🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival FAQ

Shawna Chen

Three drummers perform on a pink Cherry Blossom Festival backdrop, wearing headbands and tunics, playing large red taiko drums. — Taiko drumming will be on full display this weekend in San Francisco. Photo: Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend — another great excuse to hit up Japantown.

The big picture: Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka will serve as the parade's grand marshal this year. (I'm actually SO sad I'm gonna miss her! Please allow me to live vicariously through you.)

The festival, which started in 1968 as a way to celebrate both the Japanese American community and the U.S.-Japan alliance, spans two weekends. Programming begins at 11am every day.

Highlights include calligraphy lessons, bonsai art, karate demonstrations, tea ceremonies, Kyogen comedy, Japanese swordsmanship and more.
Post Street will serve as host to the festival's arts and crafts area, while main stage performances take place at Japantown's Peace Plaza.

The parade will begin at 1pm on Sunday, April 19 at the Civic Center Plaza and proceed up Polk Street.

Stop by: 11am this weekend and next in Japantown.

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🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival FAQ

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