The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms This Spring
For more than 100 years, the nation’s capital has been celebrating the arrival of spring with the blooming of its cherry blossom trees that ring the Tidal Basin. The trees were a gift from Japan and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20-April 14, 2024) has only gotten bigger and better with each passing year. Here, five of the official events we’re looking forward to this year.
The Blossom Kite Festival
March 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the most beloved traditions in DC, the Blossom Kite Festival brings out hundreds of colorful kites to the National Mall. Adults and kids alike fly their kites, creating a gorgeous skyline, while the daylong festival features a number of authentic Japanese traditions. Look for Japanese drumming at the Sylvan Theater nearby; Mr. Mikio Toki, who will travel from Japan to showcase traditional Edo-style kites; and professional kite fliers from around the world who have some kite-flying tricks up their sleeves.
Be Surrounded by the Blooms
Anytime
The complementary festivals and activities are wonderful, but the star of the show remains the hundreds of cherry blossom trees that ring the Tidal Basin. The National Park Service predicts peak bloom will be March 23-36 this year. Our best advice? Get up at the crack of dawn and head down to see the trees before the crowds hit. It’s an amazing site and you can treat yourself to breakfast while the rest of the bloom-watchers are just arriving.
Petalpalooza
April 16, 1 to 9 p.m.
This popular festival celebration activates the Capitol Riverfront for a day full of art, music and family-friendly fun. Live music sets the scene on multiple outdoor stages, while a beverage garden for the grownups, art installations for all, and arts and crafts and games for the kids, make for an engaging day. It’s capped off by a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. that evening.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
April 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Constitution Avenue is awash in pink during this annual parade, featuring blossom balloons, floats and marching bands. Look for local performers plus special guests as well. This year, the Sugar Hill Gang and Colin Stough, an American Idol Finalist, have been announced as performers in this year’s parade.
Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival
April 13 (10:30 a.m. to – 6 p.m.) and April 14 (10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
On the last weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival takes over Pennsylvania Avenue with four stages of traditional Japanese cultural performances, exhibitors, artisans and more. Festival-goers will get to sample authentic Japanese food and drink, dance to musical performances and learn about historical and modern Japanese culture as part of the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States.
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