As spring unfolds, cherry blossom trees around New York and New Jersey are beginning to bloom, marking a vibrant seasonal transition. As of March 28, 2025, flowers have already been spotted in Central Park, while others are in full bloom at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. The blooming season, which typically runs from late March to mid-May, is highly anticipated by locals and tourists alike.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, nestled near the entrance of Prospect Park, has reported that its cherry trees are in various stages of bloom. According to their CherryWatch tracker, most trees are still in what's called "prebloom," with two Prunus 'Fudan-zakura' trees and one Prunus × subhirtella 'Jugatsu-zakura' tree already in the "first bloom" stage. Each cherry tree flowers for about a week, meaning there is never a moment when all trees are in bloom at once. The garden boasts an impressive 26 species in its Flowering Cherry Collection, spread throughout its various gardens and pathways.
Meanwhile, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has also reported early blooms. Its early season cherry trees, particularly the Prunus × incam 'Okame', have started to flower, with mid and late-season cherries yet to bud. The garden is home to around 500 cherry trees, all of which can be viewed in its Cherry Valley and along the southern perimeter.
For those looking to celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms, the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park is set to take place from April 5 to April 13, 2025. The festival will kick off with a bike race and a 10k run, followed by a Family Day on Saturday, April 12, and Bloomfest on Sunday, April 13. This annual event attracts visitors from across the region, eager to experience the stunning floral display.
In addition to local festivities, the 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Wooster Square, New Haven, Conn., will occur on Sunday, April 6, 2025. The event will feature food and live music, creating a festive atmosphere for attendees.
On a broader scale, Washington, D.C. is also celebrating its cherry blossoms, which hit peak bloom on March 28, 2025. This peak bloom, characterized by a burst of pink and white, occurred several days earlier than the long-term average. The National Park Service noted that peak bloom is reached when 70% of the blossoms on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are open.
The cherry trees in D.C. have been a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States since 1912 when Japan gifted over 3,000 trees to the U.S. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that the blossoms have peaked earlier than usual, a trend linked to climate change and rising temperatures.
As part of the celebrations, the LEGO Discovery Center in D.C. has added its own cherry blossom decorations to its miniature replica of the nation’s capital. The center's master model builder, Andrew Litterst, spent over 45 hours creating an additional 20 LEGO cherry blossom trees, made from 12,200 bricks. The center also features a cherry blossom mosaic constructed from more than 94,000 LEGO pieces. This mosaic will be showcased at several cherry blossom festivals, including the Blossom Kite Festival at the Washington Monument on March 29, Petalpalooza in Navy Yard on April 5, and the Springfield Town Center Blossom Festival on April 12.
For those visiting D.C. to witness the cherry blossoms, the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 14, 2025. During the first weekend of April, the White House will open its gardens to visitors, providing a unique opportunity to explore the South Lawn and its various gardens. Tickets for this exclusive access can be acquired at the White House Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year’s cherry blossom season has been particularly notable due to the mild weather leading up to peak bloom. D.C. experienced a stretch of warmer-than-normal days, with highs in the 70s and no freezing lows since early March. The buds of the cherry trees sped through their bloom cycle in just 17 days, one of the fastest rates seen in the past two decades.
Amateur photographers flocked to the Tidal Basin on the day of peak bloom, capturing the beauty of the blossoms against the backdrop of the iconic monuments. Visitors expressed their excitement, with one traveler stating, “It’s iconic. … A long time ago I just saw all of this on TV and now I’m here. It’s a dream come true.”
As the cherry blossoms continue to draw crowds, the weather will play a crucial role in their longevity. Typically, cherry trees remain in peak bloom for about three to seven days, depending on weather conditions. Cloudy and cool weather tends to preserve the blooms, while heat and rain can shorten their display.
Looking ahead, Saturday, March 29, 2025, is expected to be the best day for blossom viewing, with partly to mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures. However, rain and gusty storms are forecasted for late Monday, potentially causing some petals to fall. Cooler weather mid-next week may allow the blossoms to linger near peak for a few additional days before they fade.
As the cherry blossom season unfolds, both local and distant observers revel in the beauty of nature’s annual spectacle. The celebrations in both New York and D.C. not only highlight the stunning floral displays but also foster a sense of community and shared appreciation for the changing seasons.
