Vancouver’s cherry blossoms are already starting to bloom and here’s when the iconic festival returns

It might not feel like it right now, but the season of cherry blossoms, iced matcha, and sprawling out at your favourite park will be here before you know it. Starting as early as late February every year, the city emerges from its winter slumber, turning into a sea of pink and white. It’s the Vancouver we love most, and this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival will bring it all to the forefront.

The upcoming festival not only commemorates the beauty of the trees themselves, but the art they inspire, and the richness of Japanese Canadian heritage.

What’s more, Vancouver was one of the very first places in Canada to receive cherry trees from Japan, making our city’s festival all the more special.

When will the cherry blossoms start to bloom?

Tens of thousands of cherry blossom trees bloom between the end of March and mid-April, bringing Raincouver some much-needed colour and vitality.

However, as of Jan. 24, 2026, a handful of Whitcomb cherries are already in bloom in Vancouver’s warmer neighbourhoods, including the West End.

“The late winter/early spring cherries have given up waiting,” shares the VCBF. “This does not yet mean that it will be an early year for the later cherries – we still need to see what February weather will bring.”

Nonetheless, this is great news for spring bloom lovers hoping for a peek into the season ahead.

Here are all the blossom-themed events to mark your calendars for in 2026 (so far):

• Blossoms After Dark (March 27 and 28, 2026): A magical evening experience under the illuminated cherry blossoms.
• Blossom Run (March 28, 2026): A first-ever spring-themed fun run (7K and under) through Vancouver’s cherry blossoms, co-hosted with The Right Shoe.
• The Big Picnic (March 28 and 29, 2026): An outdoor event that unites Vancouver’s diverse community in a cultural celebration.
• Sakura Days Japan Fair (April 11 and 12, 2026): A celebration of Japanese arts and culture amidst the breathtaking cherry blossoms at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
• Blossom Block Party (April 4, 2026): A one-day block party at Bentall Centre’s open-air Dunsmuir Patio, created in partnership with Public Disco.
• Bike the Blossoms (TBA, 2026): A guided bike ride under the cherry blossoms, accompanied by coffee or tea at the end of the ride.

This year’s Vancouver Cherry Blossom Fest will run from March 27 to April 12, 2026, so mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info on this year’s programming as it comes.

Spring is just around the corner, Vancouver!

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2026

When: March 27 to April 12, 2026
Time: Varies per event
Where: David Lam Park and locations across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events

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