Every year, the DMV bursts into a profusion of pink and white, drawing the eye of the world to its nearly 3,800 cherry blossom trees. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts millions of visitors and is captured in billions of social media impressions, and in 2022, it’s scheduled to go live again. Here’s what you should know about Washington’s big pink-petal party.
This whole thing got started thanks to one world traveler. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore saw glorious explosions of pink and white petals during a visit to Japan. Inspired, she appealed to the U.S. federal government to plant Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Potomac River waterfront. First lady Helen Taft supported the idea, and Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the United States. The official planting took place on March 27, 1912, with few in attendance besides Helen Taft and the Japanese ambassador.
It wasn’t until 1927 that a few local schoolchildren reenacted the planting of “the gift of trees” in what is now considered the first Cherry Blossom Festival. Since then, it has grown into a four-week celebration, beginning this year on March 20—the first day of spring—and ending April 17.
Today, cherry blossoms are an icon for Washington, DC, and its brand. “It’s a time of joy and renewal and hope,” says Diana Mayhew, president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled around peak bloom, when the blossoms reach their puffiest and prettiest. You can keep an eye on the Bloom Cam at cherryblossomwatch.com to see how the trees around the Tidal Basin are progressing.
Look for the iconic pandas, Japanese lanterns, and pink flowers at The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the biggest spectator event, on April 9. More than 2,000 community groups are planning to march along Constitution Avenue accompanied by bands, dance teams, floats, and giant balloons.
The festival features 16 days of free performances at the Tidal Basin and the popular Paws & Petals pet comfort station. Vendors on the National Mall sell memorabilia and Old Ox Brewery’s Festiv-Ale. Everyone can participate in the Blossom Kite Festival, March 26 at the Washington Monument, or fly a kite at their local park. April 9 to 10 is Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival, with its Ginza Marketplace on Pennsylvania Avenue. Anacostia River Festival has live go-go music, drum lines, and military bands on April 10 in Anacostia Park.
Petalpalooza! A particular highlight is this free April 16 event from 1 to 9 p.m. at Yards Park—there will be live bands, a beer garden, and family-friendly, hands-on activities. Find a seat along the Anacostia Riverfront to watch a spectacular fireworks show set to music.
The festival’s notable masters of ceremonies have included Alex Trebek, the late host of Jeopardy!; media luminaries like Katie Couric and Norah O’Donnell; singer Marie Osmond; actor Anthony Anderson; and Top Chef Carla Hall. Famous people are spotted around town, too. In 2016, Katy Perry was at the Tidal Basin and found a receipt on the ground with a handwritten poem that said, “Thank you Cherry Blossoms, for bringing joy and beauty to a wide and diverse crowd!” She posted a photo of the poem on social media.
You don’t have to drive into the District to celebrate. Closer to home, Northern Virginians can attend Art Blooms at Mosaic District on April 2 for entertainment, art exhibits, kids activities, a pop-up beer garden and wine patio, plus selfie stations.
Look for Art in Bloom sculptures all over the DMV. There are 26 five-foot sculptures, each shaped like a giant cherry blossom and designed by a local artist. They’re in various locations, including National Landing, Woodridge Neighborhood Library, and the Smithsonian Haupt Garden.
Feature image courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
