Cherry Blossom Fest Returning To Essex County (See 2025 Event Info)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ -- It's a ritual that many people have come to love in Essex County: the annual blooming of the cherry trees.

The 49th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from Saturday, April 5 to Sunday, April 13 at Branch Brook Park, which is located in Newark and Belleville. See a list of events below.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said that the natural beauty of the cherry blossoms has been attracting visitors to the park since they were first planted there in the late 1920s.

"We invite the public to come out and enjoy our display of 5,300 trees, which is larger than the national display in Washington D.C., and the most diverse collection in the world,” DiVincenzo said.

RWJBarnabas Health is a gold sponsor of this year's festival.

Here's what to expect for 2025:

Cherry Blossom Challenge Annual Bike Race

Race through Branch Brook Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, a competitive New Jersey tradition, or cheer on the cyclists while enjoying a day in the fresh, spring air. Various races occur throughout the morning, with the first race at 7 a.m. and the last race at 12 Noon. Registration fees apply to racers. It’s free to enter the park and watch. The Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race will be held as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
• Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Oval, Northern Division, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

The Cherry Blossoms provide a beautiful canopy for runners as they make their way through Branch Brook Park. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Online registration can be done at www.compuscore.com. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m. Advanced registration is recommended. Race starts at 10 a.m. It’s free to enter the park and watch. The Cherry Blossom 10K Run will be held as follows:

• Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
• Time: Registration: 8 a.m.; 10K Race: 10 a.m.; Disabled Start: 10:10 a.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Newark, NJ

1-Mile Fun Run and Walk

Celebrate the arrival of spring and get fit with your family or friends. Children are encouraged to run individually or as a member of a school team. Schools and groups must register in advance by contacting Jacquelyn Matthews at jmatthews@parks.essexcountynj.org. This is a free event. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt while supplies last. The Fun Run and Walk will be held as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
• Time: 9 a.m. Registration; 10 a.m. Race
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Essex County Family Day

The public is encouraged to come out and enjoy an afternoon of family fun with a variety of events including live performances, children’s activities and more. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase food from vendors who will be on site and enjoy the picturesque views overlooking the lake. Admission is free but food and other merchandise will be for sale. The Family Day will be held as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
• Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Bloomfest

Enjoy a family day in the pink park! A packed schedule of events includes cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food and more at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Additional musical performances will be held at the Prudential Concert Grove in the Southern Division of the park. XFINITY is providing sponsorship support for Bloomfest. Admission is free; food and merchandise will be for sale. Bloomfest will be as follows:

• Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
• Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
• Main Area: Oval, Northern Division, Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ
• Second Stage: Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom Talks

These 30-minute talks will include information about the history of Cherry Blossom trees in the United States, the types of trees that have been used, how the trees have been incorporated into the landscape and the history of Branch Brook Park. No reservations are needed. The Cherry Blossom Talks will be held as follows:

• Dates: Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025; Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2025
• Times: 11 a.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Newark, NJ

Historic Tours by Cell Phone

This free, self-guided historic walking tour can be accessed by cell phone or smartphone all season long. Spend the day exploring all 72 tour stops or pick and choose your favorites. One call to 973-433-9047 or a scan of the bar code at each tour stop unlocks a world of park history and horticultural information. The tour is now available in Spanish.

History, driving directions, a complete list of activities and a web cam where the public can monitor the cherry trees for the peak of the bloom season can be accessed by visiting www.essexcountynj.org/branch-brook-park.

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Cherry Tree Planting Campaign

The general public and business community can participate in a fundraising campaign to purchase and plant Cherry Trees in Essex County Branch Brook Park. Each new Cherry Tree can be purchased for $225 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible, checks can be made out to “Essex County Parks Foundation” and mailed to the Essex County Parks Foundation, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104. Please write “Cherry Blossom Campaign” on the memo line of the check.

Donations are being recognized in a “Cherry Blossom Giving Tree” located at the entrance of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Donations of $225 are recognized with a leaf on the Giving Tree and donations of $1,000 or more are recognized with special plaques on the Giving Tree wall. Donors can choose to have their name inscribed on the Giving Tree or make the contribution in memory of a loved one.

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