Peak bloom date announced: Best time to see DC’s cherry blossoms in 2025

As a former Washington, D.C., resident, I’ve seen my fair share of cherry blossoms.

While I may be a bit biased, the city’s famous cherry blossoms are not only impressive to locals: More than 1.5 million people worldwide flock to Washington, D.C., annually to see its impressive floral display, according to the organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

This year marks the 113th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. — a symbol of friendship between Japan and the U.S. after World War II.

The National Park Service predicts peak bloom will be between March 28 and 31, but depending on the weather, you can see blossoms both before and after those dates.

“The timing is always subject obviously to weather,” said Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, National Park Service.

Peak bloom is when 70% of the trees surrounding the Tidal Basin have opened their buds, though they can bloom both before and after.

While March 28 to 31 is the window in which the trees are expected to first reach peak bloom, it can last for up to 10 days.

This forecast is later than The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang thought; it predicted an earlier peak this year from March 23-27, citing “projections for warmer than average March weather.”

The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially commences on March 20. The festival’s events are detailed below.

Whether you plan on visiting for the first time or are eager to return to see the blooms again, here’s everything you need to know about checking out the stunning cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.

When to see the cherry blossoms

Though you can’t control Mother Nature, you can get some help timing your trip to see the world-renowned blossoms.

This window may be slightly tweaked a couple of times leading up to the week of predicted peak bloom based on tracking winter forecasts for March, historical data and tree observations.

The NPS and the National Cherry Blossom Festival regularly update their peak bloom forecast projections, so be sure to check both groups’ websites for updates.

The city’s Yoshino cherry blossoms, which are the variety you’ll find around the popular Tidal Basin area, can reach peak bloom in March or April. However, the exact timing often changes yearly.

“Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions,” the NPS said. “Forecasting peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days in advance. However, peak bloom typically occurs the last week of March or the first week of April.”

Relying on the NPS’ peak prediction, the National Cherry Blossom Festival thinks the blossoms will be in their finest form during those four days.

“The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but the blossoms can last for up to two weeks under ideal conditions,” per Destination DC. “One of the earliest recorded peak blooms occurred on March 15, 1990, while the latest recorded peak bloom occurred on April 18, 1958.”

If you’re lucky enough to time your visit to coincide with peak bloom, make sure you’re strategic about what time of day you try to see the blooms.

“During the spring season, the least busy time to visit the cherry blossoms is in the early morning or evening,” a Destination DC spokesperson said. “You can expect more people on weekends and when the blooms are peaking.”

Since most travelers don’t have the flexibility to wait until the last minute to lock in a trip, the National Cherry Blossom Festival offers a live view of the blossoms in case you miss peak bloom. Pull up the BloomCam on your computer to see the Tidal Basin’s flowers at any time of the day or night.

Best places to view the cherry blossoms

The Tidal Basin is generally touted as the most sought-after location for seeing the Yoshino variety of cherry blossoms. Still, if you cannot visit during the main peak bloom period, you’re in luck: Another species, Kwanzan, usually blooms two weeks later in other parts of the city.

Regardless of which type of blossom you observe, you’ll find several top spots with cherry trees in the Washington, D.C., area. Should you decide that the Tidal Basin is too crowded for your liking, you can check out other Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (known locally as the DMV) locations with blooms and more elbow room.

If you need a reprieve from the crowds of the Tidal Basin, head to Arlington National Cemetery or walk along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Or, go just a little north or south of the prime viewing area along the Potomac River — specifically on Ohio Drive toward the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Memorial, where the crowds tend to thin out just a bit. This is even more true if you head south under the 14th Street Bridge toward Hains Point, where you will find cherry trees and much thinner crowds.

Other less-crowded locations with cherry blossom trees include the U.S. National Arboretum in Northeast Washington; Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia; the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in Georgetown; the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington; and the Hains Point Loop Trail in Southwest Washington’s East Potomac Park.

