Cherry Blossom Festival Guide in DC

One of the best times to plan a visit to Washington DC is during the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

You don’t have to travel to Japan to witness the beauty of these flowering trees, DC has its very own Cherry Blossom festivities and it’s a stunning sight!

On the blog, I will share our Cherry Blossom Festival Guide in DC, to help you plan your spring visit to Washington DC to see these beautiful spring blooms.

*For the 2024 season, the Cherry Blossom Festival will go from March 20 to April 14, 2024

History of the Cherry Blossoms in DC

Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the city of Washington, DC in 1912.

Since the first set of trees donated had to be destroyed upon arrival due to infestation, Japan responded by sending about 3020 more trees, and most were planted along the Potomac.

The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States, and Japan, and have been celebrated yearly since 1934.

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Cherry Blossom Guide in DC

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When is peak bloom for cherry blossoms in DC

Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms in Washington DC can occur as early as March 15, and as late as April 18, but varies year to year based on weather conditions.

Peak bloom is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. A warmer spring tends to bring the blossoms out earlier, while colder weather pushes them out later!

For the 2024 season peak bloom is predicted to be sometime between March 19-23.

Follow the bloom watch with the National Park Service or the National Cherry blossom festival’s website.

You can also get up-to-date information on social media @cherryblossfest, and @cherryblossomwatch for live photos.

Best time to see the Cherry Blossoms in DC

The best time to experience the Cherry Blossoms in DC is at peak bloom which typically lasts for a period of several days or up to two weeks under ideal conditions.

Once they do hit peak bloom, get ready for crowds, and it can get pretty crazy! Here are some tips to avoid the crowds!

• One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to get here very early in the morning, (like before 8am), and on a weekday.

• The weekends are usually busy, and the Tidal Basin gets very crowded! If you’re visiting with little ones, I suggest leaving the stroller and bringing a carrier instead.

• Go on a rainy day! Put on a raincoat and boots and admire the cherry blossoms without the crowds. We’ve done this a few times and we always had the blossoms all to ourselves!

• I suggest seeing the Cherry blossoms at sunset as well. The light is so much softer, plus the sunsets here are just spectacular! Sunrises are amazing here as well!

• Skip the Tidal Basin completely and see the cherry blossoms elsewhere like around East Potomac Park, at the Arlington National Cemetery, and the US Arboretum.

What the weather is like in DC in the spring

The weather in DC in springtime can be quite unpredictable and can vary with sunny weather one day, and cold and rainy the next!

Make sure to pack layers, a light jacket, an umbrella, and comfy shoes. We love these Hatley rain jackets for kids, with matching boots. These Crocs sneakers are comfy and lightweight perfect for long walks, here is one for kids as well.

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Where to stay in DC during the Cherry blossom event

One of the best places to stay during the Cherry Blossom Festival event in DC is at the DC Wharf. The Wharf is just a short walk away from the Tidal Basin and is DC’s newest waterfront destination.

• There are a few hotels in the DC Wharf. We personally love Hyatt Place, which has nice big rooms, and they offer free breakfast as well.

• The best part about your stay at the Wharf is the location, the variety of dining options, and the nightly entertainment as well.

Recommended Washington DC Hotels:

Booking.com

How to get to the Cherry blossoms in DC

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BY METRO

• The best way to get into DC during the Cherry Blossom festival is by Metro on the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines.

• The closest Metro station is the Smithsonian. From there, the Tidal Basin area is just a short walk away

BY CAR

• If you’re planning on driving to the event, be prepared for traffic congestion, road closures, and one-way directional traffic, especially along Ohio Dr. SW

• Free parking can be found along Ohio Dr. SW at East Potomac Park and Hains Point if you are lucky but usually gets packed during the day and is a bit of a walk to the Tidal Basin.

• We usually find parking in the metered spaces along Jefferson Dr. SW and Madison Dr. NW along the National Mall. It does get busy, especially on weekends, but the key is to arrive early and go on a weekday!

• You can also reserve parking at one of the garages in DC using SpotHero during peak times, especially on weekends.

• We love the Portals Parking garage by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel which is just a short walk to the Tidal Basin, or the parking garages at the Wharf as well. You can see the cherry blossoms then have lunch or dinner at the Wharf.

• There are also metered parking lots close to the George Mason Memorial at Lots A, B, and C. (Use the address 971 Ohio Dr. SW Washington) *Be aware that the roads here may be closed during the festival!

• The key is to arrive early and remember that most metered parking in DC has a maximum duration of about 2-3 hours.

• Download the ParkMobile app to make it easy when paying for metered parking.

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Where the Cherry Blossoms are located in DC

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THE TIDAL BASIN

One of the best places to see the cherry blossoms is the Tidal Basin along the Potomac. This is where you will find the majority of the cherry blossom trees in DC.

Take a stroll around the 2-mile Tidal Basin loop and take in the beauty of the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of some of the DC monuments. It makes for some amazing photos!

For optimum viewing in this area, make sure to arrive very early in the morning, and on the weekdays to avoid the crowds.

