When do cherry blossoms bloom in Vancouver in 2027?

Blooms usually start in late February and last until late April. The main peak, led by Akebono and Yoshino cherries, is typically from late March to mid-April, depending on the weather.

When is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. In 2026 the festival ran from March 27 to April 17.

Is the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival free?

Many events, such as Blossoms After Dark and The Big Picnic, have been free. Some, such as certain guided walks and the Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen, may require tickets or admission.

Where is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver?

Popular spots include Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, Vanier Park, Burrard SkyTrain Station, VanDusen Botanical Garden and West 22nd Avenue in Kitsilano.

When is the Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival?

The 2027 date is not announced. In 2026 it was held Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Garry Point Park and was free.

Vancouver Cherry Blossoms 2027: Festival & Best Spots

Cherry blossom season 2027 at a glance

Vancouver has tens of thousands of ornamental cherry trees, and they do not all bloom at once. Early varieties open in late February, the famous pink Akebono peaks around late March and early April, and the frilly double-flowered cherries carry the season into late April. Warm or cold spells can shift everything by a week or two, so treat the windows below as a guide.

2027 status: as of November 2026, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival has not announced its 2027 dates or program. The festival usually runs from late March into mid-April, with the schedule published in late winter. Check vcbf.ca from February 2027.

Bloom timeline by variety

When	Varieties	What to expect
Late February to mid-March	Accolade, Afterglow, Okame, Autumnalis Rosea, Jugatsu-zakura	The first pink on bare branches; Autumnalis can flower on and off from fall through winter
Late March to early April	Akebono (Daybreak cherry), Yoshino, Pandora, Umineko	Peak season: pale pink and white clouds on streets and in parks
Mid to late April	Kanzan, Shirotae (Mt. Fuji cherry), Shogetsu, Ukon, Ichiyo, Pink Perfection	Big double blossoms; Kanzan lines many residential streets in deep pink; Ukon is pale yellow-green
Through spring	Weeping cherries: Beni-shidare, Yae-beni-shidare, Kiku-shidare-zakura, Ito-zakura	Cascading branches, best in gardens and parks
Through spring	Yama-zakura (mountain cherry), Oshima-zakura, birch bark cherry	Wild and specialty species, often in botanical gardens

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2027

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the city’s cherry trees with free and low-cost events, walks and art. The 2027 dates are not announced yet. In 2026 the festival marked its 20th edition and ran March 27 to April 17, 2026.

2026 festival events for reference

Blossoms After Dark — 2027 not announced — Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:30 to 10 p.m., David Lam Park, 1300 Pacific Boulevard, Yaletown; illuminated trees, performers, food trucks and a licensed lounge — free, no ticket needed
The Big Picnic — 2027 not announced — March 28 and 29, 2026, David Lam Park; expanded to two days for the first time, with art workshops, live performances and the first Cherry Blossom Pet Parade — free
Blossom Run — 2027 not announced — March 28, 2026, a 7 km route from David Lam Park; sold out in its first year
Blossom Block Party — 2027 not announced — Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2 to 9 p.m., Bentall Centre patio and a car-free Dunsmuir Street, with DJs and a public disco — by donation
Sakura Days Japan Fair — 2027 not announced — April 11 and 12, 2026, VanDusen Botanical Garden; Japanese performances, food and culture — check japanfairvancouver.com for admission
Haiku Invitational — an international haiku contest; in 2026 submissions ran March 1 to June 1
Tree Talks and Walks — guided blossom walks in different neighbourhoods; some ticketed

The festival also runs an online cherry map at maps.vcbf.ca that lets you search trees by neighbourhood or variety, and volunteer “cherry scouts” post what is blooming now.

Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival

Richmond’s one-day festival at Garry Point Park in Steveston is a lovely add-on. In 2026 it took place on Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, with taiko drumming, Japanese dance, a tea ceremony, calligraphy and flower-arranging demos, origami for kids, Japanese food and self-guided blossom walks. The 2027 date is not announced yet; check richmondcherryblossomfest.ca and our Richmond page.

Best places to see cherry blossoms

Downtown and the West End

Burrard SkyTrain Station and Art Phillips Park — rows of pink right at the station exit
Nelson Street in the West End, between Broughton and Jervis streets
Stanley Park — the path from the bus loop toward the Japanese Canadian War Memorial is lined with Shirotae cherries
David Lam Park, Yaletown — the home of Blossoms After Dark

Kitsilano, Point Grey and UBC

Vanier Park — Akebono trees in front of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, with mountain and water views
West 22nd Avenue from Arbutus to Carnarvon Street
Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC — a traditional Japanese garden with cherries around the pond (admission fee)

Central and East Vancouver

Queen Elizabeth Park — blossoms throughout, including near the 33rd Avenue entrance off Cambie Street
VanDusen Botanical Garden — weeping Beni-shidare and many other cherries (admission fee)
West 7th Avenue in Fairview, between Hemlock and Heather streets — deep pink Kanzan in late April
East 3rd Avenue between Rupert and Skeena streets

Around Metro Vancouver

Brentwood area, Burnaby — Akebono near Buchanan and Rosser streets
Garry Point Park and Steveston, Richmond
Granville Island — along the False Creek seawall and Sutcliffe Park

Tips for blossom viewing

Follow the sequence. Start with early varieties in March, catch the Akebono peak, and finish with Kanzan streets in late April.
Go early or late. Mornings before 9 a.m. and the hour before sunset bring soft light and fewer crowds.
Check the map first. Use the festival map or its “blooming now” updates before crossing town.
Be kind to the trees. Do not climb, shake or pull branches, and stay off private gardens on residential streets.
Use transit. Many top spots, such as Burrard Station, Vanier Park and Queen Elizabeth Park (near King Edward Station on the Canada Line), are easy to reach by SkyTrain or bus.
Watch the forecast. A windy or rainy day can strip petals fast; go as soon as a favourite street peaks.