Everybody stay calm—peak bloom is officially here!
The National Park Service (NPS) announced on Thursday, March 23 that Washington, D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms have hit peak bloom.
“PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM!” the NPS wrote on Twitter. “The blossoms are open & putting on a gorgeous show. We hope to see you soon.”
Peak bloom refers to the day 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. Over the last 10 years, the earliest peak bloom was March 20 in 2020 and 2012.
The NPS was right in the ballpark with the initial cherry blossom peak bloom prediction it made on Wednesday, March 1, predicting D.C.’s Yoshino cherry blossom trees would reach peak bloom from Wednesday, March 22 through Saturday, March 25. On March 14, the NPS issued another announcement, stating indications from the cherry blossoms and upcoming warmer weather may very well cause them to reach their peak even a few days earlier than predicted.
Once the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom, arguably the best time to view them, the peak bloom lasts approximately four to seven days. However, they can be viewed for up to two weeks at some amazing spots across D.C.
The 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival is currently underway, running from March 20 through April 16. The festival includes a number of themed activities, including a 5K and 10-mile run, a number of walking tours (including Pups and Petals Walking Tour!), the National Cherry Blossom Parade, and much more!
For more information, please visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.