It’s official! The cherry blossoms have reached their peak bloom

The famed cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin in D.C. have reached peak bloom.

The National Park Service had previously projected the cherry trees would likely be looking their best from March 28 to 31.

The peak bloom period happens when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open and it normally lasts about a week, depending on the weather.


More Cherry Blossom News


Check out the latest updates and keep up with their progress below.

DC's cherry blossom trees reach peak bloom status

The District’s cherry blossom trees reached peak bloom status on Friday and are officially ready for their close-up, according to the National Park Service.

That puts the trees blooming right on time with the National Park Service’s projection made a month ago.

The trees’ bloom has been highly anticipated with more than a million visitors expected to gather in D.C. for a chance to enjoy the iconic blossoms.

Cherry blossoms have officially hit their peak bloom
The National Mall NPS confirmed March 28 that the cherry blossoms have hit their peak bloom. (Courtesy National Park Service)

Anticipation builds for peak bloom as DC's blossoms start to show

The cherry trees along the Tidal Basin are just one stage away from peak bloom.

Puffy white blossoms on the trees are peaking through Sunday, according to the National Park Service. That milestone means the trees are at stage 5 of 6.

The park service projected the trees could reach peak bloom dates as early as Friday.

stage 5 of cherry blossoms
The cherry blossoms have reached stage 5 of their bloom cycle as they near peak bloom. (Courtesy National Park Service)

National Cherry Blossom Festival underway as visitors flock to Tidal Basin

With the National Cherry Blossom Festival underway, the Tidal Basin area is packed full with visitors looking to get a close-up view of the D.C. region’s cherry blossom trees.

Reporting from the scene, WTOP’s Grace Newton spoke with some visitors who sought to get a glimpse of the trees.

“They’re they’re not at full peak yet. But we know it’s a gamble coming out here, because they don’t last very long,” said Mary, a visitor from Chicago who had seeing the trees on her bucket list.

For area resident Donna Phelps, “the cherry blossom time of year is really special time in D.C.”

Full peak at the Tidal Basin isn’t forecasted to take place until the last few days of March.

Visitors flock to the Tidal Basin ahead of the cherry blossom's peak bloom.
Visitors flock to the Tidal Basin ahead of the cherry blossom’s peak bloom. (WTOP/Grace Newton)

Some cherry trees in Va. in bloom

The cherry trees are making progress around the D.C. region!

At Long Bridge Park in Arlington, these blossoms are pretty in pink.

The expected peak bloom dates are between March 28-31.

cherry trees in bloom
Some cherry trees at Long Bridge Park in Arlington. (WTOP/Sandy Kozel)

Peduncle elongation achieved — Cherry trees race toward peak bloom

The National Park Service said the District’s cherry trees have reached peduncle elongation Thursday, calling it the “community’s favorite stage” on their way to peak bloom.

The trees are now at stage four of six, according to a social media post from the park service.

The trees marked their latest milestone on Thursday afternoon, just one day after reaching the halfway point of their journey to peak bloom.

The cherry blossoms have reached stage four on their way to peak bloom
The cherry blossoms have reached stage four on their way to peak bloom. (Courtesy National Park Service)

Cherry blossom-themed high tea, cocktails and other treats in the DC area

Looking for delicious treats to celebrate cherry blossom season? From high tea to desserts and beyond, here are some of the delightful and crave-worthy cherry blossom foods you can find in the D.C. area.

Read the full story.

Halfway to peak bloom

The cherry trees at D.C.’s Tidal Basin are halfway to peak bloom as the National Park Service says their florets extended Wednesday.

The Yoshino cherry trees are at the third of six stages in their bloom cycle.

Experts say weather can impact how quickly the trees bloom. Wednesday’s update from the park service comes as the region is experiencing warm temperatures with highs in the 70s and sunny skies.

cherry trees stage 3
The cherry trees are halfway to peak bloom as the National Park Service said their florets extended on March 19, 2025. (Courtesy National Park Service)

Where to celebrate cherry blossom season in the DC area

The time has come once again for the springtime spectacle: D.C.’s cherry blossoms. As part of this pink and pretty season, the National Cherry Blossom Festival hits the ground running with events happening all across the area — and others are joining in on the fun as well.

“We’re able to present some tremendous programming that is free and accessible to the public,” said Lillian Iversen, vice president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “And the magic of the season can present by coming to these events that there’s no barrier to participation.”

Read the full event guide from WTOP.

Cherry trees reach 2nd stage on way to peak bloom

You can see florets on the Yoshino cherry trees in the District, signaling the trees have reached the second stage of six on their way toward peak bloom.

The National Park Service posted on Sunday afternoon about the milestone and noted that weather continues to play into how quickly the trees develop.

The park service has projected that the trees will reach peak bloom in about two weeks.

Cherry trees reach 2nd stage on way to peak bloom
The District’s cherry trees reached stage 2 of their development on March 16, 2025.

1st step of cherry blossoms' journey to peak bloom

Green buds popped up on the Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in D.C., marking the first of six stages on the journey to peak bloom.

The National Park Service posted about the “small green buds” on social media Tuesday morning.

small green buds appear on cherry trees
A photo shared on March 11 shows the cherry trees at stage 1 of their journey to peak bloom. (Courtesy National Park Service)

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