While spring may still be a little way off, Auburn Botanic Gardens’ Cherry Blossom festival is a welcome reminder that warmer, sunnier days are just around the corner.

Running over nine days, from August 20th to August 28th, the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival pays homage to the traditions, music, pop culture and food of Japan. 

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Besides the non-stop cottagecore vibes and regular flurries of pink blossoms (which you can savour with a 45-minute self-guided walk through the gardens), there’ll also be a Japanese food village with traditional yakitori, onigiri and karaage chicken (among other delights), a Hello Kitty Garden Party with face-painting, arts and crafts, and a 9-hole putt putt golf course. 

To get you in the mood for a blooming beautiful day, this year’s festival will also feature morning Flower Raves from 9-11am, daily readings of Japanese stories, taiko drumming sessions and ikebana workshops. 

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The Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is happening at Auburn Botanic Gardens, corner of Chisholm and Chiswick Roads, Auburn from Saturday August 20th to Sunday August 28th, 9am to 5pm.

In the interests of covid-safety, there’s only eight session times per day and tickets must be pre-booked. Tickets include all-day entry into the festival grounds and are available here.

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