Cherry Blossom Bliss

More than a million visitors are expected to descend on Downtown and DC as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the nation’s most popular springtime extravaganza, continues through Friday, April 27. There’s still much more to see and do as the five-week Festival honors the gift of trees given to DC by Tokyo in 1912. Get ready for fireworks, a grand parade, Japanese street festival, block party, and several ongoing events promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, community spirit and, of course, natural beauty.

First Lady Michelle Obama, the Festival’s honorary chair, joined the merriment at a Tree Planting Ceremony in West Potomac Park on March 27. The ceremony, held adjacent to the Tidal Basin, brought together dignitaries from the U.S. and Japan as well as school children. To kids of all ages: Don’t miss the City in Bloom—featuring special pink and blossom lighting on buildings such as the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue), the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue), National Building Museum (401 F Street), the Verizon Center (601 F Street), and Hard Rock Café (999 E Street)—through April 1. The City in Bloom, presented by Capital One Bank, continues throughout the Festival with live cherry trees in Macy’s (1201 G Street) at Metro Center, bright blossom decals on storefronts and taxis, and much more.

Also, think fireworks from Nagaoka City, Japan, live music and water-related activities at the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival presented by Safeway and The Washington Examiner on Saturday, April 7. Once again, visitors can indulge in the delights of colorful floats, booming marching bands and other family entertainment at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, taking place on Saturday, April 14, along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. TV news personalities Katie Couric, Leon Harris and Alison Starling will host the procession with special correspondent Alex Trebek of Jeopardy! fame. Expect giant helium balloons, a 1,500-plus strong youth tap and choir ensemble, marching bands, and more.

Following the parade, Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture, will unwind over six blocks centered at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The affair features food, art and culture as well as merchandise. Four performance stages will include martial arts demonstrations and live traditional Japanese pop shows. The Festival will close with free cultural events at the PetalFest Closing Block Party on Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building on Friday, April 27.

Want to experience it all? For more information and a full schedule of events, click here. You can also download the free Festival app.