Cherry blossoms, taiko drums and origami await at Hanami Festival!

More than 180 cherry blossom trees will transform Jackson Park into a sea of pink and white for the Hanami festival filled with music, culture, and the joy of nature’s most delicate wonder.

Hanami Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival will be held on April 26 and hosted by the Japanese Arts Foundation in partnership with the Japanese Culture Center, the Chicago Park District, and Asian Improv Arts Midwest’s Tsukasa Taiko, the festival promises an afternoon of cultural performances and artistic activities under the blooming trees.

The festival, located at the Garden of the Phoenix and around the Columbian Basin from 1 to 3 p.m, celebrates the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, known as “sakura” in Japanese culture. Cherry blossom trees, planted south of the Museum of Science and Industry and throughout Wooded Island, create a breathtaking seasonal display when nature allows. 

Hanami, which translates to “flower viewing” in Japanese, is a cherished tradition that reflects an appreciation for nature’s impermanence. The festival aims to bring the Chicago community together to experience this cultural celebration while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Jackson Park.

Attendees can enjoy performances by Tsukasa Taiko, a renowned Japanese drumming ensemble. The festival will also feature interactive children’s taiko drumming workshops, allowing young visitors to experience the powerful rhythms firsthand. Other hands-on activities include spring-themed origami folding and e-tegami, a traditional Japanese art form that combines painting and handwritten messages on postcards. Guests will have the opportunity to create their own seasonal e-tegami.

The event is weather-dependent and the exact timing of the cherry blossoms' peak bloom cannot be guaranteed. However, rain or shine, the festival offers a unique opportunity to embrace the spirit of spring and Japanese culture.

For more information and tickets visit the festival’s website.