Every year in commemoration of Japan’s gift to the United States in 1912, Washington DC puts on the nation’s greatest springtime celebration, the National Cherry Blossom Festival. As the Japanese Cherry Blossoms come into full bloom and blanket the nation’s capitol, the city gears up for a month long celebration full of festivities from March 20th-April 16th. Though the days that the flowers are in full bloom vary from year to year, the events have already been planned for 2017 so that you can start making plans to attend the celebration.
The festival will begins with the Pink Tie Party fundraiser by ANA on March 16 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, near our Washington DC B&B. On March 25th, the opening ceremony will kick-off the celebration with showcases of American and Japanese talent including: Shigeyama Kyogen, El Squad, May J, and The 6821 Quartet. Tickets for the event are free.
On April 1st events kick into high gear with the all day Blossom Kite Festival. Kite flyers from around the world gather on the grounds by the Washington Monument for a day of competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles and the Hot Tricks Showdown. The following week, on April 8th, the spectacular and long-standing National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will run down 10 blocks of Constitution Ave featuring giant helium balloons, celebrity performers, marching bands, and elaborate floats. The parade is one of the DC’s largest spectator events is always a high energy, memorable event. Tickets for Grandstand seating start at $20 or you can stand along the parade route from Constitution Ave between 9th and 15th streets.
If you’re traveling to DC for the festival, we would love for you to join us at our Washington DC Inn during your stay. We provide our guests with great amenities, comfortable rooms, and a delicious homemade breakfast every morning. For information about our rooms and rates, you can visit our Availability Page.
Shannon Stiles, Innkeeper at American Guest House
