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.
Everyone is Welcome!
Dress up for the occasion and take photos to show off your picnic on social media. Don’t forget to tag @vancherryblossomfest and add #TheBigPicnic so we can re-share your adventure!
The Big Picnic
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 10:30AM-4:30PM
Location: David Lam Park
This is a FREE outdoor event, no ticket is required.
Blossom Bento
A Blossom Bento has been custom prepared by Minami for The Big Picnic and is available for pre-order from March 10, 11:00AM to March 26, 12:00PM. Cost is $27 plus applicable fees.
Performers Schedule
Vendors
Shop at and meet these wonderful local vendors at The Big Picnic!
Food Vendors
Community Booths
| Burnaby Art Gallery | Japanese Community Volunteers Association |
| Chinatown Storytelling Centre | Parks Canada |
| Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver | Red Fox Healthy Living Society |
| Dragon Tile Social Club | TD Bank |
Photo Credits: Al Lau (@allenlau.photography).
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
