And the Centennial Celebration!
From March 20th – April 27th, 2012
In 1912, Tokyo Japan presented our nations capital with 3,000 Cherry Blossom Trees. Nearly a century later, the trees have proven their strength and are still standing throughout the Washington, DC area. Join your fellow Washingtonians and tourists from around the world at the 2012 Centennial Celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival!
Schedule of Events
Sunday, March 25th
5:00 pm-6:30 pm (doors open at 3:30 pm)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
The Opening Ceremony commences the 2012 Festival with a star-studded show featuring local and national entertainment to welcome springtime to Washington, DC during the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of Trees.
Featured Performers:
Sara Bareilles – MISIA – Hideki Togi with Iwao Furusawa – Children’s Chorus of Washington – Denyce Graves-Montgomery – The Washington Ballet – TAIKOPROJECT – Samurai Sword Soul – CIRQUETACULAR
Saturday, March 24th from 10 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, March 25th from 11 am–3:30 pm
Join the National Building Museum and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for two days of free family fun! The annual family festival features hands-on activities and dynamic performances.
Saturday, March 31st
10:30 am-4:30 pm
Washington Monument Grounds - Constitution Avenue & 17th Street, NW
Festival showcases the creativity of kite makers and skill of kite fliers from across the US and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations.
Blossom Kite Festival Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on wind and weather, schedule is subject to change
10:30 AM – 10:40 AM Opening remarks, First launch of the Centennial Blossom Kite Arch
10:40 AM – 11:00 AM Kite Ballets & Demonstrations
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Adult Kite Maker Competition (Hand-made kites only)
12:30 – 1:00 PM Kite Ballets & Demonstrations
1:00 – 1:30 PM Youth Kite Maker Competition (Hand-made kites only)
1:30 – 2:30 PM Hot Tricks Showdown
2:30 – 3:00 PM Mini Rokkaku Battle
3:00 – 4:00 PM Rokkaku Battle
4:00 – 4:30 PM Centennial Blossom Kite Arch & Themed Kites
Performance Stage at Sylvan Theatre
April 1st thru 15th: 12 pm-5 pm (Sun-Thurs), 12 pm-6 pm (Fri-Sat)
Washington Monument Grounds - Independence Avenue & Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
In the shadow of the Washington Monument, this is the Festival’s primary stage. Sponsored by Canon, enjoy recognized and diverse talent from around the region, country, and world, including varied genres of music and dance, martial arts exhibitions, marching bands, and more.
Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Saturday, April 7th
2 pm-9 pm, Fireworks at 8:30 pm
600-900 Water Street, SW
The Southwest Waterfront community, home of the cherry blossoms, honors the 100-year anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC with eight celebratory hours of free music, water-related activities, cultural experiences, live entertainment and delicious foods, all designed to entertain and educate, plus cherry-inspired food and beverages.
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival
Saturday, April 14th
11 am-6 pm
12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the largest Japanese cultural festival in the United States, featuring food, arts and culture, merchandise, and live traditional and J-Pop performances on four stages, including martial arts demonstrations.
National Cherry Blossom Day Parade
Saturday, April 14th
10 am–12:30 pm
Constitution Ave. from 7th to 17th Streets, NW
Lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and performers burst down the historic avenue in an energy-filled spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
~All descriptions above have been provided by the National Cherry Blossom Festival Organization. For a complete list of events, descriptions, ticket and entry information please go to www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org~
