White Cherry in full bloom around the Tidal Basin around the historic Potomac River in Washington DC
Winter in Washington, D.C. has finally retreated; a much anticipated spring has arrived in the nation’s capital with grandeur. With warm days and blue skies, Washington is at the onslaught of spring ecstasy. The air is very still, and we in the D.C. metropolitan area had some sun-warmed days since the beginning of this spring; now the city is cloaked in cherry blossoms. We are blessed to see the brilliance of this frail flower with renewed sense of pure joy. The soft white and pretty pink petals are cascading on the earth. They fade away before our restless hearts catch sight of its beauty and glory in haste.
Every year Washington, D.C. welcomes the arrival of spring with the two-week Cherry Blossom Festival. It is a celebration that resembles a queen’s coronation. During this two-week period about a million people come to the nation’s capital to view this spectacular festival. In the festival time, the much awaited full bloom occurs depending on the weather. People from all over the world come to celebrate spring — every nationality you can think of are there forgetting their differences. Each person comes in solidarity to celebrate a beautiful occasion.
Through the Cherry Blossom Festival the kinship between the United States and Japan is celebrated every year in the spring. It is an event unlike any other that takes place here.
In Japan, a cherry tree is called Sakura (blossom,) which is a lovely flowering plant. The story began in 1910 with a campaign which urged that Washington D.C. needed the beautiful flowering cherry trees from Japan to beautify itself. Japan donated 2,000 cherry trees to Washington as a gift, and a symbol of goodwill in continuing a friendly relationship.
When the gift arrived, it was discovered that the trees were infested with some kind of disease. US President William Howard Taft ordered those to be burnt. After hearing about it, in 1912, the mayor of Tokyo, Yokio Ozaki presented 3,000 cherry tree seedlings to President Taft. First Lady Helen Herron Taft planted the first tree in Washington D.C.
On March 27, 2012, former First Lady Michelle Obama planted a cherry tree to commemorate the centennial of the cherry blossoms and to honor US-Japan solidarity. This particular year, 2025, marks the 113th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, and the ongoing friendship between Japan and America, who were on opposite sides during World War II.
The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival started on the first day of spring. According to the US Park Service, in collaboration with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the festival will be celebrating the bloom in the district from March 20 – April 13. This year the prediction for Peak Bloom: March 28 – March 31. The festival will feature events like the Opening Ceremony, Parade, and Freedom Walk.
The festival is held mainly around the Tidal Basin area along the beautiful Potomac River. The streets of the capital now are filled with thousands of tourists and local people, who come to experience this spectacular happening — a fitting occasion to celebrate Japan-US alliance and goodwill.
The spectators are able to learn about Japanese culture through visual medium, performing arts and music. The festival in general is geared to promote cross-cultural friendship and bring joy and excitement to the thousands who flock on the grounds of National Mall during the two-week period of endless fun.
On March 24th Google Doodle had featured Cherry Blossom season with pictures from the moment when the cherry trees on both sides of the Tidal Basin area started to bloom. Google often does that to celebrate and recognize important historical and cultural events. Google artists do an amazing job in creating their whimsical art and change the Google logo for that day.
Last time I went to see the festival was in 2016. I remember there was a stage that was set up near the edge of the tidal basin. On the stage – music, dance and songs were performed in English and Japanese by local, national as well as international artists. It was followed by a kite flying event called the Blossom Kite Festival. That year the Smithsonian Institute had held its 49th Kite festival. Kite enthusiasts from across the globe came to DC to participate and demonstrate their kite flying skills and to take part in various competitions on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The scene was a beautiful kaleidoscope of multi-colored kites across the sky.
This year the event planners scheduled the kite flying for March 29. It was a warm and slightly windy day. Even if the air were a bit chilly, that wouldn’t have dissuaded the enthusiasm of the fliers, or those who gather to watch this brilliant sight when thousands of hexagonal-shaped fighter kites take to the sky. Such kites are commonly flown in Japan.
