National Cherry Blossom Festival, Blossom Kite Festival Presented by Amazon

Spring On the Fun!

BLOSSOM KITE FESTIVAl

Presented by Amazon

Join us at the Washington Monument Grounds with activities, music, competitions, and performances. Kite enthusiasts, beginners, families, and friends are all welcome.  

The 2024 Blossom Kite Festival will feature: 

  • Sakura Taiko Fest at Sylvan Theater, produced by Miyako Taiko, a day-long celebration of dynamic traditional Japanese drumming.
  • Performances by Not a Saint Band,  Ian Carroll, and Guava Jelly. 
  • Mr. Mikio Toki, a master of traditional Edo-style kites, who is traveling all the way from Japan to showcase his kites for attendees!

  • Choreographed performances and demonstrations by Team KiteLife, Wings Over Washington Kite Club, and other nationally and internationally recognized professional kite fliers.

  • National Anthem sung by Flo Anito.

  • Adult Kitemakers Competition and Youth Kitemakers Competition.

2024 BLOSSOM KITE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE*

COMPETITION & DEMONSTRATION FIELD

Welcome Remarks: 10:00 AM
National Anthem: 10:05 AM 
KIPP Mass Ascension + Mikio Toki: 10:10 AM
Mikio Toki Demo + Kite Ballets: 10:45 – 11:15 AM
TEAM KITELIFE Demo #1: 11:15 – 11:45 AM
Hot Tricks Showdown: 11:45 – 12:30 PM
TEAM KITELIFE Demo #2: 12:30 – 1:00 PM
Adult Kite Makers Competition: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Professional Mass Ascension: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Kite Arch: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Rokkaku Battle: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
TEAM KITELIFE Demo #3: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Awards: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

FAMILY FIELD

NOT A SAINT BAND: 10:30 – 11:45 AM
Practice Fly for Youth Kite Makers: 10:45 – 11:45 AM
Youth Kite Makers Competition: 12:00 – 12:45 PM
Youth Kite Makers Awards: 12:45 – 1:00 PM
IAN CARROLL BAND: 1:15 – 2:30 PM
Mascots Bol Race: 2:00 – 2:30 PM GUAVA JELLY BAND (Bol Races): 2:30 – 4:00 PM

* Schedule is subject to change 

COMPETITION REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Adult Kitemakers Competition Registration………………………..10:00 – 12:00 PM

Youth Kitemakers Competition Registration………………………..10:30 – 11:30 AM

This year, the theme of the kitemaking competition is ‘Colors of the Wind’.

To fly a kite in the Adult Kitemakers Competition, Hot Tricks Showdown, or Rokkaku Battle, competitors must register either online in advance or at the Registration Tent on the day of the event. Registration is free of charge.

To fly a kite in the Youth Kitemakers Competition, youth competitors must register at the table located next to the Family Field Stage on the day of the event.

Registration for all other competitions will remain open until spaces are filled, or the competition begins.

Winners of each category will receive a prize!

A Look at the 2023 Blossom Kite Festival

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Share the event with your family and friends! Join the Blossom Kite Festival on Facebook.

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Kite Flying Workshops

Kite Flying Crossword

History of Kite Flying Crossword Puzzle

Learn about the history of kite flying from the American Kitefliers Association. Then test your new knowledge with this crossword puzzle!

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Coloring Page of Blossom Kite Festival

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Reminisce on flying kites together on the grounds of the Washington Monument by coloring this scene from Blossom Kite Festival.

the official National Cherry Blossom Festival kite

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2023 Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Kite will not be available at the Blossom Kite Festival. Kites will still be for sale on-site, with specific designs in limited quantities.

Make sure to sign up for email updates to be the first to know when the 2023 kite is available.

MAP YOUR BLOSSOM KITE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

#BlossomKiteFestival

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.

Parking

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 National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.

Health and Safety

The health and safety guidelines for  2023 are yet to be determined. We recommend that all eligible attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 in alignment with CDC recommendations.

Please Note: To best protect and preserve the cherry trees, please do not touch or climb them, it’s against the law.

Pet Comfort Stations

Pet comfort stations will be available at the Tidal Basin Welcome AreaBlossom Kite Festival, and Petalpalooza. Click the link below for pet-friendly details!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Supporting Sponsors

Media Sponsors

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!