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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
At Petalpalooza, there are five zones, plus the Petalwalk. Check out a preview of some of the zones:
Zone 1: Blossom Buds
- 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, station-branded tablecloth, 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:
- Dance Flamenco DC
- City Dance
- Theatre 202
Zone 2: Cherry Blast + Tingey Square
Stage Entertainment (1-7:30 PM):
- 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
Stage Entertainment (1-8:45 PM):
- 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
2026 Presenting Sponsor
2026 Supporting Sponsors
2026 STAGE SPONSOR
2026 SponsorS
2026 media sponsors
Mobility Access
This event is wheelchair-accessible.
Communication Access
ASL interpretation will be provided.
Service Animals
Service animals are always allowed.
Sensory Considerations
This event typically draws large crowds and can be noisy. If someone in your group has sensory sensitivities, you may wish to bring headphones or earplugs.
seating
Accessible seating is available. If you or a member of your party requires specific seating arrangements, please contact rsvp@ncbfdc.org in advance so we can accommodate your needs.
Additional Accommodations
For any other accessibility needs, please reach out to ncbf@ncbf.org so we can help ensure a positive experience
