2024 - The 38th Annual Sakura Festival (Enjoy & Experience the Japanese Traditions and Culture) Tuscaloosa River MarketNEW

The theme of this year’s Sakura Festival event is “Mirai wo hiraku/未来'ひらく” or “Renew.”
The spring celebration of Sakura, or cherry blossoms, reminds us of the value of each moment, while the return of spring awakens us to fresh possibilities in life. The theme this year calls upon the very definition of spring! Tuscaloosa’s Annual Sakura Festival provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through educational demonstrations, performances, and fun activities for all ages!

The Annual Sakura Haiku Contest is now open and you can enter online. You may enter up to three haiku’s in the 5/7/5 format and each category (age group) will be judged separately. The winners will be announced at the Sakura Festival. We require that you provide your contact information in the entry form so that we can contact you if you win and are not present at the festival. Click the button below to enter!

Festival Event Date
March 15, 2024

Event Time
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Scheduled Events

Activities Subject to Change
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International
UA Book Arts Traditional Japanese Papermaking
Cosplay Contest
Origami Tree and Japanese Calligraphy
Traditional Japanese Festival Activities (yo-yo tsuri, super ball sukui)
Dress-up Photo Op

About Sakura Festival 
The Sakura Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese culture that takes place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. The festival is named after the Japanese word for cherry blossom, "sakura," and it typically takes place in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

The Annual Sakura Festival at Tuscaloosa River Market is a day-long event that features a variety of activities and performances. Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese music and dance performances, participate in martial arts demonstrations, and watch a taiko drumming performance.

The festival also features a wide variety of food vendors, offering traditional Japanese dishes like sushi, ramen, and bento boxes, as well as American-style festival fare like cotton candy and funnel cakes.

In addition to the performances and food vendors, the Sakura Festival also includes a variety of arts and crafts vendors, selling traditional Japanese handicrafts like origami, calligraphy, and pottery. Visitors can also participate in workshops and classes, learning traditional Japanese crafts like flower arranging or tea ceremony.

Overall, the Sakura Festival is a celebration of Japanese culture that offers visitors a chance to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Japan. Whether you're a fan of traditional Japanese arts and crafts or just looking for a fun day out with family and friends, the Sakura Festival is a great event to attend.

Event Location
Tuscaloosa River Maket, 1900 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401