Every spring in the nation’s capital, a celebration is held to celebrate the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington D.C. The cherry trees were a gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, and were meant to symbolize the friendship between Japan and the United States. The yearly celebration serves to honor and celebrate that friendship. This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to take place from March 20th to April 14th. During that time there will be many festival-related events for D.C. residents and visitors to participate in. If you’re planning to be in D.C. during that time, here are a few of the many highlights of the festival that you’ll want to make sure you attend.
- Official Cherry Blossom Food Tour. For $49 per person, you can participate in this Washington, D.C. guided walking tour that allows you to experience cherry blossom-inspired dishes at local restaurants while learning about the culture, history, and architecture around the city. This tour runs daily during the Cherry Blossom Festival from 11am to 3:30 pm. You’ll meet the owners and chefs of local establishments and taste specialties like Japanese-inspired bistro food, cherry margaritas, cherry topped Greek desserts, a Salvadorian Sunday feast, and homemade cherry-cello.
- Pink Tie Party. This event takes place on the festival’s opening night. It begins at 7pm, and guests will enjoy spring-inspired dishes and cherry-centered cocktails. This event is a fundraiser benefiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival Inc., a group whose stated purpose is to promote the beauty of nature and international friendships. The evening will include an auction where guests can bid on items ranging from vacation packages and cruises to concerts and sporting events to jewelry. This event costs $200 to attend is is always a sellout event. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online.
- S&R Foundation Artist Concert Series. This concert series begins on March 21st and runs past the end of the festival, all the way until the end of May. The majority of the shows take place at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, although a few take place at the Evermay. You’ll be able to enjoy singers and artists performing instruments like the viola, the steel drum, the piano, and the guitar. Tickets range in price from $30-$50, and some performances are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the S&R Foundation.
These are just a few of the events and activities taking place during the Cherry Blossom Festival. You may also want to take a Cherry Blossom lunch or dinner cruise or a short 90 minute Cherry Blossom cruise, take a self guided cherry tree tour, or attend one of several photography workshops that focus on getting gorgeous shots of cherry blossoms. There’s a lot to do in Washington D.C. in the spring, especially during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
