The cherry blossoms are out, sunnier days are around the corner, and Vancouver’s celebrated Cherry Blossom Festival is coming up in just a couple of short weeks. The festival’s main event, The Big Picnic, is a time to gather with your loved ones at David Lam Park and usher in one of the most vibrant times of the year, and it’s shaking things up for 2026.
A two-day picnic
For the first time, the signature daytime celebration will run for two full days, allowing more people than ever to join in on the fun. Simply grab your favourite picnic blankets to sit on and a bite to eat, and head to the park to enjoy live music on the Cherry Jam Stage, spring-themed workshops, and most importantly, community connection under the city’s blooming pink blossoms.
Another festival first? The Big Picnic’s first-ever pet parade, so don’t forget cute spring outfits for both you and your pet!
The parade will take place at 1 p.m. (gathering starts at 12:30 p.m.) on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
101 years of cherry trees in Vancouver
The giant picnic commemorates Dr. David Lam’s donation of 100 Akebono cherry trees to the City of Vancouver, and the friendships formed underneath them over the years.
Vancouver’s cherry blossoms date back 101 years, delighting residents and visitors alike. In Japan, they’re known as sakura, symbolizing hope and renewal, and serving as an emblem of the country’s cultural history.
In 1925, the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama presented 500-some Ojochin cherry trees to the Vancouver Park Board to honour the many Japanese Canadian veterans of WWI. Ever since then, our city’s fascination with these bright pink blooms has only grown with each passing year.
Get ready to mark your calendars. The Big Picnic will take place on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days.
Those who want to enhance their experience can pre-order a Sakura Scone Tea for Two from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which includes four scones (two classic buttermilk and two vanilla chai), as well as pots of mascarpone cream and strawberry preserve. Plus, your choice of black and herbal Fairmont teas, served on-site.
Mark your calendars!
When: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: David Lam Park
Cost: Free
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