are spread out through the zone providing rest spots
- Body Marbling – festival goers become art, utilizing hydrodynamics to transfer glowing, swirling patterns onto skin
- Dunk it with Dunkin’ Donuts – dunking game with pink basketballs; coffee samples and giveaways
- My Eye Dr. – swag giveaways (Silent Disco sponsor)
- Food and Bev
- Food Trucks
- Official Cocktail Bar – Blossom Beverage canned cocktails
- DC Water Quench Buggy
- Music – Live DJ
- SILENT DISCO – participants are able to tune in to their desired channel through individual headsets providing personalized experiences
- Latin Dance, Today’s Hits – by request
- Schedule:
- 2pm-2:30pm; 3:30pm-4:00pm; 5pm-5:30pm; 6:30pm-7pm
- limited fun swag giveaway items for first 50 participants in each session!
- SILENT DISCO – participants are able to tune in to their desired channel through individual headsets providing personalized experiences
- On-Site Activations
- Chase Sponsor Lounge
- Beverage Garden + Kirin Lounge
- Opici Wine Bar + Kirin Beer Bar
- Merchandise Tent
- Petalpalooza Art Market – Black Girl Art Show – celebration of black female artists using varying forms of media with the central theme of vibrancy, organic, floral inspired
- Sundeck – Gardening Activity Stations – sponsored by Chase
- Decorate your own Pot
- Plant a seedling
- DC Beekeepers – education and hive observatory
- DC Lottery – games and giveaways
- Picnic Tables / Hammocks
- Origami Boat Activity – inviting event goers to decorate and create origami boats to test out in the canal basin
- DC Water – Tent with giveaways
- Stage Performances
- Jazzy Blu
- Mama Moon and the Rumpshakers
- Max Rosado
- Black Alley
- Everyday Everybody
- Food Vendors
- On-Site Activations
- Mars Petcare – pet-friendly giveaways / photo op
- Balloon twisters
- Anacostia River Festival – photo activation, giveaways and jump ropers
- CRBID’s Blossom Arbor – Public Art Activity + Installation
- Student Art Showcase display
- Washington Performing Arts – musical instrument petting zoo
- Stage Performances
- 1pm Justin Trawick
- 2pm Crazy Legz
- 3pm Pam Ward
- 4pm Honest Lee Soul
- 5pm Future Band
- 6pm The Experience Band
- 7pm DuPont Brass
- ++Double Dutch Jump Rope performances and crowd engagement throughout the day
- On-Site Activations
- Kayak Painting Activity – event goers have a chance to contribute to the design of kayak(s) that will highlight the waterfront and the fun activities to come!
- Harbor Patrol – T-shirt Press Craft
- Picnic Tables/ Hammocks
- BetMGM – Game + Prizes – XL Plinko Board + photo op
- Hands on Heart – first aid training and info
- Stage Performances Lineup
- Tre Charles
- Flowerbomb
- Massie
- Perro Sombra
- Blacc Print Experience
- Food Offerings – TBD
Lost and Found: Bring found items to an Information Tent.
Lost Child: Please escort lost children to an information tent where staff can assist with reunification
Fireworks viewing: The fireworks display may be viewed from all locations throughout the event, with the best views located on the boardwalk and Yards Park in Zones 3, 4, and 5. The fireworks can also be seen from Anacostia Park across the River.
Throughout the Day: Extend your reality with a special Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge XR Activation sponsored by ARTECHOUSE DC!
Download the ARTECHOUSE app, and point it at the Bridge from anywhere along the river at Petalpalooza. Tap the Blossom icon that pops up and watch the blossoms adorn the Bridge. Learn more.
ARTECHOUSE XR EXPERIENCE
Inspired by the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge — which connects physically-divided neighborhoods in the DC Metro Area — ARTECHOUSE has created a new XR (Extended Reality) art activation in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Activated using the ARTECHOUSE XR app, viewers are encouraged to reflect on meaningful connections in the world around us core to this time of year.
Transportation
Parking is limited in the District, especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s highly recommended that visitors use DC’s alternative transportation modes like Capital Bikeshare, DC Streetcar, Scooters, DC Circulator, Metrobus, and Metrorail to make the most of their experience. Skip the traffic and parking by planning your trip with goDCgo’s Getting to the Blossoms Guide.
Travel Advisory
Metro train travel is strongly recommended to Petalpalooza for April 8, 2023.
CLOSEST METRO
Navy Yard-Ballpark (Department of Transportation exit on M Street & New Jersey Ave)
Navy Yard-Ballpark (Ball Park exit on M Street & Half Street)
STREET CLOSURE NOTICE
4/8/23: Please note that roads south of M street SE between First and 5th Streets will be restricted or closed for Petalpalooza in the Capitol Riverfront area. Please note that other large events are taking place in this area on the same date and public transit is strongly recommended.
GETTING TO PETALPALOOZA
Metro is the best way to experience the Festival, with multiple ways to get to an event. For maps, schedules, and fees, please visit wmata.com.
METRO DESTINATION:
ALL DAY: Navy Yard-Ballpark station is recommended for avoiding road closures in the areas surrounding Capitol Riverfront at The Yards, including 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Water Street, after 10 AM on April 6.
Navy Yard-Ballpark station (Green line): We suggest taking the Department of Transportation exit at the Navy Yard station.
Walking Directions to Capitol Riverfront from Navy Yard-Ballpark metro
Spectators should utilize the DC Circulator’s Eastern Market – L’Enfant Plaza route to access the Yards. The closest stops are located along D Street/ 7th Street SW. Rides cost just $1, and buses arrive every 10 minutes. Riders are encouraged to check DCCirculator.com for real-time service updates, as the traditional route may experience some detours due to road closures.
Multiple Capital Bikeshare stations are conveniently located near Capitol Riverfront at The Yards.
Spectators could utilize the docks along 3rd & M St SE or 4th & M St SE. To view more options, check out the ‘Getting to Petalpalooza’ layer on our map.
For a complete list of stations, visit CapitalBikeshare.com.
We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app.
To reserve your parking spot, visit the Petalpalooza SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.
Health and Safety
To ensure Petalpalooza is a fun and safe experience for all attendees, the National Cherry Blossom Festival adheres to local and federal health requirements. Please note that this information is subject to change as the Festival continues to monitor health and safety guidelines.
Pet Comfort Stations
Pet comfort stations will be available at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area, Blossom Kite Festival, and Petalpalooza. Click the link below for pet-friendly details!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
Special Thanks
Corner Water
Washington Performing Arts
Metro
DDOT
Blossom Beverages
PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants to vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!
