Best time to visit · Washington, D.C. · United States
The best time to visit Washington, D.C.
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Washington are April–May and September–October, when the weather is mild for long days on the Mall. Late March to mid-April brings the cherry blossoms along with the year's biggest crowds and highest hotel rates. Summer is hot and humid but packed with free events, and August is often good value. Winter is cold and quiet, with low prices and empty museums.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, June and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- March (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and August
Seasons
Washington has a humid subtropical climate: hot, sticky summers with afternoon thunderstorms, mild and colourful springs and autumns, and cool winters with occasional snow.
March–May
Spring
Cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, mild weather and the busiest crowds of the year, including school groups; book hotels and timed passes early.
June–August
Summer
Hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, but full of free events such as the Folklife Festival and Fourth of July fireworks; August hotel rates are often lower.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September days and crisp, colourful October weather make this the most comfortable season for walking the Mall and Georgetown.
December–February
Winter
Cold with occasional snow, festive lights in December and the quietest museums and lowest hotel rates of the year.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | -1°C | 10 | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 9°C | 0°C | 9 | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 14°C | 3°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 20°C | 9°C | 11 | 13.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| May | 24°C | 14°C | 11 | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 29°C | 19°C | 10 | 14.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 32°C | 22°C | 10 | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 31°C | 21°C | 9 | 13.7 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 27°C | 17°C | 8 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 21°C | 11°C | 8 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 14°C | 5°C | 9 | 10 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 9°C | 1°C | 10 | 9.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations (third Monday); Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week (usually January) |
| February | Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (January or February) |
| March | National Cherry Blossom Festival (usually late March to mid-April) |
| April | National Cherry Blossom Festival parade (usually a Saturday in early-to-mid April) |
| May | Passport DC — embassy open houses (usually May); National Memorial Day Parade on Constitution Avenue (Memorial Day) |
| June | Capital Pride (usually June); Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall (usually late June to early July) |
| July | Independence Day fireworks over the National Mall (4 July); A Capitol Fourth concert on the Capitol's West Lawn (4 July) |
| August | Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week (usually August) |
| September | Library of Congress National Book Festival (usually late summer or early autumn); H Street Festival (usually September) |
| October | Marine Corps Marathon (usually late October) |
| November | Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (11 November); Downtown Holiday Market opens in Penn Quarter (usually late November) |
| December | National Christmas Tree lighting near the White House (usually early December); ZooLights at the National Zoo (usually late November to late December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February and August, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Washington, D.C.?
The best times to visit Washington are April–May and September–October, when the weather is mild for long days on the Mall. Late March to mid-April brings the cherry blossoms along with the year's biggest crowds and highest hotel rates. Summer is hot and humid but packed with free events, and August is often good value. Winter is cold and quiet, with low prices and empty museums.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Washington, D.C.?
Usually in January–February and August. Cold and grey with the occasional snowfall, but the museums are quiet and hotel rates are low outside inauguration years.
+What is the rainiest month in Washington, D.C.?
March, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Washington, D.C. get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).