Cherry Blossom Festival: Here's Your Guide To Sakura Matsuri 2018

PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS, BROOKLYN — As cherry blossom season blooms the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is preparing for Sakura Matsuri, the annual festival that celebrates Japanese culture and budding pink flowers.

The two-day festival is slated for the end of April and will bring dancers, drummers, artists and hoards of flower enthusiasts to the gardens on the eastern side of Prospect Park.

The Cherry Blossom festival is a beloved Brooklyn tradition and — should the cherry blossom trees favor us by opening before the event — it promises to be breathtaking.

Here’s what you need to know, should you decide to go.

When is the festival?

Sakura Matsuri 2018 is slated for April 28 and April 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How much does it cost?

Depends on your age and dedication to the garden. Members get in for free, but other adults will need to pay $30, students (with ID) can pay $12, seniors (also with ID) can pay $25, and kids under age 12 get in for free. You can buy your tickets here.

What to expect?

Sakura Matsuri will offer about 60 events and performances that celebrate Japanese culture in stages and gardens throughout the day throughout the park.

The Cherry Esplanade Stage, the J-Lounge Stage and the Auditorium Stage will host performances that are both classical — such as samurai sword demonstrations and Soh Daiko, thunderous taiko drumming — and modern — Bo Peep, the Gal grunge-rock sensations from Fukuoka will perform, as will Gaijin à Go-Go, a Japanese pop band inspired by 1960s go-go.

There will also be demonstrations and activities in the gardens. You can play Shogi chess and buy seasonal Japanese sweets in Osborne Garden, tour the Taro’s Origami Studio display of paper animals and flowers at the rotunda and kids can make their own herbal tea bags in the Discovery Garden.

Check out the full Saturday agenda here.

Check out the full Sunday agenda here.

How do I get there?

There are three entrances into the Brooklyn Botanic Garden each near its own subway line. The entrance 150 Eastern Parkway is closest to the Brooklyn Museum Station on the 2 and 3 line, the entrance at 455 Flatbush Ave. is a few blocks away from the B, Q, and shuttle at the Prospect Park stop, and the entrance at 990 Washington Ave. is near the Botanic Garden stop on the shuttle line.

All photos courtesy of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo of Dancejapan at BBG's Sakura Matsuri by Julie Markes, photos of attendees by Liz Ligon.