Cherry blossom viewing in Canada

After a long winter, striking and delicate cherry blossoms signal that spring is here in Canada. Marking spring by viewing cherry blossoms is a tradition that comes from Japan, called hanami that is also embraced in North America. Cherry trees that bear these blossoms are known as Sakura. Canadians head to major cities and wilderness areas across the country to enjoy cherry blossoms.

If you’re planning a trip to see these iconic blooms, keep in mind that the prime window for viewing is from late March to early May, with peak bloom usually in late April to early May. Here are the top cherry blossom festivals and natural areas to view cherry blossoms in Canada and some helpful trip-planning advice.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 1 to April 12 in 2025. Visit David Lam Park, Jim Deva Plaza, VanDusen Botanical Garden and other locations to take part in festival and hanami events. Celebrate Japanese cuisine, music and dress. 

Stanley Park is a stunning, natural respite from the busy cityscape of Vancouver. The 405-hectare park is known for its iconic seawall views, beaches and West Coast rainforest. One of Vancouver’s top destinations, Stanley Park is the perfect mix of curated park space with manicured gardens and walkways, and wild, wooded areas with towering trees. 

Hanami spots: Striking Shirotae and Shiro-fugen trees surround the Japanese Canadian World War I Cenotaph. The iconic memorial honors the service of Canadians of Japanese descent during World War I. Visit the Rose Garden to find a grove of Akebono. Stroll along South Creek Trail near the Rose Garden to view rows of cherry blossoms.

Queen Elizabeth Park is “Vancouver’s horticultural jewel, … a major draw for floral display enthusiasts and view-seekers,” the City of Vancouver.  For a variety of spring blooms in addition to cherry blossoms, visit Bloedel Conservatory and the arboretum. Located at the highest point of Vancouver, the park offers views of the city and mountains on the North Shore. 

Hanami spots: Take a leisurely walk by the duck pond to catch Uminekos in bloom in early to mid-April. Enter the park by 33rd Avenue for a view of a majestic Somei-yoshino amid a grove of Akebono. Conclude your visit by exiting the park at 37th Ave. to view stunning, hot-pink Kwanzan blooms and “a beautiful lineup of Pink Perfection cultivars, an increasingly rare blossom in Vancouver,” writes Flyover.

Where to stay and eat near Vancouver’s blossoms: 

Stanley Park: Stay at Divya Suites. Eat within the park at Teahouse in Stanley Park.

Queen Elizabeth Park: The Parker Hotel Vancouver, Sula Indian Restaurant

Other attractions in Vancouver: 

Grouse Mountain, The Vancouver Art Gallery, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and more.

(North of Victoria, Brentwood Bay) Butchart Gardens is a world-renowned historic garden, operated by the Butchart family for more than 120 years. The garden features diverse and gorgeous landscapes with centerpieces such as its Japanese garden, formal Italian garden, and Sunken Garden. The 55-acre property receives more than a million visitors annually. 

Hanami spots in Butchart Gardens: In 1936, the Butchart family imported 500 ornamental cherry trees of various varieties from Yokohama, Japan. You’ll have views of incredible cherry blossoms throughout the gardens, particularly in the Sunken and Japanese gardens. The road leading up to Butchart Gardens, Benvenuto Ave., is lined with cherry trees. 

Beacon Hill Park is just a quick stroll from downtown Victoria. The 180-acre park features beaches, woods, ponds and the stunning Rose and Alpine gardens. Take a ride on a horse drawn carriage. Stroll across the Stone Bridge at Goodacre Lake. Find the hiding place of the Moss Lady.

Hanami spots in Beacon Hill Park: Throughout the park, you will find prolific blooms. Heywood Avenue, which borders Beacon Hill Park, is home to numerous Yoshino trees. 

Where to stay and eat near Victoria’s blossoms:

Butchart Gardens: Stay and eat at Villa Eyrie Resort

Beacon Hill Park: Stay at James Bay Inn Hotel, Suites and Cottages. Eat at Blue Fox Cafe

Other attractions in Victoria: 

Inner Harbour, IMAX Victoria, Malahat SkyWalk, and more.

High Park is a great place to recreate or take a quiet moment in nature. The nearly 400-acre park is home to unique plant life, including rare Black Oak Savannah, red oak and hemlock forests. Hillside Gardens in the centre of High Park features more cultivated plantings. Plan to go fishing in Grenadier Pond or visit the zoo.

Hanami spots in High Park: Cherry trees of various cultivars are located throughout High Park, with most found near the Grenadier Pond and the Children’s Adventure Playground, and in Hillside Gardens. In 1959, Japan’s ambassador to Canada presented 2,000 cherry trees to the city of Toronto, many of which were planted in High Park.

Centennial Park opened in 1967 in celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday opened in 1967 in celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday. The park is home to sporting arenas, including indoor and outdoor ice rinks, wild areas and curated gardens. Centennial Park Conservatory showcases 200 different varieties of tropical plants, in addition to cacti and succulents. 

Hanami spots in Centennial Park: The park’s collection of roughly 500 cherry trees is the second-largest blossom in Ontario. The best places to catch the blooms are northeast of the Centennial Park Conservatory and along Rathburn Road and Centennial Park Boulevard.

Where to stay and eat near Toronto’s blossoms:

High Park: Stay at The Parkdale Hostellerie. Eat at The Grenadier Cafe.

Centennial Park: Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. Eat at Prince Japanese Steak House.

Other attractions in Toronto:

Toronto Zoo, Royal Ontario Museum, CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, and more.

Major’s Hill Park is the first park established in our nation’s capital is the first park established in our nation’s capital and is loved for its views of Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, the Chateau Laurier, the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa River. In May, the park hosts the annual Canadian Tulip Festival, a must-see for flower lovers, in addition to Ottawa’s cherry trees. 

Hanami spots in Major’s Hill Park: Rows of cherry blossom trees span Mackenzie Avenue, a gorgeous scene when the tulips are also in bloom.  

Dominion Arboretum features more than 1,700 different species of flora from around the world. Located near Dow’s Lake and the Rideau Canal, Dominion Arboretum is Canada’s oldest arboretum, established in 1889.

Hanami spots in Dominion Arboretum: Though there are several scattered throughout, the best location for hanami is the outer edge of the garden, along Prince of Wales Drive.” writes Japan. Endless Discovery.

Where to stay and eat near Ottawa’s blossoms: 

Major’s Hill Park: Stay at Chateau Cartier Hotel, Eat in the park at Tavern on the Hill

Dominion Arboretum: Stay close by at McGee’s Inn, Eat near the Arboretum at Cantina Gia

Other attractions in Ottawa: 

Parliament Hill, UNESCO Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, Canadian War Museum, and more.