After two years of going virtual due to the pandemic, the is finally going to be in-person.
Get the info you need below.
- Q:
What is the National Cherry Blossom Festival?
- A:
The is an annual tribute to the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.
It celebrates the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to D.C.
The National Park Service has much more on the history .
- Q:
When is the festival?
- A:
The 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 17.
D.C.鈥檚 cherry blossoms are expected to peak between March 22 and March 25 this year.
This year’s theme is “Rediscover Spring.”
- Q:
What’s the best way to see the blossoms?
- A:
Undoubtedly in person at the Tidal Basin.
The Cherry Blossom Festival site has a with landmarks and transportation guidance.
And, of course, there’s also the .
Organizers estimate that about 1.5 million people attend events during the four-week festival.
- Q:
Any changes to Metro?
- A:
Metro is for Cherry Blossom season.
The increase in service starts March 19 and runs until April 17.
Metrorail said it will will operate as many trains as possible, matching weekday service levels 鈥� every 10 minutes on the Red Line and 20 minutes on all other lines. In Downtown, where most stations are served by multiple lines, trains will arrive every 6-10 minutes.
鈥淐herry Blossom season is one of the biggest attractions of the year and Metrorail is stepping up service to better serve customers,鈥� Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. 鈥淢etro is one of the best ways to get around, and with a $2 flat fare for any one-way trip on weekends it鈥檚 even more affordable.鈥�
- Q:
Will cold weather hurt the blossoms?
- A:
The National Park Service thinks the blossoms will be able to ride out frigid weather and put on “glorious show.”
Despite the weekend’s plunge in temperatures, Mike Litterst is optimistic the cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin can weather the cold in time for peak bloom later this month.
Snow is actually not a problem for the trees, said Litterst, spokesman for the National Mall. Freezing temperatures are another story.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e definitely keeping an eye on are the temperatures this coming weekend,鈥� he told 小萝莉影视 on Thursday. 鈥淏lossoms can be damaged starting at 27 degrees; 24 degrees is a critical temperature. You can lose 90% of the blossoms. And I think the forecast lows this weekend are 25 and 21 (degrees) on Saturday and Sunday.
Damage tends to occur during stage five of blooming. 鈥淭he fact that we鈥檙e only stage two, maybe stage three, we should be able to ride this one out,鈥� Litterst said.
That means peak bloom is still expected to occur between March 22 and March 25 this year.
- Q:
Will there be a parade?
- A:
.
The four weeks of programming include the traditional opening ceremony and parade, along with performances, food, arts and cultural events. Restaurants and hotels across the city will also be offering special blossom-themed packages.
- Q:
Will there be an opening ceremony?
- A:
. But there aren’t any more tickets left. Instead, Follow the聽 to watch it by livestream.
Performers include the Minyo Crusaders, Keisho Oohno and Toshihiro Yuta, and Samurai聽Artist聽KAMUI.
- Q:
What are some of the events?
- A:
The embassy鈥檚 Japan Information and Culture Center will be among the venues hosting festival-related exhibitions throughout the city.聽:
- The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Constitution Avenue, featuring floats and entertainment by Taylor Dane, Freddie Jackson, Tag Team and others (April 9);
- The Blossom Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds (March 26);
- Petal Porches, where various neighborhoods in D.C., Maryland and Virginia decorate their porches in pink;
- Art in Bloom, showcasing community-wide installations of oversize cherry blossom statues painted by local and international artists;
- Petalpalooza at the Capitol Riverfront, with live music on three outdoor stages, interactive art installations, activities, a beer and wine garden, roving performers and a fireworks show (April 16).
- Q:
Are there COVID-19 and safety guidelines?
- A:
You bet there are.
- All fans must provide either proof of a negative聽COVID-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of the event, or proof of full聽COVID-19 vaccination (14 days past final vaccination shot).
- Negative聽COVID-19聽tests, taken within 72 hours of the event,聽are required for聽guests from ages 3 to 12.聽Fans 2 & Under do not require testing.
- Live Nation will accept all FDA allowed聽COVID-19 PCR, Antigen, or Molecular Tests, that is date and time stamped, within 72 hours of the event.
- Masks are required at all times, except when actively eating and drinking.
- Bag Policy: The venue will only allow clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bags no larger than 12鈥� x 6鈥� x 12鈥� and/or small clutch bags (4.5鈥硏 6.5鈥�).
小萝莉影视’s Anna Gawel contributed to this report.
