Hanami Nights [Sold Out] - Brooklyn Botanic Garden
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Hanami Nights [Sold Out]
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Hanami Nights [Sold Out]

Special Events | Evenings

Tuesday, April 21–Friday, April 24, 2026 | 5–8:30 p.m.
Cherry Esplanade
Ticketed Event

Enjoy magical access to the Garden’s famous Kanzan trees!

Find a spot on Cherry Esplanade to enjoy the cherry blossoms, lit up for maximum effect, and savor the spring vibe with family and friends. Stroll in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and along Cherry Walk, try your hand at origami and other Japanese crafts, view a curated display of bonsai, and enjoy live performances and specialty food and drinks. Bring a blanket and picnic under the cherry blossoms!

ACTIVITIES

Origami with Sato Yamamoto and Jason Clay Lewis

Practice the Japanese art of folding paper. For visitors of every skill level. Atrium

Bonsai Display

View a curated selection of bonsai specimens from the Garden’s famous collection. Atrium

Japanese Food & Drinks

Purchase treats from a special menu presented in collaboration with Japan Village and Saiko Sushi and picnic under the cherry blossoms. Outside food not permitted.

Starters and Snacks

Sunomono | $5 (VG, AG)
sesame-marinated cucumbers
Mori Soba | $7 (VG)
chilled buckwheat noodles w/ soy & mirin
Onigiri | $7 (V)
roasted kombu or scallion-miso
Vegetable Gyoza | $7 (V)
4 pieces
Assorted Japanese Snacks | $3 to $6

Sushi by Saiko Sushi

Spicy Tuna Roll | $12 (AG)
Cucumber Avocado Roll | $12 (VG, AG)

Larger Items

Veggie Yakitori with Japanese Glaze | $12 (V, AG)
Chicken Katsu Sandwich | $16
cabbage, tonkatsu mayo, milk bread

Beverages

Joto Sake | $13
‘Graffiti’ One-Cup, 6 oz.
Junmai, 4 oz.
Nigori, 4 oz.
Prisma Red or White Wine | $12
Talea Beer | $9.75
Liquid Fables Canned Cocktails | $15
Water | $4.75
Hal’s New York Seltzer | $4.75

VG | VEGAN, V | VEGETARIAN, AG | AVOIDS GLUTEN

Hanami Nights Map

Click or tap below for full-size map.

Show larger map A simplified map of BBG that shows Cherry Esplanade and surrounding areas

PERFORMANCES & SCHEDULE

Cherry Esplanade emcee: Saori Goda

Headshot of Saori Goda.

Cherry Esplanade emcee Saori Goda is a performer and actress who has appeared on “Love Your Selfie,” My Daughter Yoshiko, and the Tonight Show.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

  • Rino Aise performing on stage, singing and playing the traditional Okinawan sanshin.

    Shamisen Variation
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Japanese Hill-and-Pond Viewing Pavilion

    Listen to the traditional Japanese instrument variation performed by Ken Hutchinson (Jiuta shamisen), Kirsten Carey (Tsugaru shamisen), and Rino Aise (Okinawa sanshin) as you stroll the Japanese Garden.

  • Blurry action photo of a kendama toy mid-trick with the ball swinging toward the cup.

    Kendama
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Atrium

    Try kendama, a traditional Japanese toy. Simple and fun for everyone!

  • Koto musician Masayo Ishigure performing on a traditional Japanese koto.

    Masayo Ishigure
    5:30–6 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Beneath the cherry blossoms, the gentle sound of the koto welcomes you into a moment of peaceful calm.

  • Monday Michiru posing, wearing a bright red headpiece and a black fur shawl.

    Monday Michiru
    6:15–7:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Songstress Monday Michiru and her band return to Hanami Nights with a unique blend of soul, jazz, Brazilian, and more for a celebration of spring.

  • Six members of Samurai Sword Soul strike a dramatic pose against black background with katanas.

    Samurai Sword Soul
    7:30–8:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Don’t miss Samurai Sword Soul’s thrilling performance, followed by an interactive Samurai Bootcamp—a fun and immersive experience for all!

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

  • The Masayo Ishigure and Miyabi Koto Ensemble perform on stage, seated with traditional Japanese koto instruments as they play together during a live music performance.

