Experience the National Cherry Blossom Festival

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The Tidal Basin in peak bloom. Photo: S.Payne/CCN.

As peak bloom quickly approaches, the National Cherry Blossom Festival invites the community to celebrate the spring season at the 2023 opening ceremony. 

The ceremony will take place at the Warner Theater (513 13th St. NW) on Saturday March 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and will showcase Japanese arts and culture. The event will be co-hosted by Yoshi Amao, a Japanese comedian and game show host, and Veronica Johnson of WJLA’s 7News with featured performances from Travis Japan, Anna Sato X Toshiyuki Sasaki, Mika Stoltzman and PETÆL. 

While tickets for the live event have been claimed, everyone is welcome to join through the livestream offered on the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s YouTube channel. The festival encourages individuals interested in attending in person to subscribe to their email list to receive notification about the potential release of new tickets and walk up tickets for the event. 

Throughout March and April residents and visitors alike can experience live entertainment and a variety of events including the Pink Tie Party (March 16), live music and entertainment at the tidal basin (March 18-April 2), the Blossom Kite Festival (March 25), Petalpalooza (April 8) and the parade (April 15). You can stay up to date on the bloom watch and learn more about the festival here

Peak bloom has officially been predicted for March 22-25.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.