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Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza®, for a full day of live music and engaging activities!
This day-long all-ages spring street party 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. RAIN DATE: Sunday, April 5
Grab your downloadable map (pdf)
At Petalpalooza, there are five zones, plus the Petalwalk. Check out a preview of some of the zones:
Zone 1: First Bloom
- Face Painters: Face painting artists work their magic in just a few minutes, turning faces into beautiful butterflies floral masterpieces, and more. It’s a joyful, hands-on experience that leaves everyone walking away a little more festive and brighter. It is a joyful, hands-on experience that leaves everyone walking away a little more festive and brighter. Available in Zones 1,3 and 5.
- Slime Station: Creativity gets gooey! This vibrant, hands-on experience lets imaginations run wild as guests mix, swirl, and stretch their very own batches of colorful slime. With a variety of textures, glitter, and even surprise add-ins, every creation is a unique masterpiece. Get ready for some squishy, stretchy fun!
- Friendship Bracelet Making: This engaging activity invites guests to craft beautiful friendship bracelets with the Festival’s Goodwill Ambassadors. With a rainbow beads and shapes, guests create a keepsake to cherish or share.
- Blossom Carousel: Step inside a whimsical, cherry blossom–inspired experience filled with motion, color, and springtime charm. Participants simply hop on, strike a pose, and enjoy a playful ride that’s perfect for photos and unforgettable festival moments. It’s a joyful, interactive attraction that lets everyone be part of the magic.
- Family Rest Area: a calm, shaded retreat where families can take a break, recharge, and care for little ones.
- Washington Spirit invites guests to play Prize It!, a mobile game where fans try to catch a prize on their phone to redeem for prizes at their booth!
- Photobooth: WASH-FM and HOT 99.5 will host a photobooth with music, giveaways and yard games. Sponsored by iHeart Media.
- Bloom & Build: Build, experiment, and play with inspired STEM experiences for families, hosted by Lotts Of Luv.
- Hands on Heart: Learn hands only CPR, AED and Narcan Training for free, hosted by DC Fire & EMS.
- “Metro – All Lines Lead to Bloom”: Join Metro for a commemorative photo opportunity, Plinko games, giveaways and prizes!
- Dunkin’ Cruiser & Kiosk: Visit the Dunkin’ Donuts Cruiser for samples of their seasonal beverage flavors, along with our interactive kiosk experience where attendees will have a chance to win a prize.
- D.C United & DC Power: Connect with the teams to learn about upcoming matches and events at Audi Field.
Stage Entertainment:
1:30 PM Aerial Candy (Aerial fitness and dance school)
3:00 PM Taal Dance Academy (Indian classical Bharatanatyam, Bollywood dance and Folk dance)
4:30 PM CityDance Studios Dance Team (Dance team for ages 10-18
5:45 PM Dance Flamenco DC & Flamenco 4 Kids!™ (Dance from Andalucía
Zone 2: Cherry Blast + Tingey Square
- Color-Your-Bloom: Official Artwork T-Shirt (pay to play): This interactive T-shirt painting activity invites festival-goers to bring the official 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival artwork to life. Guests will paint the featured design outlined on their own T-shirts using vibrant fabric paints. It’s a creative, hands-on way to wear the art, celebrate the season, and take home a one-of-a-kind Cherry Blossom keepsake.
- Paint & Sip: Unleash your inner artist at our outdoor guided Paint-and-Sip. This alfresco experience offers you all the materials needed to create your own masterpiece, at your own pace. Hosted by DC Lottery.
- Merchandise Table: Purchase Official National Cherry Blossom Festival merchandise.
- Cherry Blossom Keychains: Create cherry blossom keychains using pipe cleaners and embellish their keychains with lovely charms and beads.
- Bloom by Lexus: Test drives, giveaways and more in Tingey Square.
- Barry’s Workout Challenge: Attendees can compete in fun fitness challenges to win exclusive Barry’s Gym offers!
- Sapporo Tasting: Stop by to sample some of Sapporo’s Japanese-style lagers and more.
- Cornhole Challenge: Engage with Wonder‘s custom cornhole experience for a chance to win premium, locally inspired prizes. Every participant will walk away with a Wonder gift card.
- Wooden Ornament Painting (pay to play): Decorate pre-cut wooden ornaments in the shape of cherry blossoms, butterflies, and the Maneki-neko cat using colorful paints and brushes. t’s a relaxing, creative experience that results in a handcrafted keepsake to take home and treasure.
Stage Entertainment (1-7:30 PM):
- 1:00 PM DJ Eb & Flow (Party Music)
- 2:00 PM & 3:15 PM Hip Hop Throwdown with DJ, Breakdance Artists
DJ Eb & Flow & DJ Lightzout and nationally renowned Bboys DQ, Sykes, Akuma and Ezra will break, pop, and lock - 4:45 PM Gordon Sterling & The People (Soul/Funk, Blues/Rock)
- 6:15 PM Shirleta Settles and The System Band (Motown)
- 7:30 PM Follow the music to the river for more tunes and Fireworks at 8:45
Zone 3: Flower Power
- Springtime Planting: a hands-on festival activity that invites guests to celebrate the season by potting flowers or herbs to take home. With soil, plants, and decorative containers provided, participants can create their own mini garden while learning simple care tips. It’s a relaxing, nature-inspired experience that captures the fresh, joyful spirit of spring.
- Flower Crowns: Making: Both children and adults can create whimsical, wearable art using fresh blooms, greenery, and flexible wire bases. With guidance and plenty of colorful flowers to choose from, guests can design crowns that reflect their personal style. It’s a charming, hands-on experience that adds a touch of festival magic to everyone’s day.
