National Cherry Blossom Festival

About

Washington's signature spring festival, timed to the bloom of the Tidal Basin's cherry trees — a kite festival on the Mall, the parade down Constitution Avenue, and petals everywhere. Mostly free.

Highlights

• The bloom of thousands of Yoshino cherry trees ringing the Tidal Basin.
• The Blossom Kite Festival on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
• The parade down Constitution Avenue and weeks of mostly-free events.

Practical tips

• Go at dawn for the Tidal Basin loop — by mid-morning it is shoulder to shoulder.
• Check the NPS peak-bloom forecast before you travel; the window of full colour is short.
• Use Metro, not a car — parking near the Basin is effectively impossible during the festival.

Where it is