2025 Festival & World Bonsai Day
The 2025 Potomac Bonsai Festival returns to the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum on May 9-11, 2025. The Potomac Bonsai Association and it’s affiliated clubs are excited to celebrate bonsai with our annual festival in conjunction with World Bonsai Day (May 10, 2025) and a special celebration of the Quadricentennial of the Yamaki Pine. Presented in partnership with the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, the National Bonsai Foundation, and the U.S. National Arboretum, the festival includes an exhibition of bonsai by PBA members, formal bonsai displays, bonsai vendors, beginner workshops, a bonsai learning series, childrens’ activities, Museum tours, and demonstrations and workshops led by our guest artists.
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington D.C.
HELPFUL LINKS:
2025 Festival Flyer coming soon! (see the 2024 Festival Flyer to see what was offered last year.)
About the Potomac Bonsai Association
National Arboretum Map
Beginner Bonsai Class Registration (coming soon!)
How PBA Members Can Get Involved
Guest Artist
We are honored to have guest artists Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai, and Guy Guidry of Nola Bonsai at the 2025 Potomac Bonsai Festival. Review the events, below, for all the opportunities to learn from this bonsai expert including bonsai workshop, bonsai display discussions, and bonsai styling demonstrations.
Andrew Robson
Guy Guidry
Bonsai Vendors
Friday 9-4, Saturday 9-4, and Sunday 9-3. Inside the Arboretum Admin & Visitor Center Auditorium, and outside on the East Terrace between the Visitor Center and the Bonsai Museum.
Bonsai, pre-bonsai plant material, bonsai tools and supplies, pots, stands, and everything you could want to support your own bonsai journey will be available for sale. Interested Bonsai Vendors may submit a completed Vendor Agreement. Confirmed vendors are listed below. Check back as this list grows over the coming months.
Artist Arlita Kadar
Bonsai Learning Center
Green Witch Gardens
Hollow Work Ceramics
Ironwood Bonsai Studio
Kusa Farm
Young Choe Kusamono
Meehan’s Miniatures
Nature’s Way Nursery
North American Satsuki Bonsai Center
Okie Bonsai – rocks, pots, and plants
School of Fish Prints
Waldo Street Pottery
PBA Member’s Sales Table – Items for sale by PBA members
Potomac Bonsai Association Exhibition
Friday 12-4, Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 10-4. National Bonsai Museum Upper Courtyard.
A display of bonsai trees and viewing stones by members of PBA affiliated clubs in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. More information about PBA clubs is just a click away.
World Bonsai Day & Festival Opening Ceremony
Saturday at 10:30 a.m., National Bonsai Museum Upper Courtyard.
Join the Guest Artists, representatives from the Potomac Bonsai Association, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and the National Bonsai Foundation to formally kick off the festival and acknowledge World Bonsai Day on Saturday morning.
The Art of Bonsai Display
Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 10-4, National Bonsai Museum Special Exhibits Wing.
See and learn about Bonsai displays in a formal, interior setting. Exhibition remains open through May 18.
World Bonsai Day Children’s Activities
Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 10-3 in the lobby of the Arboretum Admin & Visitor Center.
Find the children’s table for family friendly activities to celebrate World Bonsai Day.
Beginner Bonsai Workshops
Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 9-2 with multiple start times throughout the day. Workshop tent on the lawn adjacent to the Bonsai Museum. Pre-registration for Beginner Workshop is recommended. Space is limited.
Beginning bonsai classes will be available throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. These popular beginners workshops allow those interested in bonsai to style a tree with the help of an experienced PBA member. Space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged to reserve your space. All participants will pay at the PBA sales table on the East Terrace between the Visitor Center and the Bonsai Museum. The cost is $75 per person which includes everything you need to get started including a tree, pot, soil, wire, and help from an experienced bonsai practitioner. Use the link provided above to preregister. A limited number of walkup spaces may also be available.
Docent-Led Bonsai Museum Tours
Saturday and Sunday starting in the Museum upper courtyard.
Watch here for specific start times. Meet at the Tour sign at the start time to join an informative tour of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Bonsai Workshops with Guest Artists Andrew Robson and Guy Guidry
Saturday & Sunday, the classroom in the National Arboretum Admin & Visitor Center.
These are Bring-Your-Own-Tree workshops with our guest artists designed to support intermediate to advance bonsai practitioners and PBA members. Participants will be able to refine and style their own bonsai trees with the artist’s support and expertise. Seats are limited and registration is first come, first served.
Register for Saturday, May 10 Workshop with Andrew Robson, 11 a.m – 4 p.m.
Register for Sunday, May 11 Workshop with Guy Guidry, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bonsai Display Discussion with Guest Artist Andrew Robson
Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Bonsai Museum Special Exhibits Wing.
Learn from the expertise of our guest artist, Andrew Robson, as he describes and critiques the PBA bonsai displays and exhibition.
Bonsai Demonstration with Guest Artists
National Bonsai Museum Lower Courtyard.
Guy Guidry, Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Andrew Robson, Sunday 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Watch the magic happen as the guest artists demonstrate and discuss the process of styling a bonsai.
