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Predicted Peak Cherry Blossom Bloom is Over… Now What?!

The lobby of the Waldorf Astoria DC, showing off its Cherry Blossom décor. Image: Kate Michael

The National Park Service announced the predicted peak Cherry Blossom bloom for March 23-26, 2024. But there are still weeks of blossom-fest festivities all over town… and still some blooming, believe it or not!

A bit of a roller-coaster weather pattern has kept the blossoms blooming into a third weekend, which is rare, and exciting. So if you haven’t made it out to the Tidal Basin, the Arboretum, the Congressional Cemetery, that semi-secret garden at the Salamander, or any of the other local spots to catch the blossom this year, you don’t have to miss out on basking in the blooms this year.

Also in the final weeks of the Cherry Blossom Festival, don’t miss these KSM favorites:

ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds, at Artechouse, which builds off the Pixelbloom perennial favorite with some fresh fantasy elements. ($17-31, special pricing for families Monday–Friday)

Art of Pink, a vivid celebration of local talent from the area, including artists, makers, and small businesses – and of course all things PINK. Saturday, April 6 from 1-5 PM at Metropolitan Park in National Landing.

Images of cherry blossoms adorn the walls of a room at the Waldorf Astoria. Image: Kate Michael

Cherry Blossom Afternoon Teas are all around town; The Fairmont – West End ($95), Hay-Adams ($75), Waldorf Astoria ($90), the Willard ($90), and St. Regis ($99) have some of our favorites.

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Saturday, April 13th from 10am to noon ($0-40). Balloons, floats, marching bands, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down Constitution Ave. to celebrate spring in DC. We hear Micky and Minnie Mouse will be there, too!

Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States, with two days of cultural demonstrations, music, dance, and food. April 13-14 ($0-25)

And of course there are cocktail and food menus, art exhibits, pink fashion, and fun events and happenings all over town.

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a multi-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities. You can only see it once a year, so take advantage and Spring It On!