Peak bloom is when 70% of the iconic cherry blossoms open on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The full blooming period lasts from several days to up to two weeks, depending on weather conditions. The blossoms have come and gone in 2023 but it’s never too early to start planning for 2024.
When will peak bloom dates be available for 2024?
This highly anticipated period is predicted by the National Park Service at the Festival kick-off press conference in early March of each year. While the blooming period is difficult to predict more than ten days in advance, but the Festival has so much to offer throughout a City in Bloom no matter when the blossoms bloom.
The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival is March 20 – April 14. Add the dates to your calendar and sign up for email updates to be the first to know about peak bloom 2024 and all things blossoming throughout the year!
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.
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.
#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.
What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin blossoms throughout Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. Plan your Festival experience today, and click the button below to get the latest updates on all things blossoms!
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.