The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is a beloved annual event that celebrates the beauty of cherry blossoms and the arrival of spring. Every March and April I walk and bike around the Kitsilano area simply to experience the beauty of this time of year. There are many tree-lined streets that are in full bloom and I can spend hours enjoying the beauty. It's a sure sign that spring is here!

Here's a deeper dive into the festival:

History

In 1925, the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama presented the Vancouver Park Board with five hundred trees of the Ojochin variety for planting at the cenotaph in Stanley Park, in honour of Japanese Canadian veterans of WWI.

History of our Cherry Trees

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festivalhttps://vcbf.ca › history-of-our-cherry-trees

The Cherry Blossom Festival was founded in 2005 by Linda Poole to honor the city's hundreds of cherry trees with the aim to connect people through various cultural and educational programs inspired by the Japanese tradition of hanami (flower viewing).

When & Where: There are many ways to get involved with your community from March 26 to April 28, 2025 at locations throughout Vancouver including Kitsilano, David Lam Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden, and more. Activities include picnics, cultural fairs, illuminated walks, bike tours, and guided tree talks. https://vcbf.ca/

Key Events in the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival

1.      The Big Picnic: Held on April 1 at David Lam Park, this event invites families and friends to gather for a day of picnicking under the cherry blossoms

2.      Sakura Days Japan Fair: Taking place on April 15-16 at VanDusen Botanical Garden, this fair celebrates Japanese culture with food, performances, music, and art

3.      Blossoms After Dark: From March 28-30, stroll through David Lam Park and enjoy the illuminated cherry blossom trees

4.      Bike the Blossoms: Scheduled for April 22, this event encourages participants to explore the city's cherry blossoms by bike

5.      Tree Talks & Walks: Various dates and locations throughout the festival, offering guided tours to learn about the cherry trees and their history

Additional Activities During the Festival

Added to the key events, the festival features activities including haiku competitions, pottery workshops, pop-up events, and more.

It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of cherry blossoms and enjoy a variety of cultural activities while meeting people in our community. Enjoy getting out into nature on your bike or walking along cherry tree-lined streets and parks.

 WBN News - Kitsilano Edition

Karalee Greer - Publisher

Tags: #WBN News - Kitsilano Edition #Karalee Greer #Kitsilano #Cherry Blossom Festival #Vancouver Events #Hanami #Japanese Ojochin Cherry Trees