8 Cherry Blossom Events To Check Out In Vancouver in 2025

Spring is upon us, and pretty soon your social media feed will be filled with photos of these gorgeous pastel pink blossoms blooming all over the city. We’re a sucker for cherry blossoms as well, and can you blame us? The adorable flowers add a vibrant touch to our otherwise rainy and gloomy city, and we absolutely love the amazing sakura-themed food and drinks that come out of it as well. From a self-guided food tour to spectacular traditional Japanese performances, these events scattered across the city are must-gos in our book.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

No cherry blossom roundup would be complete without the annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, and this year’s festivities sees a multitude of events including pottery workshops, outdoor performances across the city, and a big picnic under the beautiful blossoms. The biggest highlight this year is the Sakura Days Japan Fair at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. The fair will feature over 40 vendors, where you can purchase artisanal goods like intricately designed jewellery, beautiful textiles, and stunning art prints. Don’t forget to pick up some takoyaki or sip on quality sake before heading over to the show stage to catch the performances. vcbf.ca

When: March 26–April 28

Cherry Blossom Food Festival

If you’re a foodie—and let’s be honest, who in Vancouver isn’t?—the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival is back again this year. For the next month and a half, over 20 cafés and bakeries across the city will offer special sakura-themed items. Must-try items include Beaucoup Bakery’s fluffy Sakura Melon Pan and an adorable Miffy-themed parfait made by Whisk Premium Matcha and Level V Bakery. Feeling hungry? Don’t worry, so are we. nomsmagazine.com

When: March 14–April 27

Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival

If you’re an avid fan of Japanese traditions and culture, head out of the downtown core and to Richmond’s Cherry Blossom Festival. This year’s festival features a variety of programmes such as a “Chado” tea ceremony demonstration, an ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) display, and even a kimono show where you can see gorgeous textiles on display. Of course, no festival would be complete with food, and this year’s festival sees offerings like yakisoba from Squamish-based Teriyaki Boys and Japadog’s ever-popular hot dogs. richmondcherryblossomfest.ca

When: April 6, 11a.m.–4p.m.

The Victor

Pacific Northwest seafood restaurant The Victor also joins in on the festivities this year, offering a special cherry blossom-inspired menu featuring unique concoctions like a matcha-infused Asahi draft or an elderflower rose gin mixed with cassis, cherry vodka, and topped with a vegan foam. Drinks aside, indulge in the Cherry Blossom Roll ($26—where fresh Hokkaido scallops, sea bream, bluefin, shiso and cucumbers are wrapped in fragrant rice and topped with masago aioli and umeboshi. parqcasino.com

Address: 39 Smithe Street

When: March 28–April 23

Tsujiri

Indulge in a decadent spring high tea set at Richmond’s Tsujiri. Named “Hanami”, the Japanese word for cherry blossom viewing, Tsujiri’s high tea set (from $45) offers a variety of sweet and savoury treats including a matcha daifuku topped with sakura pickles and a grilled unagi onigiri complete with yuzu mayo. Sip on premium kabusecha— a type of green tea where the leaves are grown under the shade a week before harvest, which results in a sweeter tea with rich umami. tsujiri.ca 

Address: 1535-4777 Mcclelland Road, Richmond V6X0N1

When: March 11–June 29

Chez Christophe

Run, don’t walk to get some of popular chocolaterie and pâtisserie Chez Christophe’s cherry blossom-inspired offerings this season. From flaky croissants topped with orange marmeláde to artisan bonbons filled with a cherry blossom-infused gin ganache, the collection is available for pre-order and pick up at any of its stores. While you’re there, don’t forget to try the exclusive drinks like the iced sakura cloud latte and the Tokyo fog tea latte, where the classic English breakfast tea meets cherry blossoms. chez-christophe.ca

Address: Various locations

When: March 19–April 5

Five Sails

Soak in waterfront views as you dig into Five Sails’ cherry blossom high tea set ($75 per person). This luxe spread includes delectable bites like beef okonomiyaki fritters, a fluffy swiss roll filled with sweet red bean paste and strawberry ganache, a sakura parfait complete with honey chantilly, rhubarb jam, and light but sweet sakura jello. Those looking for the ultimate high tea experience can enhance their set with half dozen fresh Canadian oysters ($28) or with oscietra caviar ($70). glowbalgroup.com

Address: R Level, 410–999 Canada Place

When: Saturday–Sunday 11.30a.m.–3.30p.m.

The Sandbar

This cherry blossom season sees master sushi chef Tsutomu Hoshi whipping up spring menu items at The Sandbar. The newly added Sakura Roll ($24.50) features avocado, fresh crab, scallops and sockeye sashimi topped with fresh tobiko and mayonnaise. We recommend pairing it with the boozy but refreshing Sake Sangria ($14.50), where sake and plum wine meets orange juice and triple sec. vancouverdine.com

Address: 1535 Johnston St. Creekhouse #102 Granville Island

When: Daily from 11.30a.m.