Nothing signifies the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital quite like the blooming of the cherry blossom trees and the National Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the occasion. Visitors descend upon Washington, DC each year to admire the 3,000-plus trees. The Festival, which runs from March 20 – April 16, 2023, is full of events that honor American and Japanese cultures and represents a close bond forged between the two countries that began with Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s gift of the trees back in 1912.
Speaking of trees: you can assist in the effort to preserve and protect DC’s iconic cherry trees through the Trust for the National Mall’s Adopt a Cherry Tree campaign.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is March 20 – April 17 and offers an array of celebratory events that feature local businesses and provide a riveting showcase for Japanese culture.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival isn’t just a celebration of the blossoms—it’s a four-week-long cultural festival held across the city. This year’s Opening Ceremony takes place on March 25 and the 2023 calendar also includes Art in Bloom, the Blossom Kite Festival (March 25), the annual Parade (April 15), Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival (April 15-16) and Petalpalooza (April 8). The annual Pink Tie Party fundraiser will take place on March 16.
Best View of the Cherry Blossom Trees
There are many great ways to get to the stunning cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin. The DC Circulator’s National Mall route makes stops directly on the Tidal Basin at the Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials, as well as other popular sites near the cherry blossoms. If you’re taking the Metro, use the Blue, Orange or Silver lines and exit at the Smithsonian Metro stop. From there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the Tidal Basin Welcome Area, located at 1501 Maine Avenue SW. Via Metrobus, the 32 and 36 routes will drop you at the National Mall, near the Washington Monument. A 10-minute walk south will bring you to the welcome area.
For those who wish to celebrate from afar, enthusiasts can see the cherry blossoms via the live BloomCam.
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
