A full day of live music, DJ sets and interactive experiences brought thousands to Franklin Park for this free Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Festival concert.

On April 12, 2026 our fourth annual Jazz & Blossoms Park Jam brought over 15,000 people to Franklin Park for a full day of free live music and hands-on activities in the heart of downtown Washington, DC. An official National Cherry Blossom Festival event, Jazz & Blossoms was the perfect celebration of spring. A free, all-ages large-scale outdoor concert with hands-on activities for families, friends and solo attendees alike to build the day their way.

This year's lineup brought together some of the best national and local talent. Headline act TWEET delivered soulful, 2000s R&B throwbacks. The Chuck Brown Band kept the DC go-go going, front and center. Oddisee & Good Compny held it down, and Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nabaté Isles led his En Motion: Miles Davis Tribute, an homage to one of jazz's greatest legends. Between sets, the Funset DJs kept the energy high with a seamless mix of 90s and 2000s hip-hop, R&B, house, disco, 80s, and Afrobeats.

The music was just one part of the experience. Across the park, guests could get their caricature drawn, make flower crowns, get their face painted, and explore origami and haiku writing stations. Japanese artist Shiro and Japanese American artist riiisaBoogie created live murals throughout the day, and a limited run of Cherry Blossom LEGO sets were on display and given away as part of the Japanese cultural programming. A bubble artist brought a little magic for the younger ones. Dance workshops ran throughout the afternoon, with New Columbia Swing leading a swing session, the National Hand Dance Association teaching hand dance, Beat Ya Feet Academy bringing Beat Ya Feet (go-go), and our Words Beats & Life Academy closing it out with hip-hop. Guests could also learn to DJ, create their own beats, join an African drum circle, go live on our podcast, or take a turn at hula hoop, double dutch, and lawn games. A book signing from the DMV's Youth Poet Laureate added a literary touch to the afternoon.

Everything, from the music to the art and the activities, was completely free. None of this would have been possible without our partners at the DowntownDC BID, and our wonderful volunteers who generously gave us their time and kept the day running smooth.

We can't wait to see Franklin Square come alive again in 2027 for the 5th Annual Jazz & Blossoms Park Jam.