Bike the Sites Blog

And, the moment you've all been waiting for (drumroll, please)... The peak bloom dates for this year's festival! Announced this morning at a press conference held at the Newseum, forecaster James Perry of National Park Service predicted peak blossomming dates as March 26-March 30. (Perfect timing, huh?)

The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings more than a million spectators into Washington to enjoy the sea of pink blooms (on 3,770 trees!) around the capital's lovely Tidal Basin. This year's festival will run from March 20 through April 14 and will feature a myriad of events, including concerts, kabuki theater, art displays, kite flying, cruises, fireworks, light shows, a parade, and, most importantly, bicycle tours! (Hint hint, nudge nudge.)

Peak bloom has historically averaged around April 4, but celebrations continue of early or late blooming dates. This year's festival will celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Japanese gifting of the cherry trees to the United States as a symbol of their friendship.

Mayor Vincent Gray

No matter the peak blooming dates, real or predicted, the festival is a bastion of Springtime as it kicks off the season itself and renews the city, boosting DC tourism and community morale. We hope to see you out and about, gazing at the beautiful trees! Or, even better-- on one of our bicycles!

James Perry, National Park Service

National Park Serviec chief horticulturalist Rob DeFeo announced his predictions for Peak Bloom at the National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference held yesterday at the Newseum. Though the dates are not definite, peak bloom is expected to occur between March 24th and March 31st. The blossom are considered at their peak when 70% of blossoms have appeared. The average peak bloom generally falls around April 4th, but the unseasonably warm weather is predicted to contribute to an early bloom. 

At Bike and Roll Washington DC we have adjusted our Blossoms by Bike tour dates to better coincide with the predicted bloom. Blossoms by Bike and the Blossoms by Bike River Ride Tours will now run March 20th through April 8th, with the possibility of extending depending on the bloom period. If you miss the window to jump on a blossoms tour, we are adding plenty of additional Monuments tours throughout the Cherry Blossom Festival.