Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Three weeks of hanami across a city full of flowering cherry trees. One of the largest urban blossom festivals in North America.
About the festival
Founded in 2006, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) celebrates the city's 40,000+ flowering cherry trees during their annual spring bloom. The festival honors Vancouver's Japanese Canadian heritage and the cultural tradition of hanami — blossom viewing as a form of presence.
Events span multiple weeks and multiple venues: cultural programming, outdoor gatherings, haiku poetry, Japanese arts, guided tree walks, and large community picnics. The 2026 festival runs March 27 – April 17, the festival's 20th anniversary.
What to expect
The festival is welcoming, family-friendly, and community-oriented. Crowds gather in parks under pink and white canopies of blossoms. The tone ranges from peaceful (self-guided walks, haiku writing) to festive (Japan Fair, DJ sets, Blossom Block Party).
Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen is the most popular ticketed event, drawing thousands for Japanese food, tea ceremony demonstrations, sake sampling, and traditional performances. The Big Picnic in David Lam Park is a free community gathering that draws large, relaxed crowds.
For a quieter experience, Tree Talks & Walks events are free and led by arborists and horticulturalists in neighborhoods currently at peak bloom.
Key events
- Sakura Days Japan Fair — VanDusen Botanical Garden. Japanese food, tea ceremony, sake tasting, traditional performances. ~$20 adults.
- The Big Picnic — David Lam Park, Yaletown. Free community gathering under the blossoms. Includes a Pet Parade on Sunday.
- Blossom Block Party — Bentall Centre, downtown Vancouver. Street festival with DJs and food. $5 donation entry.
- Blossoms After Dark — Evening blossom viewing event. Free.
- Tree Talks & Walks — Expert-guided neighborhood walks timed to peak bloom. Free.
- Blossom Run — 5K run through blooming streets. Ticketed; register via waitlist at vcbf.ca.