The National Park Service (NPS) has forecast that Washington, D.C.’s famous cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom—when 70 percent of the flowers are open—between March 29–April 1, 2026. Although blossoms will start to open before then, those days are predicted to be the best time to see the flowers at their fullest this year.
Peak bloom typically happens in Washington, D.C., around the last week of March and the first week of April. In 2025, it occurred on March 28; in 2024, peak bloom was March 27. In both years, florets became visible around two to three weeks prior to peak bloom.
When is the National Cherry Blossom Festival?
The National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place in the nation’s capital between March 20 and April 12, 2026, and will commemorate the 114th anniversary of the Mayor of Tokyo gifting 3,020 trees to Washington, D.C. This year, Tidal Basin is getting gussied up with 400 more trees, 250 of which were kindly gifted by Japan in celebration of the U.S.'s 250th birthday.
Highlights of the 2026 festival include the opening ceremony and annual lantern lighting in partnership with the Japan Foundation on Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m. at Constitution Hall (tickets $5); the Blossom Kite Festival on March 28 on the Mall; and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 11 (tickets $28–$45 per person).
In addition to the iconic Cherry Blossom Festival at the National Mall, the National Wharf also hosts a free cherry blossom–themed celebration. The event, Bloomaroo, will feature live music and fireworks and take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Cherry blossom viewing tips
Walking around rows of cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C. is dazzling. Remember to keep the cherry blossoms happy and healthy by never touching or picking them while posing for photos. (It’s actually against the law.)
For those coming to Washington, D.C., specifically for the cherry blossoms, it’s best to choose a hotel within walking distance of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, the most popular viewing spots. Nearby hotels include:
Related: The 10 Best Hotels in Washington, D.C.
If you can’t make it to view the blossoms in person, the NPS, which operates the National Mall and Memorial Parks, will live stream the blooms on its 24-hour BloomCam. There are also more than dozen other places in the U.S. to see cherry blossoms, from Macon, Georgia, with its 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon.
This article was originally published in 2019 and most recently updated on March 5, 2026, with current information.
