Spring has sprung which means the National Cherry Blossom Festival has begun! There are many ways to celebrate and participate in Capitol Riverfront. Fly your kite in a neighborhood park, eat your way through Cherry Picks of participating restaurants, or attend the highly anticipated Petalpalooza celebration with live music, food, fun, and fireworks to name a few. Check out the ten ways you can celebrate the cherry blossom season here in CapRiv.

Visit The #CapRiv Blossoms

The Tidal Basin isn’t the only place in the District with Instagram-worthy spots with cherry blossom trees and pink illuminations celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Stop by Lot 38 to grab a cup of coffee-to-go and take a walk through Canal Park, home to several trees expected to be at peak bloom around March 23 - March 25. The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will also be lit up pink each night until the end of the festival on April 17.

Fly Your Kite in a Neighborhood Park

Grab your family and friends and head down to Yards Park or Canal Park for Blossom Kite Fly weekend on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. New to kite flying? Check out this virtual Kite Flying 101 workshop so you're all geared up and ready to take your kite on a spin. 

Take an Evening Stroll

Take advantage of the warmer weather and head on an evening stroll through the neighborhood to the #CityInBloom. Throughout the city, businesses and buildings will be going pink for the National Cherry Blossom Festival with decals, decor, and lighting - including the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. Snap a selfie with your loved one at your favorite set-up and tag us @capitolriverfront to share the love. 

Explore Cherry Picks 

Rediscover the flavors of spring at your favorite neighborhood restaurants through the RAMW and NCBF Cherry Picks program. Eateries in Capitol Riverfront and throughout the District are showcasing spring-inspired dishes available to take to-go or to enjoy in their dining room or on their patio. Explore culinary treats across lunch, dinner, and dessert from District Winery, Circa, Ice Cream Jubilee, Osteria Morini, The Salt Line, and Gatsby.

Celebrate Spring at Petalpalooza

Enjoy a full day of day of live music and engaging activities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival's Petalpalooza in Capitol Riverfront on April 16 from 1:00 to 9:00 pm. This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a beer garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, and lots more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by a dazzling 15-minute choreographed fireworks show set to music starting at 8:30 pm. Grab and Go offerings from neighborhood participating restaurants will be available for purchase during the event. 

Shop All Things Pink

Commemorate the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival with a gift to a friend or yourself. Shop local retailer Steadfast Supply online or in-store for cherry blossom-inspired items like pink t-shirts, candles, artwork, and more. 

Stay in the Heart of the Action

There's no better place to explore the beautiful cherry blossoms in the city than in a #CapRiv hotel. The AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard and Homewood Suites hotels have put together Cherry Blossom Guest Experience packages fitting for you and your family to enjoy the festivities in style.  

Run, Blossom, Run!

Participate in the virtual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run by running or walking a 5K route of your choosing on your own time through April 17. Lucky for you, we already have a 2.5K pre-made route you can repeat twice to complete the run. To formally enter the race, the entrance fee is $40 and you can register to run through April 10.

Bring Your Fur Baby to Yappy Hour

In collaboration with Mars Petcare and the Better Cities For Pets the Cherry Blossom Festival is pet ready with the annual Paws & Petal program to ensure your pets are healthy, happy, and safe. A Yappy Hour will be held on April 14 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Homewood Suites with pet-comfort stations and more. 

Celebrate Cherry Blossom With a Game

Sports fans can get in on the Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration with a soccer match at Audi Field on April 2 at 7:30 pm and a Blossom & Baseball game at Nationals Park on April 10 at 1:35 pm. DCU Cherry Blossom Sunglasses will be handed out to the first 5,000 fans in attendance.