Everyone loves a good cherry blossom, right? When the trees start to turn pink and you finally get a glimpse of the summer to come it makes you forget about all those dark winter days and endless rain. Vancouver loves the cherry blossom season so much that there’s even a whole Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival! If you want to find out where to get that instagram picture of the cherry blossom in Vancouver, then keep on reading for everything you need to know about the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
What is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
The festival is effectively a celebration of spring and pretty blossom. 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?
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March until mid-April – basically from when the trees start to bloom until they no longer are.
The official Cherry Blossom Festival takes places from March 30th to April 23rd which just means there’s some extra events (apart from spotting cherry blossom) going on during this time.
How can I find the cherry blossoms in bloom
There are several ways to find the best cherry blossom during the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
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” 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
You could also keep an eye on social media and see where your fellow instagrammers are posting their cherry blossom pictures from.
Where are the best places to spot cherry blossom 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.
- End of Howe by Ancora restaurant and the Yacht Club downtown
- Hamilton Street near the Vancouver Public Library
- 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
- Queen Elizabeth Park
What happens during the Vancouver Cherry Blossom?
There are several different events that take place during the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate Spring and the blooming of these beautiful trees. For the 2018 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival you can expect the following events.
Cherry Jam Downtown
The festival opens with the free Cherry Jam at Burrard Skytrain station from 12pm – 1:30pm on April 5th. The Cherry Jam features local musicians, dancers and poets reading the winners of the Haiku Invitational.
Bike The Blossoms
This free cycling events takes place on 28th April from 11am – 1pm and begins at Trout Lake. The bicycle route changes every year but is usually just over 10km long and you’ll spot plenty of blossom along the way!
This year you’ll also be able to get some advice on anti-bike-theft measures to make it harder to have your bicycle taken from you, and easier to get back!
Sign your waiver in advance online, otherwise go along at 10am to get it signed on the day. You may also print your waiver here and bring it on the day of the event: Click here
Spring Lights Illumination
Head down to Queen Elizabeth Park as the sunsets for this free Spring Lights Illumination event on 14th April as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
Queen Elizabeth Park will be illuminated with projections and mult icoloured lanterns. If you’re a keen photographer then you’ll be pleased to know that the light show has been set up to minimise obstructed views. Pack a picnic (pray for good weather), and have a great time!
The Big Picnic
Between 12pm – 3pm on 14th April you’ll be able to join in on a big community picnic at Queen Elizabeth Park. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the cherry blossoms as Queen Elizabeth Park is full of them!
The Cherry Blossom Festival provides a free, interconnecting Petal Mat which you and your new friends can sit upon.
If you forgot to swing by the shops on the way over, then you can grab some lunch from the Tacofino truck that’ll be on site.
There will also be extra activities taking place including; walking meditation, Kabuki face-painting, dancing, singing, huge jenga, ultimate frisbee and even a free yoga class between 12:30 – 1:15pm!
Will you be heading to the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival?