Cherry blossom at the national mall in Washington DC
Late this afternoon, on TV, I saw that the sky was filled with multi-lined colorful kites where the fliers were engaged in one-on-one battle to win the competition. They were demonstrating their craftsmanship and expert skills as fliers. The ones who got the most applause were the winners.
Young kids who came with their families had a mighty good time. Some of the volunteers demonstrated how to construct kites for them.
To keep the spirit of the festival going, the annual National Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk also took place on March 29. They have scheduled the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5K and Kids Run: April 5-6 as well. Two other popular happenings are an Afternoon Tea in the Park and Blossom Bash to be held on March 30. The Blossom Tea Party was held on March 21 followed by Pink in the Pool on March 22.
On April 12, a Parade will start from the iconic Constitution Avenue and will stretch to ten blocks. Both sides of the Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. will be filled with onlookers to watch the lively parade.
The Key events that took place when I went to the Cherry Blossom festival: Each year, to make it a compelling event experience, the organizers come up with a unique theme and add new things to attract a crowd. I remember the year I went, the Marching bands from all across the country with colorful costumes were followed by entertainers and performers. ‘Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers had burst down the parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship that is only seen once a year during the festival.’
There were other street jubilees and live performances that were going on. More than two hundred cultural performances and special events were planned. Various art exhibitions and variety shows were performed throughout the day. The Japanese street fiesta, ‘Sakura Matsuri,’ provided endless fun. This is where the younger people gather the most as it focuses on modern Japanese culture.
The festival organizers also hosted a Youth Art Exhibition to encourage cultural identities and international friendship. Many area students participated in this project where their own artworks were on display. Different DC Art Galleries also introduced an assortment of events to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival.
The multiple exhibits had given the gathering crowd a unique opportunity to learn about Japanese spirit and rituals including ‘Zen, Tea and Chinese Art in Medieval Japan.’ Interested people could also learn how the Japanese artisans make patterns and put color on ceramics.
The noted International events also included embassy hosted exhibitions, showing foreign films and guided walking tours.
The Japanese embassy sponsored the annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony. The Cherry Blossom princess from the Japanese embassy first salutes all 50 US princesses, then lights the 300-plus year old Japanese stone lantern. This symbolizes the long lasting friendship between the two countries in different continents.
There is a rare opportunity to visit the Japanese embassy by the fifty pageant princesses from each US state. The official Cherry Blossom princess greets them. Then they are treated to a Japanese Tea ceremony that is held in their honor.
This year the organizers also held Cherry Blossom Museum Illusion DC on March 20 and Pink Tie Party on March 14.
A lot of Washingtonians come for the whole day to enjoy the festival. US park rangers and volunteers make sure that there is plenty of food, merchandise, and books available for the visitors.
There will be a lot of food vendors to offer authentic American and Japanese cuisine. Area restaurants join in the celebratory mood and in spirit of the occasion. They participate in the Cherry Picks Program and present spring-inspired food and drinks. Some of the examples were when I went were Cherry-bourbon glazed salmon, Sakura tea, a drink called Sparkling Blossom and more. There are plenty of both Japanese and other American food and non-alcoholic beverages for everyone to enjoy.
People take boat rides along the Potomac River at dusk
A few special events are saved for the evening hours. Some choose to go aboard the Spirit of Washington, a cruise ship for an evening of fun and entertainment with live music, dancing and enjoying a sumptuous buffet dinner, while cruising through the Potomac River.
The cherry blossoms look great during the day, but there are also photographic opportunities at night. People head to the Tidal Basin, where the trees are illuminated, creating a breathtaking display. (Cherry blossoms at night)
‘Yozakura,’ Cherry blossom at night time across the Washington Monument
The Cherry Blossom Festival usually ends with a cherry blossom grand black-tie gala. At the gala, next year’s National Cherry Blossom Queen is crowned.
Eid Mubarak!
Zeenat Khan writes from Maryland, USA
