• By Travelspoc

The National Cherry Blossom Festival 2023, Washington, D.C.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, D.C. Ozaki gave the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations. Large and colorful helium balloons, floats, marching bands from across the country, music and showmanship are parts of the Festival’s parade and other events.

Nothing signifies the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital quite like the blooming of the cherry blossom trees and the National Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the occasion. Visitors descend upon Washington, DC each year to admire the 3,000-plus trees. The Festival, which runs from March 20 – April 16, 2023, is full of events that honor American and Japanese cultures and represents a close bond forged between the two countries that began with Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s gift of the trees back in 1912.

Speaking of trees: you can assist in the effort to preserve and protect DC’s iconic cherry trees through the Trust for the National Mall’s Adopt a Cherry Tree campaign.