Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Spring in Vancouver is one of my favourite seasons in the city. After months of rain and cloudy skies, the city awakens with vibrant colours, warmer weather, and longer daylight hours. And what better way to celebrate springtime than with the iconic cherry blossom festival that takes place throughout the city?
For me, the Vancouver cherry blossom season is a highlight of spring in Vancouver.
As the city becomes blanketed in pink, there is a sense of renewed energy and everyone just seems more joyful.
You can find cherry blossoms in Vancouver all over the city. They line the streets and parks and I’d go as far as to say it’s impossible not to see one.
The Vancouver cherry blossoms bloom usually from the end of March and last until mid-April, depending on the weather.
The annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of cherry blossoms. This festival runs for several weeks, and offers a range of events, from guided walks to bike tours, photography contests, and cultural performances.
Apart from the festival events, there are also many other locations throughout the city where one can admire the cherry blossoms.
The most well-known locations are those around Stanley Park, which has a large concentration of cherry blossom trees. But other parks including Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden, also offer beautiful displays of cherry blossoms.
Whether you attend the festival events or simply take a stroll through the parks and public spaces, the cherry blossoms offer a breathtaking sight that should not be missed.
Put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and come experience the beauty of Vancouver’s cherry blossom festival for yourself!
What is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival?
Quite simply it’s one of the prettiest Vancouver festivals! The Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver, Canada is effectively a celebration of spring and pretty blossoms.
In Vancouver, there are around 40,000 cherry blossom trees so you’re bound to spot some around the city without even trying!
When is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and when do cherry blossoms bloom?
In 2023, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from April 1 to April 23.
However, you may see cherry blossoms in bloom a week or so before this. It’s basically from when the trees start to bloom until they no longer are.
So if it’s a particularly harsh winter the season might be a bit later, and if it’s been mild then you can expect the cherry blossom season to be a bit earlier.
Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.
How long do Vancouver cherry blossoms last?
Cherry blossoms don’t last that long unfortunately but that’s partly what makes them so pretty. If they were around all the time we wouldn’t appreciate them as much!
Cherry blossom trees tend to be in full bloom for a week or two so you’ll need to get out there and snap them quickly!
How can I find the cherry blossoms in bloom?
If you’re hoping to get out there and find beautiful Japanese cherry blossom trees in Vancouver, there are several ways to find them.
Here are some of the ways I’ve found gorgeous cherry blossom trees in Vancouver over the past few years.
Just walk
Just go for a walk around our beautiful city and you’re bound to stumble upon some cherry blossoms.
Check the festival website
Alternatively, you can check the “Blooming Now” Vancouver map which is kept up to date by the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
This is a great place to check if you’re taking your cherry blossom hunt to the next level.
Use social media
Head to social media for your cherry blossom watch. See where your fellow Instagrammers are posting their cherry blossom pictures from.
This is probably the best way to go about finding “cherry blossom trees near me”.
Where are the best places to spot cherry blossoms in Vancouver?
It depends on the year as to where the best cherry blossom is. However, there are certain areas of Vancouver where you’re more likely to be impressed by cherry blossoms than others. Here are some top picks for spotting cherry blossom in Vancouver.
For my truly favourite areas, I’ve added a bit more detail. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a popular spot for picnics, dates and taking photos of the cherry blossoms. It’s without a doubt one of the best places to find cherry blossom trees in Vancouver.
They even have several events at Queen Elizabeth Park during the festival so you know it’s gotta be a good spot.
End of Howe by Ancora restaurant and the Yacht Club downtown
This is one of my favourite places mostly because people around here don’t seem to even realise the beauty!
I saw very few people posing for photos here (especially compared to near the Lost Lagoon!).
Hamilton Street near the Vancouver Public Library
If you wander down the hill from the library to Yaletown you’ll be wowed by the cherry blossoms to your right.
Especially since they’re also just in front of some super cute-looking buildings!
Other beautiful spots to find the best cherry blossoms in Vancouver
- Seabreeze between Hornby and Howe
- Beach & Thurlow
- David Lam Park
- Marinaside and Davie (by the houses on the seawall)
- Burrard Skytrain Station
- Waterfront Plaza by 200 Granville
- Coal Harbour, Waterfront
- Robson Street (side streets west of Thurlow)
- Arbutus Ridge
- W 4th Avenue (Cornwall Avenue and Yew Street)
- The West End up and down Gilford Street
- VanDusen Botanical Garden: The Van Dusen Gardens are great whatever the time of year, especially during spring!
