Washington in bloom

Celebrate spring at the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Every year in Washington, DC, the coming of spring is announced in a magnificent symphony of pink. Long before any other flower attempts to make an appearance, more than 3,700 cherry trees transform the city in a mass of color, most of it around the Tidal Basin, Washington Monument and East Potomac Park. The cherry might be the first to blossom, but once in bloom the flowers are at the mercy of the elements, and there is a small but spectacular window of opportunity to witness them in all their glory before they scatter in the breeze and become a carpet of pink confetti.

This spring, locals and visitors alike will celebrate the season at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, with events from March 25th until April 9th. Washingtonians have enthusiastically embraced the festival, which this year marks the 94th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan—where the blossoms are symbols of a bright future.

Hands-on, family-friendly activities and performances take place throughout the Great Hall of the National Building Museum as part of the Opening Day Festivities. On the same day, the 40th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival—A Sky Fantasy will take place at the National Mall, where the open space provides a stage for spectacular contests in kite design and performance. Rokkaku battles—competitions using six-sided traditional Japanese kites— add to the Japanese flavor.

A number of museums in the Washington area join in the festivities with special exhibits—many of which are free—focusing on Japanese culture. At the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, the work of Tokyo-born, New York-based photographer, Hiroshi Sugimoto, will be on display in the form of 120 photographs dating from 1976 to the present. Meanwhile, The National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall will present From Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru, an exhibition that tells the story of a Japanese woman from the early 20th century through her kimonos and accessories.

The schedule of events will also appeal to the more active traveler. Cherry Blossom Photo Safaris, held at sunrise and during the day by a professional photographer, feature hands-on instruction in all aspects of travel photography, while two hour Bike the Blossoms tours offer the perfect chance to combine pedals with petals, cycling around the city and taking in the major monuments and the ubiquitous cherry blossoms. The trees can also be enjoyed from the water on the Cherry Blossoms from the River tours.

Other festivities include High Tea on the Potomac, Sushi and Sake Celebrations and a Fireworks Cruise, while the two biggest events of the festival bring it to a close. The Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival features floats, dancers, helium balloons, marching bands and the art of taiko drumming, in the largest annual spectator event in the nation’s capital.

In the Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Street Festival), traditional and contemporary Japanese culture—including performing arts, music, dancing, Japanese cuisine and hands-on activities for children—is displayed in one of the country’s largest street festivals.

So if you’re looking for a charming, interesting and visually inspiring way to cast off the shackles of winter, head to DC next month. For schedules, exhibition and tour information, see www.nationalcherry.blossomfestival.org.

Event Highlights

Opening day festivities
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St, NW
When: March 25, 10am–5:30pm

The 40th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival—A Sky Fantasy
Where: National Mall
When: March 25, 10am–4pm

From Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru
Where: National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall, 1145
17th St, NW
When: February 23–April 23, 9am–5pm (Mon–Sat), 10am–5pm (Sun)

Hiroshi Sugimoto
Where: The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave at 7th Street, SW
When: February 16–April 14, 10am–5:30pm

Cherry Blossom High Tea on the Potomac
Where: The yacht, Finished Business, 1300 Maine Ave, SW
When: March 26, noon–2pm

Cherry Blossom Photo Safari
Where: Afternoon safaris: entrance to FDR Memorial Visitor Center, sunrise safaris: Paddleboat Rental Station on Tidal Basin
When: Daily during festival 3pm–5:30pm (afternoon safari), plus 6:15am–8:30am on April 2, 5, 8 and 9 (sunrise safari)

Bike the Blossoms
Where: Bike the Sites kiosk, Old Post Office Pavilion’s rear plaza, Pennsylvania Ave & 12th St, NW
When: March 25–April 9, 3pm–5pm

Cherry Blossoms from the River Tours
Where: Washington Marina, 1300 Maine Ave, SW
When: March 25–March 26, 9am–last trip starts at 9pm

Fireworks Cruise aboard The Spirit of Washington
Where: Southwest Waterfront
When: April 1, boarding commences 6:30pm; sailing from 7pm–10pm

Sushi and Sake Celebration at the Landmark Restaurant
Where: Landmark Restaurant, The Melrose Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
When: April 6–8, 3pm–6pm

The Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Constitution Ave, NW between 7th and 17th Streets
When: April 8, 10am–12pm

45th Annual Sakura Matsuri— Japanese street festival
Where: 12th St and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
When: April 8, 11am–6pm

Cherry blossom viewing around the US
Check out these cities for more opportunities to witness beautiful blossoms:

Macon, GA (March 17–26)
Philadelphia, PA (March 25–April 10)
Pasadena, CA (April 1–2)
San Francisco, CA (April 15, 16, 22 & 23)
Brooklyn, NY (April 29-30)