Photos of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC commemorates the 1912 gift of flowering cherry trees from Tokyo, Japan to Washington, DC. Over the past century, the celebration has grown into a festival spanning several weeks celebrating the Spring season, the bloom of the cherry trees, and the relationship between the United States and Japan. 

There are a number of events held throughout the festival including the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the Blossom Kite Festival, the Petal Porches decorating contest, a Pink Tie Dinner Party, concerts, art exhibits, and many more. Throughout the capital, businesses and restaurants will also join in the fun with City in Bloom decorations and Cherry Picks special menu items inspired by the cherry blossoms. The crowning jewel of course though is the peak bloom of the flowering cherry trees. 

Contents

1. Art in Bloom
2. City in Bloom
3. Cherry Trees

Art in Bloom

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Art in Bloom program introduced 26 cherry blossom statues painted by local and international artists in 2021 that were displayed around the district. Many of statues have returned in subsequent years and festival attendees are encouraged to explore the city to find them all and share photos. 

Blossoms on the Mall, 2021

By Jaleel Davis (website, instagram)

Featuring a combination of cherry blossoms and the iconic monuments of Washington, DC, this statue was sponsored by the Embassy of Japan to celebrate the continued friendship between Japan and the United States. 

Petal Party, 2021

By Matt Long (instagram)

This blossom statue was designed to be bright, bold, and vibrant to bring a party vibe to the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Celebration, 2021

By Sandra Pérez-Ramos (website, instagram)

Using shapes and symbols that are recurrent in their work, the artist designed this cherry blossom statue as a celebration of the energy and new beginnings of the Spring season.

Renewal Blossom, 2021

By Ameena Fareeda (website, instagram)

To celebrate the continued friendship between Japan and the United States, the Embassy of Japan sponsored this statue that pays homage to traditional floral motifs symbolizing renewal and resilience. 

Flower Kuties, 2021

By Kaila Garcia (website, instagram)

Designed by student artist Kaila Garcia in her signature style of anthromorphic flowers, this colorful statue is located at the Student Center of the University of the District of Columbia.

City in Bloom

Businesses throughout the district are encouraged to get creative and decorate for the National Cherry Blossom Festival each year. Whether participating businesses simply display the City in Bloom’s signature blossom decals on their windows or go all out to transform their space into a celebration of the spring season, it’s lovely to see the whole city bloom in pink.

CityCenterDC

I loved the walking under the lanterns that hung over Palmer Alley in CityCenterDC. The lanterns pay homage the many varieties of flowering cherry trees in various shades of pink as well as the Japanese tradition of decorating for festivals with lanterns as symbols of hope and resilience.

Hank’s Oyster Bar

Paper lanterns and cascading cherry blossoms hang overhead in Hank’s Oyster Bar restaurant along Washington, DC’s Wharf.

Cherry Trees

Ring of Cherry Trees Around the Tidal Basin

As you walk around the Tidal Basin you get to enjoy not only the trees surrounding you, but also views of the entire basin ringed with the flowering cherry trees. The number of trees is staggering and witnessing them at peak bloom is definitely a sight to behold.

Groves of Trees

It’s easy to feel like you’re in another world when walking beneath a canopy of pale pink blossoms. Anytime a breeze disturbs the branches, a small shower of petals rains down so at times one is totally surrounded by them. It’s stunningly surreal and I hope to experience this many more times in my life.

Feathered Friends Enjoying the Blooms

As surreal as the beauty of the blossoms can seem, they’re a part of nature and we’re not the only ones that get to enjoy the show. I loved seeing these mallard ducks glide by on the glassy waters of the Tidal Basin early in the morning. 

Japanese Pagoda

This lovely 17th century stone Japanese Pagoda was a gift from the city of Yokohama, Japan to Washington, DC in 1957. Representing a balance between the elements, it’s a symbolic addition to the Tidal Basin that makes it feel more like a Japanese garden than part of the capital of the United States. My favorite thing about it though is that it arrived in five shipping crates without any instructions, and Library of Congress staff had to research its proper assembly. Librarians to the rescue!

Old Gnarled Trees

There’s something about the contrast between the gnarled and twisted trunks of the older trees and their delicate pale pink blooms that absolutely delights me. While the National Park Service arborists regularly plant new saplings grown from cuttings, it’s the old and wizened trees that remain my favorites.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

I love the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at the Tidal Basin in DC with its design paying homage to a line in one of his speeches ‘…out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” It’s especially lovely when framed by the city’s flowering cherry blossoms in the spring.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of the most iconic monuments in the United States’ capital. I took countless photos of it behind the cherry blossom trees lining the Tidal Basin, and loved when I was able to capture its reflection in the water as well.

Jefferson Memorial

Situated along the shores of the Tidal Basin, the neoclassical architecture of the Jefferson Memorial is enhanced by the beauty of the cherry blossoms each spring. Visitors can sit on the steps in front of the memorial to enjoy the views around the basin.

Cherry Trees at Night

I tend to visit the Tidal Basin early in the morning as it’s the best time to drive from Baltimore to Washington and find parking. However, if you’ve seen the photos of Rome at night, you know I enjoy seeing the sights even after the sun goes down. Don’t miss out on the capital and its blooms at night as the monuments are all beautifully lit and crowds tend to thin in the evening.

See a Variety of Cherry Trees

If you’re looking to see a greater variety of flowering cherry trees or just want to escape the crowds at the Tidal Basin, head to the National Arboretum! While the majority of trees around the Tidal Basin are Yoshino cherry trees, the National Arboretum has over 70 varieties including ones that bloom before and after the Yoshino cherry trees. Entry is free and you can download the U.S. National Arboretum mobile app for access to the self guided Cherry Tree tour.

Enjoy the Blossoms Without the Crowds

The National Arboretum was the perfect place to enjoy nature’s show during the coronavirus pandemic as there were far less people and so much more space (446 acres!) to keep a social distance between yourself and other visitors. When I visited I saw many families enjoying picnics under the beautiful trees, and think that it would be a lovely spot to bring a bicycle on a nice day to ride around to enjoy the trees and plants.

Up Close and Personal with the Blossoms

Each blossom is so beautiful, but the individuals are usually overlooked to enjoy the masses of blooms. I love the overall effect of walking among the beautiful cherry blossoms, but I definitely recommend stopping to admire the delicate blooms up close as well. On a clear day, I find the way the pink and white flowers look against the blue sky to be stunning.

Start Planning Your Visit to the National Cherry Blossom Festival

For years before moving to Maryland, visiting Washington for the National Cherry Blossom Festival had been on my bucket list. I have not taken it for granted that I now live less than an hour away and have visited several times to admire the delicate blooms. Hopefully these photos inspire you to visit to enjoy them as well!

Have you ever visited Washington, DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival?

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