Thank You to our Local Partners Who Made the Second Annual U District Cherry Blossom Festival a Success!

March 30, 2023

The U District Partnership extends its appreciation to the numerous individuals who made the U District Cherry Blossom Festival a resounding success. Thank you to the thousands of visitors who patronized local businesses, contributing to the increased visibility of the U District as a premier destination known for its diverse activities, dining options, robust shopping, and more.

As the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, the U District came alive. The historic cherry blossom viewing on the University of Washington Quad served as the inspiration for over 70 U District businesses to collaborate on a special menu featuring an array of cherry and blossom-themed food, drinks, and retail specials.

In collaboration with the University of Washington, this year’s festival spanned nine days, from March 24th to April 2nd, coinciding with peak bloom. Heralding spring with festive treats like the cherry mocha from Leon Coffee House, cherry fritters from Donut Factory, the Yoshino cocktail from College Inn Pub, and a Cherry Blossom Saison from Big Time Brewery. Additionally, numerous retailers offered exclusive cherry blossom merchandise during the festival week.

Adding to the festivities, The U District Partnership commissioned a cherry blossom mural by Craig Cundiff  (with support from Overall Creative) in the alley off of NE 43rd Street between Brooklyn Ave NE and University Way NE, greeting visitors as they exited the U District Link Light Rail Station. Furthermore, partnering businesses adorned their storefronts with festive balloon displays, creating a warm welcome for the blossom peepers.

The event and local attractions received extensive coverage in local publications, including Secret Seattle, The Seattle Times, EverOut & The Stranger, Seattle’s Child, KOMO, FOX Q13, CW11 KSTW, and more.

A special thanks goes out to our 73 participating businesses, our esteemed colleagues at the University of Washington, and our event partners, whose invaluable support made this year’s festival possible!