Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Festival Guide

The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. While the festival does not always line up with the blooms, it marks the beginning of spring in the city. This year’s festival is scheduled from March 20 to April 13 Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your festival experience.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival 

The festival began in 1935 to commemorate the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to Washington, DC. Over the decades, it has evolved into a major cultural event, drawing over a million visitors each year to celebrate the arrival of spring and the beauty of these iconic trees.

Signature Events of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival

Tidal Basin Welcome Area and Ana Stage

Tidal Basin Welcome Area and Ana Stage is held at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area and ANA Stage, this free event sets the tone for the weeks ahead. This year, over 100 performances are expected over the course of the festival dates. The Welcome Area is open 10 am to 6 pm, with performances on the ANA Stage from 12 to 6 PM during Peak Bloom, rain or shine. Visitors will also find festival merchandise, photo opportunities, and more information about the upcoming events. 

Opening Ceremony

The festival kicks off on March 22 from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Warner Theater with an elaborate opening ceremony featuring live music, cultural presentations, and speeches. Tickets are required. 

Blossom Kite Festival

On March 29, head to the National Mall near the Washington Monument for the Blossom Kite Festival. This colorful event invites visitors of all ages to fly kites against the backdrop of the Washington Monument. Bring your own kite or purchase one on-site to join in the fun.

Bloomaroo

On March 29 from 4 to 9 pm, head to The Wharf for live music, art installations, family-friendly activities, and fireworks. This event is free and very popular, so get there early and make dining reservations in advance. 

National Cherry Blossom Parade

Catch the parade along Constitution Ave on April 12 to see elaborate floats, marching bands, performers, and giant helium balloons. Tickets are required for seats.

Tidal Basin 

The Tidal Basin is the body of water located on the National Mall where most of the cherry blossom trees are located. This is the most popular spot to view the blossoms so plan for large crowds and lots of walking. Here are a  few tips to get the most out of your visit: 

Peak Bloom Timing: The cherry blossoms typically reach peak bloom in late March to early April, but the exact timing depends on the weather. Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms are open and typically lasts 3-5 days. The National Park Service will report peak bloom times as spring gets closer. Go as close to peak bloom as you can – one windy day can take them out. 

2025 Peak Bloom Prediction: Peak bloom will fall sometime between March 23 and 27

Visit Early: The Tidal Basin can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends and during the festival’s main events. To avoid the heaviest crowds, aim to visit early in the morning—before 9 am or, even better, at sunrise. The soft morning light adds a magical glow to the blossoms and creates perfect conditions for photography.

Weekdays Before 5 pm: If mornings aren’t an option, try to visit on a weekday before the post-work and evening crowds arrive. While it’s always busy, weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.

Consider a Pedal Boat: Pedal Boats are available for rent through Boating in DC to see the blossoms from the water. Boats can fit up to 4 people and cost $38 on weekdays/$40 on weekends and holidays. Make reservations online and look out for discount days as the season gets closer. 

Photography Tips

The cherry blossoms are a beautiful backdrop for photos. Take advantage of golden hours, especially in the mornings for beautiful light and smaller crowds. You can take photos with the Jefferson Memorial either from across the Tidal Basin or up close. The FDR Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial also provide great backdrops for cherry blossom photos. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative with close-up photos of the blossoms and interesting angles of the trees. You can get very close to the trees but be careful not to touch or climb them as it is illegal and they can be damaged easily.

Tripods are allowed on the National Mall but remember it will likely be very crowded. They are not allowed inside memorials like the Jefferson and the Lincoln. They are also not allowed near the Capitol Building for security reasons.  

Beyond the Tidal Basin

While there aren’t many “hidden gem” locations to see the blossoms, there are a few places tourists may not think of without guidance from a local. Many of these spots have different types of cherry and pink blooming trees than the ones near the Tidal Basin so they will bloom at different times. Check social media photos and accounts to see when the trees are blooming in each location.

East Potomac Park 

East Potomac Park is the second most crowded spot to see the blossoms after the Tidal Basin. However, this large park does not feel as crowded since there is more room to spread out. Enjoy long walking paths and views of the Potomac River as you take in the pink blossoms. Traffic can become gridlocked in this area, so plan to take the Metro to L’Enfant Plaza and cross the Francis Case Memorial Bridge to get to the park (a 15-minute walk).

This park is located directly across from The Wharf, so plan to grab a meal here after you enjoy the park. It gets busy with tourists, so make a reservation! Picnics are also allowed in the park. 

Closest Metro Stop: L’Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Silver Lines)

Congressional Cemetery

Congressional Cemetery offers a peaceful and historic setting to view cherry blossoms. It is free to visit but check the calendar for paid special events and guided tours. Explore the stories of people buried in the cemetery while enjoying the blossoms. The website offers pamphlets for self-guided walking tours with history by categories like Presidents, Men of the FBI, LGBTQ+, Civil Rights Heroes, and more. Check their Instagram before you go to see what is blooming. 

Closest Metro Stop: Potomac Avenue (Blue, Orange, Silver Lines)

Dumbarton Oaks 

Located in the Georgetown neighborhood, Dumbarton Oaks is home to beautifully landscaped gardens, including cherry trees. Purchase tickets for the gardens on Eventbrite and visit the museum featuring Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art.

Getting there: Dumbarton Oaks is about a 30-minute walk from Dupont Circle (Red Line) or take a rideshare (Uber, Lyft, taxi)

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is known for its water lilies and lotuses, the gardens also feature beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. The combination of water features and blossoms is a beautiful spring escape without leaving the city.

