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National Cherry Blossom Festival Returns

March 18 - April 16

By Julie Gennaro, Macaroni Kid Assistant Publisher March 21, 2023

It’s official – spring is just around the corner and that means Washington, D.C.’s famous cherry blossoms are ready to bloom. In fact, peak bloom (when 70% of the blossom will be open) is predicted by the National Park Service to be between March 22-25 this year. To celebrate, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place between March 18 through April 16th this year.

Beginning with an opening ceremony and annual lantern lighting on March 25, there is also a lively Blossom Kite Festival on the mall as well as the ever-popular parade. In addition to the picture-perfect photo opportunities along the Tidal Basin, there will be plenty of art installations, food vendors, cultural shows, live music and much more.

If you're planning a visit downtown, it's important to keep in mind that during this time crowds can be quite large and parking is limited, so take public transportation if you can. Additionally, weather conditions can be unpredictable, so be prepared for changes in temperature and possible precipitation. So put on your walking shoes, pack some snacks and venture downtown with the family for this memorable annual event.

For more updates and a full list of events, visit: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/