Cherry‑blossom festival dates
Washington, D.C.'s National Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20–April 12 and historically draws more than 700,000 visitors during peak bloom (southernliving.com). On the West Coast, Salem, Oregon is holding a free Cherry Blossom Day with illuminated Akebono trees and a 15‑night celebration of lanterns and night displays (oregonlive.com).
The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature parade will run along Constitution Avenue on April 11, 2026, with standing room free and a limited number of ticketed grandstand seats. (wusa9.com) The National Park Service defines “peak bloom” as when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open, and local groups and meteorologists were forecasting peak bloom for the Tidal Basin around the end of March into early April in 2026. (nps.gov) The federal park landscape contains roughly 3,800 cherry trees monitored by NPS crews, and sections of the Tidal Basin loop remain closed this spring to protect newly planted trees and restoration work. (nps.gov) Major festival programming beyond the blooms includes a ticketed Pink Tie Party and an Opening Ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall featuring traditional Japanese performers, plus Petalpalooza on April 4 that ends with a fireworks show over the river. (wusa9.com) In Salem, Oregon Parks and Recreation’s “Yozakura” night‑viewing will illuminate the Akebono cherries on the North Mall from March 21 through April 4 with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly from 6–10 p.m., and the park will livestream the display on the OregonParks YouTube channel. (ktvz.com) Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon State Capitol is scheduled for the third Saturday in March with free programming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including Monmouth Taiko drummers, koto and ikebana demonstrations, a kimono fashion show, and free Saturday parking. (oregoncapitol.com)
