BLOOM WATCH
2020 FESTIVAL
YOUR DIGITAL FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Enjoy the festival from home this spring! Click the link to see live updates and performances!
ENDOW A CHERRY TREE CAMPAIGN
You can help keep the beloved cherry trees blooming each year!
The Trust for the National Mall and the National Cherry Blossom Festival are working together to raise funds to care and maintain the iconic cherry trees. Join this one-time opportunity to endow all 3,800 trees on the National Mall by making a pledge to give, or raise, $1,000 per tree to grow the Cherry Tree Endowment. You can make an individual gift, start or join a crowd-funding team and receive recognition for your support. For more information, please visit www.nationalmall.org/cherrytrees.
Your support is vital to protecting the cherished cultural symbol on the National Mall. Join the campaign today!
Stay in the loop! Visit this page leading up to and during the Festival for updates provided by National Park Service horticulturists who closely monitor bud development and progress towards peak bloom.
PEAK BLOOM
PEAK BLOOM DATE & BLOOMING PERIOD
The National Park Service defines the peak bloom date as the day on which 70% of the blossoms of Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. The date varies from year to year depending on weather conditions. The blooming period is defined as the time when 20% of the blossoms are open until the petals fall and leaves appear. The blooming period starts several days before the peak bloom date and can last as long as 14 days. However, frost or high temperatures combined with wind or rain can shorten this period. Below you will find a comparative record of past bud development. The date listed is when 70% of the buds have reached each stage.
Live Bloom Update
3/16 update: the blossoms have reached stage 5-PUFFY WHTIE! The petals are pushing through, with Peak Bloom in sight by week’s end. A whole 13 days ahead of stage 5 in 2019!
Bloom Stages
STAGE 01
Green Color in Buds
Mid- to late-February to early March
STAGE 02
Florets Visible
Early to mid-March, average 16-21 days to Peak Bloom
STAGE 03
Extension of Florets
Average 12-17 days to Peak Bloom
STAGE 04
Peduncle Elongation
Average 5-10 days to Peak Bloom (frost critical)
STAGE 05
Puffy White
Average 4-6 days to Peak Bloom
Bloom History
| YEAR | STAGE 1 | STAGE 2 | STAGE 3 | STAGE 4 | STAGE 5 |
START OF PEAK BLOOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2/28 | 3/3 | 3/9 | 3/12 | 3/16 | |
| 2019 | 3/5 | 3/17 | 3/23 | 3/25 | 3/29 | 4/1 |
| 2018 | 2/25 | 3/15 | 3/26 | 3/29 | 4/1 | 4/5 |
| 2017 | 2/24 | 3/1 | 3/6 | 3/8 | 3/22 | 3/25 |
| 2016 | 3/8 | 3/13 | 3/15 | 3/17 | 3/22 | 3/25 |
| 2015 | 3/18 | 4/1 | 4/4 | 4/6 | 4/8 | 4/10 |
| 2014 | 3/16 | 3/23 | 3/31 | 4/4 | 4/7 | 4/10 |
| 2013 | 3/11 | 3/17 | 3/26 | 3/31 | 4/4 | 4/9 |
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Where to Stay
Get more in Washington, DC when you stay with our hotel partners. With over 90 hotels to choose from across DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland we’ve got you covered from extended-stay room to luxury suites. When you book direct with Hilton you’ll receive free WiFi, digital check-in, points towards free nights, and Hilton Honors members get even more. Expect Better. Expect Hilton.
Plan a Tour
Festival Participant
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