US sakura season now
The Tidal Basin cherry trees in Washington, D.C. are rapidly approaching peak bloom, with the final stage expected to last about a week if weather holds. (northernvirginiamag.com) Regional spring festivals are firing up too: Macon’s opening weekend packed bed races, dachshund dashes and dock‑diving dogs and remains a vital downtown revenue driver, while Greater Columbus runs a monthlong festival March 25–April 25 under the theme “Peace Begins With Me.” ( )
The National Park Service forecasts Tidal Basin peak bloom for March 29–April 1, 2026. (nps.gov) "Peak bloom" is defined by authorities as the day when roughly 70% of Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are open. (washingtonian.com) More than 3,700 cherry trees ring the Tidal Basin and National Mall area that the forecast covers, according to National Park Service briefings. (wjla.com 1) (wjla.com 2) Once peak bloom begins, the open blossoms typically remain for about seven to ten days unless wind or rain shortens the run. (nationalparkstraveler.org) The trees at Tidal Basin have already reached Stage Five, described by the Park Service as "Puffy White," signaling petals are emerging and full bloom is imminent. (northernvirginiamag.com) Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20–29, 2026, and this year’s opening weekend featured bed races, dachshund dashes and dock‑diving dog events downtown. (cherryblossom.com) (13wmaz.com) Admission to the festival grounds at Carolyn Crayton Park is $10 per person, with children 10 and under admitted free, a pricing step organizers say supports downtown vendors and attractions. (13wmaz.com) Greater Columbus’s monthlong festival runs March 25–April 25, 2026 under the theme "Peace Begins With Me" and centers events around more than 100 cherry trees at Franklin Park. (ivocolumbusoh.org) Columbus organizers note 20 trees were gifted from Japan in 2012 and 82 were later planted by local groups, and this year the festival is using a LOYALBREW digital passport for attendees to collect event stamps. (experiencecolumbus.com)
