National Cherry Blossom Festival

As in true pandemic fashion we try to continue to provide you with content that is responsible and thus avoiding crowds. We thought a post on where to view cherry blossoms without the crowds the Tidal Basin draws, may be useful. Yesterday, while driving through DC, the crowds were in full force on the Mall as the blossoms were in full bloom! The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from March 20 – April 11 and again has pivoted from their typical celebrations and gotten creative so check out their programs.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has over 150 trees.
Dumbarton Oaks has a mixture of cherry species as well as other gorgeous spring blooms.
US Arboretum has the trees but are spread out, but that’s the best part about heading here; room to roam!
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens Cherry trees surround the parking area and Visitor Center at Kenilworth Park where you can also enjoy birding along the boardwalk.
Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland has about 30 cherry trees and other spring blooms at their garden.
The neighborhood of Kenwood, Maryland has impressive tree-lined streets. However, this does get very crowded, so if dodging crowds ifs the goal, read on or go very early in the day.
Van Gogh Bridge at Lake Anne in Reston has been on our list to visit. There are not many trees however the location on the bridge provides that most scenic and charming photos we see year after year.
Rockville Civic Center Park and Glenview Mansion both have trees lining the drive to Glenview Mansion and around the Civic Center Park. You will also find a nature center, playground, and wooded nature walk if you want to extend the trip and stay longer.
Did you know the 2nd largest collection of cherry blossom trees in DC are at Oxon Run Park?
Stanton Park in Capitol Hill allows you to sit back, have a picnic and lay underneath a small collection of cherry trees.
Of course you can walk along the Tidal Basin with the crowds or sit on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial and admire the blossoms from there. Grab sanitizing wipes and rent a paddle boat on the Tidal Basin.

Saturday

9:00am-11:30am: The Children’s House of Washington Open House!
Learn about the benefits of Montessori & see if CHOW is a good fit for your Bambinos.

9:30am AND 11:00am: The Town That Cried Avalanche at National Theatre
In preparation for Earth Day, The National Theatre is thrilled to host the World Premier of “The Town That Cried Avalanche”, an interactive play that asks: how do you balance progress and the needs of the people with taking care of our environment? Controversy rocks the tiny mountain town of Avalanche as the progress everyone craves threatens to shake up their lives and reduce their mountain to rubble. What should the town do – and how can anyone make decisions when everyone disagrees with each other? The play is performed by three actors onstage with help from everyone in the audience, who become part of the action as citizens locked in passionate debate at the Avalanche Town Hall Meeting. What will the town decide? What will happen? It’s all in the hands of the audience…and so’s the fate of Avalanche!

10:00am-12:00pm: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
One of DC’s largest spectator events, the energy-filled National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC runs for 10 blocks along iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival. From the National Archives to the Washington Monument, spectators are wow-ed by the pageantry and excitement that is the nation’s premier springtime parade. Standing along the Parade route from Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th streets, NW is FREE and open to the public. Arrive early for the best views. $20 for grandstand seating.

10:30am: Matt Heaton at Jammin Java
Matt Heaton believes music for kids can be entertaining for both children AND parents. His songs are a mix of rockabilly, surf, american roots and Irish traditional music, delivered with a wry sense of humor and a sincere sense of fun. Children and adults respond to his musicianship and variety. The adults in the room particularly appreciate the Muppet-esque touches of humor and observations of kid behavior. Whether you call it children’s music, family music, kindie or toddlerbilly it’s sure to please listeners of all ages

10:30am-6:00pm: 58th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
The Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and is proud to be the grand finale of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Performers and vendors travel from all over the country and the world to Washington, DC to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions with the Festival attendees. The Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is excited to return to Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets, NW – anchored at the corner of 7th and Pennsylvania, Ave, NW.

12:00pm-3:00pm: Open House at My Gym Potomac and My Gym Bethesda
Join us for FREE fun and games at My Gym! Lots of fun play time plus great discounts on Spring classes and Summer camps and parties! Featuring: From 12-1pm – Ninja Warrior obstacle courses and free pizza – best for ages 3-10yrs. From 1-3pm – Free Face Painter and Fun – best for all ages.

2:00pm-3:00pm: DC Emancipation Day Parade
Parade along Pennsylvania between 10th St NW & 14th St NW

3:00pm-8:00pm: DC Emancipation Day Concert & Fireworks

Sunday

10:30am-12:00pm: A Family Celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut
Join us as we celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday by recognizing the range and diversity of its people and landscape. Through reading and activities, we’ll bring to life the charming and colorful world created by author Leslie Kimmelman in her book, Everybody Says Shalom. This program is best for ages 3-7, but the whole family is welcome! Cost is $15/family. This program is a collaboration of Literary Programming at the EDCJCC and Jewish Life and Learning in Partnership with PJ Library.

11:00am-2:00pm: Spring in the Valley
Car seat safety check with Safe Kids DC, Spring Valley Pediatrics, Stork Childbirth Education, moon-bounces, face paint and so much more (rain date: April 22).

1:00pm-4:00pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert at the Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is thrilled to host members of the National Symphony Orchestra for a free, engaging musical performance for all ages. The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing two concerts held at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Zoo’s Visitor Center auditorium, followed by Musical Instrument “Petting Zoos” at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Featured musicians include Jae-Yeon Kim (violin), Ko Sugiyama (violin), Tiffany Richardson (viola) and Sean Neidlinger (cello), Charles Nilles (bass) and Joel Ayau (piano). See details by following link for more details on how to get free passes.