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!
Hook Hall has transformed into a Cherry Blossom retreat. Enjoy private tea houses ($125/6) or a garden table ($50/6). Kirin Frozen Beer, sake drinks & festive food. A percentage of sales benefits National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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.
Musical Group Quad City DJ’s
DeeJay Young, The Voice Season 24
Grammy-nominated Kathy Sledge
Carson Kressley
Robert Burton and Eileen Whelan of 7 News
Parajita Bastola, DC Area Native and The Voice Semifinalist
12 Marching Bands from across the country
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Peppa Pig
Alma from Alma’s way
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.
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 is subject to change in 2024.
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!
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:
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:
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.
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.
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).
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…
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!
Provided by Washington Performing Arts
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 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”
The Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative
Grab your furry friend and celebrate Spring with metrobar’s Cherry Blossom Yappy Hour in collaboration with the National Cherry Blossom Festival!
Get your paws on some Doggie Beer, puppuccinos, treats, toys, belly rubs, and more!
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.
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.
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: 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.
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!
Synetic will be clowning around with pop-up performances all around Arlington during the National Cherry Blossom Festival!
We’re going back to our roots and bringing world-class street theater to the Festival. A pair of physical theater improvisers will be making special appearances at the Art Wall in Virginia Highlands Park, the Crystal City Water Park, and the Long Bridge Park Esplanade.
Check out the Synetic Theater Instagram @synetictheater to see where we are and how long we’ll be there on Sundays!
Get ready for a silly good time!
1601 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
SATURDAY, MARCH 23 SHOWING CANCELLED
FINAL SHOWING WILL BE SUNDAY, MARCH 24
Bell will mix the installation live every evening, and each night, the visuals will build upon the previous night’s work, showcasing custom pieces by Bell and other renowned D.C.-based artists, Jonathan Monaghan, Matthew Curry, and the Festival’s official artist, Nicholas Shi.
Robin Bell, founder of Bell Visuals, is an award-winning multimedia artist based in Washington, DC. Robin works on a range of creative, political, and public interest projects. Building upon his formal training as a classical printmaker, Robin developed a unique style of live video collage, which he has performed at well-known venues, including The Kennedy Center, 9:30 Club, The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., Central Park Summer Stage in New York City, and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.
Nicolas Shi is the Official Artist of the 2024 Festival. He is a long-time D.C. resident and was born in El Salvador to Chinese parents. His work is influenced by his Latin American upbringing, his Chinese heritage, and his formal education in the United States. Shi has exhibited internationally, most notably at Museo de Arte, El Salvador; Centro Cultural Casa de la Moneda, Santiago, Chile; Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, DC; the Gasteig Cultural Center, Munich; the Ibero- Amerikanishes Institut, Berlin; and the Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, Delaware.
Jonathan Monaghan is a D.C.-based artist working across a range of media, including prints, sculpture, and computer-animated video, to produce otherworldly objects and narratives. Past exhibitions include The Sundance Film Festival, The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and The Palais de Tokyo in Paris. His work sits in numerous public and private collections, including The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Microsoft Art Collection.
With a career spanning 20 years, Matthew Curry’s award-winning graphic design and illustration has been profiled by APPLE, earning him two Grammy® nominations and an ART TALK feature on VICE®. Beyond his nominated work for Thievery Corporation, Matthew’s artwork has been commissioned by Fortune 500 Companies and hangs in galleries and private collections all over the world. In addition to his work as an artist, Matthew has also been invited to speak about his work and process for National Geographic, The Art Director’s Club, AIGA, and The Corcoran College of Art & Design.
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!
Swipe to check out the photos below from previous Sakura Matsuri Festivals!
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.
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!
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!
Sakura Sunday celebrates the Cherry Blossoms with free cultural activities including an artisanal Japanese marketplace, cultural performances, culinary delights, a sake and beer garden and more!
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!
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!
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!
Join Springfield Town Center for their inaugural Blossom Fest on Saturday, April 8th, from 11 AM – 5 PM in the parking lot outside of the Main Entrance near Restaurant Row (Near Yard House & Maggiano’s). This family-friendly event allows you to stroll through the dozens of fun exhibitors outdoors at your leisure while enjoying various spring activities, including a Build-Your-Own-Blossom with LEGO Discovery Center, live music, entertainment, and kid’s activities. This is a free, family-friendly community event.
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!
Enjoy a complimentary cup of tea as we celebrate the Cherry Blossoms and the University Club’s 120th Anniversary. The event will be held outside.
Reservations required at membership@universityclubdc.com
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!
The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the tenth annual Anacostia River Festival. Join us at this FREE family-friendly event as we celebrate 10 Years of Culture Brilliance at the Anacostia Park on May 4, 2024.
Festival Activities
This FREE family-friendly event will reconnect you to the river and the outdoors as you celebrate 10 Years of BridgingDC with us and our friends.
In Anacostia Park
All activities are FREE. Reservations and water safety waivers must be completed before participating in either activity. Both can be obtained from the River Activities tent located on the festival grounds.
Live Entertainment
Arts, Crafts, & Games
Art Exhibitions
And More!
Free Fishing Workshop
Let’s reel it in at the Anacostia Park! Department of Energy and Environment (DOE) will be hosting free fishing workshops. All gear, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle, will be provided by and staff will be on hand to instruct and help anglers new and old.
*minors must be accompanied by an adult.
On Marion Barry Ave
11th Street Bridge Park presents
SE Market
1:00 – 6:00pm EST
The market will include local businesses, food vendors and much more!
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!
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.