    The Miyabi Koto Ensemble
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Japanese Hill-and-Pond Viewing Pavilion

    Enjoy the sound of the koto blended with nature.

  • Blurry action photo of a kendama toy mid-trick with the ball swinging toward the cup.

    Kendama
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Atrium

    Try kendama, a traditional Japanese toy. Simple and fun for everyone!

  • Koto musician Masayo Ishigure performing on a traditional Japanese koto.

    Masayo Ishigure
    5:30–6 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Beneath the cherry blossoms, the gentle sound of the koto welcomes you into a moment of peaceful calm.

  • Portrait of Hina Oikawa, a jazz saxophonist, composer, and poet.

    Hina Oikawa Short Songs: A Dialogue Between Tanka and Jazz
    6:15–7:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Hina Oikawa presents a musical performance that combines jazz and tanka, a form of Japanese poetry that dates back more than a thousand years.

  • Performers from Sachiyo Ito and Company wearing traditional Japanese classical dance costumes outdoors during cherry blossoms season.

    Japanese Dances from Kabuki to Contemporary by Sachiyo Ito Dance Company
    7:30–8:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Sachiyo Ito and Company will perform kabuki dances from the 19th century and choreographed works by Sachiyo Ito based on the aesthetics, style, and techniques of Japanese classical dance.

Thursday, April 23

  • Members of the Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir pose with their shakuhachi instruments, which are vertical bamboo flutes.

    The Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Japanese Hill-and-Pond Viewing Pavilion

    The Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir explores the resonant overtones and rich timbre of the Japanese bamboo flute through traditional and contemporary works.

  • A box wrapped in Tenugui, traditional Japanese cotton cloths that have been cherished for centuries.

    Tenugui & Furoshiki Workshop
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Atrium

    Discover the beauty and versatility of traditional Japanese cotton cloths tenugui and turoshikia with a hands-on wrapping experience. Led by Ruri Kippenbrock of Wuhao New York Tenugui Art.

  • Koto musician Masayo Ishigure performing on a traditional Japanese koto.

    Masayo Ishigure
    5:30–6 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Beneath the cherry blossoms, the gentle sound of the koto welcomes you into a moment of peaceful calm.

  • Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, arranger, and musical director Miki Hayama poses with a small keyboard.

    Miki Hayama Organic Electronics
    6:15–7:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Miki Hayama and her band Organic Electronics perform a jazz repertoire, original songs, and Japanese folk songs.

  • A team of dancers in Japanese dress with outstretched arms gathered for a photo.

    Yosakoi Dance & Bon Odori Lighting Up the Spring Night!
    7:30–8:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    NY Yosakoi Group 10tecomai collaborates with Rino Aise for an energetic performance of yasakoi dance and bon odori.

Friday, April 24

  • Performers from the Tenri Gagaku Music Society of New York in traditional attire playing classical gagaku court instruments during an outdoor performance.

    Tenri Gagaku Music Society of New York
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Japanese Hill-and-Pond Viewing Pavilion

    Gagaku, traditional Japanese court music, is performed by the Tenri Gagaku Music Society of New York.

  • Bottle and jar wrapped in traditional Japanese cloth.

    Tenugui & Furoshiki Workshop
    5:15, 6:15, 7:15 p.m. | Atrium

    Discover the beauty and versatility of traditional Japanese cotton cloths tenugui and turoshikia with a hands-on wrapping experience. Led by Ruri Kippenbrock of Wuhao New York Tenugui Art.

  • Koto musician Masayo Ishigure performing on a traditional Japanese koto.

    Masayo Ishigure
    5:30–6 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    Beneath the cherry blossoms, the gentle sound of the koto welcomes you into a moment of peaceful calm.

  • Mayu Saeki poses with the flute in a focused, expressive moment.

    Mayu Saeki Quartet
    6:15–7:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    The Mayu Saeki Quartet blends jazz, classical, and Japanese traditional music, featuring Saeki on flute and shinobue.

  • Japanese traditional Taiko drummers pose with their drums outdoors.

    Cobu: Thaw
    7:30–8:15 p.m. | Cherry Esplanade

    This dance and drum performance captures the dynamic energy of frozen snow melting and the awakening of life in spring.

Partners

Sake Partner, Hanami Nights

Logo: JOTO Sake