Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, celebrates the legend of Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the herder. These lovers, separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Enjoy a summer evening relaxing in Hillwood’s spectacular gardens and take part in festive outdoor entertainment on Hillwood’s expansive Lunar Lawn:

• Listen to delightful music performed outdoors on the Lunar Lawn by the Washington Toho Koto Society.
• Explore the enchanting Japanese-style garden.
• Bring a blanket or lawn chairs from home and enjoy a picnic on the spacious Lunar Lawn. Sandwiches, drinks, and snacks are available for purchase from Merriweather To Go.
• Create and decorate your own paper lantern to take home.
• Write poems and special wishes on colorful strips of paper, called tanzaku, to hang on bamboo, following the traditional Japanese custom to celebrate Tanabata.
• Try your hand at Japanese calligraphy and origami with our partners at the Japan-America Society of Washington DC.
• While here, be sure to explore our newest exhibition, Glass: Art. Beauty. Design.

The program highlights Hillwood’s Japanese-style garden and is presented in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Washington DC.