Japan may be thousands of miles away, but aficionados of Japanese culture on Long Island can enjoy sakura — the Japanese tradition of celebrating cherry blossoms — closer to home this Sunday in Stony Brook.
The Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University will host its annual Sakura Matsuri, or cherry blossom festival, on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The festival has been a spring tradition at the Wang Center for nearly two decades.
Festivities begin at 12:00 PM and run until 5:00 PM.
Tickets and the full schedule are below.
What to Expect at the Cherry Blossom Festival
The day will feature stunning displays of sakura (cherry blossoms) alongside a range of cultural performances and workshops, including taiko drumming, koto music, traditional Japanese dance, and martial arts demonstrations.
Visitors can also participate in bonsai workshops, calligraphy workshops, ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremonies, manga drawing sessions, origami folding, and kimono dress-ups.
Cosplay fans are encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite manga characters.
Sakuri Matsuri Tickets
Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for Stony Brook University students and seniors, and $10 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids five and under are free.
The event is co-produced by the Japan Center at Stony Brook University and the Ryu Shu Kan Japanese Arts Center, with support from AARP Long Island.
While no rain is in the forecast, attendees should dress warmly — Sunday is expected to be unseasonably chilly, with cloudy skies and mid-day temperatures in the mid-50s. Many of the day’s events, however, will be held indoors.
Tickets can be purchased online through the Charles B. Wang Center website here.
Full Schedule
Main Lobby (Free Admission)
- 12:00–4:30 PM –
- AARP (Sakura Matsuri Sponsor)
- Art Across Ages (face painting)
- Button-making
- Cosplay Information Table
- Japanese Games with JSO
- Origami Workshop with SBU Origami Club
Entrance to Wang Center (Free Admission)
- 12:00–12:30 PM – Taiko Drums by SBU Taiko Tides (outdoor event, moved indoors if rain)
Theatre Lobby (Free Admission)
- 12:00–1:00 PM – Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) Demonstration by Sogetsu Ryu Ikebana
- 12:00–4:30 PM –
- Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) Display
- RakuYaki (Japanese Pottery) Exhibit by Susan Broderick
- Bonsai Display by The Eastern Suffolk Bonsai Society
- 2:30–3:15 PM – Bonsai Demonstration
Theatre (Wristbands Required)
- 1:30–2:15 PM – Masayo Ishigure & her Koto/Samisen Group: Miyabi
- 2:15–3:00 PM – Intermission
- 3:00–4:00 PM –
- Ichifuji-Kai Dance Association – Traditional Japanese Dance
- Junko Fisher – Okinawan Dance
- 10tecomai – Yosakoi Dance
- 4:00–4:30 PM –
- Ryu Shu Kan Karate / Kobudo with Junko Fisher – Okinawan Sanshin Instrumental Accompaniment
- AEUSKF Kendo & Kogaku Ryu Iaido with Shakuhachi accompaniment by Grand-Master Daniel Nyohaku Soergel
- Ken Zen Greater NY Naginata Club
- 4:30–5:00 PM – Ryu Shu Kan Taiko
East Hall (Wristbands Required)
- 12:30–1:15 PM – Cha-no-Yu (Tea Ceremony) by Yoshitsugu Nagano
- 2:15–3:00 PM – Cha-no-Yu (Tea Ceremony) by Yoshitsugu Nagano
- 3:15–4:00 PM – Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) by Grand-Master Daniel Nyohaku Soergel
- 4:15–5:00 PM – Cha-no-Yu (Tea Ceremony) by Yoshitsugu Nagano
Lecture Hall I
- 12:30–1:15 PM (Wristbands Required) – Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) by Grand-Master Daniel Nyohaku Soergel
- 4:00–5:00 PM (Free Admission) – Cosplay Show hosted by Jason Linetsky, founder of CosplayNYC Magazine
Room 201 (Free Admission)
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM – Go Tournament hosted by SBU Go Club
(Tournament participation limited to AGA members, but viewing is free and open to the public.)