National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC

an iconic springtime celebration

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 DC.

Telecast (East End) Seating – $40 (+$5.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 7th and 9th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the National Archives

Finale (West End) – Performance Zone Seating – $30 (+$4.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

Finale (West End) – Seating – $25 (+$3.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch the 2024 Parade! Interested in participating in future Parade? Submit an application today.

Appearing at this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade — Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse from The Most Magical Place On Earth.

just announced! More to Come

2025 Parade Performers

Musical Group Quad City DJ’s

DeeJay Young, The Voice Season 24

Grammy-nominated Kathy Sledge

Award-winning Funk Band CAMEO

returning for another exciting parade!

2025 Parade hosts

Carson Kressley

Robert Burton and Eileen Whelan of 7 News

west end hosts

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

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.

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)

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.

National Gallery Nights: Flowers After Hours

THe National Gallery of Art

National Gallery Nights: Flowers After Hours

The East Building comes to life in this popular after-hours program. Join us for themed evenings with music, live performances, artmaking, pop-up talks, and more.

Don your best fascinator and celebrate spring and all things floral! At this ode to cherry blossoms, you can:

Experience dance performances by Emerge 125 and artist demonstrations on the 4th Street Plaza—open to all without registration.

Create wearable flower art with local artist Emily Paluska.

Get your photo taken at our flower wall and team up with friends to complete a blossom scavenger hunt.

Hear from emerging artists and wellness plant company Grounded in special pop-up talks.

Peek behind the scenes with National Gallery staff.

Dance to the sounds of DJ Rustam Opsanoff.

Enjoy art on the Roof Terrace.

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!

National Gallery of Art First Saturday

THe National Gallery of Art

First Saturday

Celebrate Spring with the National Gallery of Art during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Create floral art inspired by the season with paper artist Emily Paluska and practice sketching with a stunning floral arrangement.

Explore the East Building’s collection of flower art with gallery activities, enjoy face painting, listen to Taiko drummers, and more on this special day that celebrates the springtime!

On the first Saturday of each month the National Gallery springs to life with a variety of engaging activities for all ages.

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!

NCSS United States & Territories Celebration Gala and Crowning of 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen

National Conference of State Societies

United States & Territories Celebration Gala and Crowing of 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen

The NCSS United States & Territories Celebration Gala is the signature event of the NCSS Princess Program, which celebrates the 2023 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen and the 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Princesses and crowns the 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen.

Join us in celebrating this monumental event at the Capital Hilton starting at 6:30 PM, with music, dancing, and exciting food stations, including fresh sushi prepared by the Sushi Chefs of Washington DC. The exciting program includes the introduction of the 2024 Cherry Blossom Princesses and the official coronation of the new U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen with the the priceless MIKIMOTO Ceremonial Pearl Crown.

With a fateful spin of the Wheel of Fortune, one Cherry Blossom Princess
will be selected as the new 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen for the 76th anniversary year of the Cherry Blossom Princess Program. The new Queen will be crowned with the Ceremonial MIKIMOTO Cherry Blossom crown, a priceless Japanese work of art, gifted to the United States in 1957. The new U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen is gifted a smaller keepsake MIKIMOTO crown and an exquisite MIKIMOTO pearl necklace, to wear throughout her reign. As the new U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, she will serve as a cultural ambassador for the United States, with the opportunity to travel to Japan to engage with top government, business, and cultural leaders.

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, 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!

Explore the Festival's Roots

Travel to Japan is open once again, and we invite you experience and explore Japan firsthand. Learn more about the Festival partners who would love to help you plan your trip!

Oxon Run Pinknic

Featured Parks

Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly

Join us at Oxon Run Park in Ward 8 for our annual Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly on April 6, 2025! We will host kite programming, entertainment, and more in coordination with the Blossom Kite Festival.

Stay tuned for updates…

VENDOR MARKET

Spring It On and celebrate the Ward 8 community with free food, kite kits, art, music, and fun kid activities and support local businesses by shopping at the Ward 8 Vendor Market!

Are you a small business located in Ward 8? Sign up to be a vendor at the Pinknic HERE!

PINKNIC PERFORMERS

Provided by Washington Performing Arts

Elyscia

Fresh. Urban. Now.
Those are the three words that best describe new artist Elyscia. Although the contemporary urban artist is brand new to the music business, she is no stranger to music. The attractive and talented songstress has been belting out tunes for most of her life. Her captivating voice has opened doors to sing background for R&Bgreats like Jennifer Hudson and Regina Belle, providing new platforms to showcase her exceptional musical skills.

The JoGo Project

The JoGo Project is a WAMMIE Award winning band from Washington, DC that fuses many styles of music, but with Jazz harmonies and a driving Go-Go beat at its core. JoGo was founded by DC Native and Jazz Saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed during a residency at Strathmore in 2014. Over the years, the band has written several original songs such as “One For Pops”, “DC’s Been Good To Me”, “Dear Draylen”, “Too Loud!” and two new songs that will be featured on the band’s upcoming EP “Baby Fever” and “Shahid, You Got What I Need”

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Supported by

SPECIAL THANKS

The Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative

Paws & Petals Yappy Hour

Paws & Petals Yappy Hour

Join the National Cherry Blossom Festival for the Paws & Petals Yappy Hour at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center on March 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM EST! Wrap up your work week with your friend and enjoy food, drinks & pet-friendly activities!

