About Sakura Taiko Fest
Sakura Taiko Fest has grown from a small concert first held in a dance studio to a full day of free, family-friendly taiko performances among DC’s famous cherry blossoms.
Over the years, we have held Sakura Taiko Fest in Takoma Park, at the University of Maryland, at the Tidal Basin, and now at the Sylvan Theater at the foot of the Washington Monument. It’s been an exciting journey to build this event from that very first gathering in 2013, and we want to thank all of the many performers, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors who have helped to make Sakura Taiko Fest a highlight of cherry blossom season here in DC.
Part of the
About our past events
March 29, 2025 @ The Sylvan Theater
Thanks to all of our 2025 performers: Inochi Taiko (Seattle, WA); Maui Taiko (Maui, HI); Maikaze Taiko (San Francisco, CA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA); OMNY Taiko (New York, NY); Pittsburgh Taiko (Pittsburgh, PA) … and of course MHTX, Miyako Taiko, and all the students in the Mark H Rooney Taiko School!
If you couldn’t join us – never fear! We have all of the performances available on our YouTube channel!
Sponsored by Chase and TaikoVentures.
March 30, 2024 @ The Sylvan Theater
Joining us for our 10th Sakura Taiko Fest were Fushu Taiko (Southeast Florida), Gendo Taiko (Brown/RISD, Providence, RI), Great Lakes Taiko Center (GLTC) Taiko Arts Collective (Southeast Michigan), JGB Shibuki (Buffalo, NY), Nen Daiko (Fairfax, VA), ShinDaiko (Boston, MA) and of course MHTX, Miyako Taiko, and all the students in the Mark H Rooney Taiko School!
Sponsored by Chase and TaikoVentures.
March 26, 2023 @ The Sylvan Theater
(rescheduled from March 25 due to rain)
Thanks to all of our 2023 performers:
Oto-Wa Taiko (from Ottawa, Canada); Casual Fifth (from Philadelphia, PA); Swarthmore Taiko Ensemble (from Swarthmore College, PA); Pittsburgh Taiko (from Pittsburgh, PA); Nen Daiko and Dounen Daiko (from Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course MHTX, Miyako Taiko, and all the students in the Mark H Rooney Taiko School!
Sponsored by Chase and TaikoVentures.
March 26, 2022 @ The Sylvan Theater
After a two-year COVID hiatus, STF was back in 2022 for our 8th annual event!
Thanks to all of our 2022 performers:
Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); River City Taiko (Richmond, VA); Nen Daiko and Dounen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA); plus Miyako Taiko, the Mark H Taiko Connection, and all of our students in the Mark H Taiko School!
March 31, 2019 @ The Tidal Basin
Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); GoDaiko Drummers (Novi, MI); Pittsburgh Taiko (Pittsburgh, PA); Yamatai (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY); Triangle Taiko with Special Taiko (Raleigh, NC); ShinDaiko (Boston, MA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course all the members of the Mark H Taiko Rec Class, Miyako Taiko, and the Mark H Taiko Connection!
March 25, 2018 @ The Tidal Basin
The Genki Spark (Boston, MA); Triangle Taiko (Raleigh, NC); Odaiko New England (Boston, MA); Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); Pittsburgh Taiko (Pittsburgh, PA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course all the members of the Mark H Taiko Rec Class, Miyako Taiko, and Kizuna!
April 9, 2017 @ University of Maryland
Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); ShinDaiko (Boston, MA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course all the members of the Mark H Taiko School, Miyako Taiko, and Kizuna!
April 3, 2016 @ University of Maryland
Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); ShinDaiko (Boston, MA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course all the members of the Mark H Taiko School, Miyako Taiko, and Kizuna!
April 18, 2015 @ University of Maryland
Kyo Daiko (Philadelphia, PA); Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) … and of course all the members of Miyako Taiko and Kizuna!
April 13, 2014 @ Dance Exchange, Takoma Park, MD
Thanks to our 2014 performers:
Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) PLUS the members of Kizuna and students from the Mark H Taiko School!
April 14, 2013 @ Dance Exchange, Takoma Park, MD
Thanks to our 2013 performers from the inaugural STF:
Nen Daiko (Fairfax Station, VA) PLUS the members of Kizuna and students from the Mark H Taiko School!
