WASHINGTON, March 11, 2012 – Every year about this time, Washington area natives become almost giddy with Cherry Blossom blooms.
Families and tourists flock to the Jefferson Memorial basin, mixologists create blossom inspired cocktails, and there is the annual parade, scheduled for April 14th this year.
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of Trees with a weekend of Cherry Blossom activities and luxury at the Gaylord National Harbor.
The Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival announces five weeks of activities, performances and celebratory events to include:
2012 Pink Tie Party
Mar 20, 2012
The Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Kick off the “Season of the Blossoms” in style at the Festival’s Pink Tie Party fundraiser and auction, presented by Lincoln.
Family Days presented with the National Building MuseumMar 24, 2012 - Mar 25, 2012
National Building Museum
Sponsored by Safeway, Family Days expands to a two day, family festival featuring hands-on activities and exciting youth performances.
National Cherry Blossom Festival® Opening Ceremony
Mar 25, 2012
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Presented by Daiichi Sankyo and MetLife, the Opening Ceremony commences the 2012 Festival with a star-studded show featuring local and national entertainment to welcome springtime to Washington, DC during the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of Trees.
Canon Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater
Mar 31, 2012 - Apr 15, 2012
Canon Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater
Enjoy recognized and diverse talent from around the region, country, and world on this stage sponsored by Canon
Blossom Kite Festival
Mar 31, 2012
Washington Monument Grounds - Kite Festival
Enjoy the thrill of competition, beauty in the sky, and the most amazing kite flying on the National Mall.
Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
Apr 7, 2012
Southwest Waterfront
Presented by Safeway and The Washington Examiner, take part in this fun-for-all-ages event preceding the Fireworks Show at 8:30 PM.
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival
Apr 14, 2012
Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival
Enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the largest Japanese cultural festival in the United States.
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®
Apr 14, 2012
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Enjoy this long-standing Washington tradition featuring lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and other family entertainment.
Film: Hanezu
Apr 22, 2012
National Gallery of Art - East Building Auditorium
A delicate triangular love story set in historic Asuka, Naomi Kawase’s Hanezu (2011) underscores the relationship between humans and their habitat, with meditative views of the natural world.
Jazz at the Jefferson
Apr 19, 2012 - Apr 22, 2012
Jefferson Memorial Steps
The Jefferson Memorial stage features jazz programming and spectacular views of the Tidal Basin.
Enhance your Cherry Blossom celebrations, and get the best possible view of the delicate blossoms, with a weekend at The Gaylord National Resort.
The hotel, located on the banks of the Potomac is joining in on the celebrations with discounts on rooms and packages from March 24th to April 15th with the Cherry Blossom Festival Hotel package* that includes:
- Room accommodations at Gaylord National Resort ($125 pp)
- Round-trip 2.5 hour Potomac Riverboat Cruise to view the Cherry Blossoms and Monuments from the water (available Saturday and Sunday only)**
- Self-parking for one vehicle
- Resort Fee, which includes access to the Fitness Center and more
Relâche Spa is highly recommended for their Cherry Spa-ahhhh offerings including a variety of service packages and complete salon services including hair, mani and pedicures.
Relâche Spa lobby Relâche Spa (Image: Gaylord Resorts - click to enlarge)
Slough off the cold winter with a visit to the Relâche Spa where Cherry Blossoms inspire services for your body, face, fingers and toes.
The Relâche Cherry Blossom Massage ($155) will indulge your senses with aromas of cherry oils while massaging away your stress and leaving your skin soft and sweet smelling.
The “Beyond the Bloom” facial ($65) combines essential cherry oils with micro-current technology to firm and tone the skin or wake up winter skin with the Cherry Blossom Scrub ($165). A body scrub wakes up dried and tired skin, head to toe, with a combination of cocoa and shea butter and cherry oils to leave your skin hydrated and bright.
*Please check with property for updated rates and offerings
**Potomac Riverboat Cherry Blossom Cruise Schedule (Saturday and Sunday only) March 24th – April 15th 2012
Departs Gaylord National Resort Pier: 12:35 p.m., 1:55 p.m. and 4:35 p.m.
Departs National Harbor Pier: 12:50 p.m., 2:10 p.m. and 4:50 p.m.
**Potomac Riverboat Cherry Blossom Cruise departs from the hotel’s private marina three times on Saturdays and Sundays only, and includes one transfer each way via the Alexandria Water Taxi. Guests will first board the Water Taxi to Alexandria, Virginia. In Alexandria guests will transfer to a different boat, which will cruise past the cherry blossom trees and monuments toward Georgetown in D.C.
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