You can’t think of Spring in the DC area an not think of the Cherry Blossoms! This year is the 103rd Anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees from Japan as a symbol of friendship with the United States. The Cherry Blossoms have bloomed and we’ve got the scoop on some fun (and free!) events, along with creative ways to view the blooms at their peak in the Tidal Basin. 
National Cherry Blossom
Festival Parade
Saturday, April 11, 10AM – 12PM
Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets NW
The festival’s final weekend is capped off by a pink-focused parade and street festival. Watch as blossom-themed floats, giant balloons, marching bands and famous entertainers cruise down Constitution Avenue. The parade is free, but if you’d like grandstand seating, tickets start at $20.
Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
Saturday, April 11, 10:30AM – 6PM
Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 9th and 14th streets
The Sakura Matsuri festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the US, featuring food vendors, crafts, 50+ cultural groups and performances, and more. Tickets are $8 in advance online; day-of tickets are $10 online or at the gate, or $5 after 3 p.m. Kids age 12 and younger get in for free.
24th Annual Blessing of the Fleets Ceremony
Saturday, April 11, 1 – 5PM
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Navy Ceremonial Guardsmen pour water from the Seven Seas into the Memorial’s fountains “charging” them to life. Visitors can see exhibits and sample Navy Bean soup prepared by Navy Culinary Specialists.
Flower Power
Sunday, April 12, 12 – 4PM
ARCH Development Corporation, 1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington DC
The afternoon includes live music inspired by the 60s; a DJ with retro beats; floral arranging classes; artworks comprised hundreds of fake flower petals; gardening tips – and more!
Anacostia River Festival
Sunday, April 12, 12 – 4PM
Anacostia Park, Anacostia Drive & Good Hope Road SE
This FREE event will bring together residents from across the region to engage in hands-on art workshops, musical performances, tours of historic Anacostia, boating and even fishing workshops!
Spend more time enjoying the beautiful blossoms!
Hop a Shuttle
DC Circulator is operating a special shuttle between Hains Point and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial thru April 12. The shuttle service is $1 per person and runs daily from 10am to 7pm. Click here to view all of the stops on the map.
Take a Water Shuttle
Hop aboard a water taxi to the Tidal basin from Georgetown and enjoy viewing the blossoms from the water along the way. Tickets are $15 round trip or $10 one way, and must be purchased online in advance from www.DC-Watertaxi.com
Walking Around
The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are just a short walk from many 
Metro stations, including:
Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
Federal Triangle
Foggy Bottom–GWU
L’Enfant Plaza
Smithsonian
Biking
Several major bicycle trails wind their way to and through Washington, DC. During the Festival, supplemental bike parking is offered at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. A map showing the location of bike parking is available on the National Park Service website.
Capital Bikeshare will also have corrals available this weekend: April 12 & 13 from 10AM – 5PM. The corrals will be at Ohio Drive & West Basin Drive SW / MLK & FDR Memorials station.
Visit goDCgo’s Interactive Map to view bike lanes, trails and Capital Bikeshare locations.
View From Anywhere via the “Cherry Blossom Cam”!
If you can’t make it down to see the blooms in person, EarthCam and the National Park Service have partnered together to provide a 24/7 livestream of the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Click here to see the Cherry Blossom Cam!
Take advantage of living so close to the nation’s Capitol this weekend and head downtown to enjoy the great weather and beautiful Cherry Blossoms! And if you’re looking for a change of scenery, we can help you find the “perfect spot” to call home! Contact us today for a free home consultation!
The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.
