2025 Festival & World Bonsai Day

The 2025 Potomac Bonsai Festival returns to the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum on May 9-11, 2025. Details will be on this page as they become available.

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.

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.

Bonsai Learning Center
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 10:45-4 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, 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 start times throughout the day. Workshop tent on the lawn adjacent to the Bonsai Museum exit. Pre-registration for Beginner Workshop is recommended. Watch here for a link to pre-register.

Beginning bonsai classes will be available throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. These very 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 Learning Series

Saturday & Sunday, National Bonsai Museum Lecture/Demonstration Center.
A series of bonsai related lectures and demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the weekend. Watch here for updates and details.

Bonsai Workshops with Guest Artists Sergio Cuan 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. Watch here for details and ticket sales.

Bonsai Display Discussion with Guest Artist

Bonsai Museum Special Exhibits Wing.
Watch here for a scheduled opportunity to learn from the expertise of our guest artists as they describe and critique the PBA bonsai displays and exhibition.

Bonsai Demonstration with Guest Artists Sergio Cuan & Guy Guidry

National Bonsai Museum Lower Courtyard.
The guest artist will demonstrate and discuss the process of styling a tree or shrub into a bonsai.