Cherry Blossom Festivals

Cherry Blossom Festivals originate in Japan, where the viewing of cherry blossoms in spring goes back centuries. In the past, aristocrats wrote poems to celebrate the blossoms. Today, the viewing of cherry blossoms is still a huge occasion in Japan. Television weather forecasters predict when the optimal viewing days will occur for different areas, plotting the "cherry blossom front". When the trees are in bloom, people gather beneath them for picnics called hanami.

The most popular Cherry Blossom Festival in the United States is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. It is a celebration of the 3,000 cherry trees which were given to the city by the City of Tokyo in 1912.

Many Cherry Blossom Festivals in North America are often accompanied by Japanese cultural displays, including dancing, drumming and arts and crafts.

Below is a listing of some of the Cherry Blossom Festivals taking place in North America. Click on name of any city to visit a Website about the event. If you plan to attend an event, please check with the event's sponsor in advance in case of error, date change or cancellation.