Aurora Highlands celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Let your spirits soar at Virginia Highlands Park where you can elevate your kite-flying skills with our public-use kites. Don your pink spandex for outdoor Zumba & Barre classes. Soak in the cherry blossom spirit through art installations and musical performances.
And don’t forget to put some spring in your step and decorate your porch or balcony for the Petal Porch Parade!
Additional events in the area put on by Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation and the National Landing BID. We appreciate their support and contribution
Festivities Summary
The Festival runs from March 20 through April 11, with on-site activities around our neighborhood and Virginia Highlands park. Also, online activities are available so that more people can participate in the festivities.
There is a lot happening in our area as we celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Here’s the list of activities are being organized or sponsored by the Aurora Highlands Civic Association, the National Landing BID, and Arlington Department of Parks & Recreation.
*** All activities are free! ***
All COVID19 safety measures will be required, including but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing, when necessary. Registration for all on-site activities is required. Links to register are in the calendar & activity descriptions below.
If you are interested in volunteering at one or several events, we sure would appreciate a few extra hands! Check out the Volunteer Sign Up Sheet!
Be sure to check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival events page for activities throughout the D.C. area.
Activities Happening in Virginia Highlands Park
(corner of South Joyce and 15th St near the Hearts field)
Kite Flying
Let your spirits soar at Virginia Highlands Park where you can elevate your kite-flying skills with our public-use kites located at the Hearts field. Impromptu kite flying is available every day during the festival in the park.
The National Landing BID has 100 free Festival Kite Kits to distribute to the National Landing community! Get yours and register for your pick up date at Virginia Highlands Park here.
Visit the Blossom Kite Fly webpage to enjoy virtual workshops and demos and more. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Kite Fly is March 27th & 28th. Contribute your kite-flying merriment to the National Cherry Blossom Festival social media networks using the hashtag #BlossomKiteFly.
Live Music
We have a phenomenal lineup of local solo musicians and bands, ranging from celtic rock to classics to popular contemporary tunes.
Check out the lineup of musicians on our Music page that includes bios, photos, and a lot more, including samples of their music.
| DATE | BAND/ MUSICIAN |
Hear Luna’s two song performance on Youtube instead. | Luna |
| SUNDAY, March 21 6-7:30pm | Dan Barry |
| FRIDAY, March 26th 6-7:30pm | Trifilio Tango Music |
| SATURDAY March 27 12-2pm (kite flying) | Gary Chambers |
| SATURDAY March 27 6-7:30pm [UPDATED] | Sunshine Gang |
Hear Jim perform virtually on his Youtube channel. | Jim Sheats |
| FRIDAY, April 2 6-7:30pm | Carter Farm Boys |
| SUNDAY, April 4 6-7:30pm | Ardmore |
| FRIDAY, April 9 6-7:30pm | Bella & Waylon |
| SUNDAY, April 11 6-7:30pm | The Loop |
When: Every Friday and Sunday during the Festival, 6-7:30pm. March 19th – April 11th. Additional music performances on March 27th & 28th, 12-2pm
Due to the current local COVID regulations, attendees must adhere to Virginia safety guidelines. Registration is required to ensure compliance with guidelines and capacity limits.
Barre
Pure Barre Pentagon City will offer a 60-minute low-impact workout to improve the strength, balance, and flexibility of every body. This total-body workout will strengthen the deep muscles of your legs, core, and arms.
All you need for this outdoor class is a mat, a set of 2-3 pound weights (optional), sneakers and an open mind that small, focused movements can make a big difference.
In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, pink clothing is highly encouraged!
When: Mondays 6pm
Pink Zumba
Don your pink spandex (or anything pink) for outdoor Zumba classes for this free 50 minute exercise class. Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves, it incorporates interval training — alternating fast and slow rhythms — to help improve cardiovascular fitness.
When: Every Wednesday 6pm, and Saturday 10:30am during the Festival.
Due to the current local COVID regulations, attendees must adhere to Virginia safety guidelines. Registration is required to ensure compliance with guidelines and capacity limits.
Games and Activities for All Ages
Enjoy the lawn games and activities at the park including corn hole, frisbees, and more.
When: Everyday from dawn to sunset.
Pet Photo Session and Activities
Let your pup’s inner vogue model shine during this pet photo session at the park. You can later download your image for free! The images of some lucky pups may also be included in a future art display for the new Virginia Highlands Park dog park, set to open this year.
Sign up here for a free socially-distant pet picture by photographer Jeremy Robbin!
When: Sunday March 21, 12-3pm
Openings are available in five minute intervals between 12:00-3:00 pm. Please be at the photo location a few minutes before your session begins to ensure everyone gets their pictures taken. Due to safety and time constraints, we cannot accommodate anyone who arrives late for their appointment. You will receive your image via the email address provided when signing up, within 2 weeks after the event. Pictures can be of your dog solo or with the whole family.