Also be aware that some parts of the sidewalk along the Tidal Basin can be impassable due to water and mud, especially on wet rainy days!

*There are a few public restrooms around the Tidal Basin. The one at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is closed due to renovations, but there’s one by the MLK Memorial next to the gift shop, and at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial as well.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL

Another beautiful place to admire the cherry blossoms is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. This 7.5-acre Presidential Memorial is adjacent to the Tidal Basin area in West Potomac Park and is our favorite spot to take in the blossoms!

Visit early in the morning and you pretty much have the place to yourself, plus the memorial is so interesting and beautifully laid out. It’s such a serene spot to take in the beauty of the cherry blossoms along the Potomac.

SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BY BOAT

Rent a paddle boat and make your way along the Tidal Basin on the Potomac to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Reservations are highly recommended and you must fill out a waiver before you arrive. The paddle boats are located at the Tidal Basin, and you can make a reservation here.

Paddle boats cost $38 on weekdays and $40 on weekends per hour with a maximum capacity of 4 people.

EAST POTOMAC PARK AND HAINS POINT

Another great place to admire the cherry blossoms in DC is along the shoreline of East Potomac Park, and Hains Point.

There are lots of cherry blossom trees here, including the Kwanzan cherry blossom variety that blooms about two weeks after the Yoshino’s.

Since most people flock around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms, this is the perfect spot to enjoy the blossoms without the crowds.

Take a stroll along the 4.4-mile loop at Hains Point, or rent a bike or scooter and admire the cherry blossoms along the way.

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT GROUNDS

You don’t have to visit the Tidal Basin to find cherry blossoms. There are small clusters of trees along the grounds of the Washington Monument, which makes for the perfect backdrop to your cherry blossom photos.

If you take a stroll around the National Mall, you will find a few clusters at the Constitution Gardens, along the US Capitol Grounds, and a few trees by the National Gallery of Art.

THE UNITED STATES ARBORETUM

If you want to experience the DC cherry blossoms without the crowds, head over to the United States Arboretum.

Some clusters of Cherry blossoms can be found at the Arboretum, along with a few other spring blooms.

The entrance is free, and it’s the perfect place to spend the day admiring the cherry blossoms while enjoying a spring day at the park.

More places to see Cherry Blossoms in the DC area

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• Congressional Cemetery– 1801 E St. SE, Washington DC
• Stanton Park– 226 4th St. NE, Washington DC
• The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception– 400 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington DC
• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens– 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct. Vienna, VA
• Rockville Civic Center Park– 603 Edmonston Dr. Rockville, MD
• Brookside Gardens– 1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD

DC Cherry Blossom Festival

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Tidal Basin Welcome Area

During your visit to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC, make sure to stop by the Cherry Blossom Festival Welcome Area, which is now located between the Franklin Delano Roosevelt & Martin Luther King Memorial along West Tidal Basin Dr. SW.

This is where you will find the Information center, food tents, food trucks, souvenir shops, portable toilets, and a first aid tent.

There is also a festival stage here where you can catch some live performances as well.

* Note: Public restrooms can also be found at the nearby Martin Luther King Memorial by the gift shop, at FDR Memorial, and by the Washington National Monument.

During the month-long Cherry Blossom Festival in DC, many different events happen throughout the city.

Here is a list of some of the new Cherry Blossom Festival Events for the 2024 season:

NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM PARADE

One of the main events during the Cherry Blossom season is the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The parade will be back in person on April 13, 2024.

Watch as giant balloons, colorful floats, marching bands, celebrity entertainers, and performers march down the parade route.

The parade route goes from Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th St. NW. Portions of the parade along the route are free to the public and are first-come, first-serve.

Tickets are available for reserved grandstand seating in the performance areas of the Parade, which you can purchase here, and cost $25-30 (Telecast section: $40).

BLOSSOM KITE FESTIVAL

One of the events to look forward to is the Blossom Kite Festival. This annual event happens along the grounds of the Washington National Monument and is such an amazing sight to see!

The Blossom Kite Festival will be back for the 2023 season on March 30, 2024, from 10am-4:00pm. You can also participate virtually online here.

You can bring your kite or purchase one onsite. There will also be FREE Kite Kits available that you can decorate onsite as well!

*You can download some fun activities for kids, including a crossword puzzle (make sure to read about the history of kite flying here to complete the crossword puzzle first). You can also download Cherry Blossom coloring pages here.

SAKURA MATSURI JAPANESE STREET FESTIVAL

The Japanese Street Festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese Culture in the US and is the grand finale event of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Share in the celebration as performers, artists, and restaurants travel from around the world to celebrate Japanese culture and traditions.

• For 2024, the event will be held over two days on April 13 & 14, from 10:30am-6pm on Sat., and 10:30am-4pm on Sun.

