WASHINGTON — D.C.'s cherry blossom season is here! The iconic sign of spring has reached its peak on March 17!
Here's everything you need to know about the blossoms, and the celebrations surrounding them.
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Cherry blossom fast facts
- There are 3,700 cherry trees on the National Mall; 90 are replaced annually
- The original Cherry Trees were planted in 1912.
- Find where the trees are blooming using this map
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What to know about the 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival
Officials say the festival celebrating Japanese culture and international friendship will be held from March 20 through April 14, 2024 in the District. The opening ceremony will kick off festivities on March 20, followed by the kite festival on March 30 and petalpalooza on April 6. The parade itself will happen on April 14 featuring elaborate floats and marching bands from all over the country.
You can see a list of all events here.
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When is peak bloom?
The cherry blossom trees hit peak bloom on March 17, 2024. That's earlier than the National Park Service's forecasted prediction of between March 23 and 26 this year. Once again, peak bloom was earlier than the average historic peak of April 4. Last season's peak did fall right in the center of NPS' predicted peak bloom window announced by D.C. leaders, which was between March 22 and March 25.
According to Mike Litterst from the National Park Service (NPS), the cherry trees reached stage one of the six-stage process on the way to peak bloom on March 2, which is quite a bit later than last season's start on Feb 23. They reached stage two on March 5. Stage 3 was announced on March 8, Stage 4 March 12, and Stage 5 on March 15.
Here are the six stages NPS tracks:
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Are they blooming earlier?
This year's peak bloom was the second-earliest peak bloom since 1990.
Litterst said 2023 saw the fourth earliest stage one on record, however, the records only go back to 1992. The earliest the trees have ever entered stage one was on Feb. 13, 1998. The cherry blossoms did not hit peak bloom until March 27 that year.
“We are certainly seeing a correlation between rise of average temperatures and earlier blossoming of the cherry blossoms,” Litterst said.
EPA data shows peak bloom dates are about a week earlier than a century ago, and the peak bloom has actually happened before April 4 for 16 of the past 20 years.
The agency explains that other environmental factors, like sunlight and temperature throughout the prior year, impact peak bloom timing, too. Scientists are confident a warming climate is a main contributing factor to earlier spring sights, such as cherry blossoms.
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How is peak bloom predicted?
Litterst explained the countdown begins once the trees around the Tidal Basin reach dormancy over the winter. From there, NPS counts “degree days,” when the high temp each day contributes to a grand total of 217.
“When you reach 217-degree days, that's when peak bloom is going to occur. A day in the 70s is going to give you more points towards that than a day in the 50s or the 40s,” Litterst said.
They also watch the “indicator tree,” which pretty reliably blooms about two weeks ahead of the others – plus historic patterns, even what other trees are starting to flower.
“All of that goes into the mix so that hopefully on March 1 we come up with a four-day window for when peak bloom is going to occur.”
There’s nothing magic about that March 1 date, Litterst says it’s just the soonest making a prediction makes sense.
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How many types of cherry blossoms are there around the DMV?
The two most common types that dominate the District now are the Yoshino and Kwanzan. In total, there are 11 different varieties of cherry blossom in D.C. Here's a closer look.
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Remember, you're not supposed to touch the blooms
It's important to remember during your visit that it's illegal to harm any natural resources under the National Park Service's jurisdiction. And yes, that includes D.C.'s cherry blossoms.
Be sure not to shake, break, touch or sit on any of the trees with the big pink or white blooms. This includes putting kiddos in tree branches for that cute pic – just don't do it.
You can also protect the cherry trees for future generations by adopting a tree. Information on how to do that can be found here.
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How do I get there? Where do I stay?
The cherry blossom trees currently grow in three National Park Service locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park (Hains Point), and on the Washington Monument grounds. For information on varieties of cherry blossom trees and park maps, see the National Park Service cherry blossom page.
Those coming from out of town can find hotel information here.
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Can't be there in person?
People from anywhere in the world can view the National Mall Tidal Basin from the roof of the Salamander, Washington, D.C., courtesy of EarthCam.
Check out the Bloomcam to keep an eye on things at the Tidal Basin throughout the season.
The Trust for the National Mall also has two additional live streaming cameras -- #BudCam and #MonumentCam – to offer enhanced views throughout the blooming season.
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How did this whole thing get started?
The festival celebrates the famed 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C. The classic springtime celebration highlights the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan and has gone on to welcome more than 1.5 million people to enjoy the festivities, according to the website.
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