Tejal Somvanshi
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that Washington, DC’s famed cherry blossoms are expected to reach peak bloom from March 28 to 31, 2025. This marks the period when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin will display their pink and white flowers.
“What is March 28 to the 31st, 2025?” quipped Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, revealing the dates in “Jeopardy!” style alongside a video appearance from host Ken Jennings.
The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 to April 13, beginning with the Pink Tie Party on March 14. Last year’s festival attracted 1.6 million visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic attendance figures and generating over $200 million for local businesses.
“Every year, the festival transforms our city,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Obviously we love the festival because it’s beautiful, but we also love it because it brings so many people to Washington, DC.”
The festival celebrates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington as a symbol of friendship. Events will include the Blossom Kite Festival, a 5K run, and the annual parade on April 12. The 2024 parade featured performers such as Crystal Waters and maryjo, along with Disney characters including Princess Ariel making her parade debut.
Forecasting when the trees will bloom is not an exact science. The Park Service bases predictions on long-term weather forecasts, historical data, and current tree conditions. Warm weather can accelerate blooming, while cool, calm conditions can extend it. In six of the past nine years, peak bloom has arrived earlier than predicted.
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The 2025 festival will introduce new activities, including “Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race,” honoring a beloved cherry tree removed during Tidal Basin flooding mitigation work last year. A portion of race entry fees will support the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment Fund for ongoing tree maintenance.
“We’ll keep Stumpy’s spirit alive,” said Diana Mayhew, president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The ANA Stage at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area will open on March 22, hosting more than 100 performances throughout the festival. The welcome area will display murals created by DC students.
Visitors should note that about 150 cherry trees were removed in 2024 as part of a project addressing persistent flooding issues at the Tidal Basin. However, cuttings from “Stumpy” have successfully taken root at the National Arboretum, with plans to eventually bring the tree’s descendants back to the Tidal Basin.
According to Griess, caring for the cherry trees is a passion for NPS staff. “They know the little bio of every tree. They know the chemical makeup of the tree,” he said, adding that their dedication “blew me away” in his first year overseeing the festival.
Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper offered a slightly different bloom prediction, suggesting peak bloom might fall between March 28 and April 3, potentially extending the viewing period by a few days.
While the Tidal Basin cherry trees remain the main attraction, Bowser noted that all eight wards of DC have cherry trees that bloom in spring, providing viewing opportunities throughout the city.
When is the peak bloom for DC cherry blossoms in 2025?
The National Park Service predicts peak bloom will occur from March 28 to 31, 2025. This is when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin will have their blossoms open. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper suggests the bloom might extend until April 3.
What events are scheduled for the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival?
The festival runs from March 20 to April 13, 2025, starting with the Pink Tie Party on March 14. Key events include the Blossom Kite Festival, a 5K run, and the annual parade (April 12). New for 2025 is “Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race.” More than 100 performances will take place at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area, which opens March 22.
How are peak bloom dates predicted?
The National Park Service determines peak bloom dates based on long-term weather forecasts, historical records, and current tree conditions. It’s not an exact science – warm temperatures can accelerate blooming, while cool weather can extend it. In six of the past nine years, peak bloom has arrived earlier than predicted.
What happened to the tree nicknamed “Stumpy”?
Stumpy was removed in 2024 as part of a project to address flooding issues at the Tidal Basin. Cuttings from Stumpy have successfully taken root at the National Arboretum, with plans to eventually bring descendants of the beloved tree back to the Tidal Basin. The 2025 festival will honor Stumpy with a new race event called “Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race.”
How many cherry trees are in Washington, DC?
There are cherry trees around the Tidal Basin and National Mall area, with additional trees found throughout all eight wards of Washington, DC. The Tidal Basin collection remains the most famous and visited.
What is the economic impact of the Cherry Blossom Festival?
The 2024 festival attracted 1.6 million visitors, exceeding pre-pandemic attendance levels. According to Mayor Muriel Bowser, the festival generated more than $200 million in revenue for local businesses and the hospitality industry last year, making it a significant economic driver for the city.