What to do during the National Cherry Blossom Festival

While you’ll be spending a good chunk of your time viewing the beautiful blossoms during March or April, you can add some other cherry blossom-themed activities and events to your vacation itinerary.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual festival that celebrates the 1912 presentation of trees.

This year, the festival offers a range of activities from March 20 to April 13, plus a few events ahead of the official start, including:

• March 7: The “Blooming Wonders” Exhibition is back for its eighth year at Artechouse, featuring immersive and interactive, technology-driven installations. Guests can visit through May 5. General admission starts at $24.
• March 14: Union Station will host the beloved Pink Tie Party this year. The theme is “Passport to Spring,” inspired by Rio’s Carnival and Venice’s Festival. Tickets are $250.
• March 20: New this year, Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race invites participants to race pedal boats across the Tidal Basin, with awards for the fastest boats per age group and best-dressed participants. Tickets are $100 per two people.
• March 21: The second annual Blossom Tea Party Soiree celebrates the history and experiences of local seniors, who can enjoy teas, lunch and live music with dancing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Ballroom. Tickets are free.
• March 22: The National Cherry Blossom Festival begins with the opening ceremony, featuring performances from various artists with ties to both Japan and the U.S., including tap artist Kazunori Kumagai and singer-songwriter Ka-Na (Kana Uemura). Tickets are $5 and include a day of multicultural performances at the Warner Theatre.
• March 22: Pink in the Pool is a family-friendly swim party at Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center in Arlington. Tickets are free. The event features free swim sessions, pink beach balls and activities such as balloon twisters, a Japanese candy station and more.
• March 29: Grab a kite and head to the Washington Monument grounds for the Blossom Kite Festival, which is free and open to the public. If you’re crafty, consider making your own kite and entering it in the Kitemaker’s Competition; it awards prizes for different categories of homemade kites for both adults and kids.
• March 30: Stroll Dupont Circle Park while enjoying tea samples from various tea establishments with Afternoon Tea in the Park.
• April 5: For a full day of live music, drinks and family-friendly fun, attend the festival’s Petalpalooza in the Navy Yard neighborhood. This daylong event features interactive art installations, a beverage garden and a fireworks show set to music, among other activities. The event is free and open to all ages.
• April 5 to 6: Watch nearly 27,000 runners cross the finish line in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5K and Kids Run. The event is free to spectators, but entries are closed to participants.
• April 12: One of the most fun events is the city’s National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The 10-block-long parade along Constitution Avenue features everything from balloons and elaborate floats to marching bands, celebrity entertainers and performers. You can view the majority of the parade for free, but you also can buy a $25 to $40 ticket for reserved grandstand seating in the performance areas of the parade route.
• April 17: The third annual Spring Sake Festival is back at the Morrow Hotel in NoMa for guests age 21 or older. You can sample sake varieties among some of the country’s top sake professionals and makers.

For a full list of blossom-themed activities, check out the festival’s events calendar.

How to get to the cherry blossoms

If you’re coming from out of town, flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) will make your life much easier. DCA is only a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute metro ride from the city.

Dulles International Airport (IAD) is much farther from the city and will take about 45 minutes by car. You can also now take the Silver line on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority metro for a roughly one-hour ride from IAD to the city.

Flights are readily available to and from both airports.

From East Coast cities like Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, you can also easily get to the city by train. Multiple Amtrak routes include stops at the city’s Union Station. In some cases, a train ride can take about the same amount of time as a flight when you factor in arriving at the airport early for security screenings and lounge visits.

Parking is extremely limited along the Tidal Basin (and really any viewing spot you come across). Plan on taking the Orange, Silver or Blue metro line to the Smithsonian stop, which is a 20-to 25-minute walk from the basin area. If you drive, we suggest using SpotHero to locate and pay for parking in advance.

Alternatively, you can take the Metrobus, which stops directly at the Tidal Basin via its National Mall line. The 32 or 36 Metrobus routes will also drop you near the Washington Monument or about 15 to 20 minutes away (on foot) from the Tidal Basin’s cherry blossoms. Travelers can purchase commemorative cherry blossom SmarTrip cards from Metro Center, L’Enfant and Navy Yard stations.

