Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

For centuries, people have been in awe of the beauty of the cherry blossom. Glorious in bloom, cherry trees have inspired artists of all kinds, from poets and performers to photographers and chefs. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival—the first spring celebration of its kind in Canada—bringing people together in celebration when nature, culture and community come together in harmony.  

Inspired by the age-old sakura festivals of Japan, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival charitable non-profit society was founded in 2005 by Linda Poole. Since Vancouver’s 43,000 cherry trees originated from a gift of 500 ornamental cherry trees from Japan, creating a Vancouver festival struck her as a perfect way to express our gratitude to Japan and to celebrate the joy and beauty they bring to all people.

In 2007 VanDusen Botanical Garden offered the Festival free office space in the Education Centre. A new cherry grove was planted in the Garden in dedication to the festival’s first and most passionate Blossom Benefactor, the Honourable Dr. David C. Lam. Today the Festival is grateful to be in residence at Aberthau Mansion/West Point Grey Community Centre as part of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Artists in Community Program.

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival has gone on to grow in size and scope every year, inspiring people to express their response to these extraordinary trees through music, dance, poetry, theatre, photography, visual art, design, craft, cuisine, and more.

Showcasing emerging and professional local artists, the festival facilitates exciting new collaborations and bridges diverse cultures and artistic disciplines. Making the arts accessible to everyone is a priority, with the festival offering many low or no-cost ways to engage. With the arts as a springboard to a better understanding of each other, people make new connections through the shared experience of appreciating the cherry blossoms.

Among the festival’s signature programs is the international Haiku Invitational program, Cherry Jam concert, Bike the Blossoms, Tree Talks & Walks, The Big Picnic, BLOOM! educational outreach, and Sakura Days Japan Fair in partnership with Japan Fair Association of Vancouver.

The festival’s Cherry Blossom Viewing Map covers all 23 Vancouver neighbourhoods and some of the cherry trees in Metro Vancouver, while the Ornamental Cherries in Vancouver field guide is an invaluable aid for identifying and learning about the 54 different cultivars of ornamental cherries in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival finds truth in a famous Issa haiku: “there is no stranger under the cherry tree.”