Sakura Matsuri Festival Bids Blossoms Goodbye

Free Cherry Blossom Festival Events

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is wrapping up this weekend. The pollen count is at about a zillion, and the blossoms have officially peaked. Your sinuses may be feeling kind of spent -- but as far as cost goes, many of the festival events are free. 

Some fun things to do that don't cost a dime:

  • The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th Streets N.W.); parade free; grandstand seating ticket info here -- Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.
     
  • The 50th Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival (Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street N.W.) hosts live performances on five stages, Japanese marketplaces, food and two Kirin Ichiban Beer Gardens -- Saturday, April 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
     
  • Daily music, dance and performing artists at the Target Performance Stage at the Sylvan Theatre (15th Street and Independence Avenue S.W.); (see schedule here) -- Now through Sunday, April 11, noon
     
  • Family Fun Zone near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial -- Saturday and Sunday, 10-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
     
  • The Cherry Blossom Ten-Miler (Washington Monument grounds, 15th Street and Jefferson Drive): If you're not up for the ten-mile run, opt for the 5K walk. No need to get all sweaty, right? -- Sunday, April 11, 7:45-11 a.m.

See the complete list of events here. Feel like a (short) trip? Some of the events spill out into Maryland and Virginia.

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