Best time to travel to Washington, D.C.

Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. 2026

This grandiose celebration comes to the US capital with the arrival of spring

Best time: mid-March–mid-April

The Japanese tradition of celebrating cherry blossoms has found a new home in Washington. Back in 1912 Tokyo presented the US capital with 3,000 cherry trees, and they keep delighting the crowds in the District of Columbia up to this day.

The blossom period that starts from mid-March and lasts to mid-April provides great photo opportunities at Tidal Basin, Georgetown, and the National Arboretum. More cherry trees can be found at Arlington National Cemetery.

The most spectacular display can be viewed along the Tidal Basin, near the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. The majority of trees there belong to the Yoshino variety. Their peak blossom occurs in early April. Other species, such as Kwanzan, Akebono, and Weeping Cherry reach peak bloom about 10 days later. During the three-week Cherry Blossom Festival, you can also attend several hundred cultural events and parades at various locations.

Practical info

External resources

    Find hotels and airbnbs near Cherry Blossoms (Map)

    Last updated:
    Authors:

    People interested

    + 25

    The Best Places in the World to See Scenic Blooming

    Blooming Bluebells
    Scotland, April–May
    Sunflower Fields
    Provence & French Riviera, late June–July
    Lupin Blooming
    Iceland, June–July
    Tihany Lavender Field & Festival
    Hungary, mid-June–early July
    Poppy Fields
    England, mid-June–September (best in late June–July)
    Cherry Blossoms in Japan
    Japan, late March–late April
    Flower Fields
    Denmark, mid-March–August (best in late April–early July)
    Lavender Fields in Bloom
    Provence & French Riviera, June–August
    Heather
    Scotland, July–September/October (best in August)
    Lavender Bloom on Hvar Island
    Croatia, June–July
    Flowers in the Atacama Desert​
    Chile, September
    Cherry Blossom in South Korea
    South Korea, April
    Namaqualand Flowers
    South Africa, early August–mid-September
    Cherry Blossom
    Taiwan, March–April
    Fuji Shibazakura
    Japan, April 13–May 26, 2024
    Plum (Ume) Blossom
    Japan, February–March
    Wild Flowers
    Norway, May–August
    Wild Poppy Bloom
    Tuscany, late April–early May
    Sunflower Fields
    Tuscany, late June–early August
    Skåne Yellow Spring
    Sweden, May
    Sunflowers in Texas
    Texas, May–June
    Tulip Season
    The Netherlands, mid-March–late May
    Mimosa Route
    Provence & French Riviera, January–March
    Cottongrass Blooming
    Greenland, June–September
    Hydrangea Blossoms
    Japan, June–early July
    Fuchsia Bougainvillea Bloom
    Santorini, April–late October
    The Island of Roses
    Sweden, September–November
    Lupine
    New Zealand, mid-November–late December
    Lavender Fields
    England, mid-June/July–early August
    Vee Pass Rhododendrons
    Ireland, mid-May–mid-June
    Sunflowers
    Colorado, June–August
    Lotus Blooming
    Cambodia, April–October
    Wisteria Tunnels
    Japan, mid-April–mid-May
    Poppy Season in the Antelope Valley
    California, late February–early May (peak in late March–early April)
    Jacaranda Trees in Bloom
    Madeira, late April–May
    Rhododendron or Chervona Ruta
    Ukraine, June
    Buckwheat Bloom Season
    Vietnam, late October–November
    Narcissus Valley
    Ukraine, May
    Lupine Fields in Bloom
    Alaska, June
    Panjin Red Beach
    China, September–mid-November
    Bougainvillea Bloom
    Rome, June–September
    Super Bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert
    California, late February–April (best in mid-March)
    Sunflowers
    South Korea, late July–mid-August
    Wadi Rum Desert in Bloom
    Jordan, April–May
    Pohutukawa Tree
    New Zealand, November–January
    Opium Poppy Flowers
    Laos, January–February
    Bluebonnets
    Texas, late February–April (best in early-to-mid April)
    Almond Blossoms in Ibiza
    Ibiza, January–early March
    Mexican Gold Poppies
    El Paso, TX, late January–early April | best March
    Lavender Season
    Tasmania, December–early February (best in mid-December–mid-January)

    More experiences in Washington, D.C.

    Washington 4th of July Parade, Fireworks & Events
    Washington, D.C., July 4
    Fall Foliage in and around Washington, D.C.
    Washington, D.C., mid-October–early November
    Rolling Thunder Run
    Washington, D.C., (waiting for updates)
    Washington Christmas Lights
    Washington, D.C., late November–December
    Labor Day Weekend
    Washington, D.C., August 30–September 2, 2024
    Adams Morgan Day
    Washington, D.C., September 8, 2024
    Downtown Holiday Market
    Washington, D.C., November 22-December 23, 2024
    National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
    Washington, D.C., December 5, 2024
    Halloween
    Washington, D.C., October 31
    National Cherry Blossom Festival
    Washington, D.C., March 20–April 13, 2025

    Nearby destinations

    United States
    Virginia
    United States
    Pennsylvania
    United States
    Maryland
    United States
    Delaware
    United States
    New Jersey
    United States
    Philadelphia, PA
    United States
    Virginia Beach, VA
    United States
    Baltimore, MD
    United States
    Atlantic City, NJ
    United States
    Norfolk, VA