With the coming of spring, the world is opening back up again. The weather is nicer, outdoor attractions are opening their doors for the season and there are plenty of events to look forward to. Keep an eye out for these spring festivals throughout the DMV, from longstanding local traditions to hidden gems!
March
National Cherry Blossom Festival | D.C.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 to April 12) is popular enough to draw in visitors from across the country, who flock to D.C. to see the beautiful flowers and enjoy seasonal festivals and parades. The blooming of Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossom trees brings with it several unique events celebrating local art and D.C.’s ties to Japanese culture.
nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
April
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival | D.C.
Despite its name, Sakura Matsuri (April 11-12) is not part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, instead being hosted by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese art, culture and traditions, as well as enjoy delicious food. sakuramatsuri.org
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts | Laurel, MD
Hosted by the Montpelier Arts Center and the Montpelier House Museum, this festival (April 25) is a must-visit for anyone who loves tea. There will be workshops and lectures on art and gardening, as well as live music at this free event. pgparks.com
GreenFest | Germantown, MD
Many spring festivals center around nature, so it’s important to help protect and preserve that nature. Montgomery County’s annual GreenFest (April 25) is an environmental festival focused on sustainable living, recycling and the steps we can take to protect the world around us.
May
Sligo Creek Festival | Silver Spring, MD
This nature festival and street fair (May 2) turns the Sligo Creek Open Parkway into a hub of activity, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions. Kids can explore construction and first responder vehicles, climb trees with professional climbing equipment and learn how to start their own garden at home. For adults, there’s live music, food and drinks and workshops about environmentally-friendly practices. montgomeryparks.org
Lincoln Strawberry Festival | Hamilton, VA
Strawberry festivals are a popular pastime in the spring and summer, and the Lincoln Strawberry Festival (May 16-17) is a relatively new tradition. Pick your own strawberries, tackle a strawberry pie or ice cream eating contest and enjoy a variety of sweet treats featuring the seasonal fruit. lincolnstrawberryfestival.com
Flower Mart | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore’s oldest free public festival — dating back to 1911 — is a great place to grow your green thumb with a series of educational workshops on gardening and botany. There’s always plenty of live music and vendors selling art and food at this festival (May 1-2), including Flower Mart’s iconic Lemon Sticks — a lemon half with a peppermint stick jammed into it that has become a beloved Baltimore tradition. Families from the region may appreciate planning their visit to Baltimore around this local favorite.
mountvernonplace.org/flower-mart