• Tickets: One Day Early Bird: $10 till March 31 / $12 from April 1-14 / $15 day of pricing
• Two-Day Early Bird: $15 till March 31 / $20 from April 1-14 / $25 on April 15
• (12 and under FREE)
• Family one-day Packages cost $50, and include 2 one-day entry tickets / 2 kids T-shirts / 2 Omen masks for kids / Japanese Snacks.
• Purchase tickets here
• The event is located on Pennsylvania Ave., NW between 3rd & 7th streets.

PETALPALOOZA

Celebrate spring and the Cherry Blossoms at the PetalPalooza event at the Capitol Riverfront at the Yards on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 1-9pm.

This FREE day-long celebration will include live music on multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a beer garden, family-friendly activities, and more. You can also expect an evening fireworks show set to music, which will be so amazing!

JAPANESE STONE LANTERN CEREMONY (TBA)

Watch the annual lighting of the Japanese stone lantern at the Tidal Basin. The Japanese Stone Lantern, which was given to the US by Japan, was dedicated in 1954 amongst the first Cherry blossom trees planted back in 1912.

The stone lantern is one of two, created in 1651, to mark the death of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. Its twin lantern stands at the Tōshō-gū temple, in Ueno Park.

ART IN BLOOM

The Art in Bloom will be back on March 20-April 14, 2024 with more cherry blossom sculptures coming to permanent locations throughout the city.

Visitors are invited to go on a blossom hunt in search of giant sculptures, painted by local artists, which are installed in various locations across DC, the National Harbor, and Virginia’s Aurora Highlands and National Landing neighborhoods.

Visit the website here for more information and a map with the sculpture locations.

BLOOMAROO AT THE DC WHARF

During the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC, make sure to stop by the DC Wharf which will celebrate the cherry blossom season from mid-March to early April.

• Some things to look forward to at the Wharf are cherry blossom-themed activities, food, cocktails, and more!

• Bloomaroo at the Wharf is another fun spring event to look forward to on March 23, 2024 from 2-9:00pm. Some events to look forward to including live music, art, games, water activities, a beer garden, and evening fireworks show at 8:30pm.
• Anime Movie Days at the Wharf: Enjoy Anime movies outdoors at District Pier on March 26 & 27 at 2pm, 4:30pm and 7pm both days.

• There will also be a pop-up roller rink, and you can roast Peeps s’mores by the fire pit at Camp Wharf.
  
• Guided Cherry Blossoms Kayak Tour: Experience the cherry blossoms on the water with a historical guided tour. Tours depart from The Wharf Boathouse on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at either 9am, 4pm, or 5pm. Single kayaks cost $70 for ages 12 and up-Reserve your spot here.

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OTHER FUN CHERRY BLOSSOM EVENTS

• Sakura Taiko Fest: March 25, 2023 at the Sylvan Theatre, Independence Avenue & 15th Street, SW, Washington, DC

• Cherry Night: March 29, 2024-Cherry Night is an exclusive, one-night-only cherry blossom-themed celebration of DC nightlife through music, fashion, and food at selected venues.

• Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly: March 24, 2024 from 12-3pm- In coordination with the blossom kite festival with entertainment kite flying and more. 1200 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC

• Frying Pan Farm Park: April 1, 2023 from 11am-1:30 pm-Family friendly activity featuring activity stations throughout the trail including building a fairy house, and a sample of Japanese teas at the frying pan meeting house.

• Japanese Culture Day: Learn about Japanese culture through reading, writing, and craft-making with Japanese cultural and linguistic professionals on April 1st at the Library of Congress Jefferson Building.

• Pixelbloom: An immersive, interactive thrill ride through a virtual world of cherry blossoms brought to life at ARTECHOUSE March 1 through June 11.

• Petal Porch Parade: From March 20-April 14, 2024, go for a walk and admire the decorated porches of participating neighborhoods. There is a virtual map with locations of registered Petal Porches.

• Sakura Sunday at National Harbor: Sakura Sunday at the National Harbor features an array of free cultural activities, including Japanese-inspired art creations, culinary classes, and more. March 23, 2024 from 10am-6pm

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Other Spring blooms to look forward to in DC

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KWANZAN CHERRY BLOSSOMS

If you miss out on the Cherry Blossoms in DC, don’t fret. You can always look forward to the Kwanzan cherry blossoms that usually bloom about a week or two later.

The fluffy pink blooms of the Kwanzan Cherry blossoms are just absolutely beautiful, and are just as impressive as the Yoshino Cherry blossoms!

Clusters can usually be found at East Potomac Park, along the Tidal Basin, and many smaller clusters around the city.

You can also find Kwanzan cherry blossoms at the US Arboretum as well, along with many other spring blooms.

MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS

Another spring bloom to look forward to in Washington DC is the Magnolias blossoms, which usually bloom earlier than the cherry blossoms, sometime in March.

You can find Magnolia trees throughout the city, but one of my favorite places is the Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle.

The Magnolia blossoms here are so stunning and are a must-see when visiting DC in the spring.

You can also find clusters of Magnolia blossoms along the George Mason Memorial, the US Capitol, and the National Mall.

Rawlins Park in DC is another popular spot for admiring these gorgeous spring blooms, and at the US Arboretum as well.

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