2016 Washington Cherry Blossoms: Photos from Peak

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cherry blossoms are in full bloom around the nation’s capital.

Capital News Service has collected a few images from the spectacle, which peaked March 25.

The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival got under way March 20, but the festivities run through April 17, and include a kite festival, parade, fireworks show and more.

Events during the festival include:

Blossom Kite Festival: Join us on April 2 for the Blossom Kite Festival. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of kite flying on the National Mall.

Waterfront Fireworks Festival: Enjoy live music and entertainment for all ages preceding the Fireworks Show at 8:30 p.m. on April 9.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade: 10 a.m. to noon on April 16 along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW. Grandstand seating tickets are $20. Standing along the parade route from Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th streets, NW is FREE and open to the public. Arrive early for the best views.

Parade performers will include: Cast members from the award-winning musical "Jersey Boys, pop singer Tiffany,The Voice contestant Sisaundra Lewis, R&B Grammy-nominated artist and DC native Raheem DeVaughn, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell and the Washington Redskins cheerleaders.

Sakura Matsuri—Japanese Street Festival: Set for Saturday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Held the same day as the parade, this rain-or-shine event brings performances to four stages. The new location for 2016 is the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood at M Street and New Jersey Avenue SE, across the street from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.

You can check on cherry blossom activity via the "Cherry Blossom Cam."

Where to Go: There are several visitors' centers in the Washington, D.C., area where you can map out your destinations and learn more about events planned during the festival.

And there are many ways to see the blossoms: on foot, by pedicab tour, boat cruise, guided photo safaris and more. Check out the tours section of the festival website for options. The Cherry Blossom Shuttle ($1) runs from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial around Haines Point and has 11 stops along the way.

Take the Train: Veterans of the event say don't drive there. There's no Metro stop that's especially close to the Tidal Basin, but your best bets are the Smithsonian (Orange and Blue lines) or L'Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green lines) stations.

Parking: Event-goers may use ParkNow to reserve and pay for a parking space in advance, or use Parkmobile to pay for on-street parking through the app. Click here to learn more.

The 2016 Festival commemorates the 104th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. Click here for the latest updates, and here for a full list of Festival events.

You can support the work that goes into the festival byordering merchandise online.

Finding a Hotel: Coming to the festival from out of town? Here's a collection of DC hotels in the area to choose from in booking a room.