Event details
When: Saturday 17 August to Sunday 25 August, 9am to 4:45pm daily
Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens - located corner of Chisholm and Chiswick Roads in Auburn - view google maps
Sydney’s most Instagrammable and favourite flower festival makes headlines across Australia every year with thousands flocking to the gardens to experience a slice of Japan in Western Sydney.
The bumper program this year celebrates our favourite Kitty’s 50th Birthday with Hello Kitty performances and meet and greets. There will be a range of cultural performances, traditional live music, dancing and entertainment, kids activities, horticultural talks and more!
The Japanese Food Village will take your taste buds on a culinary journey with exclusive cherry blossom themed dishes and a huge selection of Japanese fusion. The Cherry Blossom Bar will also be serving up a range of Japanese inspired drinks.
Don’t forget to capture the perfect ‘cherry snap’ at the iconic Cherry Arbour in the Japanese Gardens, and at the Mt Fuji Torii Gate which also offers the best setting for ‘insta-ready’ photos and videos of the iconic Cherry Blossoms.
Festival tickets
All festival tickets must be pre-booked online for entry into the festival.
Cumberland resident entry to the festival is free, however tickets are required to be pre-booked to reserve your spot as numbers are capped within the gardens.
Unfortunately there are no sales booths at the event and door sales are not available. No entry will be permitted to the venue without a ticket.
For further information visit Festival ticket FAQs
Ticketing information and group bookings
Prices
The following prices are inclusive of GST and booking fees:
- Cumberland City Council Residents | Free | Must provide proof of address (NSW Photo ID/Driver’s License or Rates Notice)
- Children 4 years and under | Free
- Children 5 to16 years old | $6.60
- Adults 17+ | $15.55
- Family Pass (2 adults 17+ & 2 Children aged 5-16) | $38
- Senior Cardholders 60+ | $6.60 | Must present valid Seniors Card or ID upon entry.
- Companion Cardholders | Free | Must present valid Companion Card upon entry. Free entry for cardholder’s support person with any other valid ticket held by the cardholder.
Group bookings
Group bookings do not attract any additional discount.
Bookings up to 20
- For bookings of up to 20, complete two transactions until you have the total number of tickets required. Get tickets
- The maximum number of tickets per single transaction is 10 tickets.
Bookings of 21 or more
- For Group Bookings of 21 tickets or more, please complete the group bookings form
- For School Groups from Cumberland Local Government area, student and teacher entry is free.
- For School Groups outside Cumberland LGA price per students is $6.60 and $15.55 per teacher/adult.
What's happening at the festival
Daily - 9am to 4:45pm
The Cherry Trail
Take a self-guided walk through our Japanese Gardens and experience the wonder of our cherry blossom trees in different parts of the garden including the most photographed– The Cherry Arbour.
Daily - 9am to 4:45pm
Japanese Food Village
The festival’s smash hit Japanese Food Village presents the best in Sydney’s food scene in a pop-up precinct of Japanese and Japanese fusion food that will take your taste buds on a culinary journey. Featuring Sydney institutions such as Tokyo Lamington and 15cenchi, with an array of sweets, savouries and drinks from over 20 foodies.
Daily - 9am to 4:45pm
The Cherry Blossom Bar
Presented by Bubble Bambino head to the bar for Asahi beer, limoncello spritz and prosecco.
Daily - 10am to 4pm
The Mt Fuji Torii Gate
Adjacent to the Food Festival, the Best ‘insta-ready’ opportunity to capture the iconic Cherry Blossoms. From 1pm to 1:30pm get a photo with Hello Kitty at the Mt Fuji Torri Gate. Please be patient while waiting in line and note that spaces are limited.
Entertainment
Enjoy Hello Kitty shows, listen to traditional music, experience Japanese Flower arranging, watch belly and lion dancing, see hula hooping, bonsai talks and more.
The Pavilion
Participate in various workshops such as Manga, Origami, Bonsai, and Hello Kitty craft.
Rainforest and Billabong Area
Immerse yourself in the serene ambience of Auburn Botanic Gardens as you stroll amidst the rainforest or discover the art of the Haiku poem.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's
Festival Tickets
For ticketing information visit Festival ticket FAQs
Travel and Parking
We encourage patrons attending to catch public transport and plan your trip visit https://transportnsw.info/#/.
Travelling by car? Street parking is limited in surrounding streets around Auburn Botanic Gardens. To avoid any fines, please observe parking signs and do not park on resident driveways.
Free shuttle buses will run between 8:30am and 5:30pm on festival days between Auburn Train Station and Auburn Botanic Gardens.
Parking is available in Tavistock Avenue and Killeen Street which is a 5-minute walk to the venue.
Entry to the festival drop zone is via Killeen Street, Auburn.
