Cherry Blossom festivities are in full effect this weekend with the National Cherry Blossom Parade and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival going on downtown.
The televised 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is Saturday from 10 am to noon. This free, high-energy parade is a family must go-to for cherry blossom fans. Starting at Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets NW, the parade will feature performers in vibrant costumes, marching bands from all across the U.S., giant helium balloons, and spectacular floats.
Notable performances and appearances include singer Mya, American Idol’s Elliot Yamin, Disney’s Coco Jones, and more.
Grandstand seating tickets are $20.
The highly anticipated Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is one of the largest one-mile cultural festivals in the nation. On Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. attendees can expect live traditional and J-Pop performances on four stages, as well as martial arts demonstrations, food, and merchandise.
Sakura Matsuri will be at 12th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, from near the White House to FBI headquarters.
Tickets are $5 per person, ages 13 years or older, and can be purchased online or at the festival in cash.
We want to see your Cherry Blossom photos! Tweet them to @nbcwashington with hash tag #nbcblossoms.
Photo Credit: Getty Images