Peak bloom is when 70% of the blossoms open on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. This highly anticipated date is predicted by the National Park Service at our press conference. Peak Bloom is officially predicted to be between March 22 – 25, 2023! Sign up for email updates to be the first to know about all things blossoms throughout the year!
The 2023 Festival is March 18 – April 16. Save the date and add it to your calendar!
The Trust for the National Mall invites you to Adopt a Cherry Tree to help care for each of the 3,700 cherry trees on the National Mall. The Trust’s Adopt a Cherry Tree program supports the National Park Service’s year-round efforts to preserve and protect the beloved cherry trees. You can make an individual gift, start or join a crowdfunding team, and help spread the word! Donations at any level are welcome.
Our friends at the National Park Service offer a wide array of cherry blossom resources and educational resources — from understanding the five stages of bloom to the history of the trees as they’ve reached each stage – past and present. For those who celebrate the blossoms from afar, these resources are an incredible way to experience the blooms if you can’t be there in person.
#BloomCam, brought to you by the Trust for the National Mall, in partnership with the National Park Service and Earthcam, is a 24/7, live, real-time view of the cherry trees lining the Tidal Basin, one of the most popular and iconic sites in Washington, DC. Positioned on the Salamander Washington DC rooftop, #BloomCam offers year-round views of the cherry trees and their seasonal changes to viewers worldwide and is highlighted here during Bloom Watch as we await the peak blooms.
Parking is limited in the District especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s highly recommended that visitors use DC’s alternative transportation modes like Capital Bikeshare, DC Streetcar, Scooters, DC Circulator, Metrobus, and Metrorail to make the most of their experience.
Read on for more information about all the local transportation options available to get you to the blooms!
Are you planning to travel to Washington, DC, for a Festival event? If so, the Festival strongly recommends Metro rail transit as the best way to experience the Festival.
STREET CLOSURE NOTICES:
3/18 – 4/2/23: In order to best accommodate the increased traffic around the Tidal Basin during Peak Bloom, the National Park Service will be changing traffic patterns in the area. Please be ready for one-way signage and road closures, including West Basin Drive for the Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage.
4/2/23: The Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run produced by Cherry Blossom, Inc. will close several streets surrounding the National Mall and Tidal Basin through the early afternoon on Sunday, April 2. Learn more here.
4/8/23: Please note that roads south of M street SE between First and 5th Streets will be restricted or closed for Petalpalooza in the Capitol Riverfront area. Please note that other large events are taking place in this area on the same date and public transit is strongly recommended.
4/15 – 4/16/23: Streets surrounding the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade route (7th – 17th Streets Northwest off Constitution Avenue) will be closed the morning of Saturday, April 15. Please note that the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival will be taking place nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th streets NW and roads will be closed both Saturday and Sunday, 4/15 – 16.
If you choose to drive to the DC area, you may choose to use the Festival’s preferred parking provider SpotHero to find parking near a Metro station. You may also choose to use a Metro lot and take the train the rest of the way in – Metro parking lots are linked below for reference:
METRO-ACCESSIBLE PARKING RECOMMENDATIONS:
From Virginia:
From Maryland:
METRO DESTINATIONS: The closest Metro station is listed for each Festival event, including our confirmed signature events:
Check out our complete list of events and add them to your calendar. Be sure to sign up for our emails for the latest updates, as we will continue to add events leading up to the Festival!
Metro is the best way to experience the Festival, with multiple ways to get to the Tidal Basin and most Festival events. For maps, schedules, and fees, please visit wmata.com.
Hop on a bike at one of over 600 Capital Bikeshare stations in DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, VA, and Montgomery County, MD. Single trips start at just $2.00! Visit CapitalBikeshare.com for a map of station locations and details about rentals.
The DC Circulator provides public transportation to the District’s main attractions and most lively neighborhoods for business, culture, and entertainment at only $1. The system consists of six distinct routes across Washington, DC, and even into Rosslyn, VA, and provides close to five million trips a year. The Circulator services each stop every 10 minutes, providing simple, fast, and affordable transit to residents, commuters, and visitors around the nation’s capital.
For more information, including routes and info, visit dccirculator.com.
Celebrate the history and beauty of DC’s cherry blossoms with City Cruises along the Potomac. Whether for dining and sightseeing cruises or aboard the Cherry Blossom Water Taxi, avoid the crowds and get the most spectacular views from the water! Visit the Things to Do Page for more information.
If you choose to drive, we recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the Preferred Parking Partner of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the nation’s leading parking reservation app. To reserve your parking spot, visit bit.ly/ncbfspothero and book a spot.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.