Pretty in Pink: What to Expect at the 2023 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

2023 Highlights

Aside from the beautiful blossoms, highlights of the two-day Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival include:

• a kimono fashion show (Saturday),
• live music from diverse local artists (Saturday & Sunday),
• Taiko drumming and traditional dance performances (Saturday & Sunday),
• a beer garden featuring pours from Philly’s Triple Bottom Brewing (Saturday & Sunday),
• traditional Japanese tea ceremonies (Saturday & Sunday),
• Ikebana (flower arranging) and Origami (paper folding) workshops (Saturday & Sunday),
• and an absolutely ah-dorable “prettiest pet in pink” parade (Sunday).

In addition to all the action in Fairmount Park, film fanatics can catch seven film screenings of classic movies starring acclaimed Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune at the Lightbox Film Center on select dates from April 7 to 29, 2023. Each screening is presented on 35 mm film in Japanese with English subtitles.

— Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia

The History

The annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival started in 1998 and continues a legacy established in 1926, when the Japanese government donated 1,600 cherry trees to Philadelphia in honor of the Sesquicentennial of American Independence.

Cherry blossoms maintain deep significance in Japanese culture, prominently featured in traditional art, literature and cuisine. As Japan’s national flower, cherry blossoms often serve as a symbol of friendship to other nations.

— Photo by C. Smyth for Visit Philadelphia

Where to See Cherry Blossoms at Peak Bloom in Philadelphia

West Fairmount Park — near the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, the site of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival — is without a doubt one of the best spots to see cherry blossoms during peak bloom in Philadelphia.

That said, it’s just one of many spots to take in stunning spring blooms throughout the city.

Drexel Park in West Philadelphia, one of the best spots to see cherry blossoms in Philadelphia. — Photo by C. Smyth for Visit Philadelphia

Click the button below to get the full scoop of where — and when — to see cherry blossoms adding touches of pink, white and purple to the Philadelphia landscape.