Spring is the season for cherry blossoms throughout New York, Washington D.C., Boston and Philadelphia. By planning carefully, you can take a hanabi, or cherry blossom tour.
Stops on the Cherry Blossom Tour
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
A lot of us Brooklyn folks go several times each year to see the cherry blossoms at “the garden”. You can check the cherry progress on this great cherry tracker. They actually have 26 species of flowering cherry all over the garden, not just the promenade.
But there is an actual festival day as well. Sakura Matsuri is April 28th and 29th from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Don’t miss the Cosplay Fashion Show on Saturday at 5:15.
Other New York Festivals
The festivals in New York for cherry blossoms start later due to the weather conditions. When you are ready to move onto the next location after Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, consider visiting New York for the free Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival at the Astral Fountain in Queens. The event takes place on April 21 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. You can then head to Randall’s Island Park in Manhattan for the Cherry Blossom Festival that starts at 12:00 pm on April 21 and ends at 4:00 pm.
The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and Bloom Watch in Washington D.C.
Bloom Watch is the time to visit Washington D.C. to see the peak beauty of the cherry blossoms. The season started on March 17 and continued until April 15. While the season is in full swing for 2018, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is April 14th in Washington D.C. Enjoy the parade with loved ones and bring the children for an exciting event that is appropriate for the entire family.
Philadelphia’s Festival
The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia is a week-long event that starts April 7, 2018 and ends on the 15th of the month. The event features hanabi parties to view the cherry blossoms as well as traditional tea ceremony, live performances and even a cosplay circle. Bring the kids to the Matsuri Village for family-friendly activities and cherry blossom viewing.
Boston’s Cherry Blossom Festival
Finish off the cherry blossom tour by visiting Boston for the Brookline Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival takes place on May 12th in the Brookline High School quad. It features live entertainment and family-friendly music. Proceeds from the event are donated to the high school’s Japan Exchange Program Scholarship Fund, and it costs $5 for students and $10 to $20 for families.