Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC
WASHINGTON D.C. – Every year, at the end of March to early April, tourists from all over the world – including many from abroad – flock to the U.S. capital to admire, observe, and revel in the beauty of the myriad cherry trees bursting into bloom after a long, frigid winter when they slept “like caterpillars nestled in a solitary lychee.” There are cherry blossoms in Dalat, Japan, Korea, Vancouver – and even in American cities such as Boston, Seattle, and San José – but none can compare to the cherry blossoms of D.C. Their beauty can only be described as “absolutely perfect.”
A unique charm of D.C. is found in the hundreds of cherry trees planted around the man-made Tidal Basin. They create a breathtaking and exquisite scene – with pale pink and white branches draping close to the water’s edge, their reflections merging with the soft images of the blossoms beneath the surface, or when a gentle breeze carries the dewy white petals that lightly settle onto the tranquil water on a nearly-spring morning, drifting along in scenes seen only in D.C. Add in the soft yellow of early sunlight or the blazing red of dusk, and it seems as though the blossoms change their hues to blend with the morning or evening light. They remain pink and white, yet with a touch of the afternoon’s golden glow, naturally evoking poetic imagery even among those who are not poets. That is the essence of D.C.’s cherry blossoms – unassuming yet pure, alluring yet innocent, delicate yet dignified.
It is impossible to pinpoint the exact day when the blossoms are in full bloom, as the opening of each flower depends entirely on the weather. Late winter in D.C. may bring a warm, sunny day, only for a night of biting white snow to follow, then suddenly heavy rain, fierce winds, and unpredictable temperature swings from nature’s capricious moods. Such conditions make the blossoms hesitant to show their full beauty. Without these unpredictable natural fluctuations, visitors might enjoy the cherry blossoms for about two weeks. However, this 14-day period is never guaranteed. As a result, many tour groups and countless photographers have traveled all the way to D.C. only to leave empty-handed when an unexpected gust of wind or sudden heavy rain strips away the blossoms, leaving behind a carpet of fallen petals mixed with muddy lakeside soil, trampled by unrelenting footsteps.
Cherry Blossom. Photo by: Đức Hà
History
According to the National Cherry Blossom website:
“Through the cooperation of the U.S. and Japanese governments, over 3,000 cherry trees were a gift of friendship from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the city of Washington D.C. in 1912. Each year, the festival is held over four consecutive weeks, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors to celebrate the enduring friendship between the peoples of the United States and Japan. The festival’s diverse and creative program promotes both traditional and contemporary arts and culture, as well as the beauty of nature and the strength of community spirit. All events are free and open to the public.
In a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Mrs. Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. Since First Lady Taft’s involvement, subsequent U.S. First Ladies have all become patrons of the Festival.”
On average, a cherry tree lives about 40 years. Today, if any of the original trees still stand, they are very advanced in age. It is estimated that only about 125 trees remain, a mere 4% of the original more than 3,000 trees, resilient against wind, rain, and snowstorms.
The most famous and most favored by visitors was the cherry tree known as “Stumpy.” This tree was tragically uprooted in late May 2024 along with over a hundred others due to flooding and the necessary reinforcement of the Tidal Basin’s water barrier. Its peculiar appearance—with a thick, rough, dark trunk, both stubby and short—managed to display its blossoms every year, looking from afar like a young maiden with her hair softly cascading in the wind by an open window. Since then, “Stumpy” has passed into memory, remembered only with nostalgia.
Conclusion
The author, having been fortunate enough to live in the D.C. area for an extended period, never misses the chance to attend the cherry blossom festival year after year. Yet, when destiny eventually calls them back to warmer climes, they find themselves reminiscing about the cherry blossoms as winter turns to spring. When asked online by an artificial intelligence – AI for short – why the images of D.C.’s cherry blossoms so enchant visitors from every corner of the world, the AI replied:
“Tidal Basin – a wonderful destination lined with cherry trees around landmarks such as the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and, a little further away past the Lincoln Memorial, the Black Wall. These sites are ideal for both leisurely walks and commemorative photography. A stroll around the basin will also pass by the John Paul Jones Memorial, Floral Library, the nine-story Japanese Pagoda, and the moss-covered stone Japanese Lantern – an ancient relic from Japan’s feudal era. And if you gaze across the Tidal Basin, you’ll see Arlington National Cemetery on the banks of the Potomac River – the eternal resting place of American heroes.
If you love fairy-tale landscapes and wish to learn about arts and culture, then a visit to the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. is truly worthwhile. Tidal Basin, surrounded by exceptionally beautiful cherry trees at the peak of their bloom, and the Cherry Blossom Festival with its parades, musical performances, art exhibits, and other fun events, will deepen your understanding of the cherry blossoms and the history of the U.S. capital.”
D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 Schedule
The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to run from March 20 to April 13.
- Opening Ceremony: Saturday, March 22, 2025 / 5:00–6:30 pm
- Kite Festival: Saturday, March 29, 2025 / 10:00 am–4:00 pm
- PetalPalooza: Saturday, April 5, 2025 / 1:00–9:00 pm
- Parade: Saturday, April 12, 2025 / 10:00 am–12:00 pm
-Đức Hà-
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