The free festival features free music, water-related activities, cultural experiences, and four performance areas featuring live entertainment. This year's fireworks are a special display, presented by the City of Nagaoka, renowned throughout Japan for its spectacular fireworks festival. The fireworks illuminate the water, with best viewing at the Southwest Waterfront promenade at 600 Water Street, SW or from East Potomac Park.
See Photos of the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Date and Times
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Entertainment begins at 1:00 p.m.
Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
Location
600-900 Water Street, SW
between 6th and 9th Streets
Washington, DC
Closest Metro stops are L’Enfant Plaza or Waterfront-SEU.
For tips on getting to the cherry blossoms and festival events, see my Cherry Blossom Festival Transportation Guide.
Entertainment Schedule
- Kastles’ Stadium at The Wharf
800 Water Street, SW
1:00-8:30 p.m. - Cherry Blossom Stage
1:00 p.m. - US Navy Band and Presentation of the Colors by a Joint Color Guard
2:15 p.m. - Blue Tips Rhythm Revue
4:15 p.m. - JohnStone Reggae Band
6:00 p.m. - US Army Band’s “Downrange”
7:30 p.m. - US Army Blues
1:30-8:30 p.m. - Food Truck Rally with the DC’s culinary favorites
1:30-8:30 p.m. - Cherry Blossom Waterfront Beer Garden
1:30-8:30 p.m. - Very Cherry Marketplace
- Washington Channel Stage
700 Water Street, SW
2:00 and 4:00 p.m. - John H. Glenn Fireboat spectacular
2-5:00 p.m. - Paddleboard demonstrations, Dragon Boat excursions, DC Sail sailing activities
7:00 p.m. - Grand Waterfront Illumination from floating lanterns and vessels
7:30 p.m. - Nen Daiko Japanese Drummers welcome lighted swimming Koi into the Channel
8:00 p.m. - Imaginative Pink Prelude to the fireworks display
- Gangplank Marina Park
600 Water Street, SW
2:00-4:00 p.m. - The Diggity Dudes
4:30-6:00 p.m. - Calypso Nuts
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Wil Gravatt Band
2:00-8:30 p.m. - Mini Golf, Costumed Characters, Boat Making, Face Painting, Balloon Art and more
2:00-8:30 p.m. - Refreshments
- 7th Street Landing
700 Water Street, SW
1:30-3:00 p.m. - The Lavenia Nesmith Quintet
3:30-5:00 p.m. - The Nighthawks
5:30-7:00 p.m. - Curtis Pope and The Midnight Movers
2:00-8:30 p.m. - Japanese Koinobori making, Origami, Lantern crafting and special food offerings