- Costume Karaoke: Festival-goers are invited to step into character and take the mic for a fun, over-the-top sing-along experience. Whether dressed as pop icons, superheroes, or something totally unexpected, participants bring extra flair to their performances. It’s a high-energy, laugh-filled activity that blends music, creativity, and crowd-pleasing entertainment.
- Anacostia Riverkeeper Boat Tours: Take an educational tour of the Anacostia River on a motorized skiff for the public to meet their river! Hosted by Anacostia Riverkeeper.
- Glitter Tattoos: Add sparkle to the day with shimmering designs applied in just minutes using stencils and skin-safe glitter. Guests can choose from playful patterns, bold shapes, or festival-themed icons, leaving with a temporary tattoo that shines in the sun.
- Face Painters
Stage Entertainment (1-8:45 PM):
- 1:00 PM GXB (southern rock)
- 2:30 PM Ellis Hamilton (smooth jazz , R&B, and soul)
- 4:00 PM Fat Cat & the Blues (blues and soul)
- 5:00 PM DJ Lightzout and Silent Disco
- 6:00 PM Costas Colectivo (Salsa and Latin Jazz)
- 7:30 PM Be’la Dona (Sensual Crank and Go-Go)
- 8:30 PM Fireworks over the River
Zone 4: Color Way
- Origami & Art Activity: A hands-on creative escape where guests can fold colorful paper into cranes, flowers, and playful shapes. Surrounded by markers, stickers, and decorative materials, participants can personalize their creations or craft entirely new pieces of art. It is an inviting space that blends relaxation with imagination, perfect for all ages.
- Merchandise Tent: Purchase official National Cherry Blossom Festival merchandise.
- Fan Decorating: Young artists can create their own colorful, cherry blossom–inspired fans. With blank fans, cherry blossom stencils, and bright markers provided, for a unique keepsake that keeps you cool. It’s a fun, hands-on craft that celebrates creativity and the spirit of spring.
- Community Art Activity: All festival-goers are invited to collaborate on a living mural designed by local D.C. artist Mike McMullin.
- Lantern-Making: Join the Washington Lantern Festival to build your own glowing lanterns using provided frames, paper, paints, and cherry blossom–inspired designs. After decorating, participants can set their finished lanterns afloat on the Canal Basin near The Wharf, creating a stunning, shared display of floating light. It’s a magical, reflective moment that blends creativity with the beauty of the waterfront.
- Paws-itively Picture Perfect Photobooth: hosted by Bond Vet, the photobooth is a paws-itively perfect chance for you and your furry companions to strike a pose and capture a memorable festival moment together. With fun props and a pet-friendly setup, it’s the perfect spot to snap an adorable photo of your pup in the spotlight.
- LaCroix Sampling: Visit La Croix’s spring backdrop and try their refreshing products.
- Dance In Bloom: Hosted by Washington Performing Arts
- Lee’s Flowers Spring Bouquet DIY: Choose from a garden of fresh spring flowers to create your own whimsical bouquet.
- Hard Rock Cafe Washington, DC: Hard Rock will be offering a 15% discount on food and beverage to attendees who stop by the booth, take a photo, and post it on Instagram. There will be a themed backdrop and cherry blossom decor to make you feel like you’re right at the Tidal Basin! Guests can also try their luck at our spin‑to‑win giveaways for a chance to win branded merchandise, complimentary appetizers, and more.
- Blossom Departure Lounge by DCA & IAD: Learn about nonstop destinations to Asia from Dulles, win one-week premium reserve parking, and spin the wheel to win airport merch. Hosted by Washington-Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport.
- Additional zone sponsors: Navy Yard BID and Potbelly
Petal Stage Entertainment, in partnership with Washington Performing Arts (1-7:30 PM):
- 1:05 PM DC Hand Dance Club
- 1:40 PM Too Much Talent
- 2:45 PM Go-Go Fitness
- 3:35 PM Jenny Osoria & The Jonathan Acosta Band Dancers
- 4:10 PM Jonathan Acosta Band
- 5:20 PM Go-Go Fitness
- 6:15 PM Crazy Legz
- 6:50 PM Blacc Print Band
Zone 5: Blossom Bay
- Paddleboard Community Painting Project: Festival-goers will turn functional sports gear into Cherry Blossom-inspired artwork by decorating paddleboards with vibrant colors, blossom patterns, and creative designs. With plenty of inspiration on hand, guests participate in a fun, hands-on art event with community partners.
- Birds of Prey: Meet Earth Conservation Corps’ Raptor Ambassadors. Learn about a variety of raptors such as hawks, owls, and falcons who serve as our Raptor Ambassadors to teach our community members about raptor and environmental conservation.
- Giant Pharmacy: Learn about how you can improve your health and your community’s health and well-being with Giant Food.
- Wish Wall: Visit the Malloy Law Wish Wall where you can write wishes for the year on cherry blossoms and add to the wall. Enjoy games and activities to win fun prizes.
- Face Painters
- Additional Zone Sponsors: M&T Bank
Stage Entertainment (1-8:45 PM):
- 1:00 PM Still Cookin’ (rock, blues and soul)
- 2:15 PM Justin Trawick and the Common Good (Americana)
- 3:30 PM bēheld (social justice pop and soul)
- 4:45 PM Slade Band (rock with Southern grit)
- 6:00 PM Yessah Music (Hawaiian Reggae)
- 7:30 PM Backyard Band (Go-Go)
- 8:30 PM Fireworks over the River
Petalwalk
Along the Anacostia River, as you travel between Zones 2 and 3, is Petalwalk! Enjoy food vendors and an incredible XR experience provided by ARTECHOUSE.
2026 Presenting Sponsor
2026 Supporting Sponsors
2026 STAGE SPONSOR
2026 media sponsors
Signature event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc
For more info, please reach out to ncbf@ncbf.org.