If you want to be even more environmentally friendly, hop on a Capital Bikeshare bike. The docking stations closest to the Tidal Basin are near the Jefferson Memorial and at Jefferson Drive and 14th Street Northwest. Just note that nearby bikes may be hard to come by, depending on the time of day.

Where to stay near the cherry blossoms

Hilton is once again the official hotel partner for the 2025 festival. Here are some hotels offering cherry blossom packages throughout March and April:

• Conrad Washington, DC: Treat yourself to the property’s extravagant concierge experience. It includes a Sakura Club room with daily gourmet breakfast, dinner and a Japanese whiskey tasting; a four-course cherry blossom-inspired dinner with a wine pairing at Estuary; a one-hour photography session at the blossoms; David Yurman his and hers rose gold jewelry; a private shopping experience with a $1,000 gift card at Scanlan Theodore in CityCenter; a personalized picnic basket; a lapel pin collection; and an official festival fleece. Applicable for two nights minimum, from March 14 to April 30.
• Hilton Washington, DC National Mall The Wharf: Book a cherry blossom-themed deluxe one- or two-bedroom suite.
• Hotel Zena: Stay at this Viceroy hotel and get a cherry blossom-themed brunch picnic basket.
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco: Select the Robert Mills Suite, which features a 72-inch soaking clawfoot tub, cherry blossom welcome cocktails and a $50 dining credit for Dirty Habit for bookings March 1-April 27.
• The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: The hotel’s cherry blossom offer includes a blossom-themed arrival amenity, complimentary valet parking, complimentary bicycle rentals, a $100 hotel credit, daily $60 breakfast credits for two and luxury accommodations for reservations from March 14 to April 13, with the code ARN.
• Sofitel Washington, DC Lafayette Square: The property’s cherry blossom package includes a welcome amenity, daily breakfast for two and one nightly cherry blossom cocktail per person.
• Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC: Guests can enjoy an exclusive cherry blossom tea experience at Peacock Alley with a two-night stay. Don’t miss the 19-foot tree replica and local art installation in the property’s lobby. Experience cherry blossom season from new heights with a stay in a ninth-floor Skylight Collection room, complete with a telescope for stargazing. Enjoy a $50 beverage credit for two Cherry Cotton Candy Kiss cocktails and a $200 spa credit toward a seasonal body treatment or facial or any treatment of your choice.
• Washington Hilton: Guests can enjoy the Cherry Blossom Escape package, which includes daily breakfast for two, parking, two handcrafted specialty cocktails and two commemorative kites.
• Hotel Hive: Celebrate the season with Hotel Hive’s package, which includes a discounted rate and two complimentary drinks.
• Moxy Downtown Washington, D.C and Courtyard Washington, DC Dupont Circle: Their Very Cherry package includes grab-and-go breakfast for up to two guests daily, two bottles of beer upon arrival and a 1 p.m. late checkout for bookings from March 14 through April 19.

InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf: The Wharf property has partnered with private yacht charter Nautiste to offer a two-night stay with complimentary valet parking and a private golden hour cruise of the Tidal basin aboard a 42-foot Bruno and Stillman yacht with curated food and beverage. It also provides dinner for two at Willowsong, the hotel’s newly debuted farm-to-table restaurant.

TPG has favorably reviewed several Washington, D.C., hotels, including the following with availability April 4 to 6 that were priced as marked as of Feb. 26:

See here for a full list of participating hotels.

Bottom line

Cherry blossom season is one of the best times of year for Washingtonians and tourists alike, despite the crowds. Your best bet for viewing the blossoms this year is predicted to be sometime between March 28 and 31, though rest assured you can see the blossoms both before and after that period.

While you can’t touch or pick these fragile flowers (it’s against the city’s law), you can admire them close-up and take as many photos as your heart desires.

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