Guests and the public are invited to the Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C Convention Centre with their furry friends to attend the Paws & Petals Yappy Hour presented by Mars Petcare. Along with happy hour specials, guests will have the opportunity to sign up for a very special doggie swim at the property’s on-site pool, which is normally closed to pets who stay on-site. Canines can take a splash in the pool while enjoying complimentary dog treats and hand-made drinks. Their human guests will be able to snack on gourmet hot dogs and a specialty “Berry Good Dog” cocktail, and a dog-friendly version will also be available. Any guests that don’t have dogs will have the opportunity to meet adoptable animals at the event. Guests will also have the chance to take home a variety of giveaway items including pop-out dog bowls, themed tennis balls, and other pet essentials.

The Paws & Petals program presented by Mars Petcare provides pet-friendly programming and resources for Festival goers and their furry family members.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is teaming up once again with Mars Petcare and the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program to help pets be healthy, happy, and safe at the Festival.

Hilton is proud Premier Hotel Provider and Host Sponsor of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Paws & Petals Yappy Hour

Paws & Petals Yappy Hour at dacha beer garden

Dacha Navy Yard is thrilled to host another Paws & Petals Yappy Hour with The National Cherry Blossom Festival! Bring your furry friends to one of the top dog-friendly bars in DC for giveaways, goodies, and activities courtesy of Mars Petcare.

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Check out more Yappy Hours

Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride in Tysons

Tysons Community Alliance

Pedal with Petals, Family Bike Ride in Tysons​

Join the Tysons Community Alliance for a  family bike ride starting at the Tysons Corner Center Plaza in Tysons, VA. Following a ride around the property, join us for a family-fun event to take place back on the plaza with fun cherry blossom and bike-related arts, crafts, and games!

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, 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!

Performance: Crossroads of Japanese Music

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Performance: Crossroads of Japanese Music

Japanese koto virtuoso and composer Yumi Kurosawa explores a musical perspective on the Japanese and Chinese art in the Freer exhibition, Mind Over Matter: Zen in Medieval Japan. She performs on a modern twenty-string koto and is joined by violinist Emil Israel Chudnovsky and Chinese flute (dizi) virtuoso Yimin Miao. Their program features classical music from Kyoto and China as well as new music composed by Kurosawa for this event.

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!

Petals in the Park

DowntownDC BID

Petals in the Park

Attendees will be greeted by the Petal Promenade as they enter Franklin Park. Followed by a lively arts stage celebrating the performers of DC and Japan, inclusive of roaming artists, and competitive lawn games area featuring croquet and badminton. Local Artist area featuring live art activation and local artisan vendors. Picnic Baskets available for pre-purchase where ticketed guests can reserve, in advance, to enjoy the garden party, with friends and family in the park.

Attendees will have the option to purchase different packages but there will be free elements to the event.

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!

Pink in the Park: Art of Pink

Premier Event

Pink in the Park

Sponsored by Amazon

Pink in the Park: The Art of Pink, sponsored by Amazon, is a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Art of Pink will serve as the kick-off for Pink in the Park series in National Landing. Creating a temporary mural park at Met Park, four artists will paint several large sculptural walls in Met Park, creating a vibrant installation themed with pink and the Cherry Blossoms. An opening celebration on April 6th will include art vendors, live art activations, food and music. The murals will stay up the duration of the Pink in the Park series and will be removed on April 14th.

PLAN 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!

Pink in the Park: Pink Beats

National Landing Business Improvement District

Pink in the Park: Pink Beats

National Landing’s Pink in the Park series closes with Pink Beats, a live music showcase of local talent at the Water Park. Along with the local performers, Pink Beats will feature activities such as karaoke competitions, games, swag-making stations, and local food and beverage offerings from the Water Park vendors.

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, 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!

Pink in the Park: Pink in the Pool

National Landing Business Improvement District

Pink in the Park: Pink in the Pool

A family-friendly and pink takeover of the Long Bridge Park Aquatics Center leisure pool returns to National Landing. Activities will include open use of the pool, kid-friendly musical performances, arts + crafts, and more.

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, 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!

Pink Torpedoes: Cherry Blossom Art In An Old Munitions Factory

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Pink Torpedoes: Cherry Blossom Art In An Old Munitions Factory

Explore all three floors of Torpedo Factory Art Center, home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof, to view a building wide art exhibition inspired by the Cherry Blossom. Artists will exhibit one or more unique artworks in their studio or gallery and explore their own interpretations of the Cherry Blossom, cultural, colorful, visceral. Visitors will discover new ways of thinking about the seasonal pink event of the region.

Can’t visit the exhibition? – a select exhibition of artwork will be on view at torpedofactory.org along with artist commentary.

PLAN 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!