2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival set to boost DC tourism

WASHINGTON (7News) — The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival means big business for Washington, DC.

This is an event that draws visitors to Washington from all around the globe, bringing an influx of tourism dollars.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said D.C. set a new tourism record last year. The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival drew 1.6 million attendees to the nation's capital and its surrounding areas.

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And those visitors spent $202 million in the District alone, with the average length of stay being just short of four days.

SEE ALSO | DC Metro relaunching cherry blossom-themed buses and trains

Hotels and restaurants saw the biggest benefit.

"It starts with heads and beds. So hotels truly benefit in terms of the impact of meetings, leisure travel, domestic and international. Restaurants take advantage of this opportunity. Transportation providers, theater, nightlife, sporting events," said Elliott Ferguson, CEO Destination DC.

The two-week festival helps generate tax dollars for D.C., and helps attract conventions to the city.

"The overall economic impact of the industry for the city. Of course, creating jobs is a huge part of that, but it is also tied to meetings taking place, because it's equally as much as we're bullish about bringing convention tourists to the city," said Ferguson.

While everything in town turns pink from March 20 to April 18, the city also wants visitors to branch out and visit museums and monuments, take the Metro, and catch a game.

MORE CHERRY BLOSSOM COVERAGE HERE

"It's the blooming of the trees, but it's also the free Smithsonian’s, that includes the zoo, monuments, memorials, easy access. So it's a great time to be in the nation's capital, and by the way, take advantage of the gift of the cherry trees," said Ferguson.

The city is hoping the large crowds for the cherry blossom festival will spill over to other events planned for the year -- including Passport DC in May, the Jazz Festival, World Pride, and the World Cup.

You can find a full list and plan your trip here.

The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 20 to April 13. 7News is once again a proud media partner of the event.