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Uwishunu Event published on March 9, 2023

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

April 15-16, 2023

Two days of colorful celebrations in Fairmount Park...

Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia

Location & Contact:

  • Outside of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center 100 N. Horticultural Drive Philadelphia, PA 19131
  • (267) 237-3550
  • Visit Website
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Overview

Blooms of colorful cherry blossoms are a sure sign of the arrival of spring in the Philadelphia region. The annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival honors these beautiful flowering trees and the city’s deep Japanese cultural connections.

The celebration takes place in historic Fairmount Park in the oh-so-photogenic forest of sakura (flowering Japanese cherry trees). Most of the trees here were planted in 1926 as a gift from the people of Japan to mark 150 years of American independence.

The family-friendly festival features taiko drumming, multicultural musical performances and more.

This year’s event is a return to pre-pandemic form, with a beer garden, marketplace and Japanese cultural activity center popping up on April 15 and 16, 2023 outside of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

The event is free to attend, but those who make an optional donation are automatically entered into a raffle for a few great prizes.

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.

Taiko performers play drums on stage at the Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival Taiko performers play drums on stage at the Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival

— Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia

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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.

Cherry blossoms bloom at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Cherry blossoms bloom at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden.

— 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.

Cherry blossoms at Drexel Park Cherry blossoms at Drexel Park

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.

Come for Philadelphia. Stay (Over) for Philly.

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

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