Springtime in Southern California means gently warming temperatures and blossoming flowers. After the winter rains let up, we look forward to a variety of colors and shapes popping up everywhere. In Japan, the spring brings an explosion of delicate cherry blossoms. Believe it or not, these sweet flowers are found here, too, and are the inspiration for an annual spring festival in Southern California that you will want to be a part of.
The 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in March at Southern California’s largest city park, Huntington Beach Central Park. Over 8000 people attend this annual spring festival.
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Known as “sakura” in Japanese, cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring, renewal, and hope.
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The Cherry Blossom Festival in Orange County brings people together to learn about and celebrate Japanese and Japanese-American culture.
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Modern and traditional musical performances are featured during the festival, including Taiko drumming, gagaku music, minyo (Japanese folk music), jazz, and electronic music.
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Did you know that there are at least 200 varieties of cherry blossoms and that they are not all pink? Apparently, white cheer blossoms are quite common in the United States, also, and in Japan, some go through color changes, inclding light green and yellow.
OC Cherry Blossom Festival/Facebook
OC Cherry Blossom Festival/Facebook
In addition to incredible performances, the Cherry Blossom Festival also features cosplay contests, anime characters, ikebana flower arranging, video game tournaments, and other activities.
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Enjoy the best Japanese cuisine from a variety of local food and drink vendors, and sample traditional Japanese street food and snacks.
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Food trucks and vendors at the festival offer a wide selection of gourmet foods, both Japanese and American.
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Vendors at the event give attendees an opportunity to shop for many different products and handicrafts, such as jewelry, clothing, candles, musical instruments, toys, art, and more.
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This spring festival in Southern California is the perfect way to celebrate the season as well as Japanese American culture. Have you ever been to the Cherry Blossom Festival or would you like to attend this year? What is your favorite spring festival? Find out more about the event and purchase tickets on the Orange County Cherry Blossom Festival website, and follow on Facebook to keep abreast of news and updates. If you are looking for more places to enjoy spring flowers, check out more So Cal destinations that bloom vibrantly in spring.
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Address: 18002 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA
