By Melissa Silverman
The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival brings visitors from around the world to Southwest DC’s Tidal Basin, providing local residents with opportunities to enjoy world-class activities and events amid the surge in tourist traffic and busy sidewalks.
This year’s festival will run through April 13, with peak bloom expected near the end of March. Peak bloom, predicted by the National Park Service, indicates that 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are open, with conditions extending from a few days to a few weeks depending on weather conditions.
To manage the increase in foot traffic, the District Department of Transportation intends to temporarily widen the sidewalk along the south side of Maine Avenue SW between the Tidal Basin and the fish market. Protective barriers will be in place from March 20 through after July 4.
The National Park Service is also launching a development plan for the long-term management of the Tidal Basin, to address transportation, conservation and visitor experience for the 36 million annual visitors, including an estimated 1.5 million during the Cherry Blossom Festival alone.
At its March 6 meeting, the National Capital Planning Commission provided feedback to the Park Service on the Tidal Basin Development Concept Plan. The concept includes three alternatives that propose flexible public spaces to accommodate national celebrations, First Amendment gatherings, and other permitted activities, as well as initial design options for a vehicle barrier system around the Jefferson Memorial.
Local events to celebrate the season include:
ARTECHOUSE’s “Blooming Wonders,” a digital art installation featuring cherry blossom-themed displays and art that comes to life through an activation via the ARTECHOUSE App. Ongoing through April 30.
Move + Bloom at the newly opened Bridge District, just across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. Featuring free fitness classes, a health and wellness marketplace, bike tune-ups, DJs, food and drinks, and more. April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Petalpalooza at Capitol Riverfront. A day-long all-ages celebration with art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more. The official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks show set to music starts at 8:30 p.m. April 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Japanese Culture Day at the Library of Congress will feature family activities, including Japanese drum and traditional dance performances, storytelling, and arts and crafts from Japan. Children, families and teachers can learn about Japanese culture through reading, writing and craft-making with Japanese cultural and linguistic professionals. April 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Jazz & Blossoms features live performances and interactive art at Franklin Park. Hip-hop group Arrested Development will headline the main stage and creative experiences include graffiti canvas painting to haiku writing. Come to roller skate, double dutch, or just soak in the music. April 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cherry Blossom 10-miler. More than 18,000 runners cover a course past all the prime blossom locations, competing for up to $100,000 in prize money. April 6, 7:00 a.m.
Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. The largest celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S transforms Pennsylvania Avenue into a lively venue with two days of entertainment, including traditional Japanese music, dance, J-Pop, martial arts, and a live exhibition of sumo wrestling. April 12-13.
The National Cherry Blossom Parade lights up Constitution Avenue with colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers. April 12, 10:00 a.m.
D.C. United Cherry Blossom Night at Audi Field, versus the Columbus Crew. April 12, 6:00 p.m.
Petals & Paddles. Rent a kayak or canoe at The Wharf boathouse and paddle past the blossoms. Through April27, use code Bloom20 to get 20% off hourly paddle rentals of single kayaks, double kayaks or canoes.
