The Potomac Bonsai Association, Inc. (PBA)
The Potomac Bonsai Association, Inc. (PBA)
non-profit educational organization
The Potomac Bonsai Festival
PBA proudly presents a celebration of bonsai artistry, craftsmanship, and community, held each year on World Bonsai Day weekend!
The annual Potomac Bonsai Festival returns!
May 8–10, 2026
National Bonsai and Penjing Museum
Held each year on World Bonsai Day weekend, the Festival is hosted on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue NE in Washington, DC.
Join us for a full weekend of bonsai exhibitions, live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, children’s activities, and vendors from across the country. Preview the Festival on Friday with bonsai vendors and bonsai displays. A special ceremony officially opens the festival on Saturday at 10:30 AM, featuring bonsai leaders and dignitaries.
This year, we are excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum and the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Join the party!
Past guest artist Suthin Sukosolvisit leading a display critique.
Guest Artists
PBA is thrilled to host distinguished guest artists who bring deep knowledge, exceptional skill, and a passion for bonsai education to the Festival.
Jonas is a Northern California-based bonsai professional, educator, and author, widely recognized for his contributions to bonsai education in the United States. He is the creator of Bonsai Tonight, a popular bonsai blog where he posts regularly about bonsai techniques and design. The blog features practical how-to content, design commentary, and documentation from practitioners around the world. Known for making advanced technique accessible to growers at every level, Jonas brings instructional depth and enthusiasm to every workshop and demonstration he leads.
Jack is an influential figure in American bonsai, with decades of experience as a practitioner, curator, and teacher. He currently serves as vice-chairman and director for the North America region of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. He served for many years as Curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., where he helped protect and develop America's national bonsai collections. Jack has also held leadership roles as a longtime board member, co-president, and chair emeritus of the National Bonsai Foundation, as well as Bonsai Caretaker at Matthaei Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan.
Vendors
The Potomac Bonsai Festival Vendor Market is one of the best one-stop opportunities in the region to acquire pre-bonsai material, styled specimens, pots, accessories, soil, and tools. Each year, we recruit reputable vendors who specialize exclusively in bonsai and are on hand to answer questions, share their styling approaches, and help you make the most of your new material.
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For more details regarding the vendors, please visit the vendors' webpages through the links available below.
Vendors Listing:
Asian Antiques
Pham Bonsai
PBA Sales Table
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Potomac Bonsai Festival Activities
Tree Displays
The signature activity of the festival is the display of member trees on the grounds of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. PBA members have the unique opportunity to display their meticulously manicured trees alongside national treasures. For many members, this is one of the most significant events of the growing season. There are two exhibits: a Formal Display and an Informal Display.
The Formal Bonsai Gallery is held in the exhibition hall, where each tree is arranged in a traditional three-point display: the bonsai itself, a complementary accent plant, and an elegant wall scroll. This exhibit adheres to a refined set of standards that honor the discipline and cultural resonance of bonsai display, and is considered the festival's most distinguished showcase.
The Informal Display is the larger of the two exhibits and is held outside the exhibition hall. Trees in this exhibit are equally impressive, but with fewer restrictions on display presentation.
Display Critique
Members displaying in the Formal Exhibit receive a personal critique from a guest artist, whose seasoned eye will address the subtleties of formal presentation: tree placement, accent plant selection, and the overall harmony of the composition. Join the critique of formal displays with the guest artists whose seasoned eye will address the subtleties of formal presentation: tree placement, accent plant selection, and the overall harmony of the composition. This commentary opens a window into the refined world of bonsai display, revealing the delicate craftsmanship and the thoughtful intent behind each arrangement. Exhibitors and visitors alike gain a deeper appreciation of the art’s sophisticated language and meticulous care invested in each tree.
Live Demonstrations
Throughout the weekend, guest artists will perform live demonstrations on bonsai material, offering a close look at the creative process of a professional. Watch as each artist transforms and refines bonsai material into a living sculpture in real time, revealing the techniques, decisions, and artistic intuition that define professional bonsai design. These sessions are among the most valuable events on the schedule, combining deep instructional value with captivating hands-on action.
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Bonsai Learning Sessions
A series of learning sessions will be presented, providing opportunities to view short demonstrations by PBA members and learn about various aspects of bonsai as an art form.
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Children's Activities
A children's activity table will offer creative crafts to introduce young visitors to the world of bonsai, keeping children engaged and giving families a memorable experience that goes beyond passive viewing.
Museum Tours
Throughout the weekend, volunteer docents will lead scheduled tours to experience the incredible trees in the permanent collections of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Formal display in the exhibition hall.
Previous guest artist Michael Hagedorn during the World Bonsai Day Celebration
Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada at the 2025 PBA Spring Festival.
