Event: The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC – the nation’s springtime parade – is returning to Constitution Avenue NW (between 7th and 17th Streets) on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10 a.m.! 

D.C. area residents and visitors alike love seeing the colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers bursting down the Parade route each year. It’s truly a spectacle of music and showmanship celebrating spring in Washington, D.C.!

Talent and Performers: 

Grand Marshals – 

Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse, bringing the magic from Walt Disney World Resort 

Honorary Marshal – 

Lisa Ann Walter, Abbott Elementary Star and DC Area Native 

Hosts – 

Alison Starling + Robert Burton + Eileen Whelan, News On Your Side (WJLA-TV) anchors 

Gio Benitez of Good Morning America and Carson Kressley, Emmy Award-winning TV personality – providing commentary from the street 

Performers – 

Freedom Williams, formerly of C+C Music Factory singing the multiplatinum hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” 

Leah Marlene, “American Idol” finalist 

Oma Cardona, “The Voice” finalist 

Thelma Houston, Grammy Award-winning vocalist 

12 Marching Bands from around the country, including DC’s own Ballou High School 

Giant Helium Balloons include Peppa Pig, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and Alma from Alma’s Way 

Tickets and Metro Access: 

Grandstand tickets can be purchased NOW! The grandstand section offers reserved seating along Constitution Avenue NW between 15th and 17th Streets. Group tickets for 10 or more are also available. Portions of the Parade (Constitution Avenue between 9th & 15th Streets) are free to the public along the route and are first-come, first-served. 

The event is Metro-accessible via the Archives-Navy Memorial stop on the Yellow/Green lines or Federal Triangle on the Blue/Orange lines. 

Sponsors: 

The Parade is presented by Events DC. Additional support is provided by Amazon, ANA, CSI Printing & Graphics, Hilton, LaCroix Sparkling Water, and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Media partners include 7News On You Side (WJLA-TV), The Washington Informer, The Washington Post, and 97.1 WASH-FM.