The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. Today’s Festival now spans four weeks and welcomes more than 1.5 million people to enjoy diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Events are primarily free and open to the public.

Schedule of Events:

March 21, 2025

12 Noon - 3 Pm: Blossom Tea Party

National Cherry Blossom Festival in conjunction with Events DC, invites DC seniors from the community to a Blossom Tea Party. This elegant and sophisticated afternoon tea invites seniors from the Washington, DC community to celebrate and honor the rich history of Japanese culture through fine teas, delightful conversations, and more.

Register Here

March 22, 2025

5:00pm - 6:30pm: Opening Ceremony

The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature Opening Ceremony is an artistic celebration of the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC, and an annual tribute to the longstanding friendship between Japan and the United States. This unique, one-time-only performance will feature special performances from acclaimed artists with ties to both countries.

Opening Ceremony Performers

Kazunori Kumagai

Kazunori Kumagai began tap dancing at age 15 and moved to the US at age 19. He was described as a “true tap artist” by the NY Times. In 2006, he was selected by Dance Magazine as one of the “25 dancers to watch in the world,” and in 2014 he received the Flo-Bert Award in NY, and in 2016 he received the Bessie Award. Kumagai was selected as one of the “100 Japanese people respected by the world” by Newsweek magazine in 2019. Kumagai also performed, choreographed, and composed music for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Currently has two main bases in New York and Japan, and is expanding his activities to Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. His unique and one-of-a-kind art is evolving every day, creating a new future for tap dance.

Seiwa Bunraku

Seiwa Bunraku is the only remaining traditional puppetry organization in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Seiwa Bunraku puppet theater began about 170 years ago (toward the end of the Edo period) in Seiwa Village (now the Seiwa section of Yamato Town, Kumamoto Prefecture), when local farmers learned from visiting members of the Awaji Puppet Troupe. While going through rises and declines, the performing art was passed down by farming communities.

In 2022, as part of a reconstruction effort from the Kumamoto Earthquake, “Chopper, Embarking from the Winter Sakura” was presented in collaboration with ONE PIECE, a popular manga by Eiichiro Oda, who is from Kumamoto Prefecture. A remake of the play adapted to the scale of Seiwa Bunrakukan has been staged since 2023, and now in March 2025, the highlight of the work will be presented abroad for the first time at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.

Kana Uemura

Ka-Na (Kana Uemura) is a Gold record-selling singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Japan. She has enjoyed much success over the years with her music being featured on popular radio and TV stations across Japan as well as publishing an autobiography. She is best known for her song “Fairy of the Bathroom”, an acoustic ballad about her grandmother, which became a #1 hit in 2010. That year she also won two Japan Record Awards: Best Song and Best Songwriter of the Year with her album “Pieces of Me”.

She credits Julie Andrews’ performance in “The Sound of Music” as her inspiration to write, sing, and play music. Since signing with King Records in 2005, Ka-Na, under the name of Kana Uemura, has released nine studio albums, 13 singles, a cover album of English songs, and 16 music videos.

Ka-Na moved to New York in late 2016 and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Club Bonafide, Rockwood Music Hall, Bitter End in New York City, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In January 2019, Ka-Na released her 7-song EP “Happiness”, which was produced with Steve Addabo – known for his work with Suzanne Vega and Shawn Colvin – and featured many international artists including GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter Ari Hest.

Maui Taiko

A Cultural Pillar in Maui’s Community

Maui Taiko brings taiko drumming to life through performances, workshops, and cultural events. Their mission is to entertain, educate, and preserve Japanese taiko drumming heritage.

Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum, has a long history. It was used in religious ceremonies, festivals, and as a means of communication in ancient Japan. Today, taiko is a visually striking performance art that combines rhythm, energy, and athleticism. Maui Taiko uses eighteen drums crafted from recycled wine barrels and helps temples re-skin old taiko drums to preserve them. Continuing a centuries-old tradition of performing “Fukushima Ondo” at local obon dances that honor ancestors, Maui Taiko keeps this vital aspect of cultural heritage alive. These obon dances are a time for community gathering, reflecting on the past, and celebrating the lives of those who came before us.

Maui Taiko is committed to education through workshops and training, sharing the techniques, history, and cultural significance of taiko drumming. They collaborate with various organizations to promote cultural diversity and understanding.

Maui Taiko is more than a performing group; they are custodians of a rich cultural heritage. Through their innovative use of materials, dedication to preserving traditional songs, and commitment to education, they ensure that taiko drumming continues to thrive. Their performances celebrate rhythm, history, and community, inspiring future generations to cherish taiko traditions.

March 29, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm: Blossom Kite Festival

Join us at the Washington Monument Grounds with soaring activities, music, competitions, and performances. Kite enthusiasts, beginners, families, and friends are all welcome.

Get ready to enjoy kite demonstrations and competitions, arts & crafts, and so much more. We can’t wait to share what we have in store for 2025!

Register Here

April 5, 2025

1:00pm - 9:00pm: Petalpalooza

Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza®, for a full day of live music and engaging activities!

This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks show set to music starting at 8:30 PM.

This event is FREE and fun for all ages.

Times and activities are subject to change.

April 6, 2025

12 Noon - 3:00PM: Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly

Join us at Oxon Run Park in Ward 8 for our annual Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly on April 6, 2025! We will host kite programming, entertainment, and more in coordination with the Blossom Kite Festival.

April 12, 2025

10 AM - 12 PM: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

The Nation’s Springtime Parade is an amazing sight on Constitution Avenue! Grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a spectacle of music and showmanship celebrating spring in DC.

-Telecast (East End) Seating – $40 (+$5.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 7th and 9th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the National Archives

-Finale (West End) – Performance Zone Seating – $30 (+$4.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

-Finale (West End) – Seating – $25 (+$3.00 per ticket fee)
Located between 16th and 17th Streets NW along Constitution Ave, NW by the Washington Monument

April 12 & 13, 2025

All Day: Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival

The Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. The festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages. The festival also spotlights travel and tourism opportunities and innovative Japanese technologies.

Date: March 21, 2025 - April 13, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Washington, DC

Click Here For More Information