Vancouver Morris Men and Cherry Blossoms

The Big Picnic is a free Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival event. It features live entertainment at a park on a weekend in April most years.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s Big Picnic at David Lam Park

The Big Picnic is a free event where people bring their families, friends, picnics, and something to sit on and enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment and cherry blossom viewing.

There are live performances, yoga sessions, exhibitions, and more. There are also different ceremonies and activities to enjoy. Attendees can learn different Japanese arts and crafts. Several food trucks are at the event each year, too.

The 2026 event takes place on Saturday, March 28th, and Sunday, March 29th. It usually takes place between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm each day. As of the beginning of March, however, the event times for this year were still to be confirmed.

About the Venue

Years ago, the Big Picnic took place at Queen Elizabeth Park. More recently, however, it has been happening at David Lam Park in Yaletown. This is the case again in 2026.

The park’s address is 1300 Pacific Boulevard. The nearest SkyTrain Station is Yaletown-Roundhouse, about a five-minute walk away.

Cherry Blossom Season in Yaletown — The Big Picnic at David Lam Park

Entertainment Schedule (from last year)

As a preview of what to expect at the event, the artists and performances from last year’s main day, which is usually the Saturday, are listed below. The 2026 lineup will likely to be comparable, but with exact details to be confirmed.

(Note: Exact details were subject to change.)

10:30 am – Indigenous Welcome
10:45 am – Kai Fang
10:45 am – Sake Breaking Ceremony
11:00 am – Vancouver Okinawa Taiko
11:15 am – Cindy Yang Dance Academy
12:00 pm – Kutapira
1:35 pm – MNGWA
2:35 pm – Mina Mercury
3:30 pm – Bakara Band

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the Big Picnic event.

TIP #1: Don’t forget to take your camera, a seat or something to sit on (e.g., a blanket or tarp), and your picnic.

TIP #2: Explore the park while you’re there. It’s a beautiful spot!

TIP #3: Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival events sometimes get cancelled or postponed due to weather or the state of the cherry tree blooming season. Before heading out with all your belongings, especially if inclement weather is forecast, double-check the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival website to confirm events are still happening as planned.

TIP #4: David Lam Park is right on the False Creek Seawall. It’s a great place to walk, either before or after the picnic. There are also lots of restaurants nearby in Yaletown.