Watch 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony Live
2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony
A world of artistry and international connection unfolds at the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony, co-presented with The Japan Foundation. This signature event celebrates the richness and diversity ofJapanese culture through extraordinary live performances and marks the official opening of the four-week festival honoring the historic 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. More than a celebration of spring, the Opening Ceremony reflects the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan and builds on more than a century of cultural exchange and shared tradition. The one-night only program will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 5–6:30p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, bringing together internationally acclaimed artists for an unforgettable start to the Festival season.
