The city’s most photogenic festival is back in full bloom this month. Here’s everything you need to know about the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival returns to the Auburn Botanic Gardens from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30, from 9am to 4:45pm.
The nine-day festival will bring a dazzling display of more than 200 cherry blossom trees (the largest crop in the Southern Hemisphere), alongside a packed cultural program and a huge lineup of Japanese-inspired food, drinks and entertainment.
Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is not only one of Western Sydney’s most anticipated events, but also one of the most photographed. It’s a once-a-year moment that offers a taste of Japan without leaving Sydney.
What to expect at Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
At the heart of the festival is the Cherry Blossom Trail, a meandering path through more than 200 blooming trees in the Japanese Gardens. The path winds past the popular Cherry Arbour and traditional Torii Gate, two of the most photographed landmarks in the gardens. But the festival is much more than a photo opportunity.
Food and drink
The Japanese food offerings are a major drawcard in their own right, with street food vendors serving everything from katsu curry and ramen to milk teas and soufflé pancakes. Try fluffy and chewy Japanese-style doughnuts at Mochii Mochii, the signature Nori Tacos from Tokyo Taco and hearty Japanese curry and crispy karaage chicken at Iron Ramen.
The Sakura Stage
At the heart of the festival, the Sakura Stage will host a range of captivating traditional and contemporary performances, including a stand-up show from Takashi Wakasugi, also known as “Waka”, the soulful charm of band Boho Tokyo Trio and the elegant movements of dancer Hikaru Shine.
They’ll be performing at the following times:
- Takashi Wakasugi: August 22 and 23 at 11:30am.
- Boho Tokyo Trip: August 23 at 10:30am and 1:15pm, August 24 at 12pm and 2pm and August 25 at 1:30pm.
- Hikaru Shine: August 24, 26 and 27 at 11:40am, August 25 at 12:10pm.
The Zen Zone
Looking for something a little slower? The Zen Zone in the Billabong area is a dedicated quiet zone where you can slow down and reconnect with nature.
Take a quiet forest bathing walk, known as Shinrin-Yoku, designed to help visitors relax and reconnect with nature. Led by certified nature therapy guides, the 40-minute-long walks take place every day of the festival at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 3:30pm. You can register for these on arrival at the festival’s Zen Zone, but make sure to do so early, as spaces are limited.
Takumi Pavilion
Takumi Pavilion brings Japanese traditions to life through a range of immersive experiences. From 10am–4pm daily, visitors can join origami classes, learning the art of paper folding through hands-on workshops.
If you’re visiting the festival on August 27, don’t miss the fan-making workshop, where you can create your own traditional-inspired fan while learning about its cultural significance and craftsmanship.
Our top tips
As seasoned Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival goers, we’ve got some top tips to make sure you get the most out of your day.
One of the most important things to remember is to pre-purchase your tickets online, as there are no ticket sales at the gate. We’d also recommend booking early, as weekends and popular days can quickly sell out. Tickets cost $17.95 for adults 17+ and $9.60 for children aged 5-16 years old. You can purchase them here.
We’d also suggest that anyone looking to escape the crowds should avoid heading to the festival at peak times (around 11am-2pm). Long queues can form, so more impatient visitors should head there for opening at 9am – after all, the early bird catches the cherry blossoms. If you want to ensure that you have a crowd-free day, make sure to go on a weekday, with the 3pm-5pm slot being the quietest.
For the cheapest and most convenient cherry blossom commute, we’d encourage you to get public transport to the event. From Central Station, take the T2 to Auburn Station. Free shuttle buses will run between Auburn Station and Auburn Botanic Gardens on festival days (8:30am-5:30pm). Buses run in a loop approximately every 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
If travelling by car, street parking is limited in the surrounding streets of Auburn Botanic Gardens. Parking is available on Tavistock Avenue and Killeen Street, which are a 5-minute walk to the venue.
If you’re visiting on a budget, pack your own snacks and lunch and avoid paying for food and drink when you arrive. Make sure to pack a picnic blanket, as there are limited tables.
The full cherry blossom trail takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes to wander, but visitors should be aware that due to narrow parts, it is not fully accessible. There is an alternative “express trail”, which takes you straight to the Cherry Arbour and the Torii Gate, but takes just 10 minutes.
For more information on the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival, click here.
