The Cherry Blossom Festival in Denver is the only event dedicated to Japanese culture in the Rocky Mountain region. The two-day festival features a variety of activities as well as music, dance, art exhibits, martial arts demonstrations, crafts, and food. The Cherry Blossom Festival is frre wvwnt and held in June at Sakura Square in downtown Denver. Some activities of the festival take place on Larimer Street and inside the Denver Buddhist Temple.

Festival Entertainment

The Cherry Blossom Festival honors the Japanese heritage and traditions with a diverse entertainment program. It includes taiko drumming, Japanese artwork, and various demonstrations. Visitors can also indulge in teriyaki chicken, Manju desserts, and try Japanese beverages: beer and sake.

In 2024, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy Hawaiian slack-key guitar perform, Shotokan Karate & Japanese Martial Arts, Japanese self-defensive martial arts, Japanese folk dance, taiko hip-hop, sword etiquette, and karate sword demonstration, traditional "Country/Blues flavored" style music, and much more.

Sakura Matsuri in Denver also features the Japanese-themed marketplace with jewelry, pottery, apparel, and anime-inspired art. Informational booths representing Japanese and Japanese American organizations can educate visitors about various aspects of Japanese culture. The proceeds from the Cherry Blossom Festival in Denver benefit the local Sakura Foundation and the Buddhist Temple. Food and merchandise can be purchased with cash or credit cards. Visisters can buy temple food inside and outside of the Temple and in the Marketplace on Larimer Street.