Fairfax County, VA – March 1, 2025 – Fairfax County, Virginia is kicking off springtime with a multitude of options for celebrating the beautiful blooms and blossoms of the season. As the nation celebrates the gift of the cherry trees to nearby Washington, DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, which runs March 20 through April 13, Fairfax County gardens, attractions, restaurants, and hotels are offering tours, events, cherry blossom-infused food and drink specials, and overnight packages.

Peak bloom dates for the blossoms are expected March 28 – 31, 2025, but these events and specials are taking place all month long. For a full run-down of events, specials, and garden tours, visit https://www.fxva.com/cherryblossom.


Special Events

Fairfax County attractions are holding a variety of signature events in coordination with the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, as well as other special events and activations throughout the month of April. Here are a selection of official events. Find even more at https://www.fxva.com/events.

March 22 – National Cherry Blossom Festival® Celebration at the Children’s Science Center Lab
Experience the magic of Cherry Blossoms by diving into the beauty and traditions of Japan with hands-on activities that blend art, science, and culture at this family-friendly STEM-focused attraction, located in Fair Oaks Mall. (https://childsci.org; 703-648-3130)
 

March 30 – Blossom Bash at Tysons Corner Center
Tysons Corner Center will celebrate cherry blossom season with a vibrant festival on the Plaza, activations with the cherry blossom-themed chalk art and photo opps with the Virginia LOVE letters. The Center will bloom with decorations for the City in Bloom initiative and retailers and restaurants will be showcasing cherry blossom-inspired merchandise and food offerings, with samples available. (https://www.tysonscornercenter.com/cherryblossoms; 703-893-9400)
 

April 5 & 6 – Art Blooms at Mosaic
Celebrate the arrival of spring at Mosaic District’s two-day springtime festival, highlighting art, culture, and community at this popular shopping and dining district. (https://mosaicdistrict.com; 703-992-7832)


Garden Tours


Visitors can plan self-guided tours of the region’s most splendid gardens, including these not-to-miss sites (check with the individual gardens for hours of operation):

  • Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a 90-acre oasis featuring more than 100 cherry trees surrounding a lovely lake, plus an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms and the very unique Korean Bell Garden.
     
  • Green Spring Gardens, an outdoor classroom, national historic site, and museum featuring a wooded stream, a valley with ponds, a native plant garden, over 20 thematic demonstration gardens, and a greenhouse filled with tropical plants.
     
  • River Farm, a historic 25-acre site on the banks of the Potomac River that was once part of George Washington’s original five farms and is now the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society.
     
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the home to America’s first president, features four bountiful gardens to explore and enjoy. In addition, experience wide-open spaces, wooded landscapes, and a quarter-mile-long forest trail – not to mention the vast educational resources available on site.

 

Food & Drink Specials

Local chefs, brewers and baristas are crafting limited-time specials throughout Fairfax County to celebrate the springtime season and blooming blossoms. Here are a handful of specials on deck for the spring. Here are a selection of offerings:

  • Barrel and Bushel (Tysons) – As part of the official Cherry Picks program, menu items include the Snow Crab Cocktail with cherry vinaigrette, Braised Pork Belly, which is slow braised with pineapple and cherry, and the Blooming Empress Spritz beverage.
  • Wren (Tysons) – Special menu items include the Futomaki, a classic Japanese sushi roll, Sakura Milk Pudding, a cherry blossom milk pudding topped with a pink layer of cherry blossom jelly, and a Yoshino specialty cocktail with Roku gin, machino sakura vermouth, yuzu juice and raspberry jam syrup.
  • Davio’s (Reston) – The Davio in Bloom cocktail, available through mid-April, offers delicate cherry flavors and floral notes.
  • River Sea Chocolates (Chantilly & Reston) – Fairfax County’s only chocolate factory is getting into the season with specialty chocolate bars, including the Rose Petal Milk Chocolate bar, the Cherry Blossom Milk Chocolate bar, and the Cherry Blossom Dark Chocolate Bar. The factory’s café & retail shop will also be serving a Cherry Blossom-inspired hot chocolate to its lineup.
  • Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn (Falls Church) – This small gourmet popcorn shop is offering bags of Cherry with Chocolate Drizzle popcorn, as well as Cherry Cheesecake flavors, thorugh mid-April.
  • GreenFare (Herndon) – Dedicated to serving 100 percent organic, whole-plant foods, this vegan restaurant and wellness center is offering up a specialty Cherry Pistachio Bar throughout the festival dates.
  • Mustang Sally Brewing Co. (Falls Church) and Bunnyman Brewing Co. (Burke/Lorton) – Two Fairfax County breweries have collaborated on a special beer release for the season: the Tart Cherry Toasted Coconut Oatmeal Cookie Inspired Sour will be available while supplies last at 12 partner locations throughout the DC region.

Find even more coffees, cocktails, milkshakes, snacks, and desserts at https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/cherry-blossom-inspired-food-and-drink.

 

Hotel Packages

Save on overnight stays at Fairfax County hotels, many of which offer free parking or shuttles to Metrorail, which makes it easy to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival® and area Fairfax County events. Here are a few Cherry Blossom-themed hotel packages:

The Watermark Hotel, Tysons

Guests can enjoy 15% off the guestroom rate and can partake in a Japanese whiskey highball cart from March 17 – April 6. The cart will feature Japanese whiskey and two cherry blossom themed cocktails consisting of gin and vodka. Book at https://www.thewatermarkhotel.com.
 

Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park, Falls Church
Enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms with a stay at the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park, which includes free shuttle access to the Metro station and a 25% food and beverage credit and cherry blossom-themed cocktails and mocktails. Book at https://www.marriott.com/wasfp.
 

AC Marriott Hotel & Residence Inn Reston, Reston
Weekend stays are 20% off throughout the National Cherry Blossom Festival® dates (March 20 – April 13) at this brand new, state-of-the-art dual-branded property in Reston, Virginia. Book at https://www.marriott.com/wasoa.

 

For more details on National Cherry Blossom Festival® signature events, peak bloom dates, special deals and offers from the hospitality community, and even more, visit http://www.fxva.com/cherryblossom.
 

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Visit Fairfax (www.fxva.com) is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, Virginia. Charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, it is directed by many of the County's top tourism and hospitality leaders. Follow on Facebook (www.facebook.com/visitfairfaxva), Twitter (@VisitFairfax), and Instagram (@VisitFairfax) for Fairfax County events and travel inspiration this Spring! #FXVA