Flowers are blooming, the weather is breaking, and outdoor festivals are popping up around town to mark the start of spring. Here’s a list of a few community gatherings you may want to add to your calendar for some seasonal joy.
1. National Cherry Blossom Festival
The festival’s opening ceremony on March 21 is packed with Japanese cultural performances such as sword dances by Futago Onikenbai and music by pop singer Ayaka Hirahara. In the coming weeks, other celebrations of our cherished florals include the family-friendly Blossom Kite Festival, the two-day Sakura Matsuri–Japanese Street Festival, Navy Yard’s outdoor music and art party Petalpalooza, and the elaborate finale parade along Constitution Avenue ( $5 ticket for opening ceremony, free for all other events,).
2. Pink in the Park
National Landing’s Pink in the Park jamboree is back this week. The Arlington event run for a few weeks and features pink-themed art activations, live music, family fun, vendors, and more. Families are invited to splash party Pink in the Pool this Saturday—registration required— at Long Bridge Aquatics Center. Kids can eat Japanese snacks, taste tea, and make origami. In the coming weeks, Pink Beats—an outdoor music festival featuring electronic DJs and dance performances—will take over Water Park on select days throughout March and April. On April 10, Art of Pink is hosting a nighttime art gathering and food market at Met Park (free).
3. Bloomaroo
Decorate koi kites, get your face painted, or craft a haiku at the Wharf’s cherry blossom-inspired Bloomaroo. The annual soirée is open for all ages to move their feet to R&B, pop, and international performances across multiple stages from artists such as the Julia Her Band and Pink PaLiSh. There’s a pink fireworks finale along the decorated waterfront to close out the evening (free).
4. Sakura Sunday
Here’s your chance to experience a Japanese pop-up market without taking a flight. National Harbor’s annual Sakura Sunday brings art, culinary treats, music and dance, and more entertainment to the Maryland waterfront as part of National Cherry Blossom Festival events. Festival-goers can be a part of the Water Lantern Festival and shop tea, anime, wellness products, and more finds from vendors under the Capital Canopy marketplace. (free).
5. DC Beer Fest
Raise a glass at Nationals Park with fellow beer aficionados. The relaxed drink fest pours unlimited sips of craft brews from over 80 different breweries. Plus there’s live music, lawn games, a dueling piano bar, and good eats along food truck alley ($55+).
6. DC Chocolate Festival
Satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate tastings and cocoa-making workshops at the Embassy of France. The event brings more than 30 chocolate vendors from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond to the embassy, where participants can learn how to make chocolate at guided micro workshops and listen to chocolatiers discuss an array of treats ($25 for adults, free for children under 10).
7. DC Wine Fest
Toast to springtime with friends at DC Wine Fest. Union Market’s Dock 5 hosts an array of wine and alcoholic beverage vendors such as Aurora’s Vines, Cream of Kentucky, Hampton Water, and others over the span of three tasting sessions. In addition to the pours, there will be coffee and jewelry vendors, and seafood bites and empanadas ($44+).
8. Passport DC
Taking place during International Cultural Awareness Month, Passport DC is a month-long event that highlights the rich traditions of diplomacy in Washington. This year, the festival will feature the Around the World Embassy tour on May 2, where guests can experience art, culture, food, and fashion from around the globe by visiting participating embassies. Plus you can check out the EU Open House tour on May 9 and the Fiesta Asia fair on May 16 with outdoor crafts, performances, and street food (free).
9. Lincoln Strawberry Festival
Indulge in all things strawberry to support scholarship funds for local high school students. The Wegmeyer Farms Foundation will produce a lineup of family-friendly happenings, including a pancake breakfast, strawberry picking, and other delicious activities for visitors to enjoy ($16).
10. Annapolis Irish Festival
You can celebrate Irish heritage beyond St. Patrick’s Day at this fest. The Annapolis Irish Festival is two days of Ireland-inspired amusement. Friday night is an adults-only music bash featuring two live bands, and Saturday closes out the weekend events with a family-friendly festival featuring food and Irish-themed vendors to shop ($15+; children younger than 12 free on Saturday).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
