Cherry Blossom Festivals in Southern California (2026)
It’s almost cherry blossom season! These stunning pink and white blooms only stick around for a short time (typically February-March), making them extra special. Across Southern California, families can enjoy free festivals, cultural performances, and hands-on activities to celebrate the season.
🌸 What’s so special about Cherry Blossoms?
In Japan, cherry blossoms (sakura) symbolize new beginnings and the beauty of life’s fleeting moments. People gather under the trees for hanami (flower viewing)—a tradition that’s been around for centuries!
🌸 Are the blossoms blooming now?
Most of the places listed below provide up-to-date bloom calendars. Be sure to follow their social media or visit their website to see if the blossoms are blooming.
2026 Cherry Blossom Festivals in Southern California
Cherry Blossom Festival
Japanese Friendship Garden | San Diego
March 12-15, 2026
Tickets: $18-25
Celebrate the tradition of Hanami with an exciting lineup of special performances, community art, wall of lanterns, vendors, food, beer and sake garden. The children’s area will feature fun activities, temporary tattoos, and a sticker bar. Enjoy performances from Taiko drummers, martial arts, lion dance, geisha opera singer, and more.
🌸 FREE!
Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival
Columbia Park | Torrance
March 29, 2026 • 11am – 4pm
Enjoy a day of culture, community, and celebration with live performances, handcrafted goods, and food from local vendors. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, and picnic under the cherry blossoms.
🌸 FREE!
Cherry Blossom Festival
Barnes Park | Monterey Park
April 11-12, 2026
Experience Japanese culture with traditional dance performances, taiko drums, martial arts, the art of the tea ceremony, and more. Discover handmade crafts and enjoy games and activities for children.
🌸 FREE!
Cherry Blossom Festival
Shoseian Teahouse | Glendale
April 19, 2026 • 10am – 3pm
This free annual festival features tea ceremonies (separate ticket purchase), martial arts, music, dance, calligraphy, sumo, kimono booth, bonsai display, cultural exhibits, and food trucks.
🌸 FREE!
Japanese Cherry Blossom Family Festival
Bowers Museum | Santa Ana
April 19, 2026 • 11am – 3pm
Enjoy traditional music and dance, thrilling taiko drumming with audience participation, free cherry blossom–themed art projects and face painting, a special cherry pie treat, and live bonsai demonstrations and displays by Kofu Bonsai Kai.
🌸 FREE!
Cherry Blossom Festival
Plaza West Covina
April 25, 2026 | 1-6pm
Celebrate the beginning of spring with traditional music and dance performances, taiko drums, martial arts, and shop a variety of vendors.
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Southern California
Descanso Gardens
La Cañada Flintridge
Find ‘Pink Cloud’ cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden. Follow updates on their Instagram or visit their Bloom Calendar and Flowering Tree Map to see what’s blooming in real time.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
San Marino
Beautiful pink trees are here! Find peach and cherry blossoms throughout the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. Be sure to check what’s blooming before you go.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
California State University, Long Beach
This local hidden gem has cherry blossom trees that began blooming late-February. Garden admission is free, but reservations are required. Follow their Instagram to stay updated on what’s blooming.
South Coast Botanic Garden
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Find the Taiwan Cherry, First Lady in Staghorn, and Pink Cloud scattered throughout the garden near the Amphitheater, Amphitheater Lawn, and Sakura Garden. The garden posts a blog every week showing what’s blooming.
Columbia Park
Torrance
The many cherry blossom trees located at Columbia Park were donated by Soka Gakkai International, the Buddhist Association for Peace, Culture, and Education. The city also hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival every year.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
Los Angeles
The Sakura Grove represents a living symbol of friendship between the people of Japan and LA County. The 24 Pink Cloud cherry blossom trees were a gift from the Japanese Consulate in LA in 2012 when the park had just opened. Find the Sakura Grove down on Block 3 of the park closest to City Hall. Here’s what the grove looked like in 2025.
Japanese Friendship Garden
San Diego
This 12-acre garden features a 200 cherry tree grove and hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival every year. Once the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, check the main page of the website for bloom percentage updates.
Categories: Blog
This post was written by Kidsguide
