‘Tis the season — for cherry blossoms, that is! Over 100 years ago, the trees that now line the edge of the Tidal Basin arrived in the District as a gift from Japan. This year, residents are celebrating the annual blooms to the fullest, with photography tours, craft cocktails, book sales, and artisan markets. 

TIDAL BASIN WALK: Celebrate the cherry blossoms with the classic walk around the Tidal Basin, either in-person or through a virtual tour from the comfort of your living room. This year’s “peak bloom” (when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry Blossoms have opened) is predicted to arrive on Tuesday, March 22 and last through Friday, March 25.  (The Tidal Basin; Open 24/7; FREE)

BOOKS & BLOSSOMS: In April, head to Van Ness Main Street for a Books + Blossoms event. Attendees can expect a Carpe Librum book sale (with sales benefiting Turning the Page), cherry blossom crafts (for both kids and adults), and specials from small businesses. (Van Ness Main Street; April 9, 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.; FREE)

ADOPT-A-TREE: This year, the Trust for the National Mall is continuing its adoption drive to help fund care for the trees lining the Tidal Basin (even when they’re not in bloom). Shifting climate and water levels have made the trees even more fragile, making this work more important than ever. To help participants are invited to adopt “buds” ($25), “blossoms” ($100), or full trees ($1,000). (Virtual; $25+)

ANIME MOVIES: At the end of March, Transit Pier at the Wharf is celebrating the cherry blossoms with an anime movie festival. The lineup of movies starts with Okko’s Inn at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 26th and includes A Letter to Momo and The Sky Crawlers. (Transit Pier; Times Vary; $10 per movie)

KITE FESTIVAL: Fly high at the National Mall (or participating parks around the District) with the annual Blossom Kite Festival. Participants can purchasean official Cherry Blossom Festival Kite, enter a homemade version into the Kitemaker’s Competition, or just show up and watch the artwork soar. (Locations Vary; March 26; FREE with option to purchase a kite)

PARADE: It’s always a good day for a parade. On April 9th, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is hosting their annual 10-block parade along Constitution Avenue. Expect everything from floats, to marching bands, to celebrity entertainment. Catch the celebrations by snagging a first-come-first-serve spot along the route or by purchasing grandstand seating. (Constitution Avenue; April 29; FREE with option to purchase a reserved seat)

PETALPALOOZA: This event promises food, drinks, live music, and fun for the whole family along the banks of the Anacostia. Participants are also invited to visit the Instagram-friendly Petalpalooza Art Walk in the days leading up to the celebration. 

HOOPS HOOPS: At the end of March, the Washington Wizards are hosting “Cherry Blossom Night” for their match against the Chicago Bulls. The blossom-themed game includes cherry blossom shirts with proceeds going towards the support and care of the District’s fragile trees. (Capital One Arena; 7:00 p.m.; $24+)

IMMERSIVE BLOOMS: Reimagine the seasonal blooms at ARTECHOUSE DC with their PIXELBLOOM digital art exhibit to mark the beginning of Spring. Participants travel through a “virtual world of cherry blossoms” at a 22-minute audiovisual installation. The show opened in early March and will run through June 5. (ARTECHOUSE DC; Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $25+) 

JUBILEE: On Sunday, April 10, Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria is hosting their Cherry Blossom Jubilee for all ages. The day includes live music, art demonstrations, and other cherry blossom inspired work from resident artists. (Torpedo Factory Art Center; 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; FREE)

ARTISAN MARKET: Head to Capitol Cider House in late April for the Cherry Blossom Artisan Market. Starting at 2:00 p.m. on April 23, creators from across the region will be selling their cherry blossom inspired goods. Current vendors include Potomac Candle, She Knows The Deal, and Sōultry. (Capitol Cider House; April 23, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE)

BLOSSOM COCKTAILS: This year, metrobarDC is teaming up with the National Cherry Blossom Festival for Cherry Night. Partygoers are invited to wear pink and kickback with two blossom cocktails (“Peak Bloom” and “April Showers”) while listening to a live set from Too Much Talent Band. (metrobarDC; March 31, 6:00 p.m.; FREE) 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Beat the crowds with an early morning photography tour. On Saturday, March 26, the DMV Photography Workshop will host their annual event around the Tidal Basin and National Mall. The group will meet at 6:00 a.m. to catch the light before a 6:59 a.m. sunrise. (Meet at the National Mall Parking Lot; March 26, 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.;  $0-$60)

NOMA IN BLOOM: This year, NoMa BID is hosting its first annual NoMa in Bloom Festival. The day will include live music, food, an artisan pop-up hosted by Neighbors DC, and a community 5k hosted by the NoMa Run Club. In true cherry blossom fashion, kites are encouraged. (Alethia Tanner Park; March 26, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; FREE)

SIP N PAINT: Get your craft on at Arts’tination with a seasonal Sip n’ Paint. Instead of painting on canvas artists of all experience levels will be beautifying wine glasses to take home and enjoy in their own kitchen. The class will be taught by Marie Antoinette of Mariposa Collective. (Arts’tination; April 9, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; $20)

COCKTAIL CLASS: On April 10, Shop Made in DC is hosting a cocktail class celebrating the District’s favorite time of the year. Attendees will learn the basics of mixology and bartending while learning how to craft a Rosemary Grapefruit Mimosa and a Lemon Sour. All guests will go home with their own bottle of Cherry Blossom Syrup. (Union Market; April 10, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; $75)

10 MILER: It’s not Spring without the 10 miler and 5K. Although it’s too late to run the in-person Cherry Blossom 10 Miler this year, residents can still plan to cheer along the course or register for the virtual event. Please note that while the in-person race is on April 3, the virtual event goes through April 17. (The National Mall or Virtual; Prices Vary)