National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC

Spring is finally here 🎉

Springtime in Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area (also known as the National Capital Area) is a time where blooms and festivals abound.  As the weather slowly changes from cold and wet to pleasant and mild, both the flowers and people begin to emerge from their own forms of hibernation.  The myriad of festivals and spring events further serve to entice people away from their homes, out into the open air scented with the fragrances of spring.  For many it's a welcome reprieve from winter, while for others it heralds the coming of the hot summer.  Whichever category you fall into, you will want to get out, soak up the sun, and perhaps partake in some of the fun in the almost ideal weather while you can.  Whether it is wine tasting and the culinary scene, the Cherry Blossom Festival for families, or the Kite Festival for the little ones, there is truly something for everyone.

Pink is the color of the season 🌸

Of all the locations encompassing the National Capital Area, Washington DC hosts one of the most well-known springtime events- the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  Throughout the duration of the festival, which usually lasts for about 4 weeks, while the blooms no doubt take center stage, there are several other events that take place including art exhibits, theatrical and cultural performances, parades, and outdoor and waterfront dining. 

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is centered around the 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees that were gifted to Washington DC by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.  This year the highlights of the festival, from March 20, 2023, to April 16, 2023, include:

• The Opening Ceremony on March 25, 2023
• The Blossom Kite Festival on March 25, 2023
• Petalpalooza on April 8, 2023
• The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 15, 2023

Things to keep in mind... 🤔

Approximately 1.5 million people make the trek to the National Capital Area to experience the beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival during the 4-week event.  With this many people converging on the capital, lodging, parking, and transportation can be difficult to come by and crowded.  The availability of public transportation to shuttle visitors around is a bonus, but patience is a must for visitors and residents alike.  

The metro has always served as a major connector, from multiple locations just outside DC to the Washington Mall area and the Tidal Basin, where the majority of the cherry blossoms are located.  However, closures to the Yellow Line during the festival this year, due to track improvements, will cause additional delays.  So, planning ahead is key, since there will be no Metrorail service between Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations (the rail bridge crossing the Potomac River and most direct route into DC from Virgina, coming from Pentagon City), as crews work to rehabilitate the bridge and lay new track.  The Blue and Green lines will serve some of the Yellow Line stations but will lengthen the travel time due to the tracks being used instead.  For updates on current track work and closures click here.

Staying outside of DC? 🏨 

If your plans have you visiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival during the week, and you were unable to book a hotel in downtown DC, but are staying in places like Alexandria, Springfield, and Crystal City, or even all the way out in Fairfax, Manassas, or Fredericksburg, you should see how close you are to a Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Station.  The VRE uses AMTRAK train tracks that lead into Union Station in DC, with multiple stops as far out as Spotsylvania and Broad Run, which are to the South of DC.  Depending on where you board the train, parking may or may not be free.  The cost per ride on the VRE is slightly more per person than riding the metro but provides more comfortable seating and a more upscale experience.  Another bonus, especially if you are traveling with children, is that unlike the metro, the VRE is equipped with bathrooms.  This comes in handy if there are any type of delays, regardless of your age.  

There are drawbacks however to the VRE, as they do not run trains as frequently as the metro, and they only operate Monday through Friday, and not on weekends.  This is because it is a commuter train, so the trains run into the city in the mornings and depart out of the city in the afternoons and evenings.  So, if you are planning to use the VRE, be sure to know the schedule and don't be late because the train does not wait.  Whether you are planning to only visit for a few hours, or plan to make it a full day, this might be a great alternate choice. 

Important things to remember ⚠️

There are two VRE lines that run into DC.  The Red Line, coming from Spotsylvania, and the Blue Line, coming from Broad Run.  Both trains look identical, so be sure to pay attention to the electronic signs on the side of the trains, so you board the correct one when returning to your car or originating station.  This is very important, because once the trains depart from Alexandria Station the tracks diverge, putting miles in between the stations.  If you board the wrong train you will need to call an Uber or a friend to pick you up, as the distance will be too great to walk. 

Depending on your needs there are a variety of tickets that can be purchased.  All tickets need to be purchased at the station vending machines as tickets are not sold on the trains.  Children who are 10 and under are allowed to ride for free, but all others must have a ticket to ride.  Here are the types of tickets available:

Types of Tickets

• 31- Day Pass
• Monthly Ticket
• Ten-Ride Ticket
• Seven-Day Pass
• Day Pass
• Single-Ride

Don't forget to validate your ticket!

If you purchase a Ten-Trip or Single-Ride ticket, you must validate the ticket at the station vending machines every time prior to boarding the train.  Before each boarding, Single-Ride and Ten-Trip tickets must be validated at the ticket vending machines in station entrance areas.  When a ticket is validated, the machine will stamp the date and time on the ticket, removing the one ride (for the Single-Ride ticket) or one of the 10 rides (for the Ten-Trip ticket) from the total remaining.  The conductors will walk through the cars during the ride and verify that passengers are in possession of current validated tickets.  If a passenger is observed on the train without a valid ticket, they will be charged a fine of not less than $100.  

Regardless of when you arrive or where you stay, the National Capital Area has a variety of events to see and do.  Many of the festival's events take place outside, so packing good walking shoes, water, and sunscreen are a must.   If you plan to carry a backpack and have the space, another item to consider having with you is a blanket.  Picnic table seating, provided by some of the vendors near the tidal basin, can be very limited. So, having a blanket to put on the ground under the blooms, while enjoying some vittles, makes a truly memorable picnic.  It is also nice to just lay back, relax, and let the little ones run around as you take in the beauty that comes around once every year in the Spring.  

I hope you enjoy the festival and that your stay coincides with the 2023 peak bloom dates!