What happens during the Vancouver Cherry Blossom?
This year there are some free online events for the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. For the 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver, you can expect the following.
See the full event line up for this year’s Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival online.
Haiku Invitational 2023 (March 1 – June 1)
The Haiku Invitational is a globally recognised online competition that draws entries from across the world.
This event comprises six principal categories, namely Vancouver, BC, Canada, the United States, International, and Youth (under 17 years).
The winning poems in each of these categories will be published in the Haiku Canada newsletter, Haiku Society of America’s online publication, and showcased on the VCBF website.
These haikus are also given the honour of being read by renowned personalities at The Big Picnic and Sakura Days Japan Fair as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
Sunset on Fraser Pop-up (March 25)
On March 25th, the Sunset on Fraser Business Improvement Association is hosting the inaugural launch of a sculptural Pop-Up exhibit, adding to the charm of Vancouver’s Spring.
The Pop-Up exhibit is a platform for fostering connections among attendees at Festival events and engaging with the 22 Business Improvement Associations in Greater Vancouver to further promote inclusivity. The exhibit’s roving design aims to create a space where people can enter as strangers and leave as friends.
The Pop-Up Pavilion located in Sunset on Fraser will host live music performances by the Vancouver Okinawa Taiko and Bungalow.
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko has been performing for over 15 years in various cultural festivals, charity functions, sports events, and anniversary celebrations, while, Bungalow has a unique sound and puts on dynamic performances.
Sakura Days (April 15-16)
Experience the enchanting Sakura Vancouver Days Japan Fair at the VanDusen Botanical Garden located at 5251 Oak Street on April 15th and 16th.
This year, the event promises to be the most enjoyable experience yet, with double the number of food trucks and vendors.
The Sakura Days Japan Fair celebrates rich Japanese culture through a variety of food, drink, and music.
Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, savour Japanese festival food, sample premium sake, learn new Japanese games, and enjoy various cultural performances.
The event features an extensive array of vendors and exhibitors, showcasing local Japanese food, crafts, and businesses. There’s also taiko drumming, theatre performances, woodworking demonstrations, and a Japanese Garden display.
Tree Talks & Walks (Select days from April 2- 23)
Back for 2023 after a couple of years off is Tree Talks & Walks!
Taking place over the month of April, you’ll be guided on a walk through the city learning from your expert guide during that session.
Pre-registration for these is needed.
Bike the Blossoms (April 22)
In Bike the Blossoms you’ll get to enjoy a leisurely ride through tunnels of stunning hot pink Kanzan cherry blossom cultivars on Vancouver’s east side.
As you pedal along, you’ll be amazed by the natural beauty of the city in spring!
It’s an excellent opportunity for you to explore the city, meet new people, and enjoy a beautiful ride through the stunning cherry blossom tunnels.
2023 The Big Picnic (April 1)
Mark your calendars for the Big Picnic on April 1, 2023, at David Lam Park.
The spectacular setting is the perfect backdrop to honour Dr David Lam’s generous donation of cherry trees while celebrating the spirit of friendship that flourishes under the cherry tree.
The festivities will kick off with a special tree dedication ceremony featuring representatives from Vancouver’s three Host Nations of Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and the Japanese Consulate.
There will be live music and interactive arts activities and workshops.
FAQs about the Cherry Blossom Festival Vancouver
What month is cherry blossom in Vancouver?
Most of the cherry blossoms Vancouver has come into bloom from late March to April.
Is there a cherry blossom festival in Vancouver?
There is! the festival runs from April 1 to April 23, 2023
Where is cherry blossom Vancouver?
You can find cherry blossoms in Vancouver all over the city but I’ve listed some of my favourite places in this guide.
When is cherry blossom season in Vancouver?
The cherry blossoms in Vancouver usually bloom between mid-March and late April, though this changes slightly year to year depending on what the weather has been like.
Final thoughts on the cherry blossom Vancouver 2023 festival
The Cherry Blossom Festival Vancouver is an annual event that celebrates the arrival of spring, particularly the blooming of cherry blossoms in the city.
The cherry blossom season Vancouver 2023 will be from mid/late March into the end of April.
This festival attracts visitors from all over the world who come to witness the stunning pink and white blooms that line the streets and parks.
The cherry blossoms in Vancouver 2023 festival offers a wide range of activities, including concerts, food fairs, art exhibitions, cultural performances, and bike rides.
If you’re visiting Vancouver in Spring, I’d definitely recommend adding this to your Vancouver itinerary!
Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
