Cherry blossomspeak tracker 2027
When do cherry blossoms bloom?
Cherry blossoms usually bloom from early March to late April across the 3 places we track. US National Arboretum usually Mar 1–Apr 30, per US National Arboretum, Baltimore (Fort McHenry) usually Mar 24–Apr 7, per National Park Service and Washington, DC usually Mar 25–Apr 7, per National Park Service. The next season starts in ~5 months.
Updated Sep 28. Sources (4)
- US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pick your travel week
Pick a week: the places where cherry blossoms usually peak then light up. Usual windows from each place's own source, not a forecast.
Week of Mar 1
- Usually peaking this week
- Other weeks
Usually in peak the week of Mar 1
- US National Arboretum
Usually Mar 1–Apr 30
Is peak bloom in Washington, DC getting earlier?
A straight line through the 23 dates points to about 4.6 days earlier per decade, but single years swing far more: from Mar 17 (2024) to Apr 10 (2014).
Each dot is one season's peak bloom date (last season in black); the dashed line is a straight-line fit, not a forecast. Earlier dates are higher up.
See two in one trip
Washington + US National Arboretum + Baltimore (Fort McHenry)
Usually overlapping: Mar 25–Apr 7
Washington → US National Arboretum (about 4 mi) → Baltimore (Fort McHenry) (about 35 mi). Straight-line miles; roads are longer.
Sources (4)
- National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Know before you go
- US National Arboretum
Usually Mar 1–Apr 30
- When is the Arboretum open, and does it cost anything: Admission is free. The grounds are open 8 am to 5 pm every day except December 25, with last entry at 4:30 pm. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open 10 am to 4 pm, except federal holidays from November through February.
- Can I bring my dog: Yes, on a leash at all times, kept out of the garden beds, and cleaned up after. Pets can't go into the Administration Building or the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
- Timing tip: Weeping cherries by the National Herb Garden: Tour stop 40: a pair planted in the early 1950s, among the Arboretum's oldest cherries, propped since 2023 with traditional Japanese crutches (tsurazue)
- Timing tip: Prunus Research Field (tour stop 35): A research field with cherries from 1980s Japanese seed and Arboretum hybrids, flowering early to late; the next stops show the Arboretum's own 'Helen Taft', 'Dream Catcher' and 'First Lady'
- Top spot: Tidal Basin Yoshino clones (tour stop 29): Two Yoshinos tied to the Tidal Basin: one a clone of the tree Helen Taft planted in 1912, the other grown from a cutting of Viscountess Iwa Chinda's tree
Sources (4)
- US National Arboretum, Hours and Directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Rules and Guidelines ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Protecting our Venerable Weeping Japanese Cherry Trees ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Washington, DC
Usually Mar 25–Apr 7
- Festival: Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar–Apr)
- How long does peak bloom last: Usually several days, says the National Park Service. Cool, calm weather can stretch it; a rainy, windy day can end it suddenly, and a late frost can stop the bloom altogether.
- Getting around: Tidal Basin Loop Trail: Easy 2.1-mile loop around the Tidal Basin
- Getting around: East Potomac Park (Hains Point loop): 4.1-mile loop; Kwanzans bloom about two weeks after the Yoshinos
- Top spot: Washington Monument grounds: Yoshinos continue north from the Tidal Basin
Sources (6)
- National Park Service, Cherry blossom events and activities ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, National Cherry Blossom Festival ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Types of Trees ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Hains Point Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Baltimore (Fort McHenry)
Usually Mar 24–Apr 7
- Cost and permits: Sea Wall Trail: Free, paved 1-mile loop on the Patapsco; reaches both groves
- How long do the blossoms last: Usually several days, says the National Park Service. Cool, calm weather can stretch it; a rainy, windy day can end it suddenly, and a late frost can stop the bloom altogether.
- Top spot: East Cherry Blossom Grove: Planted in 1931 by Baltimore's African American schoolchildren
- Vancouver, Washington
Usually March and April
- Can I bring my dog: Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pick up after it.
- Top spot: Japanese Castaways' Memorial: Ringed by cherry trees; a short gravel path from the visitor center
- Seattle, Washington
Local timing: Mar 21–Apr 10
- How long do the Quad’s blossoms last: A few weeks. The courtyard turns pink when its cherry trees bloom, usually from late March to early April.
- Top spot: The Quad (Liberal Arts Quadrangle): 29 Japanese cherry trees; the region’s favorite cherry blossom picnic spot
Questions people ask
When do cherry blossoms peak in 2027?
It depends on the place. In a typical year: US National Arboretum, Mar 1–Apr 30, Baltimore (Fort McHenry), Mar 24–Apr 7 and Washington, DC, Mar 25–Apr 7. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see cherry blossoms?
We track 13 places: US National Arboretum (usually Mar 1–Apr 30), Baltimore (Fort McHenry) (usually Mar 24–Apr 7), Washington, DC (usually Mar 25–Apr 7), Dallas, Texas, Durham, North Carolina, Macon, Georgia, New York City, Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, California, Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Washington.
How long does the cherry blossom season last?
Across the places we track, from about Mar 1 (US National Arboretum) to Apr 30 (US National Arboretum). Each place's own window is shorter.
Which city in the US blooms first?
Of the cities we track, US National Arboretum usually opens first, around Mar 1.
How do you track cherry blossoms?
Each place moves through 6 stages: Green buds, Florets visible, Extension of florets, Peduncle elongation, Puffy white and Peak bloom. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.
In season now:Fall foliage →Wildflowers →