National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc.

In 1912, the gift of more than 3,000 trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo arrived in Washington. On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan in a simple ceremony on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. In 1915, the US government was able to reciprocate with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan.

Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates spring in Washington, DC, the gift of the cherry blossom trees, and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. The Festival produces and coordinates daily events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Events are primarily free and open to the public.

Today, the Festival has grown from modest beginnings into one of the world’s greatest springtime celebration.

Signature Events:

• Pink Tie Party
• Opening Ceremony
• Blossom Kite Festival
• Petalpalooza
• National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade(r)
• Tidal Basin Performance Area & Welcome Stage