How to Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season in Vancouver

The 11th annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival will be in full bloom from late March until early April. Here are 11 ways to take in all the beauty while it lasts

 

1. Tree Talks & Walks

Take a leisurely stroll with Tree Talks & Walks to experience the local cherry blossom trees. Choose from six different routes around the city that all have historical or cultural features of interest in addition to the blossoms. Want to know more about these iconic trees? Attend a workshop on March 30th at VanDusen Botanical Garden to learn about the species.
Dates TBA pending blooms, check website for updates.
For workshop, send an email to Wendy Cutler for registration.

2. TWG Always Sakura Tea

Perfect for an afternoon cuppa, TWG’s Always Sakura tea will be featured in celebration of spring at the TWG Tea Salon & Boutique. This green tea is infused with Rainer cherries and floral blends for a smooth and delicately sweet flavour.
Available now at TWG Tea Salon & Boutique, 1070 West Georgia Street or online, $47

 

3. Petal Picnic

Have a Hanami—the Japanese tradition of flower viewing to enjoy the transient beauty of the blossoms—with family and friends for the Big Picnic. Reserve and pick up lunchbox of your choice (vegetarian or gluten-free) prepared by Cocktails & Canapés. Can’t make it? Order a lunchbox and custom-made petal mat for your party to have lunch in a beautiful green and pink oasis of your choosing.
Lunchboxes available weekdays and at events mid-March; limited quantities available so reserve early.
Dates TBA pending blooms, check website for updates.
Queen Elizabeth Park, West 33rd Avenue and Cambie Street

 

4. Purdy’s Chocolate

This spring Purdy’s will be featuring Sake + Sakura chocolate truffles, just in time for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Each truffle is dusted in cherry blossom pink on a dark chocolate shell that is filled with a luscious, floral white chocolate ganache mixed with a hint of heat.
Available the last week of March; $11 per six-piece box

 

5. Spring Lights Illumination

Visit Queen Elizabeth Park after sunset to experience Spring Lights Illumination. Local artists will present dance, music and digital art celebrating Vancouver’s diverse ethnic communities against a cherry-blossom backdrop.
Two nights, dates to be announced pending blooms; free event
Queen Elizabeth Park, West 33rd Ave and Cambie Street

 

6. Sakura Night

Dress in pink-tie attire for Sakura Night. Seven of the top restaurants in Vancouver, including Hapa Izakaya, Benkei Ramen and Masayoshi, are showing off their Asian-fusion cuisine and superb culinary skills at the newly renovated Stanley Park Pavilion in celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Sunday, April 2nd from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; $152
Stanley Park Pavilion, 610 Pipeline Road

 

7. Lucky’s Sakura Cherry Doughnut

Lucky’s has just released its seasonal Sakura doughnut, a classic Bismarck-style filled with a white chocolate and matcha pastry cream, drizzled with a Sakura and strawberry glaze and topped with edible fondant flowers and dried Sakura. The best part? On Thursday, March 30, all proceeds from sales of the Sakura doughnut will benefit Dining Out For Life in support of meal and nutrition programs for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS and other co-existing illnesses.
$5, available at both Lucky’s Doughnuts locations: 2902 Main Street and 2198 West 4th Avenue in Kits

 

8. Cherry Jam Downtown

Take in the sights and sounds at the Cherry Jam Downtown. Local talent including Uzume Taiko, Lions Gate Sinfonia Brass Sextet and Son de Maple will be performing at the Burrard Skytrain station’s indoor concourse in celebration of Japanese culture.
Thursday, March 30 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.; free
635 Burrard Street

 

9. Sakura Days Japan Fair

Attend the Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Experience an ancient Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy culinary demonstrations and Japanese festival food. There are a variety of workshops that include calligraphy, origami and other arts and crafts for the whole family to enjoy.
Saturday, April 8th from 11 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 9th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Buy tickets online or at the gate; 5251 Oak Street at 37th

 

10. B.C. Blossom Photo Watch Contest

Get your cameras ready! All festival long, the B.C. Blossom Photo Watch contest is on. Be creative and think outside the box while exploring local neighbourhoods and parks to take the winning shot of Vancouver’s local cherry blossom trees.
See website for contest details.

 

11. Plein Air Paint Out & Picnic and Artist Reception

On April 20th, bring your sketchbook and painting supplies to VanDusen Botanical Garden for the Plein Air Paint Out & Picnic. Visitors will get to explore the garden, create and watch artists paint their cherry-blossom-inspired masterpieces.  
Paint Out and Picnic 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; artist reception 4 p.m.
5251 Oak Street