Washington, DC will be blushing pink by the end of March owing to the peal bloom of the cherry blossom trees in DC. To add to the glorious pink glamour of the district, the 4-week long Cherry Blossom Festival will offer unique fun experiences, and the best part – many of them will be completely free to experience! From a dynamic opening ceremony to an exciting kite festival, Petalpalooza amongst many more. The Restaurants in DC also come through with incredible on-theme offers on food and drinks to enhance the experiences of the full boom! Check out some of the coolest festivities to experience in March and April in DC.
1/ Ode to Japanese Culture at the Opening Ceremony
March 23
The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature Opening Ceremony is an artistic celebration of the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC, and an annual tribute to the longstanding friendship between Japan and the United States. In 2024, acclaimed New York-based composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe will bring his signature skill of infusing Japanese culture with disparate styles to create an engrossing performance of music that is melodic, authentic, and engaging. Acclaimed artists like Choreographer and dancer Jo Kanamori along with DC’s own The Washington Ballet Company, vocalist Naotaro Moriyama and will take to the Warner Theatre to kick off the spring festivities.
2/ Art! Music! Competitions! During NBCF
March 20-April 14, 2024
Walk the runway in your finest pink attire through the world’s most iconic springtime and fashion destinations, enjoy international culinary delights and cocktails to celebrate at the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Pink Tie Party on the evening of March 15, 2024, presented by Union Station Washington D.C. and Design Cuisine. The National Cherry blossom festival provides a great opportunity to celebrate all that DC spring has to offer- from exciting events such as live concerts by the Tidal Basin, Petal Porches where competitive spirited residents of DC decorate their porches, yards, and windows in all things pink and blossoms for prizes, the joyful jaw-dropping City in Bloom.
3/ Fly high at the Blossom Kite Festival
March 30
Kite enthusiasts, beginners, families, and friends are all welcome at the Washington Monument Grounds to enjoy activities, music, competitions, and performances. For instance, Sakura Taiko Fest at Sylvan Theater, produced by Miyako Taiko, is a day-long celebration of dynamic traditional Japanese drumming. Performances would include Not a Saint Band, Ian Carroll and Guava Jelly. Mr. Mikio Toki, a master of traditional Edo-style kites is traveling all the way from Japan to showcase his kites for attendees!
4/ Petalpalooza and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
On April 06, Petalpalooza, a day-long all-ages celebration will bring art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening of April 13 is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show. 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 Washington, DC.
5/ Attend Bloomaroo at The Warf
Visit The Wharf on March 23 for Bloomaroo, a free spring extravaganza featuring a full day (2-9 p.m.) of cherry-blossom themed art, music, fireworks and family-friendly fun along the waterfront. Enjoy beer gardens on District Pier, fireworks and live music. You can also check out more than 80 shops and restaurants along The Wharf.
6/ Blossom-Inspired Food and Drinks:
This Spring 2024, local restaurants across Washington, DC, and the surrounding areas will showcase their best springtime menu items through Cherry Picks in conjunction with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. During RAMW’s Spring Wine Fling, participating restaurants offer a two-course dinner menu and two glasses of wine for $55 (March 19-31) Afternoon Tea at Fairmont’s served in the Loggia (March 23-April 14) and at Waldorf Astoria’s the menu at iconic Peacock Alley will feature seasonal favourites is an intriguing experience. The grand lobby boasts oversized
décor and an installation from a local artist.
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
