It’s hanami time! Cherry blossom season is upon us and while the holiday has its roots in Japan — hanami is Japanese for “viewing flowers” — the tradition sweeps the U.S. every spring, too. You can catch the flowering blooms this weekend at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Sakura Matsuri (a.k.a. Cherry Blossom) festival, complete with taiko drum performances, music and magic shows. Serious floral enthusiasts can check out the “Cherry Watch” website, which tracks the flowering status of the myriad varieties on display. Remember: The blossoms on any one tree only last for a week, meaning you can return to the garden and again and no two trips will be quite the same.

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