The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place March 29th to April 25th this year.
But with 90,000 flowering trees, over 40,000 of which are flowering cherry trees, Vancouver is already looking very pretty in pink. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom festival has compiled lists of where to see the best blossoms and when. We’ve added details on the best places to find cherry blossoms around Kits, Granville and UBC as well.
Here’s the intel.
1. All over Kitsilano
Kitsilano neighbourhood is well known for its lovely flowering trees this time of year. Take a stroll along many of our streets, but especially along West 5th and 6th, Cypress Street, Yew Street, plus Kits Beach, Kits Point, and Vanier Park to take in the beauty of the blossom.
2. Burrard Skytrain Station
The beautiful Akebono cherry trees are in bloom at Burrard skytrain station.
3. Queen Elizabeth Park
The Akebono cherry trees at Queen Elizabeth Park are full of buds and will open any day now. This is also one of the best places to view groves of the elegant Yoshino cherry trees.
4. Stanley Park
Stanley Park also has rows of blossoming trees near the formal rose garden and the Japanese Canadian WWI war memorial.
5. West 16th Avenue (Burrard)
Stroll along five consecutive city blocks of beauty on West 16th Avenue from Maple Street to Granville Street.
6. Lower Mall (UBC)
Find them one block of the Lower Mall from Vanier Place to University Boulevard.
7. Nitobe Memorial Garden
For a truly peaceful (and cultural) experience, make sure to visit the UBC Nitobe Memorial Garden, where you’ll find colourful cherry trees in a traditional Japanese garden setting
8. VanDusen Botanical Garden
The bloom calendar will keep you in the know on what’s flowering when. In addition to just observing, you can party under the blossoms at the Sakura Days Japan Fair is on April 13-14 at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Celebrate the cultural arts and age old traditions of Japan at this event with tea ceremonies, ethnic food, premium sake sampling, guided garden walks, and haiku readings. Learn all about ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, and origami, while being entertained by Japanese dance and drumming. There will also be a kid’s tent for the little ones.
9. Granville Island
There’s a pretty cluster begging for picnics at the eastern edge of the Granville Island seawall at False Creek.
We know there are many other blossoming pockets. Help out by adding your favourite below.
Last modified: March 29, 2024
