Projected Peak Bloom Dates for Cherry Blossoms Announced

On Monday, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that they are projecting peak bloom for this year’s cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington. D.C. to fall between April 2 and April 5.

“The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms are open,” according to NPS. The Yoshino trees have a bloom period of several days, lengthening depending on ideal weather conditions.

According to the official Cherry Blossom Watch website, the beloved annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, “the National Cherry Blossom Festival Organizers are in the process of creating a safe and pandemic-appropriate schedule of events.”

The festival will take place from March 20 through April 11. The National Mall and Memorial Parks are not closed. However, visitors who wish to experience the blossoms in person are encouraged to practice social distancing and follow CDC guidelines.

For those looking to celebrate virtually, The National Cherry Blossom Festival, in partnership with the Japan Foundation, will be live streaming its signature Opening Ceremony, an annual tribute to Japan and the United States’ longstanding friendship. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 20 at 6 p.m., featuring co-hosts Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and ABC 7’s Michelle Marsh. Full details and tickets can be found on the event’s webpage.

Big news! We're projecting cherry blossom peak bloom to fall between April 2 – April 5. Peak bloom is the day when 70% of the Yoshino #cherryblossoms are open, creating gorgeous clouds of white & pink flowers floating around the Tidal Basin: https://t.co/Yd0Z1y1FHD #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/Twikj5mOs4

— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 1, 2021

For those looking for a different – and closer – option than the Tidal Basin, Bethesda’s Kenwood neighborhood is a popular destination for the blossoms.

About Abby Espiritu

Abby Espiritu was an intern at Montgomery Community Media in the spring of 2021.

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