Cherry blossom season is here, and I wanted to share this special cherry blossom issue. The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially starting today and the saucer magnolias at peak bloom now through this weekend, so it seems right!

Throughout the city this time of year, you can find a ton of cherry blossom-themed things to do. This list is far from exhaustive, but has a good mix of things to do.

One thing that I want to flag is that it looks like the NPS is not doing the Cherry Blossom Festival BARK Ranger events this year. You can get a special Junior Ranger badge for kids, but they don't have BARK Ranger events scheduled.

If you're like me and hate crowds, check out my list of places to see the cherry blossoms without crowds.

Valerie

This Week

Thursday

• 🌸 See art and flowers bloom in DC with floral displays inspired by architecture and artwork, during the annual four-day festival at the historic Anderson House. Thursday 3/20-Sunday 3/23. $22+.
• 🌸 Museum of Illusions in DC will transform into a blooming sensory experience with an illusion-filled cherry blossom tour, magic, painting workshops, cake pairings, wines, canapés, and more! Thursday 3/20-Saturday 3/22. $24.
• 🌸 Race in a pedal boat competition across the Tidal Basin and win prizes for the fastest boats & best-dressed participants. Only this Thursday 3/20. $100 per pair.

Friday

• 🌸 Japanese Bunraku puppetry entertains with expressive puppets and skilled narration, a performance that dates back to 170 years ago. Come see a live show from Seiwa Bunraku, the last remaining traditional puppetry in Kumamoto, Japan. Friday 3/21. Free; RSVP required.

Saturday

• 🌸 Swim for spring this cherry blossom season! Includes pink pool themes, free swim sessions, balloon artists, and fun Japanese culture stations. Saturday 3/22. RSVP required. Free.
• 🌸 This Kokedama Workshop teaches the Japanese art of wrapping plant roots in moss and soil to form a floating moss ball plant that you can decorate your home with. Saturday 3/22. $55.
• 🌸 Take a step back from the crowd and go into a scenic & peaceful cherry blossom walk at the National Arboretum, along with hikers from Center Bi+ Community & Gender Queer DC. Saturday 3/22. Free.
• 🌸 It’s the official kick-off for the National Cherry Blossom Festival! See this one-time-only live cultural performance from Japanese and American artists. Tickets are already sold out, but a limited number of walk-ups may be available due to no-shows. Saturday 3/22. Free.
• 🌸 Featuring over 100 acts, this festival within a festival features daily live performances at the Tidal Basin’s ANA Stage, rain or shine! Saturday 3/22 to Sunday 4/6. Free.
• 🌸 Have fun with magnetic fields, origami art, and cherry blossoms at this family-friendly interactive exhibit for kids and families at the festival. Saturday 3/22-Sunday 4/13. $13 advance; $15 at the door.
• 🌸 There’s outdoor taiko drumming, Japanese pop, boogie, cultural dances, crafts, and a fun scavenger hunt for kids at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). Saturday 3/22. Free, but registration is encouraged.

Sunday

• 🌸 If you want a less crowdy cherry blossom activity, this ranger-led walk at Rock Creek Park introduces its early cherry tree plantings and a 2-mile hike through the trails. Every Sunday from 3/23 to 3/30. Free.
• 🌸 The Yokocho at Anthem Row! Japan’s vibrant & famous alleyways will be in downtown DC for a taiko drumming performance, kimono fashion show, sushi-making, sake tastings, and more! Sunday 3/23. Free.
• 🌸 Catch the Giant Daruma at Anthem Row, a Japanese daruma doll spanning 10-foot-wide with cherry blossom motifs. Sunday 3/23. Free.
• 🌸 Learn embroidery basics inspired by the city’s signature spring blooms, led by local DC maker Miri Artyukhina. Sunday 3/23. $15.

