WASHINGTON (7News) — Starting on March 20 through April 14, residents and visitors can welcome D.C.'s biggest spring attraction with the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade returns on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 7News is a proud media partner of the event.
The parade down Constitution Avenue will feature balloons, floats, and marching bands from around the country as well as award-winning entertainers and performers.
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WHERE TO WATCH
If you are looking to watch the parade in person, spaces along the sides of Constitution Avenue are free to the public on a first-come first-serve basis.
Limited individual and group grandstands are still available. Click here to buy individual tickets and here for group tickets.
You don't want to go downtown? Don't worry, 7News will stream the full two-hour parade right here.
ROAD CLOSURES
Constitution Avenue will be closed from 6th to 23rd streets, including cross streets one block north and south of Constitution Avenue.
7th through 17th Streets Northwest will be closed Saturday morning.
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HOW TO GET THERE
Parking is usually limited in D.C., especially during the festival and parade. However, if you're looking to drive, parade organizers suggest purchasing "convenient and affordable" parking through SpotHero to reserve a spot. Click here to reserve a space.
Looking for an easier way to get there? Options such as Capital Bikeshare, scooters, DC Circulator, Metrobus, or Metrorail are available.
The metro is preferably the best way to get there if you get off at Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), or Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Red/Silver lines) to stand on the north side of Constitution Avenue. To stand on the southside, get off at L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Green/Orange/Silver/Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines).
Other options include scooters and bike shares. Uber and Lyft are also options to get there as well as cabs.
WEATHER FORECAST
The National Park Service has confirmed that the Yoshino Cherry Tree blossoms reached peak bloom on March 17, several days before the March 23 prediction. The early bloom was due to relatively warm weather conditions across the area.
WHERE TO DINE-IN
D.C.'s restaurants are welcoming spring with cherry blossom-inspired menu items.
Here is a list of some D.C. picked restaurants:
- Art and Soul-- 415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Resident's Cafe and Bar-1306 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Nama Ko-1926 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Immigrant Food-- 925 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 (Planet Word) 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC (at The White House), 1309 5th St NE, Washington DC 20002 (Union Market)
- Waldorf Astoria-- 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Dirty Habit- 555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Irregardless- 502 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Dovetail- 1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
- Olivia Macaron- 3270 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Guests can visit Art and Soul, Residents Cafeand Bar, Nama Ko,Immigrant Food, and its offshoot at Planet Word, which showcases menu items influenced by cherry blossoms.
WHAT TO WEAR
Looking for a dash of pink for your festival outfit? The National Cherry Blossom Festival site has tons of options for those looking to put a bit of spring in their wardrobe. The online shop features t-shirts, tote bags, pins, and more.
If you are headed on time, or fashionably late you can take a peek at the online gift shop with its selections of different looks that are embroidered with a cherry blossom.
Check out all the options here.
HOTELS & STAYS
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is partnering with several D.C. hotels to provide travelers with a memorable experience. For this year's festivities, the festival has partnered with Hilton, The Westin, and YOTEL. Each hotel offers a selection of blossom-themed food and drinks for guests to enjoy.
Travelers looking to book with any National Cherry Blossom Festival affiliate hotels can choose their hotel here.
If you're looking for a cozier vibe, there are Airbnb rental options for the festival, with some rentals starting at $125/night. Tourists looking to rent an Airbnb can book here.
A full breakdown of hotels, travel deals, and additional events can be found here.
TRAVEL
Tourists looking to arrive in D.C. via train or plane can find the right ticket for them at Amtrak,Priceline, or Expedia.
The different ticket options allow all travelers to find a deal that works for them.
Along with the beautiful view of pink and white blooms dotting the tidal basin, there are several exciting events for tourists and Washingtonians looking to get into the cherry blossom spirit this Spring.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
The fun at the National Cherry Blossom Festival doesn't stop at the parade. After the floats and performances, there is the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival.
The festival showcases Japanese culture and celebrates the relationship between Japan and the U.S.
The street festival will be held from April 13 -14 along Pennsylvania Ave Northwest. Visitors can choose from a variety of family packages and ticketing options. You can buy your tickets here.
Here are a few free events festival organizers want you to know about.
Starting Feb. 2 through March 20, participants are encouraged to decorate their homes in all pink blossoms with Petal Porches. Register by clicking here.
The Art in Bloom public viewing begins Wednesday, March 20 until Sunday, April 14. Showcasing vibrant art pieces by local artists, these paintings can be seen in all eight wards of Washington, D.C.
A one-time-only performance from Japanese and American cultures celebrates the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to D.C. It also highlights the longstanding friendship with Japan and the U.S. Those attending can see this showing on March 23.
All are welcome to enjoy tunes, competition, and kites in the air on March 23 at the Washington Ground Monuments.
SAKURA TAIKO FEST AT SYLVAN THEATER
This fest features a variety of different Taiko styles as a celebration of Japanese-American cultural and artistic traditions.
Along the Anacostia River, friends and family can see art installations, a cashless beverage garden, entertainment and more. This concludes with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show at 8:30 p.m.
For more cherry blossom content, click here.
WHERE ARE THE RESTROOMS
You can view the map below:
CHIME IN:
UPLOAD YOUR CHERRY BLOSSOM PHOTOS HERE
7News On Your Side will continue to update this story with more tips to help make your time in the nation's capital a memorable one.
