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5th Annual Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival March 25-April 25, 2026 The 2026 theme is "Peace Begins With Me."
Each year, central Ohio celebrates the spectacular blossoms of more than 100 cherry trees in Franklin Park, Columbus, Ohio. (Inspired by the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.) This year, the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival passport is digital. At each event or venue, use the LOYALBREW Digital Passport Cherry Blossom Festival QR code to collect stamps. Look for the flyer with the passport code. You must be at the location to collect the stamp.
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- FESTIVAL EVENTS & VENUES
- March 25– April 25 - Purchase a drink or food item on the Cherry Blossom Festival Food and Drink Trail
- March 25 (Wednesday)- Step Afrika!’s The Evolution Tour - Fuses groundbreaking step choreography with the vibrant soundscape of a live DJ. As the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping, Step Afrika! pushes the boundaries of stepping, blending tradition with innovation to create an unforgettable, high-energy experience. $25 with code BLOSSOM
- March 27 (Friday)- Lights of Hope: A Celebration of Deep Griha and 65 Years of Peace Corps. At this annual fundraising dinner for Deep Griha, learn more about this outreach non-profit organization in Pune, India that serves children, women and senior citizens. The program will also help celebrate the 65 years of the United States Peace Corps. Find out more about Peace Corps and what helps it stay a vital contributor to peace and cultural understanding. Wing Grace Hall at First Community North, 3777 Dublin Road. 6-8 pm. $30 includes the dinner. Register through this link. Deadline to register is March 25.
- March 28 (Saturday) Ohio University Sakura Matsuri-Tailgreat Park, 97 Richland Ave., Athens.
- Japanese calligraphy, Japanese dance performance, Kendo (Japanese sword) demonstration,
- food (onigiri, yakitori, dango), information about the Cherry Bombs (women’s baseball team) 12-4 pm. free
- March 29 (Sunday) Awa Odori Workshop-
- Experience the Spirit of Japan's Favorite Summer Festival Dance! Learn Awa Odori, a popular and festive tradition with over 400 years of history. This is a rhythmic dance that is easy to pick up and fun to perform together. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. No experience necessary. Columbus. Yokoso Center, 1175 Old Henderson Rd. 3-4 pm. free
- Through April 4 (Saturday) International Peace Museum. Dayton. Visit the only Peace Museum in the U.S. The current temporary exhibit is "Ordinary Lives." The exhibit traces "Palestinian life as a continue thread of ritual, family and everyday beauty." Check out the museum's website for more information. International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, Ohio. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays. Admission $5.
- April 4 (Saturday) Cherry Blossom Festival IVO Opening Event Franklin Park, Columbus. Commemoration of Peace Garden and Cherry Trees plaque, exhibits, games, performances and scavenger hunt. Franklin Park. 11 am -4 pm.
- April 5 (Sunday) -JASCO Cherry Blossom Day. Live performances, cultural demonstrations, hands-on activities, Japanese food vendors and more. Columbus. Franklin Park Conservatory. 1777 E. Broad St. (free admission for Franklin County residents). 10 am -3 pm. April 6 (Monday)- Upper Arlington Cherry Blossom Celebration. Outdoor event with art activities, music and refreshments. Upper Arlington. Mallway Park, 2096 Arlington Ave. 5-6:30 pm. free.
- April 7 (Tuesday) Ikebana Workshop, Bexley Learn about Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging that emphasizes harmony, balance and the beauty of plants. Create a flower arrangement with Michelle Rogers, Sogetsu teacher, Komon degree to take home. Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main Street, Bexley. 11 am to 1 pm. free. (see flyer for registration QR code)
- April 8 (Wednesday) -"Hanami" Traditions, Japanese Sister Cities and Tea Tasting, Dublin D IE C ROOM 247, Ohio University Dublin Campus, 6805 Bobcat Way. 12-2 PM. Explore the ceremonial practices, histories, and philosophies behind Chinese ceremonial black tea and Japanese Sencha green tea. Also, learn about Japanese sister cities and their friendship with Ohio. $25/person includes lunch and tea tasting. RSVP by Wednesday, April 1. (see flyer for registration QR code)
- April 11 (Saturday) IVO Cultural Show & Talent Contest. Haiku contest, dance and music performances and more. Northside Library. 1423 North High St. Columbus 3:30-5:30 PM. free
- April 12 (Sunday) - "Peace Begins with Me" -Central Ohio Peace Corps and IVO Cultural Event-Create a Peace Puppet, Cherry Blossom Peace Fan, a Peace Pole, Wishing Tree, and enjoy exhibits, music and more. Martin Luther King Library, 1467 E. Long St, Columbus. 1:30 -4:30 pm. free
- April 18 (Saturday) - Ikebana Showcase. Enjoy arrangements by Ikebana International Chapter #84, kimonos of the Columbus Kimono Society, and pottery by Naoko Saihara. Japanese crafts will be for sale.
- Columbus. Yokoso Center, 1175 Old Henderson Rd. 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. free
- April 25 (Saturday) - Celebrate Cherry Blossoms and Worthington Sister City, Sayama, Japan. Cherry blossom activities and Sister City presentation. Worthington Old Library 1:30-3:30 free.
Thanks to Our Cherry Blossom Festival Sponsors for Funding and/or Support: Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC}; Honda Power of Dreams; Columbus Parks and Recreation; The Ohio Arts Council; 10 WNBS; Columbus Association of the Performing Arts (CAPA); Experience Columbus
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Take Selfies at Central Ohio’s Hanami spots Hanami, ”flower viewing” is the Japanese custom of enjoying the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom flowers and the welcome of spring. Hanami usually consists of having an outdoor party or picnic beneath the cherry trees. (Check each location for peak blooming times as they vary) Athens (between the OU campus and Hocking River) Bexley, various locations Dayton (between Carillon Historical Park and the Dayton Art Institute), Dublin Columbus (Franklin & Goodale Parks, Ohio State House, Mirror Lake OSU campus), Westerville (Inniswood Metro Gardens), Whitehall
Practice Peace, Love and Harmony All Year Long!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
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