DC Cherry Blossoms To Hit Peak Bloom On These 2026 Dates

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Park Service on Thursday announced the estimated 2026 peak bloom dates for D.C.'s famed Yoshino cherry blossoms.

At a news conference, the Park Service said to expect full blooms from March 29 to April 1.

According to the NPS, the peak bloom date is when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms are open. While peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions, the most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April.

The trees typically bloom for several days, and the blooming period also depends on weather conditions.

Extraordinarily warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958. Last year, peak bloom was on March 28.

In a separate prediction released Wednesday, the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post predicted the cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom between April 3 and 7, which would be the latest since 2018 (April 5) and 2015 (April 10).

"The famed cherry blossoms in D.C. are likely to take their time this year, following the chilliest winter in more than two decades," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "As March begins — after three straight months that all ended colder than normal — the trees’ buds are only showing the slightest signs of emerging."

This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run from March 20 through April 12 and feature dozens of events around the city, including the Blossom Kite Festival on March 28 and the Petalpalooza on April 4.

See the full schedule of events.