Travelling via a private bus/coach, there is limited parking available in Chiswick Street. Access to the area is via Killeen Street, Auburn. We are unable to reserve parking. It’s a case of first come first served.
Bicycle racks are available outside the festival and are limited. Bring your own bike lock.
Please note bicycles and scooters are not permitted into the festival.
Festival Drop Zone
The drop-zone is located on Chiswick Street, Auburn. Access to the drop-zone is via Killeen Street, Auburn which is right next to the festival entry point. This includes any private vehicles, rideshares, UBER and taxis. Please note you have 5-mins to drop-off.
Please note no stopping is permitted in the Shuttle Bus Zone. Please do not use the Shuttle Bus Zone for drop-off.
Festival Conditions of Entry
Persons are prohibited from entering with the following items
- Air horn
- Animals (except for authorised guide dogs/companion animals)
- Alcohol
- Clothing which is Suburb or Gang related
- Glass
- Fireworks, flares or explosives
- Illegal substances
- Poles, sticks and banners/flags
- Weapons or knives
- Bikes/scooters
- Drones
Persons may be refused entry for the following:
- Any person deemed to be intoxicated and/or disorderly.
- Any person who does not comply with a request from the organiser, security or regulatory bodies.
- Any person who does not comply with bag checks.
The possession of illegal items/ substances are a criminal offence and will be dealt with accordingly. Any prohibited found will be confiscated by Security if found upon entry.
Will food be available at the festival?
The festival brings you a whole host of delicious food and drink items to complement your festival experience and catering to a wide variety of dietary requirements.
Are there food vendors who can cater to specific dietary requirements?
The festival hosts a large number of food stalls and trucks. Each vendor may have the ability to cater to various dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free. If you are unsure, please ask the food vendor prior to ordering your meal.
Where are toilets located?
Park toilets are located at the amphitheatre. The accessible bathroom can be accessed by people who have a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). Additional portable toilets are available at the festival.
Is there a cloakroom or any lockers available?
Unfortunately, cloakrooms/lockers are not available. You will need to keep bags, hats, prams, umbrellas and any other personal items on you at all times.
Accessibility
Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival strives to provide a quality accessible experience and most areas of the festival are accessible.
The primary attraction, the Cherry Blossom Trail is located inside the Botanic Gardens’ traditional style Japanese Garden. Please note that the entire Cherry Trail is not accessible for wheelchairs and double-prams as the path becomes narrow (83cm on narrow bridge). The express Cherry Trail is recommended for wheelchairs and/or prams. Venue staff will be pleased to assist visitors in finding the most suitable accessible route for their experience.
Accessible bathrooms are available at the site, both portable event facilities, and permanent accessible bathroom facilities.
Travel to the Festival accommodates patrons with access requirements. Limited accessible parking is available at the festival for vehicles displaying current Disability Parking Permit.
Entry for accessible parking is via Killeen Street, Auburn.
In addition, pick up/drop off zone is available immediately adjacent to the festival entrance. Once drop off is complete close to the entrance, vehicles are required to return to the available parking in the main car park area.
The free shuttle bus is also accessibly-friendly.
For accessibility requests or more information please contact Council’s Event Coordinator at events@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Are wheelchairs available for hire?
Unfortunately, wheelchairs are not available for hire at the festival.
Can I bring a chair and/or tent to the festival
Unfortunately chairs and any other temporary infrastructure are not permitted into the festival.
Are ATM’s available?
ATM’s are available at festival. Most vendors will be able to accommodate payment using card or digital wallet.
I have lost an item at the festival. Who do I contact?
Please send an email to events@cumberland.nsw.gov.au to notify us of the lost item. Please include description and last known location. We will log the item on our Lost Property Register and contact you if the item is located. If your lost item is valuable or essential (such as a wallet or identification) please consider filing a report with Police.
Is there any place I can get some peace and quiet?
We recommend visiting the Billabong Area.
Pets
Pets are not permitted inside of Auburn Botanic Gardens unless they are a registered assistance animal. We have our own ecosystem and wildlife free in the gardens and introducing a pet can be harmful to wildlife.
Inclement Weather
In the case of adverse weather conditions and/or heavy rain the event may be cancelled. If you wish to confirm if the event will proceed in this case, please phone 8757 9000.
Wet weather information will also be available on Council’s Facebook page as relevant.
Local Residents
We wish to advise local residents and businesses surrounding the event site of the potential increase in traffic, pedestrians and noise.
If you have any concerns or would like further information please contact Council’s Events Coordinator on 8757 9000.
Changes to Traffic
A road closure will be in place on Chiswick Road, Auburn from 17 to 25 August 2024.
This is to ensure the safety of event patrons entering / exiting the festival area.
Access to West Street and Rhoades Lane will be accessible to residents only.
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