The National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) is in full swing and DowntownDC is full bloom. There are an array of exciting cultural and entertainment events to attend in DowntownDC.
DowntownDC is the destination of choice for a variety of festival events surrounding the nation’s greatest springtime celebration, which runs through April 14.
You can enjoy the blooms in DowntownDC on the evening of April 11. Mark your calendar for a free Cherry Blossom Yoga & Sunset Celebration Yoga on Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue & 13th Street NW). There, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting a an all-levels yoga class, kicking off with a warm up from Pulse House of Fitness from 5-5:30pm, then a one-hour community yoga practice with resident Daybreaker DC yoga teacher, Atticus Mooney, and capped off by a two-hour dance party from 6:30-8:30pm.
The festival culminates in the signature National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC on April 13. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Constitution Avenue and runs from 7th to 17th streets, from the National Archives to the Washington Monument. This year’s honorary grand marshal is Anthony Anderson from ABC’s black-ish. Celebrity performances and appearances will include Cece Peniston and Rayshun LaMarr, contestant on season 14 of NBC’s The Voice and a DC-area native.
Immediately following the parade, the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival will begin on Pennsylvania Avenue. Sakura Matsuri is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. and will feature more than 80 cultural groups, four stages of performances, arts vendors and food booths.
The nation’s greatest springtime celebration annually begins the first day of spring. The festival is where D.C., our region and nation unite to welcome spring and celebrate the 106th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the city.
The DowntownDC BID is a proud longtime supporter and host sponsor of the festival.
For a complete list of events and more information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Check out these select festival events happening in DowntownDC:
Chocolate Truffle Making Class – Cherry Blossom Edition: April 6 at The Willard InterContinental Hotel
Growing Community: April 7 at the National Building Museum
Kimono Fashion Show and Luncheon: April 10 at the JW Marriott
Cherry Blossom Yoga & Sunset Celebration: April 11 at Freedom Plaza
Newseum Nights: In Bloom: April 12 at the Newseum
Cherry Blossom Grand Ball: April 12 at the JW Marriott
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade ®: April 13 on Constitution Avenue
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival: April 13 on Pennsylvania Avenue
Take Five Meditation: One Giant Meditation: April 14 at the National Building Museum