Your D.C. weekend: Bloomaroo, kite fest, "Earth to Space" launch
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Get your 'fits and selfies ready: it's Bloomaroo at the Wharf. Photo: Courtesy of The Wharf
It's officially peak bloom weekend — the cherry blossoms are bursting and big events are happening around town.
Why it matters: Tourists and traffic are peak, too, but if you're doing cherry blossoms, now is the time.
🌅 Pro tip: Skip the mega-crowds with a sunrise visit, a local tradition, and head to the Wharf after for strong Cuban coffees and breakfast at Colada Shop.
- Don't drive. For a scenic trip, take the water taxi — you'll catch blossoms on the shoreline — or Metro (kudos if you catch a blossom train).
What's happening: Bloomaroo at The Wharf on Saturday is the weekend's big festival (4-8pm, free). Go for live music from bands like 3AM Tokyo, family-friendly activities such as koi kite decorating and face painting, "blossom bars" with specialty cocktails, and a fireworks show.
- The ever-popular Blossom Kite Festival kicks off 10am Saturday at the Washington Monument with kite races, demos, a family stage with musical performances, and more (free).
- Then on Sunday, there's a Sakura festival at National Harbor that mixes Japanese cultural performances and a marketplace with food and craft vendors (12-5pm, free).
- Dupont Circle's Cherry Blossom Celebration is also Sunday (10am-5pm), including a cherry blossom pop-up market, a free tea in Dupont Circle, and "art of kimono" styling at Dupont Underground.
The intrigue: Blossoms aren't the only visual sensation. The Kennedy Center kicks off its three-week Earth to Space: Arts Breaking the Sky festival Friday, mixing artists and astronauts in a cosmic exploration for all ages (through April 20).
- A spectacular one-night-only event is happening Saturday at 9pm: "Interspecies Love Letter." The "sky painting" and fireworks display by contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang and his custom AI model will transform the skyline and Potomac River, narrating cosmic stories through large-scale projections.
- It's free. Visitors are encouraged to claim space early along the Kennedy Center River Plaza and Roof Terrace, as well as areas along the campus facing the river.
Meanwhile, the U.S. premiere of "The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks" starts at the KenCen on Friday. The immersive show, projected on the walls and floor, tells the stories of the Apollo missions. ($29 tickets).
More happening!
👑 "The Two Georges," a special exhibit exploring the parallel lives of George Washington and King George III of Britain (and "Hamilton" fame), launches at the Library of Congress on Friday (free timed entry tickets required).
🇵🇸 Detour Coffee in Arlington hosts its fourth annual Iftar for Palestine on Friday, including a family-prepared Palestinian Iftar meal. All proceeds go to aid efforts ($75 tickets).
🌿 Home gardeners shouldn't miss the National Arboretum's 38th annual Native Plant Symposium (Saturday, $50 tickets) and spring Native Plant Sale (Saturday, free).
📚 If this all seems way too active, buy a new book! Lost City Books in Adams Morgan is throwing a spring sidewalk sale Saturday and Sunday with $2 paperbacks, $3 hardcovers and $5 oversized books.
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that the Native Plant Sale is on Saturday (not Sunday).