National Park Service Reveals Peak Bloom Dates for Cherry Blossoms

Patrick Herron February 29, 2024 at 3:55pm

The National Park Service (NPS) has predicted peak bloom for the DC area Cherry Blossoms to fall this year between March 23-26, the organization announced on Thursday.

Per the news release: The National Cherry Blossom Festival‘s kick-off press conference unveiled exciting events and community programming for the 2024 celebrations, which will coincide with the National Park Service’s prediction of peak bloom dates of March 23 – 26.

The iconic four-week festival to welcome spring to the Nation’s Capital will be held March 20 – April 14, 2023. During the press conference held at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Festival organizers previewed what’s in store for Festival revelers during signature events such as the Pink Tie Party, Blossom Kite Festival, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

The press conference started with performers singing the official Festival song, followed by remarks from David Martins, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria; Diana Mayhew, Festival president and CEO; Nina Albert, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; David Moran, Chairman of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Area Director of Operations of Clyde’s Restaurant Group; Fumito Miyake, Minister of Public Affairs, Embassy of Japan; and Jeff Reinbold, Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, who revealed the peak bloom prediction dates.

“This year’s Festival provides so many beloved traditions and new opportunities to go all out and make those memorable moments with friends and family,” Mayhew said. “The enthusiasm around the Festival is at an all-time high – we’ve received record-breaking numbers of volunteers, and our hospitality sector is reporting higher than average numbers.”

Jeff Reinbold, Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, who unveiled the peak bloom dates of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, spoke about what it takes to accurately predict the blooming of the historic trees.

“There are so many variables that go into predicting the peak bloom season of these historic and beloved cherry trees,” Reinbold said. “We see these blooms as the official harbinger of spring and we can’t wait to see the Tidal Basin and our region covered in pink and white once again.”

“The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings millions of people into the District every year, and we want to ensure that they also explore our Downtown, our local neighborhoods, and all DC has to offer,” said Nina Albert, DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “We are excited to be partnering with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to support another successful and joyful celebration that is a uniquely DC tradition.”

A very special thanks to Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC for hosting the event. More information about the National Cherry Blossom Festival is available at https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.