Ahilia Munna 
Essex County’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey from April 11th to April 19th, 2026, with races, family-friendly events, tours, talks, and Bloomfest. It’s almost time for New Jersey’s cherry blossom trees to bloom, and Essex County’s Branch Brook Park, located at 115 Clifton Avenue in Newark, is ready to celebrate with the 50th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. From April 11th to April 19th, visitors can soak in the shower of pink petals and participate in a variety of family-friendly events. Read on to learn more about the 2026 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey.
About the Festival
The 50th annual festival will take place throughout Branch Brook Park from April 11th to April 19th and will feature events such as races and themed fairs. Throughout the month of April, visitors will also have the opportunity to join a cherry blossom informational talk and a guided walking tour. Typically, the peak of the season is in the 2nd and 3rd week of April. The park is home to over 5,300 cherry blossom trees across 18 varieties, and is tended to by Essex County and the Branch Brook Park Alliance. Here is the event schedule:
2026 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule
April 4th — Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race
There will be multiple cycling races from 7:00 AM-1:00 PM in Branch Brook Park, Northern Division Oval, and Heller Parkway. Spectators can watch for free, and cyclists must register for a fee, varying by race category.
April 12th — Cherry Blossom 10K Run
The run will start at the Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Extension Division, and take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Medals will be given to all participants, and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each category. A portion of each registration fee will be donated to Special Olympics New Jersey.
April 18th — Essex County One-Mile Fun Run
From 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Branch Brook Park, Concert Grove, Southern Division, this free run is a fun prelude to Essex County Family Day and is for children ages 6 to 14. All runners who finish the race will receive a t-shirt and an award. More information about registration and permission slips can be found here.
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April 18th — Essex County Family Day
Family Day is a free event from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Branch Brook Park, Concert Grove, Southern Division, Park Street Entrance. The many activities available will include paddle boating, hands-on crafts, face painting, a bouncy house, a rock-climbing wall, entertainment, and food from local vendors.
April 19th — Bloomfest
Bloomfest is the final event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. It will be held at Branch Brook Park from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This family-friendly day offers many activities such as Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s programming, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food vendors, and more. The schedule of events can be found here.
Wednesdays + Saturdays in April — Cherry Blossom Talks
Starting from April 1st, Branch Brook Park will be hosting the Cherry Blossom Talks every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Extension Division. The park’s experts will lead a 30-minute talk about the history of cherry blossom trees in the United States, how the cherry blossom trees grow, and the history of Branch Brook Park.
Thursdays in April — Official Historic & Horticulture Tours
Offered on Thursdays at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, this 60-minute guided walking tour is a great way to experience and learn about the history of Branch Brook Park and its collection of cherry blossom trees. The tour starts at Branch Brook Park, Prudential Concert Grove, and goes through the Park’s Southern Division around Branch Brook Lake. There is a non-refundable $15 registration fee per person, and each tour is capped at 25 people. You can register here.
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Keep up with Essex County Parks and the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival online, on Facebook, and check out the Bloomwatch Webcam to see the live footage of Branch Brook Park’s cherry blossom trees.
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