World Bonsai Day
Special Exhibition
The “Emperor” is coming to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum!
The “Emperor” is the endearing poetic name for an imperial-sized bonsai owned by Bob Chilton and Todd Stewart of Gardens Unlimited in Ladysmith, Virginia. The tree was purchased in 2008 by Bobb and Todd and is a Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia). The base of the trunk measures 60 inches around, and the tree is 52 inches tall.
The tree is so heavy that it takes four people and a forklift or crane to move. For winter protection, the tree stays outdoors at the Garden’s Unlimited Nursery and has a custom-made cover that protects it from the cold. This spring is the first time the tree has ever left the nursery for public display.
Come to the Potomac Bonsai Festival this spring to see the “Emperor” at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for one weekend only.
Workshops
Throughout the weekend, guest artists and skilled club members will lead immersive hands-on workshops.
Beginner Workshop: Each session guides beginners from curiosity to confidence, covering every essential step from initial styling to proper repotting of raw bonsai material. All material and supplies will be provided.
Advanced Workshop: For growers ready to go deeper, advanced BYOT (Bring Your Own Tree) workshops are led by guest artists. Each artist will evaluate your tree's current condition and work with you one-on-one, guiding you through sophisticated styling concepts and sharing custom design insights tailored to your tree. Participants should bring their own materials and supplies.
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Bonsai Vendors (Fri – Sun)
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Beginner Workshops
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PBA Bonsai Exhibition
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Children's Activities
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Bonsai Learning Sessions
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Formal Display
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Display Critique with Guest Artist
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Workshop with Guest Artist
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Styling Demonstration with Guest Artist
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Docent-Led Museum Tours
Full Weekend Schedule
Friday Preview
Start your festival weekend early on Friday, May 8! Professional bonsai vendors will be open for business from 9 am – 4 pm in the Visitor Center Auditorium, North Terrace, and East Terrace. The PBA Bonsai Exhibition featuring exquisite member trees is open from 12 pm – 4 pm in the Museum Upper Courtyard.
Opening Ceremony
The Festival officially opens Saturday morning at 10:30 am with a special ceremony in the Museum Upper Courtyard, featuring bonsai leaders and dignitaries who will welcome all guests and visitors to officially begin the festival.
Schedule
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Bonsai Vendors (Fri – Sun)
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Beginner Workshops
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PBA Bonsai Exhibition (Fri – Sun)
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Children's Activities
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Bonsai Learning Sessions
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Formal Display
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Display Critique with Guest Artist
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Workshop with Guest Artist
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Styling Demonstration with Guest Artist
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Docent-Led Museum Tours
Saturday, May 9th
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9AM–4PM
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9AM–4PM
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10AM-4PM
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11AM-3PM
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11AM-3PM
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11AM-4PM
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11AM
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9AM-3:30PM
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12:30AM-3:30PM
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11AM & 2PM
Sunday, May 10th
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9AM–3PM
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9AM–2PM
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10AM-4PM
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10:30AM-3PM
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11AM-3PM
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10AM-4PM
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11AM
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9AM-3PM
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12PM-3PM
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11AM & 2PM
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Bonsai Vendors
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Beginner Workshops
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PBA Bonsai Exhibition
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Children's Activities
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Bonsai Learning Session
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Formal Display
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Display Critique /w Guest Artist
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Workshop with Guest Artist
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Styling Demonstration
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Docent-Led Museum Tours
Location
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Visitor Center Auditorium, East Terrace, North Terrace
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Tent across from the Museum Exit [REGISTER]
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Museum Upper Courtyard
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Tent across from the Museum Exit
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North Terrace
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Museum Special Exhibits Wing
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Museum Special Exhibits Wing
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Visitor Center Classroom [REGISTER]
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Museum Lower Courtyard
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Museum Upper Courtyard
Club Member
Tree Delivery/Pick-Up Schedule
PBA Members are encouraged to display their bonsai at the Potomac Bonsai Festival. This is a unique opportunity to have your own specimen displayed alongside the National Collection!
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Tree Delivery
Trees for both displays should be delivered to the Bonsai Museum on
Thursday, May 7, between noon and 3 p.m. (remember the museum locks the gates at 4)
OR
Friday, May 8, between 10 and noon. (the museum opens at 10)
Informal Display in the Museum Upper Courtyard
Display opens on Friday, May 8 at noon
No trees can be added after the show is open
Formal Display in the Museum Special Exhibits Wing
The collaborative display installation setup is on
Friday, May 8 from noon to 3:30 p.m.
Exhibit opens Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m.
Tree Pick Up
All trees must stay on display until the exhibits and museum close at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Tree pick up is at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday May 10.
The museum closes at 4 and we have to get everything removed as soon as we are able.
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Thank you to all the club members for your participation!
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