All Life Is Local: Get Out! Get Out! Cherry Blossom Festival Events Are Happening All Over Town for the Next 3 Weeks!

by Peggy Robin

You know all the events at the Tidal Basin for the first weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival will all be mobbed, so I'm not going to list them here, but will suggest activities at other, possibly less crowded location. Or possibly not. But you won't know till you go.

My suggestions are:

Petal Porches

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Sunday, April 14, 2024

All over DC people have decked out their front porches and facades with cherry-blossom themed decorations and lights.

For all the details, including the interactive map to find the decorated Petal Porches near you, go to:

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/petal-porches/

You can go directly to the interactive map at:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1NZ1-qgI5txU8Z3aPKeBRpaS62xr7K4M&femb=1&ll=38.95994773564438%2C-77.01085421445292&z=10

Japanese Culture Day

Saturday March 23 from 10am - 3 pm

Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building

10 First Street SE

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/japanese-culture-day-2024/

Japanese Culture Day will feature family activities, including Japanese drum and traditional dance performances, storytelling, and arts and crafts from Japan. Children, families and teachers can learn about Japanese culture through reading, writing and craft-making with Japanese cultural and linguistic professionals. In connection with this event, Japanese-American author Misa Sugiura will present a book talk about her series “Momo Arashima,” with focus on her research and incorporation of Japanese folklore, mythology, and legends into her middle grade fantasy novel. Advanced timed-entry reservations are recommended at https://loc.usedirect.com/LOC. Free same-day tickets will be made available at 9 a.m., using the same link.

Japanese Fashion Family Day

Saturday March 23 from 10am - 3pm

The George Washington University Textile Museum

701 21st Street NW

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/family-day-japanese-fashion/

Celebrate cherry-blossom season at the museum with a family day featuring Japanese kimono, “happi” coats and crafts for all ages. Performances of traditional Okinawan dance will showcase the colorful costume of the islands, and guests can enjoy the beautiful melodies of Japan’s national instrument, the “koto.” Design your own kimono bookmark, make a cherry blossom pendant or join us for a family-friendly tour of the galleries, including Japanese textiles on display in Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat.

You can find dozens more events on the Cherry Blossom Festival website at https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/events/ -- and most of them are FREE.