The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the biggest annual event in the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. It takes place every year to celebrate the beginning of spring and has grown into one of America's premier celebrations of the springtime season.

The Festival commemorates the March 27, 1912 event where the nation of Japan gifted the United States with 3,000 cherry trees. On that day Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki donated the trees for the purpose of enhancing the budding friendship between his nation and America. Today, nearly 100 years later, The leaders of the world's two largest economies use the Festival as a way of recognizing the continued spirit of friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

The Cherry Blossoms tend to bloom between March 28 - April 12. Every April along the Tidal Basin that nearly surrounds the Jefferson Memorial millions of people from around the world walk along a pathway that glows with an unmistakable pink hue. The sea of pink is a photographer's paradise and best of all its COMPLETELY FREE. The festival, which lasts two weeks, is opened with a ceremony that is usually attended by the First Lady of the United States and the Japanese Ambassador to the United States.

The Cherry The opening festivities usually include sushi/sake tastings (featuring Master Sushi Chefs that come from Japan and give a free demonstration of their skill) , art exhibits and a guided bike tour of the Tidal Basin. On the last Saturday of the festival, there is a parade. It is called the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. A street festival called the Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival takes place as well. It is put on by the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. As if that wasn't enough there is also a fireworks celebration to accompany the festival too! Each year a National Cherry Blossom Festival Queen is selected to be the unofficial spokesperson of the festival. Her duties include discussing the history of the celebration and answering questions that visiting school kids may have about the event.

The Festival was lengthend to 2 weeks in 1994 to accommodate a growing activity schedule during the trees’ blooming. Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4. The Festival looks forward to celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the gift of trees in 2012 and is planning massive, important events to mark this historic and rare occasion.

From the Opening Ceremonies and the Smithsonian Kite Festival that start off the Cherry Blossom Festival to the sushi tasting, Japanese style street festivals, a ten mile run, the fireworks, and the daily cultural performances at the stage near the Tidal Basin, there is something amazing for everyone who comes out to celebrate.

The Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony, Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show are all free.

Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival

At the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival people wind up the celebration at the final major event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It is the largest Japanese street party in the United States.

The event includes such delights as sushi, origami, sumo and sake. Japanese arts and Japanese crafts and other products. Also anime, manga, and J-POP (Japanese Pop) music. Traditional dances and the stirring, dramatic taiko drums corps are also included.

Cherry Blossom Parade

The Cherry Blossom Parade is an wonderful, traditional event for Washingtonians. The Parade is made possible by the extensive volunteer efforts of the Washington, D.C. Downtown Jaycees, in cooperation with the U.S. National Park Service, and The District of Columbia’s Mayor’s Office.

Additional activities include the Dogwood Planting Ceremony.

A new tradition was started at the President Taft grave site at the Arlington National Cemetery. A honorable and distinguished Japanese goodwill delegation expressed their eternal gratitude and honored the Taft family by planting an American Dogwood tree for him.

Cherry Blossom Grand Ball

The week is capped off by the National Cherry Blossom black-tie Gala. This is where the next year's National Cherry Blossom Festival Queen is finally crowned. The crown was first designed and manufactured by the Mikimoto Company and presented by Yoshitaka Mikimoto in 1957. It took 50 continuous days to complete and has 1,585 pearls selected personally by Mr. Mikimoto and they are set in a beautiful frame of 14K gold.  Above the base is a coronet of pearls, perfectly matched and delicately crafted gold blossoms, gold scrolls, and golden leaves.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Queen is chosen by a wheel with each state's name on it. It is spun to determine the winner.

When in town for the Festival be sure to check out the Cherry Blossom Fashion Show, Cherry Blossom Lantern Ceremony and the Japanese Embassy.

The Cherry Blossom Festival provides a rare opportunity for pageant princesses to visit the Japanese Embassy and learn about the culture of Japan. The highlight of the afternoon is a special Tea Ceremony performed to honor the Cherry Blossom Princesses.

Tidal Basin

DC locals look forward to the first cherry blossoms which signal the arrival of Spring in the city. People head down to the Tidal Basin during the work day on their lunch breaks to escape the office and enjoy the pretty view.

Master Sushi Chef Demonstration

Every year the Vice President and Cultural Liaison for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, invites Master Sushi Chefs to come from Japan and give a free demonstration of their skill at Phillips Flagship Restaurant on the Waterfront. And a tasting is included!!

This annual event is free and open to the public, but you must make your reservations well in advance, as this is a hugely popular event. The food is truly amazing and the sight of these wonderful chefs practicing their art is a pleasure. Americans visit in couples, with friends or with their whole family.