Jeremy Robbin has been a photographer for over 20 years. He has lived in Arlington since 2011, and is a volunteer photographer with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. He is a proud dog dad of a three-legged Shiba Inu named George he adopted from there. See more of Jeremy’s work at www.jrobbinphotography.com.
This event is supported by Pentagon City Dogs www.pentagoncitydogs.org working to establish the first public dog park in 22202 at Virginia Highlands Park in spring of 2021 and Two Way Pet Services; a full range Pet Care Service provider including daycare, boarding, walking, sitting etc. located in the heart of Crystal City! http://www.twowaydogwalking.com/
Picnic at the Park
Support local restaurants and order “to-go” to Virginia Highlands Park (corner of South Joyce and 15th St.). Throw your picnic blanket or use the moveable chairs to safely spread out and stay in your pod.
When: Everyday from dawn to sunset
Art Installations
Soak in the cherry blossom spirit through art installations located at Virginia Highlands Park.
When: Everyday from dawn to sunset
Around the Neighborhood
Porch & Balcony Decorating
Bring the National Cherry Blossom Festival to your doorstep by decorating your yard, porch, or window with a cherry blossom, pink, or springtime theme. Register your cherry blossom decorating on the Festival webpage to be added to their virtual map of petal porches.
Let’s make Aurora Highlands the most spring-spirited neighborhood of the DMV region! Register to participate
Get your neighbors involved and Learn more about the Petal Porch Parade
On Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 the National Cherry Blossom Festival will visit select Petal Porch Parade neighborhoods in vehicles painted by local artists to say thank you for taking part in bringing joy to the community.
Porch inspirations: Mardi Gras and the Rose Parade took their parade to the porches in 2021. And some of these porches are just incredible! Let’s see if Aurora Highlands can outdo them!
Trees in Bloom Walk or Bike
Walk or bike around the community viewing significant blossoming cherry trees and other spring-blooming foliage.
Guided walk
Attend a guided Cherry Blossom Walk on April 9th, meeting near the restrooms at Virginia Highlands Park. The walk is open to adults (18 or older) and the distance is between 3-4 miles. This event is limited to 15 people. Registration (details will be emailed to you a few days before the event starts)
Below are some recommended viewing areas for your self-guided tour
- Viewing the Haines Point cherries from the esplanade on Long Bridge Park
- Viewing the Tidal Basin cherries from the LJB grove on Columbia Island (in between the MVT and Boundary Channel Drive)
- Check out the blooms along the east side of Crystal Drive (approximately 20th-23rd)
- Gorgeous trees on the west side of Arlington Ridge Road close to Lang
- Wonderful blooming trees, bushes, and flowers on the south side of 26th between about Grant and Joyce.
When: Everyday
Art in Bloom
Get fully immersed in a giant Cherry Blossom and take your selfies. Beginning March 14, go on the hunt for 26 giant cherry blossom sculptures flourishing throughout the DC area. Featuring the artwork of local and national artists, engage with the icons for a chance to win giveaways.
Local Businesses Get Festive!
Supporting local businesses just got better. Check out the decorations that many local businesses will be donning during the festival.
Virtual Activities
Enjoy an abundance of virtual activities celebrating Japanese culture and the National Cherry Blossom Festival including:
- Festival’s Opening Ceremony: March 20 at 7.00 – 8.00 pm
- The Pink Tie Party: March 26 starting at 7.00 pm
- Celebration Show: April 9th from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon
- … many more demos and festivities here!
Japanese Culture
March 27th & 28th, Study Japanese in Arlington is hosting a series of free, virtual classes including calligraphy, tea ceremony, origami, trivia, cooking and even a Marie Kondo’s Method workshop. Registration is required. Check out SJA https://sjastudy.org/japan-day-2021/
DAY ONE:
Saturday, March 27
> 1:30 – 3:00pm ET Cooking Class
> 3:00 – 4:00pm ET Japanese Art Seminar
> 4:00 – 5:00pm ET Calligraphy Workshop
> 5:00 – 6:00pm ET Setagaya Open House
> 8:00 – 9:15pm ET Anime Watch Party
DAY TWO:
Sunday, March 28
> 3:00 – 4:00pm ET Tea Ceremony Demonstration
> 4:00 – 7:00pm ET Smash Bros Tournament
> 4:00 – 5:00pm ET Flower Arrangement Workshop
> 5:00 – 6:00pm ET Origami Workshop
> 7:00 – 8:00pm ET Japan Trivia Night
> 8:00 – 9:00pm ET Marie Kondo’s Method Workshop By Ms. Suzuki
Dates and available activities are subject to change. Please make sure to follow @aurorahighlands and Festival for updates on social media
Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged for all in-person activities. For more information please refer to the official COVID and social distancing guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
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The Festival runs from March 20 through April 11th. We will be seeking volunteers to help coordinate activities at the park and throughout the neighborhood.
Please email us at info@aurorahighlands.org if you’d like to be a neighborhood volunteer.
Connect
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