GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL

Are you planning to travel to Washington, DC, for the Tidal Basin Welcome Area (Dates TBA based on peak bloom prediction) or another Festival event? If so, the Festival strongly recommends Metro rail transit as the best way to experience the Festival.

STREET CLOSURE NOTICES:

3/18: Due to citywide events taking place, several roads in the DC area will be closed until 2 PM on March 18. Please plan accordingly and take the Metro when possible. 

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. Ohio Drive SW through West Potomac Park will be one way only (eastbound) between 23rd Street SW and Buckeye Drive SW. 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.

Cherry Blossom 5K (Saturday, April 1)

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 2 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:

• Pennsylvania Avenue from 9th Street to 14th Street, NW
• 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 12th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 11th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 10th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• 1200 block of Maine Avenue, SW
• Maine Avenue from I-395 Westbound to Independence Avenue, SW
• 9th Street Tunnel ramp to Maine Avenue, SW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.:

• Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 9th Street, NW
• 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• D Street from 8th Street to 9th Street, NW
• 7th Street from Indiana Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street, NW
• 3rd Street from C Street, NW, to Virginia Avenue, SW
• Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue to 7th Street, SW
• 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Virginia Avenue, SW
• D Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street, SW
• 6th Street from Independence Avenue to Maryland Avenue, SW

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 2 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:

• Pennsylvania Avenue from 9th Street to 14th Street, NW
• 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m.:

• Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 9th Street, NW
• 3rd Street from C Street, NW, to D Street, SW
• Independence Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street, SW
• 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to D Street, SW
• D Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street, SW

Cherry Blossom Kids Run (Saturday, April 1)

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 5:45 a.m. to noon:

• 5th Street from F Street to H Street, NW
• G Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 5 a.m. to noon:

• 5th Street from F Street to H Street, NW
• G Street from 5th Street to 4th Street, NW

Cherry Blossom 10-miler (Sunday, April 2)

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday starting around 6 a.m. to noon, D.C. police said.

• 1200 block of Maine Avenue, SW
•  Maine Avenue from I-395 Westbound to Independence Avenue, SW
• 9th Street Tunnel ramp to Maine Avenue, SW

The National Park Service also posted its street closures related to the event. They start from 6 a.m. to noon and include:

• Memorial Bridge
• Memorial Circle
• Rock Creek Parkway South of Virginia Avenue
• Ohio Drive from 23rd Street to Inlet Bridge
• West Basin Drive
• East Basin Drive
• East Potomac Park
• West Potomac Park
• Hains Point
• 15th Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue
• 17th Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue
• Independence Ave from 14th Street to 23rd Street
• Jefferson Drive from 14th to 15th Street
• Madison Drive from 14th to 15th Street
• Raoul Wallenberg Place
• Maine Avenue from 395/695 to East Basin Drive

Access to Arlington National Cemetery will remain available from Route 110.

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.

4/15: Mayor Muriel Bowser will be leading the DC Emancipation Day parade and celebration from 2 – 9 PM on Saturday, April 15. The celebration will take place at Freedom Plaza (10th St. NW to 14th St NW on Pennsylvania Ave NW).