While the pandemic has altered the way D.C. typically celebrates its signature springtime blossoms, the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival is still offering plenty of ways to enjoy the flowers, which are expected to reach peak bloom between April 2 and 5.
Running from March 20 to April 11, the festival features a spate of events offered both in-person and virtually. Here are 16 that we’re particularly excited to check out.
GO ON A BLOSSOM HUNT: The inaugural Art in Bloom event features 26 giant cherry blossom sculptures painted by local artists. Scout out the sculptures at select outdoor locations throughout D.C., Maryland’s National Harbor, and Virginia’s Aurora Highlands and National Landing neighborhoods. Be sure to read the Sculpture Map and the Art in Bloom Pocket Map (both coming soon) to help chart your quest. (March 20-April 11, FREE)
PETAL PORCH PARADE: Celebrate the community’s creative cherry blossom spirit with the Petal Porch Parade. The parade, held March 20-April 11, features spring-themed porches, yards or windows, each marked on this interactive map. Plan a self-guided Petal Porches tour, and save the date for the Petal Procession on April 10-11, a special blossom-decorated caravan through Petal Porch neighborhoods. (March 20-April 11, FREE)
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS PARK: Virginia Highlands Park in Arlington is hosting several cherry blossom festivities—from kite-flying and outdoor Zumba classes to live music every Friday and Sunday. Check out its event roster for the full line-up, and register for your choice event. (March 20-April 11, FREE)
SELF-GUIDED GARDEN TOURS: There are countless beautiful places to enjoy the blossoms, but two gardens in Northern Virginia promise especially astonishing views. Make your way to the 95-acre Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, home to 100+ cherry trees, ornamental display gardens, and the Korean Bell Garden. Green Spring Gardens, a national historic site featuring more than 20 thematic demonstration gardens, looks promising, too. Check with the individual gardens for hours of operation. (March 20-April 11, FREE)
BOOK IT TO BOOK HILL: Head to Georgetown to visit (and support!) 25+ small businesses offering cherry blossom seasonal promotions. Sample deals include Jaco Juice & Taco Bar’s cherry blossom smoothie; 50% off jewelry at Pretty Chic; and pink-themed pastries at Patisserie Poupon. Also: Book Hill Park, at Wisconsin Ave. and Reservoir Rd., was selected as an Art in Bloom sculpture location—so be sure to check it out while it’s there. (March 20-April 11, FREE)
THE BEAUTY OF THE BREW: Sake aficionados, rejoice. This season, you can learn even more about sake with the Beauty of the Brew. Hosted by the Sake Brewer’s Association of North America, this virtual event debuts SBANA’s animated video illustrating sake’s unique craft and tradition. Following the film, SBANA member brewers will host a panel discussion on the history of sake and sake-making. (March 23 at 7 p.m., FREE)
CHERRY-PICK YOUR RESTAURANTS: 170+ restaurants in the D.C. area are offering cherry blossom-themed food and drink specials called “Cherry Picks.” Presented in partnership with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, Cherry Picks encourage local restaurants to celebrate spring by showcasing their best seasonal menu items. Sample spots include Belga Café, which is offering a four-course cherry blossom meal, and Bangkok Joe’s, which is touting its Japanese vodka and cherry-infused Blossom Mule. Read the full list of Cherry Picks partners. (Various locations and prices)
MAKE A COCKTAIL: Fork Tour’s virtual Cherry Blossom Cocktails tour offers the chance to learn the art of mixology — cherry blossom-style. Offered Thursday evenings from March 25 to April 15, the tour includes how-to guides for crafting D.C.’s signature cocktail (with a seasonal spin), and a fruit-focused cocktail inspired by a local distillery. Recipes are included so you can re-create drinks after the event. A portion of ticket proceeds go to the local nonprofit Bread for the City. (Thursdays at 7 p.m., March 25-April 15, $30)
RENEWAL 2121: Artechouse is presenting its fourth annual cherry blossom-inspired installation, called Renewal 2121. Running now through September 6, the exhibit uses creative technology to depict an industrialized city of the future, with cherry blossoms as a symbol of hope and renewal. Renewal 2121 is presented by Artechouse’s creative team, with visual design by Yuya Takeda, music by Mario Hammer and the Lonely Robot, and scenery by Design Foundry. (March 12-September 6, $24 general admission)
LISTEN TO TAIKO: On Saturday, March 20, join SAAM for a virtual cherry blossom celebration with Japanese taiko drumming by Nen Daiko. Following the presentation, performers will discuss the history behind their taiko drums, as well as other Japanese percussion instruments like the shekere (a gourd shaker) and chappa (hand-held cymbals). The event will wrap-up with a showcase of spring-related artworks in the museum’s collection, guided by SAAM docents. (March 20 at 10 a.m., FREE)
JOIN A LECTURE: Passionate about fashion and design? Check out Fashion in Film: Renegades of Fashion on March 25, a virtual event about the lives and careers of Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto. These two Japanese designers helped revolutionize the fashion industry by abandoning tradition and ushering in a new era of anti-fashion. Prior to the program, watch two 30-minute films about the designers on YouTube, then join Textile Museum curator Lee Talbot for a discussion about their career and influence. (March 25 at 6 p.m., FREE)
(VIRTUALLY) VISIT THE FREER/SACKLER: The Freer/Sackler’s Look & Listen: Nature in Japanese Art and Music virtual event offers an exploration of the gallery’s nature-focused Japanese art, accompanied by the shakuhachi (bamboo flute). The April 8 event will be guided by curator Frank Feltens, whose recent exhibitions explore Shinto religious art, Hokusai, and modern woodblock prints, and Kurahashi Yodo II, a shakuhachi virtuoso hailing from Tokyo. (April 8 at 7 p.m., FREE)
PAWS AND PETALS: Dogs are an important part of cherry blossom festivities, too. On April 3, tune into the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Instagram for the Paws and Petals Parade, featuring pups in their finest spring and cherry blossom attire. Interested in joining? Submit a 10-second video of your dressed-up pup by March 24. Check out this video for an example of a best practice submission. (April 3, FREE)
SAKURA MATSURI: On April 3 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate the beauty and fun of cherry blossom season with the Sakura Matsuri. Hosted by the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., this virtual gathering will feature stage performances and the opportunity to interact with Sakura Matsuri exhibitors, vendors, and participants. More info and registration will be available soon. (April 3 at 12 p.m., FREE)
SAKURA SUNDAYS: Find your inner peace at the National Harbor’s Sakura Sundays, featuring free outdoor yoga and meditation, and a Zen sand garden. Dana Verkouteren, a sand artist, professional courtroom sketch artist, and caricaturist will create a new garden each Sunday at the Harbor’s Awakening Beach. Classes and demonstrations are held Sundays from March 21 through April 11. (March 21-April 11, FREE)
PEEP THE BLOOM CAM: Not able to catch the peak bloom April 2-5 in person? Tune into the National Park Service’s BloomCam, offering 24/7, real-time views of the Cherry Trees lining the Tidal Basin. Last year, the webcam was viewed more than 750,000 times by people in more than 160 countries. (FREE)
