Check out Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's virtual tree walks and concert

Despite calling off physical celebrations due to the pandemic, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) is helping people enjoy its annual event while still keeping a distance.

Thanks to festival organizers, you can still see what the city’s gorgeous cherry blossoms look like, even if they aren’t in your neighbourhood.

The VCBF has shared virtual tree walks on its website featuring locations where the physical walks were initially planned. Virtual visitors can check out the blossoms in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood, Stanley Park, Strathcona, Downtown, the West End, Point Grey, and Queen Elizabeth Park.

A Somei-Yoshino tree near UBC’s Chan Centre for the performing arts (VCBF)

Cherry blossoms from the Akebano trees at Burrard Station in Downtown Vancouver (VCBF)

Accolade trees in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood (Francis Pender/VCBF)

And while the festival usually includes live concerts at the Burrard SkyTrain station, this year, you can check out performances online.

In place of the Cherry Jam Concerts, presented by the Downtown Business Improvement Association and G&F Financial Group, organizers asked performers to record their performances so they can be shared virtually.

Some of the performers include the Cheondoong (Thunder) Performing Arts Society, which demonstrates the richness of Korean culture and performing arts in Vancouver.

Another performer is the Royal Academy of Bhangra, the first Canadian not-for-profit academy to offer formal Punjabi Folk Dance education. In addition to Bhangra, the academy offers training in traditional folk dances such as Jhummar, Dhamal, Malwai Giddha, Sammi, Luddi, and Kikli.

For more virtual tree walks and online Cherry Jam performances, you can check out the VCBF website.

Daily Hive is a proud media partner of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival