The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be celebrating its 58th year starting this weekend, April 19-20, in San Francisco. It is set to take place at Japantown, San Francisco. The festival spans two weekends, with last week’s drawing large crowds to Japantown to enjoy the lively celebration.
The popular festival features plenty of Japanese cultural performances, a Grand Parade, traditional art, live music and dance, food, and much more. There’s also typically a Cherry Blossom Queen Program, a tradition that has spanned 5 decades at the SF festival. The festival is on its second weekend, ending with a Grand Parade on Sunday, April 20. The parade will include a procession of taiko drummers, dancers, and decorative floats from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday.
There are plenty of fantastic exhibits, including traditional doll-making, dance performances, tea workshops, and much more. Check out the website for more information: .
The NorCal Cherry Blossom Festival is divided into multiple distinct areas. Check out their website for more details about the events at the festival this weekend.
Here’s a rundown of each one so you know where to go on the day of:
- AMC Kabuki: The indoor venue will host artist performances on the last Saturday of the festival.
- Art & Crafts Area and Non-Profit Info Booths: an outdoor marketplace along Post Street will feature creations from artesian creators.
- The Center: The indoor venue will host cultural exhibits throughout the weekend.
- Cowell Theater in Fort Mason: The Blossom Queen Program Night will be held at the Cowell Theater.
- Non-Profit Food Bazaar & Sapporo Beer Garden: Over 30 nonprofits will serve food and beer in the garden during the festival.
- National Japanese American Historical Society: The NJAHS showcases historical exhibitions about the Japanese American experience.
- Post & Buchanan: The street will serve as the central landmark for the festival.
- Paper Tree: Check out origami demonstrations and exhibits at Paper Tree during the festival.
- Union Bank Community Room: The community room will host various exhibits throughout the festival.
- Tateuchi Auditorium at Nihonmachi Little Friends: the auditorium will host Chanoyu (or the Way of Tea).
- Webster Street: Webster Street will be the main stage for the festival instead of the Peace Plaza this year.
- Children’s Cherry Blossom Village: the kid-friendly area includes arts and crafts and activities for children of all ages.
The enormous festival started back in 1968 and typically welcomes 220,000 visitors each year to celebrate Japanese culture and enjoy the gorgeous pastel pink bloom. It’s one of the largest festivals of its kind outside of Japan, second only to Washington, D.C.’s, and takes place in one of the country’s few remaining Japantowns.
After World War II, there remained only three officially designated Japantowns in the United States. Many Japanese Americans resettled in San Francisco’s Japantown, where Japanese culture, cuisine, and history continues to be honored to this day. The Northern California Cherry Blossom began in May 1968 following the opening of the Japan Trade Center (now Japan Center Malls). Since then, it has endured as a celebration of Japanese culture and a fruitful way to revitalize the neighborhood’s economy.
Learn more at the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival website, and be sure to attend this weekend on April 19-20 in Japantown.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn