Get Out!🌸 The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival Has Some Fun Activities This Weekend, March 22 & 23 🌸

by Peggy Robin

It's the first big weekend of the CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL! 

We're still about a week away from PEAK BLOOM, but that shouldn't diminish your enjoyment of the Cherry Blossom Festival events set for this weekend:

You can find links to all the events at https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Today's "Get Out!" column is highlighting just one event for Saturday, March 22, and one for Sunday, March 23. 

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Saturday, March 22

SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration

Celebrate the cherry blossoms with SAAM! Begin the day on the museum’s 8th and F Street Plaza (weather permitting) with a taiko drumming performance by Nen Daiko. The program continues inside in the Kogod Courtyard for Japanese pop, boogie, and more with Les The DJ. Enjoy other performances while children (ages 12 and younger) make cherry-blossom themed crafts. Seasonal treats are available for purchase from the Courtyard Café. A spring-themed scavenger hunt through SAAM’s galleries extends the fun. Photo by Norwood Photography.

Schedule of Performances:

• 11:30 a.m. – Nen Daiko taiko drumming, F Street Plaza (weather permitting) 
• 12:00 p.m. – Les The DJ, Kogod Courtyard 
• 12:30 p.m. – Misako Ballet Company, Kogod Courtyard 
• 1:00 p.m. – Les The DJ, Kogod Courtyard 
• 2 p.m. – Misako Ballet Company, Kogod Courtyard 
• 2:30 p.m. – Nen Daiko taiko drumming, Kogod Courtyard 

Closest Metro: Gallery Place, 9th street exit

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Sunday, March 23

Cherry Blossom Daruma at Anthem Row

Spring is knocking and Downtown D.C. is ready to bloom! The Cherry Blossom Daruma at Anthem Row—a 10-foot-wide Japanese daruma doll aerial art installation adorned with intricate cherry blossom motifs—is set to wow and welcome visitors of all ages to experience spring in the city for the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival. 

When: Sunday, March 23 · 12 - 4pm EDT 

Where: Anthem Row 800 K Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001 Map

Here's a short video that explains what DARUMA are, and what to expect at the Daruma event at Anthem Row:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91lshulroXM  

Event Experience includes:

• 🥁 Taiko Drumming Performance: Feel the beat of spring with Mark H Taiko, a taiko drumming ensemble.
• 👘 Spring Kimono Fashion Show: Witness beautifully designed cherry blossom kimonos by Atelier Kanawa, followed by a kimono dressing demonstration showcasing the artistry of tying an Obi sash.
• 💫 Aerial Cirque Performance: Marvel at an acrobatic display of movement and aerial performance by Cirque-tacular.
• 🎨 The Kodomo: Bring your little ones to the dedicated kid's corner. Let their creativity run loose with a Daruma coloring sheet and origami-making.
• 🎎 Mini Daruma Doll Giveaways: We know you won’t get enough of the Cherry Blossom Daruma installation, so there will be mini Daruma doll giveaways for you to take home.
• 🍢 *Kushiyaki: Indulge in authentic Japanese flavors with sizzling grilled skewers.
• 🍣 *Sushi Tsukuri: Join a sushi-making experience –very limited – brought to you by a skilled chef from Love, Makoto.
• 🍸 *Japanese Sake Tasting: Sample some Japanese sake –Joto Junmai Ginjo, Amabuki Sakura Fubuki, and Mutsu Hassen "Pink Label" Ginjo– as well as the "Blossom Mist," The Westin DC Downtown's signature cherry blossom Empress gin drink.
• 🎵 Global Sounds The experience will close with a lively, crowd-pleasing mix of K-POP and global sounds spun by Les The DJ.

*While the event is free and open to the public, the sushi-making and sake experiences will be available for a suggested nominal donation. All food, beverage, and giveaways are available while supplies last. Alcoholic sampling will be available for attendees over 21 years old.

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The "Get Out!: events list is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.