Next Week

• 🌸 Tour around the cherry blossom trees blooming in the Capitol Grounds, along with the US Capitol’s historically trained tour guides. Monday 3/24. $50+.
• 🌸 In this symposium, government officials from Japan and the US discuss future aviation connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. Wednesday 3/26. Free.
• 🌸 The Willard starts offering their cherry blossom high tea menu starting on 3/27. This is a really good high tea option in DC if you are looking for a gluten free high tea. Thursday 3/27. $90+.
• 🌸 Come for the three-part music series with top DC talents and enjoy lawn games + special giveaways! Thursday 3/27-4/10. Free.
• 🌸 Spring isn’t perfect without a national kite festival! See kite demonstrations, flying competitions, arts & crafts, and more. Saturday 3/29. Free.
• 🌸 See kimonos, capes, robes, and tunics at The George Washington University Museum’s exhibit with live Japanese dance traditions, music, and “kirigami” crafts. Saturday 3/29. Free.
• 🌸 See North American taiko groups perform different taiko styles at Sylvan Theater’s Taiko Fest. Saturday 3/29. Free.
• 🌸 Cheer on the Washington Wizards taking on the Brooklyn Nets on a special cherry blossom-themed game night. Saturday 3/29. $39+.
• 🌸 Resilience is this year’s theme for the Freedom Walk, a non-competitive walking event to raise awareness about the incarceration of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. Saturday 3/29. Free.
• 🌸 Stroll and stop for some tea samples at Dupont Circle Park on Sunday 3/30. Free.
• 🌸 Come try the cherry blossom brunch menu specials at Lyle Hotel & 17th Street eateries on Sunday 3/30. Free.
• 🌸 Learn how to wear a kimono & use Japanese garments in a live demonstration from expert Tomomi Miyajima. Sunday 3/30. Free.
• 🌸 Buy your spring merchandise at Tysons Corner Center, with retailers and restaurants offering food, samples, live chalk art, contests, art exhibits on display, and photo-ops! Sunday 3/30. Free.
• 🌸 Come to National Harbor for free cultural activities! Featuring artisanal markets, cultural performances, Japanese cuisines, Sakura Spirits Garden, and a water lantern festival! Sunday 3/30. Free.

Further Out

• 🌸 Watch 200 high school Japanese language students compete for the 33rd National Japan Bowl to test their knowledge of the Japanese language, culture, and history. Friday 4/4 to Saturday 4/5. Free.
• 🌸 You’ll love this Petalpalooza at The Yards, with roaming entertainers, art, a beverage garden, and a fireworks show at 8:30 PM! Saturday 4/5. Free.
• 🌸 On Japanese Culture Day, learn Japanese writing & calligraphy, make Japanese arts & crafts, and listen to a book talk with Japanese-American author Misa Sugiura at the Library of Congress. Saturday 4/5. Free entry.
• 🌸 Find over 110+ handmade and vintage vendors and 60+ vendors of fresh produce at Mosaic District’s festival - plus selfie stations, petting zoo, and crafts! Saturday 4/5 to Sunday 4/6. Free.
• 🌸 Join Washington DC’s most famous spring race event, with 8,000 runners for the 5k Race, 18,000 runners for the 10-Mile Race, and world-class runners competing for the $100k prize! Saturday 4/5 to Sunday 4/6. Free.
• 🌸 Immerse in more pink art in a pop-up gallery of 30+ artists, enjoy Asian-inspired bites, and take Instagram-worthy photo ops while you’re there. Friday 4/11. Free.
• 🌸 Catch one of the best taiko groups perform taiko drumming and traditional Japanese dance at the Kennedy Center, after touring the world for performances since 1961. Friday 4/11. Free, reservation required.
• 🌸 Experience the largest Japanese cultural festival in the US at Penn Ave, with non-stop 24+ hours of entertainment, authentic Japanese food, ticketed mini sake festival, and a sumo wrestling exhibit! Saturday 4/12 to Sunday 4/13. $10+.
• 🌸 Cheer for DC United in this exciting matchup against Columbus Crew and experience Cherry Blossom-themed festivities throughout the stadium. Saturday 4/12. $29+.
• 🌸 Finally, the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade is back with celebrity performances, floats, marching bands, and colorful balloons at Constitution Avenue. Saturday 4/12. $25+.
• 🌸 Stay active in spring with lots of free fitness activities at Alethia Tanner Park, plus raffles, giveaways, and post-workout food truck treats to snack! Sunday 4/13. RSVP for free.
• 🌸 Tag your dogs along for puppuccinos, doggie beers, treats, photo ops, and a fun community of pet lovers. Sunday 4/13. Free.
• 🌸 Taste 100+ craft & imported sake varieties (at your own pace) including exclusive spring seasonal sakes not yet available in DC at the Spring Sake Festival! Thursday 4/17. $85+.
• 🌸 See historical exhibits, markets, and live performances celebrating the African Diaspora at the Anacostia River Festival.Saturday 5/17. Free.

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.