National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade: Route, road, closures, more

Brian Farrell
·3 min read

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Nothing says “celebration” quite like a parade, and Saturday, April 13 is the mother of all celebrations when it comes to cherry blossoms.

The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade takes place in D.C. It brings a huge lineup of familiar faces, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the parade’s grand marshal, Princess Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. It also brings a number of road closures to the city.

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The parade is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Constitution Avenue in Northwest, between 7th and 17th streets NW.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” on Saturday, April 13 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

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MPD said these streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, April 13 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

These streets are closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, April 13 from roughly 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.

Additionally, the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) said the parade and events would mean detours for Metrobus service in the District.

The parade will feature floats, marching bands, dancers, singers, and much more. People can expect to see television personality Carson Kressley, musical group Sugarhill Gang, singers Colin Stough and Martha Wash, and many other entertainers.

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