Saturday, March 28: The Children’s Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring hands-on participation and demonstrations such as Kabuki facepainting (traditional Japanese stage painting), story telling, Kimono dress-up, sogetsu flower arranging and doll making, at Arise, 6925 Willow St. NW. Activities at the 11,000 square foot store are from 2 to 4 p.m. and are free except for a minimal charge for face-painting.

Sunday, March 29: The official opening ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Sylvan Theater on the Mall at 15th Street.

Also at 2 p.m., a National Park Service Band Concert, featuring the Reeltown High School Band of Waverly, Ala. at the Lincoln Memorial.

Later, at 6 p.m., Houryu-kai, one of Japan’s most revered artistic ensembles, performs at the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, the Jefferson Building, 10 First St SE. Tickets can be purchased for $2 at Ticketmaster outlets.

Tuesday, March 31: Designated D.C. Day, musicians perform on stage at Franklin Square Park, 14th and I streets NW, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Also demonstrations of the Japanese Way of Tea, Japanese flower arranging and other traditional arts.

Wednesday, April 1: The National Park Service Band Concert features the Monticello High School Band of Monticello, Minn., the Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., chamber music to honor the graceful blossoms at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Maine Avenue and 6th Street SW. Admission is free, but donations are requested.

Friday, April 3: Gospel concert, 5 to 7 pm, the Sylvan Theater at 15th Street and the Mall. Performers include the HEAVEN 1580 Youth Choir.

Saturday, April 4: The National Park Service Band Concert features Hutchinson High School Band of Hutchinson, Minn., the Lincoln Memorial at 10 a.m.

The traditional lantern-lighting ceremony at 3 p.m., the Tidal Basin. The Japanese Ambassador and the Embassy of Japan Princess light the 300 year-old stone lantern. Music by the Toho Koto Society of Washington and the McPherson Kansas Chorus.

Monday, April 6: The National Park Service Band Concert features Little Wolf High School Band of Little Wolf, Mich. at the Lincoln Memorial at 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7: The National Park Service Band Concert features Eisenhower Middle School Band of Incline Village, Nev. at The Ellipse at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8: Twenty of Japan’s master sushi chefs demonstrate their craft from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Phillips Flagship Restaurant on the Maine Avenue Waterfront. Free tastes and admission but reservations should be made by calling Honey Konicoff at the restaurant, 202-488-8515.

Thursday, April 9: The National Park Service Band Concert features Crestwood High School Band of Crestco, Iowa at the Lincoln Memorial at 10 a.m.

Friday, April 10: The National Park Service Band Concert features Riceville High School Band of Riceville, Iowa at the Lincoln Memorial at 1 p.m

Saturday, April 11: The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, 9:30 a.m., Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets NW. Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival): Arts, crafts, food, Noon to 5 p.m. at Freedom Plaza.

George Washington Invitational Crew Classic, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Potomac River waterfront.

Festival Rugby Invitational, featuring USA Super League matchup, Washington RFC vs. Old Blue RFC of New York City, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool fields.

Earth Day Celebration-Spectrum of Light Youth Rally, Noon to 6 p.m. at the Sylvan Theater.