Peak bloom is here and a big weekend of cherry blossom events is next

Peak bloom is the best time to visit D.C.’s world-renowned cherry blossoms. It means that 70% of the flowers on the Yoshino cherry trees are out. Visitors are treated to a sweeping panorama of florals near the Jefferson Memorial. Here’s our full guide to visiting the cherry trees.

Cold weather led peak bloom to arrive a little on the later side this year, like Storm Team4 meteorologists and the National Park Service predicted. However, a few warm days led experts to move their predictions up by a few days.

Huge crowds of visitors are expected to visit the iconic Yoshino cherry trees during peak bloom.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s center of activities along the Tidal Basin, now known as Bloom Fest, will be located at the south lawn of the Jefferson Memorial. Visitors will find live music, a beer garden, merchandise sales and National Park Service ranger activities. It will open Friday and run until April 11.

But it’s here just in time for a major weekend of cherry blossom events. The Blossom Kite Festival and Bloomaroo are scheduled for Saturday.

The peak bloom period can last for a few days. If the weather is cool and calm, flowers will stay on the branches for longer. If the weather is hot, windy or rainy, the flowers will fall off the trees.

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.