The 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 15 through April 16 in Washington. The scenes in this gallery were captured during last year's festival.
The 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 15 through April 16 in Washington. The scenes in this gallery were captured during last year's festival.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The National Park Service predicts that the trees could reach their peak bloom starting March 14, which would be the earliest peak on record.
The National Park Service predicts that the trees could reach their peak bloom starting March 14, which would be the earliest peak on record.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Peak bloom is reached when 70% of the blossoms are open on the Yoshino cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin.
Peak bloom is reached when 70% of the blossoms are open on the Yoshino cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
The festival marks the 1912 gift from Tokyo of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington.
The festival marks the 1912 gift from Tokyo of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The Jefferson Memorial framed by cherry blossoms, a popular scene for visitors to photograph.
The Jefferson Memorial framed by cherry blossoms, a popular scene for visitors to photograph.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
A rising full moon added a bit of drama to the budding trees along Washington's Tidal Basin in 2016.
A rising full moon added a bit of drama to the budding trees along Washington's Tidal Basin in 2016.
J. David Ake/AP
There are usually fewer blossom-peepers during the week.
There are usually fewer blossom-peepers during the week.
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: Get ready for Washington's cherry blossoms

Story highlights

National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington runs March 15-April 16

US National Park Service predicts this year's peak could be earliest on record

CNN  — 

There are pink and white petals in the air in Washington.

The city’s Yoshino cherry trees have reached their second bloom stage, the time when florets are visible. There are four more stages before peak bloom, the National Mall and Memorial Park Service tweeted on March 2.

Peak bloom, which can last from four to 10 days, is reached when 70% of the blossoms are open on the cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin.

If you want to see them attached to trees in their full splendor, it’s time to head to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which kicked off Sunday and runs through April 17.

The Yoshino cherry trees are officially at their peak.

The festival moved up its start date from March 20 to March 15 in response to the updated forecast.

The month-long celebration marks the 1912 gift from Tokyo of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, and includes an April 1 Blossom Kite Festival and an April 8 parade that runs 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue.