2023 - 49th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Event, Sakura Square - A Celebration of Japanese-American Culture: Japanese Foods, Taiko, Dancing (2 days) NEW

The Annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival Event at Sakura Square in downtown Denver occurs every year at the end of June.  The festival is co-presented by Denver Tri-State Buddhist Temple and Sakura Foundation. This exciting festival highlights Japanese and Japanese American (JA) culture through music, dance, exhibits, arts and crafts and food. 

Held each year since 1972, the festival celebrates the Japanese American heritage and culture through live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and informative exhibits and demonstrations.

Sakura Square Plaza will have many events: come visit our Kid's Craft Area where kids can make Japanese crafts. There will be free demonstrations, exhibits, entertainment, and delicious food and Japanese goods for purchase! This is a family friendly event and admission is FREE! Bring your sunscreen!

There will be live entertainment and a marketplace filled with dozens of booths from culturally-related vendors (jewelry, bags, t-shirts, home goods, art, etc.) and Japanese and Japanese American nonprofit organizations.  Temple members of volunteers will be preparing their famous teriyaki chicken bento lunches and more delicious treats.  

Event Costs
Free admission

Cherry Blossom Event Date
June 17 - 18, 2023

Cherry Blossom Event Time (Different Times)
Sat: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Cherry Blossom Event Location
The Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square in downtown Denver occurs every year at the end of June. The festival is co-presented by Tri-State/Buddhist Temple and Sakura Foundation. This exciting festival highlights Japanese and Japanese American (JA) culture through music, dance, exhibits, arts and crafts and food. 

Denver Cherry Blossom Background
Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won't want to miss this year's Cherry Blossom Festival - "Sakura Matsuri" in Japanese.

The festival celebrates the Japanese heritage and culture through live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace and informative exhibits and demonstrations.

The gymnasium in the Temple is home to a variety of food and drink, including the popular teriyaki chicken plate lunch, Asian chicken salad, sushi and delicious Japanese sweets called manju. Volunteers will be pouring complimentary hot green tea, but if that's too much heat on a warm summer day, head outside for a cold glass of craft beer and a tasty teriyaki burger. For a real Japanese experience, try the sake - Kampai ("Cheers")!

Visit the "Song, Art and Somen" Area, located underneath the Temple to cool off. Just enter the Temple gates on Lawrence Street, turn right and go down the stairs. There you will find refreshing chilled somen (thin wheat flour noodles) and other snacks. Your friends and family can experience karaoke: a sing-along to words on a screen to express your vocal star power! Watch live Japanese-inspired art demonstrations by local artists. Their skillful art work will be on sale so you can take a piece of Japan and the festival home with you.

Our fine selections in the Japanese-themed marketplace will have you browsing through jewelry, anime, pottery, fine art, apparel and more. The marketplace will include informational booths representing Japanese and Japanese American organizations which are so vital to our community.

Although the Cherry Blossom Festival is the largest fundraiser for the operations and programs of the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, it relies on the volunteer efforts of Temple members and nonmembers alike. Japanese Americans, students of Asian studies and aficionados of Japanese food, entertainment and culture are all invited to volunteer their time to the festival. Please contact us at [email protected] for volunteer information.

Check this site often for updated details on the festival, including marketplace vendors and live performances on the outdoor stage! Like us on Facebook to get the latest updates and share your excitement for the 2017 Cherry Blossom Festival!

Information

Visit www.cherryblossomdenver.org

Sakura Foundation
The mission of the Sakura Foundation is to sustain the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and celebrate Japanese-American heritage, culture and community. The non-profit foundation was established in 2014 as a result of the re-organization of the Tri-State Buddhist Church Apartments, Inc. and Sakura Square. True to its charitable mission, it is committed to preserving our Japanese heritage and culture by supporting the community through programs, events, grants and scholarships.


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Tri-State Denver Cherry Blossom Event Location
Denver Buddhist Temple - Sakura Square Plaza, 19th St, Denver, CO 80202 (Downtown Denver)

Tri-State Denver Cherry Blossom Event Title
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival (A Celebration of Japanese-American Culture: Japanese Foods, Taiko, Dancing..) Sakura Square (2 days) Denver