Sakura Matsuri – The Cherry Blossom Festival Is Back in Singapore

Who doesn’t love cherry blossoms!? As the spring arrives, these lovely little flowers infuse the world with pink and white hues. The Cherry Blossom Festival or Sakura Matsuri, originally, belongs to Japan, where the Sakura flowers camouflage the branches of every tree on the streets as cake frosting. Much like Japan, the Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated in our beloved Singapore at Gardens by the Bay. 

The venue is ready with the aroma of cherry blossom, colorful cultural events, and this year’s specialty, ‘Sakura Matsuri: Tale of the Peach Boy Floral Display’ and the ‘Anime Garden.’ Are you ready, too, to soak in the festivities of springtime bloom? redBus has brought you a comprehensive guide to the Sakura Flower Event. 

Considering the recent Coronavirus outbreak, we, at redBus, are concerned about your safety. Therefore, it would be better to look at the safety measures to take while in Singapore before you head to celebrate this event. 

Event Schedule: Sakura Matsuri

The Sakura Matsuri fest will be celebrated at Gardens by the Bay from 6 to 29 March 2020. The event will follow a beautiful flower display, cultural programs, and a celebration of Japanese art, craft, and music. 

Event NameDuration
Sakura Matsuri: Tale of the Peach Boy Floral Display6 (Fri) to 29 March 2020 (Sun)
Sakura Matsuri Cultural Programmes7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29 March 2020
Symphony in the Gardens 15 March 2020 (Sun)
Get Crafty: Sakura Postcard28 March 2020 (Sat)
Sakura Matsuri: Anime Garden28 & 29 March 2020 (Sat & Sun)

Curious, aren’t you? The names of the events would surely have sparked your desire to be a part of Sakura Matsuri or click amazing pictures with a cherry blossom tree. Now, let’s take a look at how each event will add more to your experience:

Sakura flowers on display

Tale of the Peach Boy Floral Display

If you’ve ever met a Japanese, they will tell you how famous the legendary folklore of Momotaro (a boy born from a peach), who travels to the Land of Rising Sun with a desire to be extraordinary. This time in 2020, this wonderful tale is what you will see in the form of a cherry blossom display at Gardens by the Bay. Called the ‘Tale of the Peach Boy Floral Display,’ this event is the main highlight of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Singapore. 

Timing: 9 am to 9 pm 

Admission: A valid ticket to the Flower Dome

What else to spot: Gassho-style farmhouses, Japanese tea house, 20 varieties of the cherry blossom tree

Cultural Programs on the Cherry Blossom Festival

Japanese Geisha in their traditional attire

All of the cultural programs at Gardens by the Bay, similar to the Japanese Cherry Blossom events, will be organized in collaboration with the Japan Creative Centre in Singapore. The cultural performances include the following:

Japanese Tea Ceremony: Conducted by a Hosekai, this program will display the rituals of preparing the Japanese powdered tea and how the Japanese serve it.

Date: 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 March 2020

Timing: 11 am & 12 pm

Admission: Free

Jas Minyo Club: Conducted by Minyo Club, this is where the spectators can watch the traditional Japanese dance forms. 

Date: 7 March 2020

Timing: 2 pm & 4 pm

Admission: Free

Hibikiya: The Japanese drum group will be performing the famous Taiko and other Japanese musical forms. 

Date: 8 & 21 March 2020

Timing: 2 pm & 4 pm

Admission: Free

Kendo: The Singapore Kendo Club and the Tanglin Kendo Club, together, will be performing Kendo, a Japanese martial art. 

Date: 22 March 2020

Timing: 2 pm & 4 pm

Admission: Free 

Symphony in the Gardens

With the beautiful backdrop of Gardens by the Bay and Sakura trees, Darren Ang, the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of The Sichuan Orchestra of China (Sichuan Symphony Orchestra) will be inviting you to immerse yourself in the world-famous melodies. 

Timing: 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Admission: Free

Highlights: The melodies by Mozart, Brahms, & Lully

Craft Workshop: Sakura Flower

This unique workshop is a part of the ‘Get Crafty’ craft series, where participants create postcards featuring ‘flower of the month.’ For the obvious, the Sakura flower of Cherry blossom would be featured in the March workshop.

Timing: 2 pm to 5 pm

Admission: No fee for the activity (only the Flower Dome entry fee applies)

Anime Garden

Japanese umbrellas on display

The Anime Garden is another highlight of 2020’s Japanese Cherry Blossom in Singapore. Going to be celebrated on the last weekend of March 2020, the Anime Garden will feature a wonderful cosplay, pop culture performances, anisong concerts, and matsuri marketplace. Here, you will not only be able to buy authentic Japanese products but also have an incredible gastronomic experience. The events like Anime Screening and Fortune Telling will also add charm to the cherry blossom festival. 

There’s a small admission fee for some of the events, and pre-booking is required. Check the official website of Gardens by the Bay for more information on the events. 

March is also the time of After Term I Holidays in schools. So, if you’re looking for some more activities apart from the Sakura Festival, check out the best things to do during March school holidays!

To reach Gardens by the Bay, you can book a bus ticket online on redBus and enjoy a safe and convenient journey. We, at redBus, ensure to make your travel experience a memorable one.