The National Park Service (NPS) is gearing up for an early arrival of spring in Washington, D.C., announcing that the city’s renowned cherry blossoms are set to reach their peak sooner than anticipated in 2024.
During a live announcement, an NPS spokesperson acknowledged the challenges of predicting this year’s bloom due to an unusually warm January that prevented the trees from entering dormancy. Nevertheless, the NPS has projected the peak bloom for 2024 to occur between March 23 and March 26.
Peak bloom, defined by the NPS as the point when 70 percent or more of the cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin display their iconic light pink blossoms, typically draws thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital each year.
The Tidal Basin is home to over 3,000 cherry trees, a gift from Tokyo’s Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912, featuring varieties of Yoshino and Kwanzan trees. The complementary blooming schedules of these trees extend the cherry blossom season, ensuring ample time for visitors to admire the floral spectacle.
Despite fluctuations in weather patterns, the peak bloom time in Washington, D.C., has remained relatively consistent over the past two decades, typically occurring in late March to early April. In recent years, the blooms peaked on March 21 and March 23 in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
To enhance visitors’ experiences, hotels across the region are offering special packages and amenities during the cherry blossom season. Conrad Washington, DC, provides guests access to its Cherry Blossom Chief Concierge, Jeffrey Morgan, who offers insider advice and curated experiences, including a photo session among the blooms, dinner, and a bespoke picnic basket.
The Hilton Washington, DC National Mall The Wharf is featuring cherry blossom-themed deluxe rooms, while the Capitol Hill Hotel is extending special amenities such as a cherry blossom welcome amenity, VIP turndown service, access to the hotel’s bike fleet, daily continental breakfast, and late check-out throughout March and April.
Coinciding with the bloom, the Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from March 20 to April 14, offering various events and activities for guests to enjoy. The festivities include the Pink Tie Party on March 15 and the Bloom Kite Festival on March 30, 2024, inviting attendees to soar with their own kites amidst the blossoms.