National Cherry Blossom Festival

Today marks the first day of the week-long National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. This is the largest springtime event in the United States. There are over 150 scheduled festival programs, and most of them are free to attend. The blooms are scheduled to peak right around April 2nd of this year.

The people of Japan gifted the United States cherry blossom trees as a gesture of friendship in 1912. Now, there are over 3,500 trees and 16 varieties on National Park Service land.

While I couldn't make the festivities this year, I had a great time attending the events in 2009. If you haven't seen the cherry blossoms in bloom – or been to Washington, D.C. – this is the perfect time to schedule a trip.

Learn about the Cherry Blossom Festival.

See the calendar of events.

Get visitor information.

Print out easy transportation maps.

* © passport in my pocket *

Comments

[Erin]

I was out in DC for the festival last year and it was simply gorgeous!

[abigail]

gorgeous!
One day I want to make it to DC to see the cherry blossoms. Such a celebration of spring!

[Jessi]

Yay! I'll be there next week to see it. Sooo excited!!!

[Punctuation Mark]

Beautiful photos... I can't believe i missed it for only a week!

[Carol {Everyday Delights}]

I love cherry blossoms! So lovely!