If you love spring and the changing of the seasons, you must see the blooming of the cherry trees during the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival.
What makes the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival special?
Every year in Washington D.C. the city comes to life at the changing of the seasons. The whole city celebrates the annual bloom of the Japanese cherry trees during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For the city celebrates this time with events happening over 3.5 weeks.
You can find everything from art exhibits to charitable fun runs. Bars and restaurants are decked out with faux blossoms and even have special Cherry Blossom Festival cocktails. Cherry Blossom Festival merchandise can be found at national museums and throughout the city. For the run of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival you’ll find a stage with daily live music and food trucks located near the Tidal Basin and the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. There are even neighborhood decorating competitions.
When is the National Cherry Blossom Festival?
The DC Cherry Blossom Festival varies year to year but typically starts on or around the first day of spring, March 21st, and lasts for about 3.5 weeks. The kick off of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival typically coincides with the cherry tree peak bloom.
Click here to see an official listing of all events over the duration of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival.
When is the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom?
Peak bloom for the DC cherry blossoms varies from year to year based on the weather. It can range any time from March 20th through mid-April, although they are most often in bloom the last week of March. In particularly cold winters, the bloom can last into mid-April.
For 2025 the peak bloom is estimated for March 28-31, and should be expected to last into early to mid-April.
What is Peak Bloom?
Peak Bloom is when about 70% of their blossoms are open on the cherry trees. While the peak bloom only lasts a few days, the petals can remain on the trees for two to three weeks before dropping.
You can find information on the bloom progression from the National Park Service.
Where is the Best Place to see Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C. During the Cherry Blossom Festival?
You will find the location of the highest concentration of Japanese Cherry trees at the Tidal Basin. There are over 2,500 Japanese Cherry trees located around the Tidal Basin. Originally a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo, the trees have lived at the basin for over 100 years.
Here, you can get incredible views of not only the trees but also the Jefferson Monument and Washington Monument. The best views are on the southwest side of the basin, which also has a larger walking path, with fewer people than the Northeast side of the basin.
What to Know Before Visiting the DC Cherry Blossom Festival?
The Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the busiest times of year to visit DC as it also coincides with spring break. Each year 1-2 million people visit Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms. During this time you can expect crowds of people not only at the Tidal Basin, but at the monuments, museums and other important buildings.
Plan your trip early! Prices for flights and hotels jump significantly during the last week of March, and many accommodations are sold out months in advance.
Pack comfortable shoes. Whether it’s walking the 2.1 mile loop around the Tidal Basin or visiting the many museums with hard stone floors, you will be doing a lot of walking and standing while in Washington D.C. Bring shoes that you will be comfortable in while on your feet for hours at a time.
Getting to the DC Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington D.C. is known for horrible traffic, and it is only amplified during the busy tourist season. I strongly recommend you do not drive to the National Mall or the Tidal Basin. This area has heavy traffic and limited parking. The L’Enfant metro station services the Blue, Orange and Silver metro lines. The station is one block away from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. From there, it is a 15-20 minute walk to the Washington Monument, and another 5 minute walk to the Tidal Basin.
If you are not comfortable taking public transportation, you can take Uber or Lyft to and from the National Mall and adjacent areas.
Goodbye Stumpy
2024 was also the final year for the beloved tree Stumpy. A scrappy cherry tree with only one branch left. Following the 2024 bloom, Stumpy will be cut down and a new tree will be replanted in its place.
DC Cherry Blossom Festival FAQs
How long will the cherry blossoms last in DC?
The cherry blossoms will typically last 2-3 weeks for the duration of time before, during and after peak bloom.
When to see cherry blossoms in DC?
For 2025 the peak bloom is estimated at March 28-31 and the bloom will continue on into early April.
Is the DC cherry blossom festival free?
Yes, the DC cherry blossom festival is free. The trees are free to visit at any time, and there are a variety of free activities taking place during the bloom.
What is the best time to see cherry blossoms in DC in 2025?
The best time to see the cherry blossoms in DC is during or just after the peak bloom. For 2025 the peak bloom is estimated at March 28-31, so visiting through early April will be the best time to see the blossoms.
What date is the cherry blossom festival in Washington, dc.?
For 2025 the national cherry blossom festival runs from March 20th through April 13th. There are various events happening throughout the duration of the festival.
Where to see cherry blossom Washington DC?
The best place to see cherry blossoms in Washington DC is by walking around the Tidal Basin. There are 2500 trees around the basin with the best views of the monuments on the southwest side.
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