Washington, D.C
DC Cherry Blossoms: 2024 peak bloom prediction dates revealed
WASHINGTON – The 2024 peak bloom prediction dates for the thousands of Japanese cherry blossom trees surrounding Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin and National Mall are being revealed Thursday.
The National Park Service announced that the trees would reach peak bloom from March 23-26
Peak bloom is defined as when 70% of the blossoms have opened, revealing the magnificent pink and white blossoms. It typically occurs between the last week of March and the first week of April.
READ MORE: Best spots to see cherry blossoms in DC — besides the Tidal Basin
Last year, the iconic blossoms appeared earlier than expected because of the unusually warm winter.
The city will celebrate the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 14. Fun activities include a kite festival, a cherry blossom 5K and a parade.
The District’s cherry blossoms date back over 111 years to an original 1912 gift of 3,000 trees from the mayor of Tokyo.
Washington, D.C
List: What to do in the Washington DC area this week and weekend, Jan. 6-12
We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!
Sledding, snowball fights, snowmen construction, cross-country skiing: Make sure you have some fun with all this snow while you can!
The good news for snow lovers is that this week will be cold, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the snow.
While the U.S. Capitol sledding hill isn’t expected to be open because of Congressional proceedings, you can still check out Shepherd Elementary Field, Meridian Hill Park and Battery Kemble Park.
Here’s what else to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.
What to do in Washington, D.C.
Free Community Days at the National Museum of Women in the Arts: Weds., 1250 New York Avenue NW, free
Comedy – Craig Robinson: Thurs. to Sun., DC Improv, $55
James Baldwin at 100: Celebrating the Enduring Witness: Thurs., Busboys and Poets (450 K St. NW), suggested $10 donation
The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look: Fri. and Sat., 511 Tenth Street NW, free
DC Onesie Crawl: Sat., 2 to 10 p.m., Dupont Circle, $17-$20
Mindful Drinking Festival: Fri. to Sun., Union Market District, $75 for full event pass
Leaving soon – MOSAICO art exhibit: Through Jan. 26, Dupont Underground, free on Fridays, otherwise $10 ($8 with discount or free for children under 12)
What to do in Maryland
My Dog & Me Hike: Sat., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton, free
Fairytales and Fables: A Family Program: Sat., 10 a.m., Marietta House Museum in Glenn Dale, $5
Raptor Caretaker Chats: Sat., noon, Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, free
Yule Spy: Bond on Holiday: Sat., 6 p.m., Tucker Road Community Center in Fort Washington, $20-$26
The Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show: Sat. and Sun., Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, free with registration or $10 at the door
Book talk – “Historical Diseases from a Modern Perspective”: Sun., 2 p.m., National Museum of Health and Medicine in SIlver Spring, free
What to do in Virginia
Secrets, Spies, Sputnik and Huntley tour: Thurs., 1 p.m., Historic Huntley in Alexandria, $10
Oscar Watch at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse: “A Real Pain” (Jan. 10-12) and “Conclave” (Jan. 11-14)
Full Moon Nature Hike & Campfire: Fri., 6 p.m., Riverbend Park in Great Falls, $10
Wassail Party!: Fri., 6:30-8 p.m., Lost Boy Cider in Arlington, free
Wreaths Out volunteer clean-up: Sat., 8 a.m., Arlington National Cemetery, free
Winter Sing-Along Movie Marathon featuring “Frozen” and “Frozen 2”: Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Courthouse Library in Arlington, free
Tyson’s New Year Pickleball Tournament: Sun., 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., The Pickleball Club of Tysons in Vienna, $35
Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
Washington, D.C
School closings: Major districts closed in DC, Maryland and Virginia
Ahead of the snow, several major school districts around the region announced closures in advance.
Here’s a full list of closures, including private schools, government offices and more.
Washington, DC:
D.C. Public Schools will be closed today, Mayor Bowser announced during a news conference yesterday.
Virginia:
Alexandria City Public Schools are closed today, with no virtual learning. All in-person afternoon and evening activities on school grounds are also canceled.
Arlington County Schools are closed today.
Fairfax County Public Schools are closed, and there will be no extracurricular activities, team practices or other courses or activities. School Age Child Care (SACC) centers are closed, and homebound and home-based instruction is canceled. Essential personnel should follow their supervisors’ instructions.
Culpeper County Public Schools are closed today for students and staff. Classes will also be canceled tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 7) for students, but it will be a workday for staff.
Maryland:
Montgomery County Public Schools are closed today, with no virtual learning. Activities, field trips, athletic practices and other programs are also canceled, as are childcare programs and community use activities. Emergency personnel should report on time.
Prince George’s County Public Schools also are closed
Washington, D.C
Federal offices in DC area closed for snowstorm
Federal offices in the D.C. area will be closed Monday but telework and remote employees will be expected to work, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Sunday night.
Non-telework employees will receive weather and safety leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work today, OPM said.
However, leave won’t be granted to employees who are on official travel outside of the duty station, who are on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) day off or who have another non-workday.
Emergency employees are expected to report to their worksites unless otherwise directed by their agencies, OPM said.
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