March 28-29, 2026 // David Lam Park
When 100 Akebono cherry trees come into bloom in this spectacular setting it will be a magical event to behold! This event honours the Honorable Dr. David Lam’s donation of cherry trees and celebrates friendship as we are all friends under the cherry tree.
You’ll be able to relax under cherry blossoms right in the heart of the city in the Yaletown neighbourhood while enjoying a superb line-up of local talent on the Cherry Jam Stage as well as a variety of fun and interactive arts activities and workshops.
Pre-Order Your Picnic
Tea for Two ft. Sakura Scones from Fairmont hotel vancouver
Classic. Iconic. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s famous scones are freshly baked daily! Featuring 2 classic buttermilk scones, 2 chia vanilla scones, Mascarpone cream, Strawberry Jam, and 2 Fairmont tea bags of your choice.
Pickup March 28 or 29 at 12-2PM.
Hanami Bento from MINAMI
Inspired by the tradition of “hanami” – gathering under blooming cherry blossoms. Features Bara Chirashi Don, Assorted Inari Sushi, Strawberry and Roasted Beet Salad, Aburi Salmon Oshi, Aburi Ebi Oshi, Shibazuke Maki (Japanese pickle)
Pickup March 28 or 29 at 12-1PM.
Blossom Lounge Bar (19+)
Experience live performances and drink under the blossoms.
- Saturday, March 28 // 12-10PM
- Sunday, March 29 // 12-4:30PM
Plus, Piano Karaoke with Eddie Lam & The Naturals on Saturday from 4:15-7:30PM.
Pet Parade
Dress up your pets in their cutest spring outfits, meet fellow animal lovers, and stroll through the park beneath the cherry blossoms at our first-ever Pet Parade.
📅 Sunday, March 29
⏱️ 1:00PM Parade Start
Performers Schedule
Young & Emerging Artists
Young & Emerging Artists will be hosting hands-on arts workshops for all ages! Learn more about each artist here.
Saturday, March 28
- Amanda Niekamp – Lantern Making
- Anella Schabler – Block Print Making
Sunday, March 29
- Jasper Berehulke – Cardboard Embroidery
- Julia Vasileva – Card Making
Vendors
Artisan & Retail Vendors
Amichi Studio, Artfully Yours , Artsy Candle Co., Better Home Decoration & Gift Ltd, Blue Deer, Bowmiks Bowtique, Cappa888, Cheryl’s Trading Post, Chu Chu, Cursive and Prints, DIY DECOS BY JOJO, Hanes Healing Stones, Honeybird & Co, House of Kewpie, July Crafts, KAWAIIBOKU, MJ’s Knots & Loops, Mysgreen, North Pull Magnets, ode studio, Panda Paws, PenguinPurl Handmade, Pleasant Shimo, Potteruki, runzie, Siamurai Apparel & Mukashinoboro Mingei Studio, Sleepless Kao, The Try Studio, Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, Woodweaver
Food Vendors
Antojos y Sabores Mexican Cuisine Inc, Authentic Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Catering, Bao Buns YVR, Bretonne Creperie, Chai Wagon, Tornado Potato, Coffee Bike, S for Skewer, Disco Cheetah, Gary’s Kettle Corn, Gourmet Grub Food Truck and Catering, House Of Yee Fine Foods, Jade Leaf Matcha, JAPADOG, Japan Rice Bowl Assoc. , Magical Rings Mini Donut, Mahshiko Food Truck, Marie’s Guilt Free Bakery, Mr. Arancino, Pop Culture Dirty Soda, Roasted Revolution, Rolling Joe Coffee Truck , Second Savour, Stackers Burger , Tokyo Katsu-sand, Sweet Duckling Cookies, Taco Nori, Tatchan Noodle, The Great Canadian Cotton Candy Company, WA-BAGEL by ABURI, YVR Cookie
Hotel Stay Discount
Planning a stay? Enjoy a preferred rate of $250/night (March 27–29) with code CHERRYBLOSSOM when booking on the Smithe House website.
Location
The Big Picnic takes place at David Lam Park (1300 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2Y1).
Parking is limited at David Lam Park. We strongly encourage using public transit, walking, biking, or alternative transportation to reach the park. Here are a few easy ways to get there:
🚆 By SkyTrain with Translink
- Exit Yaletown–Roundhouse Station and head southeast on Davie St toward Mainland St.
- Turn left onto Pacific Blvd and continue straight until you reach David Lam Park.
- It’s a short walk, approximately 4–7 minutes.
🚌 By Bus with Translink
Several bus routes service the Yaletown and False Creek area, with stops along Pacific Blvd and nearby streets. From there, it’s just a short walk to David Lam Park.
⛴️ By False Creek Ferries
Leave the car behind and take the False Creek Ferry to The Big Picnic, right at David Lam Park. Granville Island’s original little blue ferries will be providing fast, frequent, and friendly service all weekend.
Learn more about their schedule on their website.
🛴 By Lime Scooter
Ride in with Lime and take advantage of discounted scooter trips to the festival. Get 30% off with discount code BLOSSOM2026.
⛴️ By Aquabus
Enjoy a scenic False Creek ride with Aquabus, with stops right at David Lam Park. They will be providing extended service all weekend long for the event and are fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
🚶♀️ By Foot or Bike
David Lam Park is easily accessible via the Seawall and nearby bike routes. Perfect for a spring stroll or ride.
About #TheBigPicnic
The Big Picnic is a special event that brings people from all over Metro Vancouver together to share in the beauty of the blossoms and experience why “there are no strangers under the cherry tree”. The event is inspired by the long-time Japanese cultural tradition of hanami* which literally translates to “cherry blossom (hana) viewing (mi)”. This year share your home picnic adventures with us, to show the world how we’re moving forward in spite of the situation and still making happy cherry blossom memories!
*Hanami dates back to more than a thousand years ago when Japanese aristocrats sat under the flowering cherry trees and wrote poems inspired by the blossoms. Nowadays in Japan, friends and families gather under the cherry blossoms in the local parks eating homemade food or convenience store bento boxes, singing songs and partaking in simple, fun activities such as photography and haiku writing.
All event titles are protected trademarks of the Festival
Photo Credits: Al Lau (@allenlau.photography).