Cherry blossom season, which lasts through mid-April, is when Washington, D.C. is at its most beautiful. Cherry blossom trees are not native to the U.S. but were gifted to the country in the early 1900s as a show of goodwill between the United States and Japan.
There are now over 3,800 trees in D.C. which all burst into stunning shades of pink during peak bloom in early spring.
It’s really no wonder that cherry blossom season is a time for celebration in D.C., marked by the National Cherry Blossom Festival and its multitude of events, along with fairs and festivals helmed by local businesses and community organizations. Make the most of this short bloom season with our guide to the best places to see the blossoms and some of the most anticipated events that celebrate the season.
Pink in the Park
Events on March 21 and 26, and April 2, 9 and 10 | Arlington, VA
National Landing BID’s event series presents several opportunities to get out and celebrate the coming of spring, with free all-ages events that span the beginning of the season. Pink in the Pool, scheduled for March 21, is a family-friendly pool party at Long Bridge Aquatics Center where swimmers can meet mermaid performers. March 26, April 2 and April 9 will see the three-part “Pink Beats” live performance series, featuring music from DMV-based musicians across a variety of genres. April 10 marks the “Art of Pink” event, a walk-around experience focused on art by local artists and live music and dance performances. Sample Asian food at the Night Market, pose at some Instagram-worthy art installations and more!
nationallanding.org/pink-in-the-park
Washington DC Water Lantern Festival
March 27-29, 4:30 p.m. | Oxon Hill, MD
Though it’s not officially part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, there’s no better time to take part in this traveling event than when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Inspired by Southeast and East Asian traditions, this event sees participants decorating biodegradable paper lanterns, lighting them up and setting them afloat upon the water. There’s also plenty of food from local food trucks and live music to enjoy!
waterlanternfestival.com/events/washington-dc-25
SAAM Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
March 28, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum will be holding an event specifically aimed at families with children, which will include a taiko drumming performance, a ballet showcase and themed crafts for children. Attendees can also check out a Japanese model train display, or take on a spring-themed scavenger hunt through the museum itself.
americanart.si.edu
Blossom Bash
March 29, noon-4 p.m. | Tysons, VA
Tysons Corner Center will be holding its annual event celebrating cherry blossom season at the outdoor PenFed Plaza with a vendor fair, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. There will also be a community garden party where participants can assist in the planting of a new flower garden in the plaza!
tysonscornercenter.com/cherryblossoms
Sakura Sunday
March 29-30, noon-5 p.m. | Oxon Hill, MD
This Japanese cultural festival is a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese art and tradition! Vendors from around the DMV selling Asian food, crafts, clothes and merch imported directly from Japan will be present at the event’s vendor fair. Stick around to see traditional music and dance performances, including taiko drumming.
nationalharbor.com/events/sakura-sunday-2
Petalpalooza
April 4, 1-9 p.m.
Capitol Riverfront Navy Yard Metro | Washington, D.C.
One of the biggest events of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Petalpalooza is an all-day, all-ages outdoor festival celebrating the bloom season. Guests can look forward to exciting live music and dance performances, interactive art installations, family- and kid-focused activities and more. Don’t miss the Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks show at 8:30 p.m.!
nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/petalpalooza
Jazz and Blossoms
April 12, noon-7 p.m. | Washington, D.C.
This chill festival encourages locals and visitors to get directly involved in the artistic process through creative workshops on subjects like podcasting, graffiti art, haiku and origami. The main draw is the live music, with performances by artists like headliners Arrested Development and other acts like Masta Ace & Sound of the City and Kokayi. There will also be several unique festival experiences like roller skating, video games and double dutch.
downtowndc.org/events/jazz-and-blossoms-2026
Dumbarton Oaks
Throughout the Month, 2-6 p.m. daily (Cherry blossoms are in peak bloom through the first week of April.) | Washington, D.C.
Floral Park, East Potomac Park and Rawlins Park are all popular destinations for cherry blossom viewing, but during peak bloom, they can all get very crowded. The season draws a lot of tourists to D.C., and some people may not get the tranquil experience they were hoping for if they stick to the more popular parks. The gardens at Dumbarton Oaks contain several different varieties of cherry blossom trees and are usually quieter than these popular tourist destinations. Beyond the cherry trees, there are also 16 acres of gardens to explore along with the free art museum.
doaks.org
