Tommy McFly breaks down the best things to do March 21-23 in the D.C. area, which is the first weekend of spring!
Subscribe to The Weekend Scene newsletter to get our picks delivered straight to your inbox — every Wednesday
Goodbye, winter! Spring and the National Cherry Blossom Festival have officially begun. Consider us ready to party in pink.
The blossoms just hit stage three of their blooming cycle, meaning we are halfway to peak bloom! The National Park Service predicted peak bloom will occur next weekend, so spend a little time planning your trip to the Tidal Basin.
You won't see any pink flowers yet, but those green florets are growing. You can celebrate all things pink and green while gearing up for “Wicked” to drop on Peacock this Friday.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
4 things to know for the weekend
- Weekend weather: It won’t be as warm, but it will be dry. Here’s the forecast.
- Okame cherry trees are starting to bloom, and Casey Trees put mapped different cherry trees across D.C.!
- Alex Ovechkin is skating toward breaking the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record, and the Capitals are splashing murals and goal counters around the city to celebrate The Gr8 Chase.
- Erykah Badu, John Legend and a second night of Cynthia Enviro have been added to Wolf Trap’s summer concert lineup.
Cherry blossom highlights
The most blossom-ful time of the year is nearly here! The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicks off tomorrow.
Yes, we’re still waiting for the flowers to pop, so the Tidal Basin might not look like much now. However, early birds can explore the Tidal Basin Welcome Area and ANA Stage. They are set to open Saturday with daily live performances.
D.C. is absolutely ready to deliver a floral fix this weekend, and we don’t mind getting out before peak bloom delivers peak crowds.
Blossom boats
Float to peak bloom! Even before the flowers pop, D.C. looks so good from the water. All aboard!
- The Tidal Basin’s famous pedal boats are available to rent already.
- You can take a ride on the Cherry Blossom Water Taxi starting Thursday.
- Booze cruises like Whitlow's on Water and Potomac Tiki Club and the Party Boat DC, which has a BYOB option, are getting fired up.
Art in Bloom DC
Thurs. to Sun., Anderson House in Dupont Circle, $22 (online and in advance)
🔗 Details
Take a fresh look at the museum where floral designers have created dozens of arrangements to complement the art in the Gilded Age home’s historic rooms.
Visitors can also get special access to the garden, which isn’t normally open to the public. You can also learn a new skill at a florist demonstration.
Free pick
SAAM Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
Sat., 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kogod Courtyard
🔗 Details
Start the day with a Japanese drumming performance on the F Street Plaza before the festivities move inside. Check out a DJ, ballet performances and crafts for kids under 12, or hit the galleries for a spring-themed scavenger hunt.
Lulu’s Winegarden
Lulu’s Flora Garden is packed with flowers and serving a special menu of blossom-topped cocktails through May 4.
With casual bar service and long picnic-style tables inside, the U Street wine garden is an easy spot to gather with friends. You can make reservations or walk in. Choose inside, the floral-covered patio or the covered streatery.
Sports highlights
The Gr8 Chase
Alex Ovechkin is hurtling toward an NHL record and the Washington Capitals have another home game on Saturday so you can see some of the historic push. Or, join in on some of the fan activations.
Goal counters perfect for celebratory selfies are popping up around D.C. and Alexandria. Here’s a full list, including Ben’s Chili Bowl and The Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery museum store.
Washington Spirit return
The Washington Spirit host their home opener on Saturday, and fans are flocking to support them after their National Women’s Soccer League title run. Tickets start at $30 or look to Dacha for a watch party.
Shaq + Wizards
Fri., Capital One Arena, $23+
🔗 Details
DJ Diesel, who you almost certainly know as Shaq, will turn up after the Wizards game on Friday. It’s basically a BOGO deal on a big night out; the show is included with your game ticket.
Free pick
Bowie Baysox Family Fun Fest
Sat., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie
🔗 Details
Get the kids out to the stadium for a day of fun including face painting, inflatables and stadium tours.
If you can sing and have been looking for your big break, you can even try out to sing the National Anthem at a game.
The Baysox’s home opener is scheduled for April 8.
Concerts this weekend
Horsegirl, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $20 (advance)/$25 (day off)
Chicago indie-rockers tour their second album. The arrangements are scaled back, but the ‘90s vibe still prevails. Details.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, 7 p.m. Saturday, Songbyrd, $22/$25
Americana-punks with a classic outlaw country vibe. With plans to disband, this is their farewell tour. Details.
Bad Moves, 10 p.m. Saturday, Comet Ping Pong, $18.54
Hooky, punky power pop from right here in D.C. Good feels and high energy. Details.
Patterson Hood, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, The Atlantis, $35.00
A couple of current leaders of alt-Americana share the bill at an intimate venue — Drive-by Truckers frontman Patterson Hood and Lydia Loveless frontwoman Lydia Loveless. Saturday’s show sold out fast. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Stumpy's Petal & Paddles Race: Thurs., Tidal Basin Boathouse, $100 per team of two or free for spectators
Cherry Blossom Water Taxi opens: Thurs.
Art in Bloom DC: Thurs. to Sun., Anderson House in Dupont Circle, $22
DC Environmental Film Festival: March 20-29
Volunteer at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: Sat., 9 a.m. to noon, Northeast D.C., free
Community Day - Black Women: A Force for Change: Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., National Museum of African American History and Culture, free
SAAM Cherry Blossom Family Celebration: Sat., 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kogod Courtyard, free
Cherry Blossom Daruma at Anthem Row: Sun., noon to 4 p.m., Anthem Row (800 K St. NW), free
Georgetown Spring Art Walk: Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Georgetown Main Street, free
National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony: Sat., 5 p.m., Warner Theatre, free (sold out but limited walk-up tickets may be available)
Last chance - JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience: Through Sun., Capital Jewish Museum, $10 (general admission)
Things to do in Maryland
Glenstone Museum reopens with new exhibits: Thurs., Potomac, Maryland, free (tickets required unless you qualify for guaranteed entry)
Bowie Baysox Family Fun Fest: Sat., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, free
Maryland Day Celebration: Fri. to Sun., throughout Maryland, events are free or $1
Things to do in Virginia
Evening of Comedy: Fri. and Sat., The Barns at Wolf Trap, $33+
Pink in the Pool family swim party: Sat., 9 a.m. to noon, Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center in Arlington, free
National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration at the Children's Science Center Lab: March 22 to April 13, Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, $13 (advance) or $15 (at the door)
Fiesta del Sol Festival: Sat., 5-10 p.m., McLean Community Center, free
Want to know what's up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
