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.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival offered a series of virtual events in 2021. However, the Big Picnic returned as an in-person event at a new location on April 2nd in 2022. In 2023 it happens on April 1st (which is also April Fools Day).

Vancouver’s Big Picnic

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

Performers at the event in 2022 included MNGWA which is a Latin alternative music group and The Now or Never Crew who are a hip-hop and breakdance group. As well, beginning the day there was a yoga session led by meditation guide Carolyn Anne Budgell.

In between these performances there were different ceremonies and activities to enjoy. One of the most important was the tree dedication that happened at around noon. Attendees also had the ability to learn different Japanese arts and crafts through fabric wrapping, easel painting, monoprint making and origami workshops.

The 2022 Big Picnic was catered by private sushi chefs who prepared Blossom Bento boxes for attendees to enjoy. These boxes could be pre-ordered online for $18. They included sakura rolls, salmon, nigiri, sushi ginger and a special Japanese dessert. You didn’t have to buy a bento box, but you could if you wanted one.

Details about featured performers, activities and food trucks at the 2023 event are to be confirmed.

Yoga Under Cherry Blossoms at the Park — Yoga at Queen Elizabeth Park

About the Venue

In previous years, the Big Picnic took place at Queen Elizabeth Park which is a beautiful place and the highest piece of land within the City of Vancouver.

In 2022, the Big Picnic took place at David Lam Park in Yaletown on April 2nd. The 2023 event takes place at the same location on Saturday, April 1st, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. The park’s address is 1300 Pacific Boulevard. The closest SkyTrain Station is Yaletown-Roundhouse which is about a 5-minute walk away.

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

Tips and Advice

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

TIP #1: Don’t forget to take your camera, something to sit on and your picnic (or money to buy one).

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 stuff, especially if poor weather has been in the forecast, double check the VCBF website to make sure things are still happening as planned.

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