2026: San Diego Annual 21st Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration at Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park (Vendors) (4 Days)NEW

Discover the Magic of Spring at the Cherry Blossom Festival - An Annual Tradition of Celebrating Beauty and Culture!

The Cherry Blossom Festival returns to JFG in March. We're excited to welcome spring and celebrate the annual Japanese tradition of hanami! The garden will host a variety of daily performances, food, vendors and fun activities for the entire family. There's something for everyone to enjoy. 

Cherry Blossom Festival Dates
March 12 - 15, 2026 (4 Days)

Tickets

Join us from March 12-15 for an exciting lineup of special performances, featuring guest acts on March 14 and 15! Come see new attractions, including a wall of lanterns and community art. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day of including activities in our children's area! Sample a variety of cultural food, or delicious beverages in the popular beer and sake garden, nestled in the lower garden. Don’t miss the chance to shop from our amazing local vendors in the upper garden, and then take a leisurely stroll through the cherry blossom grove. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring!

2026 Ticketing
• $18 Pre-sale (single day) Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket
• $20 Day-of Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket
• $25 Express Pass Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket

Guests must have a valid 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket (Pre-sale Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket, Day-of Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket, Express Pass Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket) or a JFGM Membership for access to the event. Pre-sale Cherry Blossom Festival tickets will be available for purchase until 4:00pm PST on March 5, 2026. Pre-sale Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket are non-refundable after March 5, 2026 at 4:00pm PST. Day-of Cherry Blossom Festival tickets will be available for purchase in-person, starting at 10:00am PST on March 12, 2026 through 5:00pm PST on March 15, 2026.Express PassCherry Blossom Festival tickets will be available for purchase until 4:00pm on March 11, 2026. Express PassCherry Blossom Festival tickets are non-refundable and will be honored as general admission tickets after the festival. ***Balboa Explorer Pass, Go City Pass, and/or reciprocal garden admission (The American Horticultural Society)will need a 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket.

Express Pass Entrance
A JFGM Membership or aExpress Pass Cherry Blossom Festival ticket allows expedited entry through the Express Pass entrance located at the upper garden back gate located behind the Organ Pavilion. This entrance is limited to JFGM Members and Express Pass Cherry Blossom Festival ticket holders only. Children ages 6 and younger do not need an Express Pass Ticket if accompanied by an adult who has purchased a Express Pass ticket. ADA access is available at the Express Pass entrance.

Update Coming.

Thursday Day 1
Inamori Pavilion | 11am-6pm | Included with Admission
• 11:00am - Kamishibai
• 12:00pm - San Diego Yosakoi
• 1:00pm - Yako & Aya
• 2:00pm - Kamishibai
• 3:00pm - Geisha Opera Singer / Fioregerisha
• 4:00pm - Jazz on Main Street
• 5:00pm - Geisha Opera Singer / Fioregerisha
• 6:00pm - San Diego Iai Batto

Friday Day 2
Inamori Pavilion | 11am-6pm | Included with Admission
• 11:00am - Honu Sumo Club
• 12:00pm - San Diego Yosakoi
• 1:00pm - Anju Madoka
• 2:00pm - San Diego Sanshin
• 3:00pm - Geisha Opera Singer
• 4:00pm - Southern California Koto Ensemble
• 5:00pm - Super Tonic
• 6:00pm - Supernova

Saturday Day 3
Inamori Pavilion | 11am-6pm | Included with Admission
• 11:00am - BTSD Ondo Dancers
• 12:00pm - Anju Madoka
• 1:00pm - Masazumi Kai
• 2:00pm - La Jolla Taiko
• 3:00pm - Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Class
• 4:00pm - Shofukan Kendo Dojo
• 5:00pm - On the Veranda with Hirokazu Kosaka (Kyudo Lecture)
• 6:00pm - Asayake Taiko

Sunday Day 4
Inamori Pavilion | 11am-6pm | Included with Admission
• 11:00am - San Diego Taiko
• 12:00pm - Tsumiki Japanese Academy of San Diego
• 1:00pm - Anju Madoka
• 2:00pm - Genbu Daiko
• 3:00pm - Viorhythm
• 4:00pm - San Diego Shishimai Kai (Japanese Lion Dance)
• 5:00pm - Asian Persuasion
• 6:00pm - Buddhist Temple of San Diego Taiko

Emcee
Pauline Harring (Salt Queen Cosplay)

Details 

2025 Ticketing
• $18 Pre-sale (single day) Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket
• $20 Day-of Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket
• $25 VIP Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket

A valid 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket or JFGM Membership is required for entry. Pre-sale tickets are non-refundable after March 7, 2024, and available for purchase until 4:00pm PST on March 12, 2025. Day-of tickets will be sold in-person from 10:00am PST on March 13, 2025, through 5:00pm PST on March 16, 2025.

Balboa Explorer Pass, Go City Pass, and reciprocal garden admission (American Horticultural Society) holders will need to purchase a 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival Ticket in the general admission line.

VIP Entrance
JFGM Members and VIP ticket holders can enjoy expedited entry through the VIP gates at the Upper Garden Back Gate (behind the Organ Pavilion). Children ages 6 and younger do not need a VIP Ticket if accompanied by an adult VIP ticket holder. ADA access is available at the VIP entrance.

Cherry Blossom Location
Japanese Friendship Garden - Balboa Park

Map of Balboa Park: Map

Cherry Blossom Title
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration - Japanese Friendship Garden - Balboa Park (Vendors) March