Destination DC - Pink Petals to Pride: Washington, DC in Full Bloom this Spring
- peri861
- Mar 10, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
The nation’s capital bursts with seasonal cherry blossom experiences, hot new restaurants, sports and international Pride celebration
Experiencing the National Cherry Blossom Festival and seeing the iconic flowers along the Tidal Basin are far from the only reasons to visit the nation’s capital in the coming months. Six weeks after peak bloom, Washington, DC and its vibrant local LGBTQ+ community will play host to WorldPride 2025, a landmark three-week event celebrating love, diversity, unity and 50 years of Pride celebrations in the city.
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organisation for the nation’s capital, offers hotel deals for both events of international interest, expert tips to see the flowers, reasons to travel for major sporting events and a plethora of hot new restaurants to try.
“When the cherry blossoms are blooming, it feels as though the entire city comes alive and there isn’t a more special place to be than Washington, DC,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “This year, that sense of seasonal celebration across the city will also be felt during WorldPride DC 2025, a unifying opportunity with a series of meaningful events, cultural festivities, star-studded concerts and more.
Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms is expected to occur 28 to 31 March, the National Park Service. The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts a few days before and after peak bloom begins, although the blossoms can last for up to two weeks under ideal conditions. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is 20 March to 13 April, with events and hotel deals across the city. In addition, from pop-up bars to high teas, hotels, restaurants and cultural institutions throughout DC are planning cherry blossom-themed activations.
DC’s acclaimed culinary scene continues to sizzle, fueled by diverse chefs (and Food Network stars). Highly anticipated openings include Jeffrey Williams’s DC debut with Willowsong in the InterContinental Washington, DC - The Wharf and Marcus Samuelsson’s upcoming return to the nation’s capital with Marcus DC in the Morrow Hotel. Kwame Onwuachi’s Dōgon and Stephen Starr’s Minetta Tavern and Osteria Mozza, a partnership with Nancy Silverton, are among the hottest reservations in the city. Starr reopens the legendary Occidental on March 5. New and renovated hotels include the Canal House of Georgetown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (March 1), Mint House (spring), Salamander DC, Arlo and Le Méridien, The Madison. The Mayflower celebrates 100 years in 2025
This will take place from 17 May to 18 June, during which three million attendees (including two million visitors and one million regional participants) are expected, according to DDC’s data partners (S&P Global, 2023 City Tourism Impact for Washington, DC). Plans include a welcome concert featuring Shakira, music festival featuring Jennifer Lopez, the Capital Cup Sports Festival, DC Black Pride, Human Rights Conference and an International March and Rally. The hallmark events of Capital Pride, including the parade and street festival, will take place as always, free and open to all on 7 and 8 June. More information about events here, with additional announcements coming soon. Hotel deals and packages are here.
March is also a busy month in the Capital of Sports. The home opener for the Nationals, celebrating 20 years this season, is 27 March at Nationals Park. The Wizards and Capitals are in the home stretch of their respective seasons at Capital One Arena, as Alex Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record. At Audi Field, DC United just opened its season; the Spirit’s home opener is 22 March and the UFL’s DC Defenders kick off on 30 March. The 2025 CAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held at CareFirst Arena (previously the Entertainment & Sports Arena) 7 to 11 March and 12 to 16 March, respectively
Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Experiences:
Pink Tie Party presented by Union Station Washington D.C. and Design Cuisine with support by ANA – 14 March
2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival – 20 March to 13 April
Stumpy’s Petals and Paddles Race – 20 March
Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage, Presented with the National Park Service – 22 March to 6 April
Opening Ceremony, Co-Presented with the Japan Foundation – 22 March
Blossom Kite Festival, Presented by Amazon – 29 March
Petalpalooza® at Capitol Riverfront Presented by Chase – 5 April
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5k and Kids Run – 5 to 6 April
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade ® Presented by Events DC – 12 April
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival – 12 to 13 April
Check out a complete guide here.
Cherry Blossom Travel Tips:
Common viewing sites:
The Tidal Basin, near the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
Small clusters of trees can be found along the National Mall, just northwest of the Lincoln Memorial and around the Washington Monument
Alternative sites from the National Mall:
The Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks
U.S. National Arboretum
East Potomac Park / Hains Point Loop Trail
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Alternative ways to see the blossoms:
Water:
Lunch, brunch and dinner cruises and water taxis with City Cruises
Private boating experience with Embark DC
Party to the Petals aboard a floating bar with Sea Suite Cruises
Kayak or pedal boat with Boating in DC
Foot:
Walking and self-guided audio tours with DC by Foot
Bike:
Blossoms by Bike Tour with Unlimited Biking
Blossom-Inspired Food and Drinks:
National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Cherry Picks Program
In collaboration with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, participating restaurants highlight creative spring menus.
Participating restaurants offer a two-course dinner menu and two glasses of wine for USD$55 (20-31 March).
Bluejacket’s Cherry Blossom Themed Beers
Raise a glass to the start of spring with three exclusive beers crafted for the season.
An outdoor pop-up experience inside the Yours Truly DC Hotel.
Waldorf Astoria’s Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea
Enjoy afternoon tea with blossom-infused bites or signature cocktails like the Cherry Cotton Candy Kiss amidst enchanting floral installations. Plus, for a limited time, book the hotel’s first-ever Full Bloom Suite Retreat, designed in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Media assets for use, courtesy of washington.org;
About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org.
For more information please contact:
Media: Natalie Brown at Canuckiwi on +61 (0) 422 565 001 or email nat@canuckiwi.com
Trade: Corey Marshall at Canuckiwi on +64 (0) 21 555 463 or email corey@canuckiwi.com
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