The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®

PRESENTED BY EVENTS DC

The Nation’s Springtime Parade is an amazing sight on Constitution Avenue! Grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a spectacle of music and showmanship celebrating spring in Washington, DC.

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 PARADE PERFORMERS

“The Sugar Hill Gang” with Wonder Mike, Master Gee and HenDogg featuring DJ T Dynasty – the Fathers of Hip Hop

 

Colin Stough, American Idol Finalist

Miss District of Columbia

Treena Ferebee

The Funky Bunch

Mambo Sauce

Voices of Classic Soul

Jacquie Roar

Martha Wash

National Children’s Chorus

Carson Kressley

Robert Burton and Eileen Whelan of 7 News

Charity Lawson, Honorary Marshal

It's on TV too! Catch the One-Hour Broadcast in your city!

Experience the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade with guests from The Most Magical Place On Earth—Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Grand Marshal, Princess Tiana!

Disney Properties © Disney

More surprises to come! Stay tuned for performer updates...

Thelma Houston, Grammy Winner and Motown legend

Michael James Scott, the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway

Leah Marlene, American Idol season 20 second runner up

2024 PARADE PERFORMERS

Omar Jose Cardona, The Voice Season 22 Finalist

Parajita Bastola, DC Area Native and The Voice Semifinalist

12 Marching Bands from across the country

2023 FEATURED PARADE BALLOONS

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Peppa Pig

Alma from Alma’s way

WEST END

At the end of the Parade route, it was non-stop fun in the grandstands! Toby & Chilli from WASH FM and local performers kept the energy blossoming all morning.

2023 BROADCAST HOSTS

Co-hosts Alison Starling and Robert Burton of 7News

TV Personality Carson Kressley

Eileen Whelan of 7News

Street Reporter and co-host Gio Benitez of Good Morning America 

MAP* YOUR PARADE DAY EXPERIENCE

*Map is subject to change in 2024.

The 2022 Parade included: 

  • Grand Marshal Laz Alonso, star of Amazon Prime series The Boys and one of Variety’s “Top Ten Actors to Watch”
  • Taylor Dayne, award winning and Grammy nominated vocalist of the 1980’s hit “Tell It to My Heart”
  • Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band for over four decades
  • Grammy nominated R&B crooner Freddie Jackson known for his hit song “You Are My Lady”
  • 90’s rap duo Tag Team, best known for their 1993 single “Whoomp! (There It Is)”
  • Wendy Moten, NBC’s The Voice runner-up in 2021 and Grammy-winning Nashville western swing band The Time Jumpers’s member.
  • American Idol’s 3rd place winner and award winning singer/songwriter, Grace Kinstler

Wondering who else performed at the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival? Check out the full Line of March below!

MAP 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. Click the filters on our interactive map to see all that the Festival has to offer and craft a tailored experience as you Rediscover Spring. 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!

GETTING TO THE PARADE

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. 

The one-mile length of the Parade route is accessible from multiple Metro stations. Ticketholders should confer their ticket purchase confirmation email with explicit instructions on walking from Metro to their seats. Spectators who are standing along the free & accessible portions of the route from 9th to 15th Streets should utilize the following Metro stops:

  • To stand on the north side of Constitution Avenue – Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), or Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Red/Silver lines)
  • To stand on the south side of Constitution Avenue – L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Green/Orange/Silver/Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines)

Spectators should utilize the DC Circulator’s National Mall route for access to all portions of the Parade. The closest stops are located along Madison Drive NW. 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 the Parade route and along the National Mall.

Spectators on the north side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW or 14th Street & D Street NW/Reagan Building.

Spectators on the south side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 14th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Washington Monument or 12th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Smithsonian Metro.

For a complete list of stations, visit CapitalBikeshare.com.

The one-mile length of the Parade route is accessible from multiple Metro stations. Ticketholders should confer their ticket purchase confirmation email with explicit instructions on walking from Metro to their seats. Spectators who are standing along the free & accessible portions of the route from 9th to 15th Streets should utilize the following Metro stops:

  • To stand on the north side of Constitution Avenue – Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), or Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Red/Silver lines)
  • To stand on the south side of Constitution Avenue – L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Green/Orange/Silver/Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines)

Spectators should utilize the DC Circulator’s National Mall route for access to all portions of the Parade. The closest stops are located along Madison Drive NW. 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 the Parade route and along the National Mall.

Spectators on the north side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW or 14th Street & D Street NW/Reagan Building.

Spectators on the south side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 14th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Washington Monument or 12th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Smithsonian Metro.

For a complete list of stations, visit CapitalBikeshare.com.

Street Closure Notice

4/15 – 4/16/23: Streets surrounding the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade route (7th – 17th Streets Northwest off Constitution Avenue) will be closed the morning of Saturday, April 15. Please note that the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival will be taking place nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th streets NW and roads will be closed both Saturday and Sunday, 4/15 – 16.

Emancipation Day

Mayor Muriel Bowser will be leading the DC Emancipation Day parade and celebration from 2 – 9 PM on Saturday, April 15. The celebration will take place at Freedom Plaza (10th St. NW to 14th St NW on Pennsylvania Ave NW).

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 Festival Parade SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.