Pink Petals to Pride: Washington, DC in Full Bloom This Spring

WASHINGTON, DC – 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 organization 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. Begin planning at washington.org/spring.

 

“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 March 28-31, the National Park Service just announced. 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 March 20-April 13, 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.

 

WorldPride Washington, DC 2025 is May 17-June 8, 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 June 7 and 8. 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 March 27 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 March 22 and the UFL’s DC Defenders kick off on March 30. The 2025 CAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held at CareFirst Arena (previously the Entertainment & Sports Arena) March 7-11 and 12-16, respectively.

 

Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Experiences:

 

• Pink Tie Party presented by Union Station Washington D.C. and Design Cuisine with support by ANA – March 14
• 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival – March 20-April 13
• Stumpy’s Petals and Paddles Race – March 20
• Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage, Presented with the National Park Service – March 22-April 6
• Opening Ceremony, Co-Presented with the Japan Foundation – March 22
• Blossom Kite Festival, Presented by Amazon – March 29
• Petalpalooza® at Capitol Riverfront Presented by Chase  – April 5
• Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5k and Kids Run – April 5-6
• National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade ® Presented by Events DC – April 12
• Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival – April 12-13

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 CityCruises
    • Private boating experience with Embark DC
    • Party to the Petals aboard a floating bar with SeaSuite 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

Make it a Blossom-Inspired Trip:

 

• Blooming Worlds: Best of Spring Exhibition at ARTECHOUSE, March 7-End of April
  • Larger-than-life floral landscapes and mesmerizing digital dreamscapes that capture the fleeting beauty of spring.
• Bloomaroo at The Wharf, March 29
  • Free festival and family-friendly event.
• Japanese Culture Day at the Library of Congress, April 5
  • The annual event features family activities, including Japanese drum and traditional dance performances, storytelling and arts and crafts.

Blossom-Inspired Hotel Packages:

 

• Capital Hilton: Blooms & Breeze Package 
  • Breakfast for two, a bento box, kite and picnic blanket. The Cherry Blossom Stay package includes tickets to the parade. The lobby’s Spring Wishing Tree allows visitors to write their wishes onto paper tags and tie them to the tree’s branches.
• Conrad Washington, DC: Concierge Experience
  • Sakura Club room with daily gourmet breakfast, dinner and Japanese whiskey tasting, a four-course cherry blossom inspired dinner with wine pairing at Estuary, one-hour photography session at the blossoms, David Yurman his and hers rose gold jewelry, private shopping experience with a $1,000 gift card at CityCenterDC, personalized picnic basket and more.
• Fairmont Georgetown Washington, DC: Cherry Blossom Package
  • Deluxe room, two themed cocktails and collectible pin.
• InterContinental Washington, DC – The Wharf: Cherry Blossoms by Yacht
  • Two-night stay, “golden hour” cruise aboard luxury private yacht charter Nautiste and VIP dinner at Willowsong.
• Pendry Washington DC: Picnic & Petals
  • E-bike rentals and a packed picnic for two, including a complimentary Pendry thermos.
• Royal Sonesta-Capitol Hill: Cherry Blossoms and Blooms
  • Daily breakfast for two, overnight parking and a picnic basket from Bistro Du Jour.
• The Morrow: Adopt a Tree Cherry Blossom Package
  • 10 percent of each package booked benefits the Trust for the National Mall’s campaign to support the cherry trees.
• Willard Intercontinental: The Blooms and Diplomacy package
  • History Concierge Tour, where you learn about the hotel’s historic role as the host of Japan’s first delegation to Washington in 1860, $150 food and beverage credit and $150 Willard Spa credit.
• View more here.

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.
• RAMW’s Spring Wine Fling
  • Participating restaurants offer a two-course dinner menu and two glasses of wine for $55 (March 20-31).
• Bluejacket’s Cherry Blossom Themed Beers
  • Raise a glass to the start of spring with three exclusive beers crafted for the season.
• Mercy Me’s The Blossom Garden
  • 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.
• View more here.

WorldPride DC 2025 Hotel Packages:

 

• Hotel AKA Washington Circle: Stay with Pride
  • Special welcome cocktail, $50 credit for a.kitchen+bar, WorldPride-themed swag (May 23-June 8).
• Hotel Nell Union Market: WorldPride Package
  • Pride breakfast for two with rainbow pancakes and mimosas, complimentary bottle of champagne, welcome kit and more (May 16-June 8).
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco: Free to Fly Suite
  • Decked out in whimsical and vibrant florals, butterflies and décor. Designed to represent love, transformation and inclusivity by a local artist (April-October 2025).
• Moxy Washington DC: Loud and Proud
  • Sparkling rosé, sweet treats, welcome drinks and a local LGBTQ+ magazine (through April 30).
• Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square: Love is Love Pride Package
  • Daily breakfast, bottle of champagne, romantic gift upon arrival and late check out (through June 30).
• Washington Marriott Capitol Hill: Pride and Joy Couples Package
  • Daily breakfast for two and a bottle of champagne/sparkling wine upon arrival (through May 31).
• View more here, with additional discounted rates available here.

What’s Coming Up:

 

• A South Forty, through winter 2026
  • The National Building Museum examines the architecture and design practices of the American South from 1990 to present day along US Highway 40.
• Making a Statement, through March 2026
  • The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian will display two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon).
• Sister Act, March 14-May 17
  • Ford’s Theatre presents the riotous musical comedy based on the hit 1992 film.
• Awesome Con, April 4-6
  • More than 70,000 fans will be able to see their favorite stars from comics, films, TV, toys and games at this three-day festival that is DC’s own Comic Con.
• Filmfest DC, April 24-May 4
  • The largest and longest-running annual international film festival in DC returns with another varied lineup.
• Passport DC, May 1-31
  • A month of programming, including the Around the World Embassy Tour and European Union Open House, highlights DC’s international culture.
• Niki de Saint Phalle in Print, May 9-Nov. 30
  • 20 never-before-exhibited prints from the National Museum of Women in the Arts center on romantic love, the mysteries of the Tarot and urgent social issues.
• LGBTJews in the Federal City, May 16-December
  • Explore the history, culture and activism of the local queer Jewish community – from the congregations to the clubs to the Capitol – at the Capital Jewish Museum.
• Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World, May 18–Nov. 2
  • The National Gallery of Art presents a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to explore the rich exchange between artists and naturalists at the dawn of European natural history.
• FIFA Club World Cup, June 18, 22 & 26
  • Audi Field will host three premier matches of the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Al Ain FC takes on Juventus FC on June 18, FC Salzburg challenges Al Hilal on June 22 and Wydad AC plays Al Ain FC on June 26.

Media assets for use, courtesy of washington.org:

 

• Cherry blossom images
• Cherry blossom broll
• Pride images