Coinciding with the arrival of more than 40,000 local cherry trees in bloom, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates spring with a lively program of events across the city. On April 3 from noon to 1:30 p.m., the Cherry Jam Downtown Concert begins at Burrard Station, featuring live music, dance performances and haiku readings. The Sakura Illumination Tour (sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom) offers an after-dark walk among the blossoms at Granville Island’s Sutcliffe Park. From 7:30–9 p.m., a canopy of blooms is transformed by LED and video lighting that casts artistic patterns across the trees.
The Sakura Days Japan Fair, held at VanDusen Botanical Garden on April 5 and 6, highlights Japanese arts and culture among the flowering trees. Visitors can take ikebana (Japanese flower-arranging) lessons, join guided garden walks, and experience traditional taiko drumming and martial-arts demonstrations. The fair also features ceremonial tea and sake presentations, plus classes in calligraphy and origami. A variety of authentic Japanese foods are available to enjoy in the garden setting. Festival programming runs from April 3–28, offering many opportunities to appreciate the blossoms and related cultural activities.
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