The National Cherry Blossom Festival is here until April 14, heralding the start of another beautiful spring in Washington. The festival celebrates the friendship between the American and Japanese people, which began with a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912.
The stunning pink flowers attract many tourists who come to the city to enjoy the stunning cherry blossom trees. You don’t have to be a tourist, however, to enjoy the events going on all month long. We’ve perused the festival’s events and picked out the highlights for you.
Now – April 14: Boat Tours Along the Blossoms and Monuments
Enjoy a cruise from Georgetown to the Tidal Basin, where you can see many varieties of cherry blossoms and take in beautiful views from a double-decker boat. Boats leave pretty much every hour from the Washington Harbor at 3100 K Street NW. Adult tickets cost $24 and must be booked in advance at http://www.DC-Cruises.com
Now – April 21: Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
Tour the Tidal Basin at your own pace from the water! Paddle boats are available for rental at the Tidal Basin Boathouse at 1501 Maine Avenue SW. Two-person boats go for $12 per hour and four-person boats cost $19 per hour. They are available every day from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and online reservations can be made for the hours between 10 a.m. and noon at www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com. Customers can also call ahead (202 479-2426) for a boat or simply walk up.
March 29: Cherry Blast Warehouse Party
This warehouse party combines DJs and dance contests with performances and multimedia art in an unforgettable night. In the past, the party has featured art installations from GWU students, according to the Washington Post. The celebration is at 500 Penn Street NE and starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and can be found at www.cherryblast.eventbrite.com. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to attend.
March 30: Blossom Kite Festival
Kite fliers of all ages gather around the Washington Monument to fill the sky with a beautiful display of colors. The third annual kite festival features kite flying competitions and demonstrations, along with a field for public use. The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit the event’s page for a fully detailed schedule.
April 3-6: Peak Bloom Date
The National Park Service has forecasted the peak bloom dates, when 70 percent of the blossoms around the Tidal Basin are open, to be from April 3 to April 6. It’s the perfect time for a walk around the Tidal Basin and a visit to the MLK, FDR and Jefferson memorials. Don’t forget your camera!
April 6: Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Come to the Southwest for a day of free music, cultural festivities, food and water-related activities. The event runs from 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. and fireworks begin at 8:30. The festival is located at several venues along the Southwest Waterfront, from 600-900 Water Street SW. For more information, visit the event page.
April 13: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade & Japanese Street Festival
The parade is a signature event of the Cherry Blossom Festival that you won’t want to miss. It runs 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th Street. Grab a spot along the parade route for a view of the balloons, floats and performances. For $20, you can get a seat in the grandstand. Carmen Electra will be there, along with Grammy award winning artist Mya and American Idol’s Elliott Yamin.
Following the parade, head to Pennsylvania Avenue for the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. It features food, J-Pop performances, martial arts demonstrations and merchandise. The festival stretches from the White House to the FBI Headquarters and goes on from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets cost $5 and can be bought in advance at www.sakuramatsuri.org or at the festival.
Download the National Cherry Blossom Festival app to have mobile access to the complete events calendar, map, dining and shopping information and festival news.