Cherry Blossom Parade Washington DC 2026
- TBA
- Washington DC
Cherry Blossom Parade Washington DC 2026 returns to the capital as part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Each spring Washington celebrates the gift of trees from Japan in 1912, and the parade is the colourful centrepiece of that celebration. Crowds line Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets NW to see the procession of giant helium balloons, home-town floats, high school and military marching bands, and a mix of entertainers from across the United States. In 2025 the parade rolled down the avenue on Saturday April 12, and the festival has already announced that the 2026 edition will run from March 20 to April 12, so expect the parade to fall in the final weekend of the festival.
For locals this is as much a social event as it is a show. Families arrive early to stake out a spot on the curb or to settle into the grandstand seating zones near the National Archives or the Washington Monument. The floats and balloons pass just an arm’s length away, and children wave at performers as they go by. The route is long enough that you can catch the performers several times by walking along Constitution Avenue.
Because the parade is a signature element of the festival, expect a good mix of cultural nods to both American and Japanese traditions. You may see a balloon shaped like a Japanese drum followed by a high school marching band playing jazz, or a troupe of dancers in elaborate costumes twirling parasols. Vendors sell snacks and souvenirs along the route and the area around the Mall buzzes all morning. If you’re visiting from out of town you can pair the parade with a walk under the blossoms around the Tidal Basin, and many local museums offer extended hours and special exhibits during festival week.
As of now the exact 2026 parade date has not been confirmed, so check back on the festival’s official site in early winter for final details. For tickets to the grandstand seats and updates on the route, keep an eye on the National Cherry Blossom Festival's event page. Official website: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/national-cherry-blossom-festival-parade/