Your full guide to the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in DC
WAHINGTON (7News) — The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is taking place Saturday, April 12, bringing floats, giant balloons, and the last burst of cherry blossom fever to the District.
WATCH:
The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is also happening this weekend along Pennsylvania Avenue. Friday is the last day to buy tickets online, so don't wait!
The parade on Constitution Avenue is one of the main events of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs from March 20 to April 13. Saturday’s celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. along Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 17th Streets.
What to expect
This year’s parade will feature giant balloons, floats, entertainers, and costumed characters -- drawing thousands to the National Mall. Princess Ariel, the beloved character from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, will also be making her debut. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will return for the third consecutive year.
Spectators can catch a glimpse of the parade, on Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 17th Streets, for free along the route .
Grandstand seating is available, with individual and group tickets on sale. You can buy your tickets here.
7News anchors Adam Longo, Michelle Marsh and Megan Clarke will be hosting the parade.
Getting there
If you’re attending, be sure to plan ahead. Large crowds are expected, and many roads will be closed throughout the day.
Metro: The one-mile length of the parade route is accessible from multiple Metro stations. According to the festival's website:
Spectators who are standing along the free and accessible portions of the route from 9th to 15th Streets should utilize the following Metro stops:
- To stand on the north side of Constitution Avenue – Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), or Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Red/Silver lines)
- To stand on the south side of Constitution Avenue – L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Green/Orange/Silver/Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines)
RELATED | Where are the bathrooms near the cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin? Find directions here
Biking: Multiple Capital Bikeshare stations are located near the parade route:
- Spectators on the north side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW or 14th Street & D Street NW/Reagan Building.
- Spectators on the south side of Constitution Avenue can use the station at 14th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Washington Monument or 12th Street & Jefferson Street SW / Smithsonian Metro.
Parking: The festival organizers recommend "booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero."
Street closures & parking restrictions
D.C. police have issued an list of street closures and parking restrictions:
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- 7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Madison Drive, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 19th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 21st Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 22nd Street from Constitution Avenue to C Street, NW
- C Street from 21st to Virginia Avenue, NW
- C Street from 19th to 17th Street, NW
- D Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- E Street from 20th to 17th Street, NW (east bound lanes only)
- Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, NW
- Madison Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, SW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, from approximately 3 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW (southbound lanes)
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 14th Street, NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- 9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Madison Drive, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 19th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 21st Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 22nd Street from Constitution Avenue to C Street, NW
- C Street from 21st to Virginia Avenue, NW
- C Street from 19th to 17th Street, NW
- D Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- E Street from 20th to 17th Street, NW (east bound lanes only)
- Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, NW
- Madison Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, SW
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- SE/SW Freeway-Access to 12th Street Tunnel from I-395 ramps
- Inbound I-395 to 14th Street Bridge & 14th Street Bridge (HOV) (All traffic will be sent eastbound on I-395 SE/SW Freeway)
Chime In
If you're going to the parade, send us your photos/videos and we may share them online/on air! Chime In here.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will be televised on Sunday, April 20 on 7News from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and WJLA 24/7 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Can’t watch on TV or go to the parade? Don't worry! You can stream the parade on 7News' YouTube page.
7News is once again a proud media partner of the event.
