Each year, a million and a half folks from all over the world flock to the Nation’s Capital for a reason that has nothing to do with politics. Rather, it’s a natural phenomenon they’re after. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the gorgeous and delicate bloom of the cherry tree. Symbolically, these beautiful blooms represent the dawning of springtime as well as a longstanding friendship with the country of Japan, where the beautiful tree originates. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s not-to-be-missed event.

In 1912, the city of Tokyo sent no less than 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C. as a gift. Today, visitors marvel at these gorgeous blooms as they surround the capital.
Al Jazeera English/flickr
The cherry blossom festival, which began as a small event in 1935, has blossomed itself into a three-week event which is largely considered to be the Nation's biggest springtime festival.
diane cordell/flickr
Those interested in experiencing this special event will want to mark their calendars for March 20 to April 15 as the dates for this year's event.
Tim Evanson/flickr

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It's hard to predict exactly when the blooms will be in peak, but fortunately there's a forecast you can follow.
Tim Evanson/flickr
If you'd like to learn more about the event's origins, be sure to catch the opening ceremony on the evening March 24th. Visitors can expect to see authentic performances by Japanese and American performers.
justgrimes/flickr
Most importantly, don't forget to bring your camera! With beautiful springtime weather, ethereal cherry blooms, and iconic monuments to capture, you won't want to miss a second of this event.
Ron Cogswell/flickr

For more information on this event, you can visit the official Cherry Blossom Festival information page here. Have you experienced this annual celebration before? We’d love to hear about your experience!

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