There may not be a more telltale sign that Spring has sprung in Central Ohio than when the Canada Geese return from their warm, southern winters and wreak havoc on us Ohioans all spring and summer long.
Well, that and the Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival, of course.
This year, the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival is set to occur from March 25 – April 25, 2026, with dozens of fun events lined up to ensure you can experience the magic of the Cherry Blossom blooms this spring.
So without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the Cherry Blossom Festival in Columbus.
What is the Cherry Blossom Festival?
Excellent question! Inspired by the Cherry Blossom Festivals in Japan and Washington D.C., the Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival is a way to pause and celebrate the fleeting beauty of nature and life itself.
Cherry Blossom trees are, simply put, the most beautiful trees in the springtime.
Their white and pink blossoms are a vibrant reminder of the natural wonders that surround us on a daily basis.
With dozens of events scheduled over the course of a month and hundreds of cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the Columbus area, there are no shortages of ways to take part in the festival.
The 2026 Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule
The festival kicks off on March 25, 2026 with a riveting performance by Step Afrika! at the Southern Theatre.
But that’s just the beginning. Over the course of a month, you can stop by any business participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival Food & Drink Trail to experience the unique flavors of East Asia.
Some of the highlights include a Cherry Blossom Melon Roll from Belles bread (featuring Cherry Blossom powder imported from Japan), Cherry Blossom Boba from Little Cat Boba in the East Market, and even a Japanese-inspired Hinoki Lager from Wolf’s Ridge Brewing.
See the full festival schedule and complete list of events happening around Columbus and Central Ohio here.
The Best Places to View Cherry Blossoms in Central Ohio
Whether you’re looking to attend a Cherry Blossom Festival event or just want to soak in the beauty of these trees on your own time, there are thousands of Cherry Blossom trees in the Central Ohio area that will be blooming between late March and early April.
You can find the nearest spot to view the blooms below.
Columbus
- Franklin Park (The epicenter of the Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival) | 1755 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
- Goodale Park | 120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Ohio Statehouse | 1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215
- Mirror Lake (Ohio State Campus) | 1760 Neil Ave Building 067, Columbus, OH 43210
Westerville
- Inniswood Metro Gardens | 940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville, OH 43081
Dublin
- Hidaka USA, Inc. Campus | 5761 Shier Rings Rd, Dublin, OH 43016
Upper Arlington
- Mallway Park | 2096 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Newark
- Dawes Arboretum, Sarah P. Duke Gardens | 7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark, OH 43056
Athens
- Ohio University Convocation Center | 95 Richland Ave #126, Athens, OH 45701
Dayton
- Carillon Historical Park | 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409
- Dayton Art Institute | 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH 45405
- Dayton Masonic Temple | 525 W Riverview Ave, Dayton, OH 45405
- National Museum of the United States Air Force | 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45433
Peace Begins With Me
The theme for the Cherry Blossom Festival in 2026 is “Peace Begins With Me,” which couldn’t be a more potent, simplistic, yet beautiful reminder to all of us in todays world.
In a society that seems to move so fast… where information abounds and disorients us all, the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival grounds us to the Earth.
It reminds us to slow down.
It reminds us to stay present.
And most importantly, it reassures us that, no matter how crazy the world gets, life is a beautiful thing.
But just like the Cherry Blossoms, if you don’t stop and appreciate it, you’ll miss all it’s beauty.
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