Calendar of Events for the 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival includes more than 200 special events and performances each year. Here are the highlights of the most popular events and some special additions for 2012:

Opening Ceremony
Date: Mar 25, 2012
Time: Pre-show Festivities: 4 – 5 pm, Ceremony: 5 – 6:30 pm
Location: Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place
To launch the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of the Washington Cherry Blossom Trees, a special stage production and ceremony will be performed by renowned American and international artists. Free tickets will be available online beginning February 1, 2012.

Family Days
The annual opening of Washington’s cherry blossom season expands to two days this year with hands-on, family friendly activities, interactive art demonstrations and special live performances.
Date: March 24-25, 2012
Times: Sat. 10 am - 4 pm, Sun. 11 am - 4 pm
Location: National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW
See Photos of the Annual Family Day Event

Cherry Blossom Bike Rally & Ride
Hands-on activities relating to biking, health, fun and fitness.
Date: March 25, 2012
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Yards Park, 10 Water Street, SE. Washington DC.

National Gallery of Art Cherry Blossom Music Festival
Concerts and the exhibition Colorful Realm: Japanese Bird-And-Flower Paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800).
Dates: March 30-April 29, 2012
Times: Vary
Location: National Gallery of Art's West Building, 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW

Blossom Kite Festival
Kite flying competition, special demonstrations and kite making for children.
Date: March 31, 2012.
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: National Mall - Constitution Avenue & 17th Streets, NW
See Photos of the Kite Festival

Daily Stage Performances
Music, dance, song and martial arts demonstrations.
Dates: April 1-15, 2012
Time: Beginning at Noon daily
Location: Sylvan Theater at the foot of the Washington Monument

NCBF Sponsored Sporting Events
Soccer, baseball, sailing, rowing, rugby and running.
Dates: Vary
Locations: Vary

Free Cherry Blossom Tours
National Park Service Rangers lead Cherry Talks/Walks, Junior Ranger Programs, Lantern Tours and Bike Tours.
Dates: 2012 Dates to Be Announced
Times: Vary
Locations: Vary

Macy’s Cherry Blossom Show
A one-of-a-kind indoor floral wonderland complete with live blooming cherry trees and special events including fashion presentations, cooking demonstrations and musical and dance performances.
Dates: 2012 Dates to Be Announced
Times: Regular store hours
Location: Macy's Metro Center, 1201 G. St. NW, Washington, DC
See Photos of the Macy's Cherry Blossom Show

Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk
Walk, keynote speakers, Japanese and Palestinian folk dancing.
Date: March 31, 2012
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism, Louisiana and New Jersey Aves. and D St. NW.

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Hands-on activities, musical entertainment, food and drink.
Date: April 7, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: 600-900 Water Street, SW Southwest Waterfront
See Photos of the Prelude to the Fireworks

National Cherry Blossom Festival® Fireworks Show
Date: April 7, 2012
Time: 8:30 pm
Location: 600 Water Street, SW Southwest Waterfront
See a Photo of the Fireworks

Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party
Japanese art, cuisine, dance, fashion, flowers, music and much more.
Date: 2012 Date to Be Announced
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, Maryland.
See photos of the Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party

Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Formal ceremonial lighting of the Japanese Stone Lantern
Date: April 8, 2012
Time: 3:00 p.m. Music at 2:30 p.m.
Location: North side of the Tidal Basin, at the west end of Kutz Bridge at Independence Avenue and 17th Street, SW.

Gala Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyssey
Date: April 12, 2012
Time: Boarding 6:00 pm; Cruise 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Location: Departs from Gangplank Marina (600 Water Street, SW)

Stage Performances at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza
Music, dance and storytelling
Dates: 2012 Dates to Be Announced
Times: Friday, noon - 5 p.m. Saturday, noon - 6 p.m.
Location: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

2012 Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival®
Marching bands, floats, dance troupes, giant helium balloons and special celebrity guests.
Date: April 14, 2012
Time: 10:00 am - Noon
Location: Constitution Avenue, NW from 7th to 17th Streets
See Parade Photos

Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival
Arts, crafts, demonstrations, live entertainment, food and drink.
Date: April 14, 2012
Time: Following the parade, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
See Photos of the Japanese Street Festival

National Harbor Celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Japanese musicians and dancers, Sumo wrestling, kite making, face painting, video game demonstrations, a fashion show, vendors and fireworks.
Dates: 2012 Dates to Be Announced
Times; Sat. 6-10 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: National Harbor, Maryland