Celebrate the cherry blossom season in Columbus at the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival! This year, the festival will occur from March 22 to April 25, 2026, at destinations all over Columbus and greater Franklin County.
Cherry Blossoms downtown
What to Expect?
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Franklin Park celebrates the beauty of over 100 blooming cherry trees, modeled after the famous festival in Washington, D.C. Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft and Mrs. Hope Taft serve as honorary chairs, lending civic pride to a springtime favorite.
Expect cultural performances, hands-on exhibits, and cherry blossom–inspired food and drinks throughout the park. Festival-goers can download a digital Passport to track events and explore the Cherry Blossom Food & Drink Trail at their own pace.
Mark Your Calendars
The month-long festival will be filled with cherry blossom-themed events, exhibits, live performances, and family-friendly activities, including the following events:
Festivals & Celebrations
- Cherry Blossom Festival Main Celebration: Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Franklin Park in Columbus. More details coming.
- International Peace Garden & Cherry Trees Scavenger Hunt: Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Franklin Park in Columbus. Pick up the self-guided activity at the IVO tent by the ponds.
- JASCO Cherry Blossom Day: Sunday, April 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory. Free admission for Franklin County residents.
- Upper Arlington Cherry Blossom Celebration: Monday, April 6, 5–6:30 p.m. at Mallway Park.
Art, Performance, & Cultural Celebrations
- Central Ohio Peace Corps and IVO Cultural Event: Sunday, April 12, 1:30–4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Library. Create a Peace Puppet, Cherry Blossom Peace Fan and Peace Pole, and enjoy exhibits, dancing, calligraphy, music, and more.
- Ikebana Display: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Yokoso Center. Ikebana is the Japanese art form of flower arrangement.
Photo by Andy Spessard
Cherry Blossom Food & Drink Trail
No festival is complete without its fair share of food. The Cherry Blossom Festival Food and Drink Trail brings flavors inspired by Japan/East Asia, and even some cherry blossom-specific treats at these participating locations.
- Belle’s Bread: The Cherry Blossom Melon Roll is made with genuine cherry blossom powder from Japan.
- Bonifacio: Indulge in the chicken adobo, crispy tofu, or the Halo Halo.
- Daruma Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi: Enjoy hibachi and a free appetizer with any paid order.
- Little Cat Boba: This trendy cafe serves Cherry Blossom Boba.
- Mjomii Dessert and Coffee House: Get your sweet tooth fix with the Cherry Blossom Macaron.
- Olive and Lime: Popular dishes include the chicken shwarma and fried cauliflower.
- Racha: Sip on bubble tea made with fresh tea leaves.
- Wolf's Ridge Brewing: Try the Hinoki, a Japanese-inspired lager during the festival
- Zen Cha Café and Tea: Order the Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tea.
International Peace Garden, Photo by Andy Spessard
Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Ops
If you’re looking for Instagram-worthy photo spots, find cherry blossoms to snap your selfie here:
- The Community Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory
- International Peace Garden in Franklin Park
- Goodale Park
- The Scioto Mile
- Mirror Lake at The Ohio State University
- Along the streets of German Village
- Inniswood Metro Garden
- Throughout neighborhoods and parks in Bexley
Plan Your Visit
Prepare your visit by downloading the Park Columbus App to find and pay for street parking in areas like Goodale Park, the Scioto Mile, and German Village.
Franklin Park has free parking lots for visitors, but they fill up quickly! To avoid crowds, do your best to arrive early for events.
FAQ:
How long do cherry blossoms last in Ohio?
Cherry blossoms typically bloom at the end of March into early April! They can last for anywhere from 7-10 days and up to two weeks.
What do people do during the Cherry Blossom Festival?
The Cherry Blossom Festival offers visitors the opportunity to appreciate cherry blossoms that only appear for a short time each year! The festival is also a great way to experience Japanese culture all around the city of Columbus.
Is the festival free?
There is free admission to each event, but there is admission cost to the Franklin Park Conservatory event unless you are a Franklin County resident.