Closest Metro Stop: Deanwood (Orange Line), followed by a 15-minute walk 

Meridian Hill Park

Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, is a historic park located between Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, and U Street. It is known for its large cascading fountain with lots of green space at the bottom and top of the fountain. The fountain is off and scheduled for repairs, but the site is still a wonder to see. Pink cherry trees bloom throughout the park. Picnics and leashed dogs are welcome.

Closest Metro Stop: Columbia Heights or U Street (Green Line)

National Arboretum

The National Arboretum is a sprawling 446-acre space featuring gardens, walking paths, and the iconic Capitol Columns. These columns were originally part of the Capitol Building’s East Portico but were eventually removed due to design changes after the dome’s completion in 1864. They found a permanent home at the Arboretum in the 1980s. Enjoy exploring the gardens and finding the many cherry trees along the walking paths. Picnics and leashed dogs are welcome.

Getting there: There is no Metro stop for the National Arboretum, so this is the only time I’d recommend driving or taking a ride-share. If you drive your own car, there are a few parking lots around the Arboretum, but go earlier in the day to get a good spot. 

Getting Around

Use public transportation to see the cherry blossoms, especially near the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park. The roads are often so congested or closed that cars often get stuck or blocked in standstill traffic. If you must drive, consider driving to a Metro stop in Virginia or Maryland and using Metro to get downtown. You can also use apps like SpotHero to find parking in a nearby neighborhood and walk to the blossoms.

Rideshare is also a good option (taxi, Uber, and Lyft) to get closer to blossoms without parking. Consider asking the driver to let you out a few blocks away from the most congested areas so the car doesn’t get stuck in the regular traffic.

Metro Tips:

• When using the Metro, you need to pay attention to the color of the line and the direction the train is headed.
• Everyone over age 5 needs their own Metro card. You can buy cards in Metro stations or download the SmarTrip app on your phone. Anyone without a smartphone will need a physical card.
• Use the WMATA Trip Planner to see the cost and how long your Metro rides will be.
• Practice proper escalator etiquette! Stand to the right and walk on the left.
• The Metro is generally safe and clean, especially in tourist-focused areas. However, always use situational awareness.

Where to Stay

In the city

The best neighborhoods to stay near the National Mall are The Wharf, Metro Center, Gallery Place, or Dupont Circle. The Wharf is my personal favorite because of its waterfront location, restaurant variety, and proximity to the L’Enfant Metro station. This Metro stop serves every color except Red, so you’ll have easy access to most of the city. The Wharf is also within walking distance to the Tidal Basin. 

Metro Center and Gallery Place are neighborhoods north of the National Mall near the Capital One Arena, Portrait Gallery, and National Museum of American Art. This area also offers a wide variety of restaurants and access to multiple Metro lines. It is a little farther from the Tidal Basin but still a central location for the events on the National Mall. 

Dupont Circle and Farragut Square are closer to the White House with many restaurant and hotel options. This area is still very close to the National Mall but farther from the Tidal Basin. Depending on which hotel you choose, you may also only have easy access to the Red line on Metro, but it is easy to transfer colors to get to the National Mall. 

In the suburbs

Hotels outside the city are often more affordable but still give you easy access to the National Mall. For the easiest access to the National Mall, I recommend staying in Virginia instead of Maryland so you can ride the Orange, Blue, or Silver line to the Smithsonian Metro stop. 

Some of the most popular areas include Old Town Alexandria, Crystal City, and Arlington. Old Town Alexandria is a beautiful waterfront area with a small-town feel. You’ll find a variety of restaurants and small businesses. The King Street Metro stop is near the DCA airport and will take you to the National Mall. 

Crystal City (or anywhere near the DCA airport) also offers a wide variety of hotels and easy Metro access to downtown. On the other side of the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, you’ll find Arlington which offers good nightlife and easy access to The Wharf. 

Planning Your Visit

What Else To See

All of the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall will be open daily and are free to visit. You’ll also find other free museums that are not included in the Smithsonian, like the National Gallery of Art, the US Botanic Gardens, and the National Archives. Be mindful that the National Museum of African American History and the National Air and Space Museum require timed tickets. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance as they will be hard  to obtain the same day, if offered at all. 

The National Mall is also where you’ll find many of the most recognizable monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the FDR Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Take a walk around the Reflecting Pool and the Tidal Basin to catch them all. 

Other non-cherry blossom-focused spots around the city that are nice to visit in the spring include Rock Creek Park, The National Zoo, and the Metropolitan Beer Trail. Even if you are not a beer drinker, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which includes the beer trail, is a nice place to walk or bike outside. 

Packing Essentials

Generally, the weather is pretty mild, with occasional rain during cherry blossom season. Pack layers and an umbrella in case it gets colder in the evening. The Tidal Basin and the National Mall are very large areas exposed to the elements, so bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and pre-packaged snacks. Most museums allow water bottles and sealed snacks. If you have children with you, collapsible strollers are best instead of wagons. 

Don’t hesitate to pack your best pink or flower-themed outfits for photos! Many tourists and locals embrace the sea of pink for the season. You’ll likely see people in over-the-top pink outfits so don’t hesitate to join the fun! 

Festival Souvenirs

You’ll find cherry blossom-inspired souvenirs all over the city, including most museum gift shops. Many museum shops feature local creators, which will be labeled or you can ask the staff. If you are near The Wharf, check out Shop Made DC which exclusively features local creators with cherry blossom inspired gifts during the spring.