March is here and that means cherry blossom season is right around the corner.
Washington, D.C.’s beloved cherry trees are expected to reach peak bloom from March 22 to 25, National Park Service officials announced Tuesday.
Peak bloom is defined as when at least 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are blossoming.
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Horticulturalists looked at expected March temperatures, tree observations and historical data to determine those dates, officials said.
Cherry Tree Varieties, by Bloom
Source: Getty Images, Flicker
Credit: Anisa Holmes / NBC Washington
Last year, peak bloom began on March 28, a little earlier than initially predicted.
Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, set for March 20 to April 17, is typically one of the District’s biggest tourist draws.
The festival was dramatically scaled back in 2020 and 2021 — but it’s back in full force this year. Even the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will return.
All the Neighborhood Cherry Blossom Trees in the District
Cherry trees on non-federal land in D.C., color-coded by type of tree and sized according to the tree's diameter. Click on the magnifying glass at the bottom of the map to search for your address.
Source: D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) Street Spatial Database (SSD)
Credit: Anisa Holmes / NBC Washington
"People will be flocking to it," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday. "D.C. is open."
Here are some key dates for the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival:
- Opening Ceremony: Sunday, March 20
- Blossom Kite Festival: Saturday, March 26
- National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade: Saturday, April 9
- Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival: Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10
- Anacostia River Festival: Sunday, April 10
- Petalpalooza: Saturday, April 16
Plan ahead: Here are some famous and lesser-known spots for blossom viewing.
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