UPDATE — What To Expect For Cherry Blossom Festival 2021

National Park Service horticulturalists anticipate the peak boom to be April 2-5th, 2021, which falls just at the right time in the middle of the weeks-long National Cherry Blossom Festival.

“Spring is when we roll out the pink carpet for the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, yet even with our rose-colored glasses on, we all know that the 2021 festival, the 109th annual festival, will look a lot different. Still, the Committee assures that the tradition is ON this Spring from March 20 through April 11, 2021.

The 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival will be about “renewal, revitalization, and possibilities for transformation” according to Chairman of the  Board Richard Bradley. And with all of this newness comes some new ways for people to experience the famous cherry blossom trees — and the festival’s accompanying Japanese cultural education — safely.

2021 official artwork created by Patrick Guyton

The 2021 festival will still focus on cuisine, music, and art presentations. And it will still be beautiful with blossoming trees as well as public art everywhere, including the installation of large, vibrant cherry blossom art sculptures and 20 interactive statues.

Kite flying will continue. There will be a Student Art Competition in schools. Businesses will participate with their own City in Bloom décor, and homes are encouraged to do the same, decorating Petal Porches. And don’t worry about missing the usual parade…. there will be smaller neighborhood Petal Processionals and even a Paws & Petals Parade!

This year participants can still get a fabulous view of the blossoms from the National Park Service’s popular BloomCam.

Kristi Yamaguchi joins ABC7’s Michelle Marsh on March 20th at 6:00 p.m. to co-host the opening ceremony.

Pink Tie Party participants can enjoy dining specials from CherryPicks — local featured restaurants — as they take in a lively performance by none other than Lindsey Stirling!

And an hour-long TV broadcast of performances, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration Show, debuts on April 9, re-airing on the 10th and 11th. This nationally syndicated show will be hosted by none other than Drew Barrymore, with performances by Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, and 2020 American Idol winner Samantha Diaz. There will also be a featured appearance by Rachael Ray.

While we have yet to hear if the Park Service will be closing the Tidal Basin site to discourage gathering, the National Park Service’s Jeff Reinbold says the “national stars of this festival” are ready to go on as usual and the blossoms will be exceptional to experience virtually.

“The cherry trees will bloom in the Spring, just as they have every year. They give us stability in this unprecedented year.”