Catch DC's Cherry Blossoms In Peak Bloom Through Friday: National Park Service

WASHINGTON, DC — If you want to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., now is the time to catch them in all their pink and white splendor.

On Tuesday, the National Park Service announced that the cherry blossoms on the National Mall and Memorial Parks were in peak bloom and would be so through Friday.

Peek bloom occurs when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms have opened, according to NPS' Blossom Watch page.

Typically, bud watchers are only able to predict 10 days in advance of when the trees will reach their peak bloom.

Weather is the main determinant of when the cherry trees will blossom. Blooms have peaked as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958.

The 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off on Sunday with an opening ceremony at the Warner Theater. The four-week festival, which runs through April 17, offers a variety of events and performances highlighting Japanese culture.

This year's festival marks the 110th anniversary of Washington, D.C. receiving the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Osaka in 1912.

Through April 3, visitors to the Tidal Basis Welcome Area will be able to enjoy performances highlighting Japanese, American and other cultures. During peak bloom, performances will be 12-6 p.m., otherwise the welcome area will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Visitors can travel by foot, car, bike or Metrorail to see the cherry blossoms on the National Mall and around the Tidal Basin. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from the Smithsonian Station to the Tidal Basin, which is ringed by cherry trees. The Smithsonian is served by the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines. Travelers on the Yellow and Green lines can exit at the L'Enfant Plaza Station, which is also close by.

On Saturday, the public is invited to participate from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Blossom Kite Festival on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

If you're coming to fly a kite or see the cherry blossoms this Saturday, many streets will be closed to traffic and parking to accommodate the running of the 2022 Rock n Roll Marathon and 5K.

Related: Hello Kitty Cafe Truck Visits National Cherry Blossom Festival

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Saturday April 9, on Constitution Avenue, Northwest, between 7th and 17th streets, in Washington, D.C. Reserved grandstand tickets are available online for $25-$30 or $40 for seats in the telecast section.

The Petalpalooza Art Walk will feature arts, music, a beer garden and family-friendly activities at the Capitol Riverfront at the Yards near Nationals Park. The free event will be from 1-9 p.m., on Saturday, April 16, with a 15-minute choreographed fireworks show set to music beginning at 8:30 p.m.

A full listing of all of the National Cherry Blossom Festival events is available online.