The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is the biggest event of the year in Japantown: two April weekends of food, arts and crafts, cultural programs and a Grand Parade. It has been held since 1968, and the organizers say it draws more than 220,000 people a year. The 60th festival is on April 10–11 and 17–18, 2027. We keep this page at one address, and update it every year.
When Is the Cherry Blossom Festival?
The festival happens over two weekends in April. The parade closes it out on the third Sunday of the month.
| Year | Festival days | Grand Parade |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (59th) | April 11–12 and 18–19 | Third Sunday of April (April 19) |
| 2027 (60th) | April 10–11 and 17–18 | Sunday, April 18 |
In 2026 the festival grounds were open 11am to 6pm on all four days, and the festival lists the parade as 1pm to 3pm on the third Sunday of April. The festival has not posted 2027 times, so treat those as last year’s pattern, not a promise.
Festival homepage · Festival FAQ
What Is There to Do?
- Grand Parade. The festival’s closing event. See the festival’s Grand Parade page for the route once the 2027 details are posted.
- Food Bazaar. Every food booth is run by a local nonprofit organization. Food, soft drinks and beer are sold at the Food Bazaar and at the Sapporo Beer Garden on Webster Street between Post and Sutter. Japantown’s own restaurants stay open during festival hours.
- Arts and crafts vendors and cultural programs. The festival publishes a cultural programs schedule and a vendor list for each year, usually closer to the date.
- Children’s Cherry Blossom Village. In 2026 it was open 11am to 4pm on three of the four festival days.
Going with Children
- Kids’ village first. Start at the Children’s Cherry Blossom Village if it runs again; it closes at 4pm, before the grounds do.
- Bring a water bottle. The festival has water refill stations around the grounds and encourages visitors to bring their own bottle.
- Parade crowds. Pick a spot along the route early, and agree on a meeting place in case you are separated.
- The beer garden is for adults. Project SF lists it as part of the festival, and does not promote alcohol to children.
Getting There
Parking is limited during the festival, and the organizers ask everyone to use public transit or a rideshare and to allow extra time. The festival’s own “Getting to the Festival” page has the current route details. For help planning a Muni trip with children, see Muni, BART and cable cars with kids and Muni vs BART vs cable car.
More Spring and Cultural Festivals in San Francisco
See our Chinese New Year Parade guide and our Bay to Breakers guide. The street fair calendar and the events calendar list what is on this weekend.
Sources
- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival homepage (2027 dates, parade date, 60th festival, history)
- Festival FAQ (hours, parade time, food, dogs, parking, children’s village)
Checked on 15 October 2026 against the festival’s homepage and FAQ. The FAQ describes the 2026 festival; we will update this page when the 2027 hours, admission and parade route are posted.
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When is the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco in 2027?
The 60th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is on April 10–11 and April 17–18, 2027, in Japantown. The Grand Parade is on Sunday, April 18, 2027.
What time is the Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade?
The festival says the Grand Parade is on the third Sunday of April, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. That makes it Sunday, April 18, 2027. The 2027 route is on the festival's Grand Parade page.
How much does the Cherry Blossom Festival cost?
The festival's FAQ does not give an admission price for the grounds, so we do not state one. Food, drinks and crafts are sold by the booths and the beer garden. We will add admission here when the festival posts it.
Where is the Cherry Blossom Festival held?
In Japantown. In 2026 the festival used the Japantown streets, including Webster and Sutter, with a Food Bazaar and a Sapporo Beer Garden on Webster Street between Post and Sutter.
Can I bring a dog to the Cherry Blossom Festival?
Yes. The festival says leashed dogs are welcome, following San Francisco rules.
Is parking available at the Cherry Blossom Festival?
Parking is limited during the festival. The organizers ask visitors to take public transit or a rideshare and to allow extra time for traffic, parking and walking.
Is the Cherry Blossom Festival good for kids?
Yes. In 2026 there was a Children's Cherry Blossom Village open 11am–4pm on three of the four festival days, and all of the food booths are run by local nonprofits.
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Cite this page: Project SF, “Cherry Blossom Festival San Francisco 2027: Dates and Parade”, projectsf.com/guides/cherry-blossom-festival-san-francisco-guide/ (updated ).