Springfield, MO – Springfield Sister Cities Association, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, hosts the Cherry Blossom Kite & Piñata Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. The free event highlights Springfield’s sister city relationships with Isesaki, Japan, and Tlaquepaque, Mexico. This year’s festival is produced with support from Missouri Humanities, the Missouri Division of Tourism, and the Missouri Arts Council.
All are invited to welcome spring and learn about Japanese and Mexican culture, while fostering cultural understanding and friendship within the Springfield area.
Bring your own kite to fly on the great lawn or purchase a kite kit at the event to build and decorate. Kids can line up to whack a piñata nearby.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy live Japanese and Mexican performances. Browse a mini market featuring Japanese and Mexican snacks, candies, beverages and souvenirs. Japanese, Mexican and American concessions available.
Explore the gardens to see cherry blossoms and other spring blooms. Take advantage of free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and view the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead between the hours of 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Community involvement makes this event possible. To sign up as a volunteer, retail vendor or sponsor, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/cherryblossom.
The 2025 Cherry Blossom Kite & Piñata Festival is presented by Missouri Humanities, the Missouri Division of Tourism, and the Missouri Arts Council. It is hosted by Springfield Sister Cities Association in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. This year’s sponsors include LeafFilter and Renewal by Andersen. The event will take place rain or shine.
The SSCA is committed to providing universal access to our events. The festival location includes wheelchair-accessible paths, entrances, restrooms and designated handicapped parking. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis. If specific accommodations are needed, please call 417-864-1191 by April 2 to request assistance.
For more information, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/cherryblossom or call 417-864-1191.
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Springfield Sister Cities Association is a nonprofit organization encouraging goodwill between the people of Springfield, Mo. and its sister cities by creating and promoting opportunities to foster multi-cultural awareness and appreciation. Springfield has sister city relationships with Isesaki, Japan (formed in 1986) and Tlaquepaque, Mexico (formed in 2003).
