The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s collection of Japanese flowering cherry trees is the inspiration for it’s 31st annual, two-day “Sakura Matsuri,” or cherry blossom festival, which takes place the last weekend in April.

The festival combines traditional Japanese cultural events including tea ceremonies and classical dance with contemporary programming like Manga Japanese comics and stand-up comedy. The event also features vintage kimonos and bonsai basics for home gardeners.

According to the garden's spokeswoman Kate Blumm, the most interesting part of the event might be the visitors.

“These days, it can be hard to tell who's a performer and who's an audience member,” said Blumm. “So many of the audience spend months and months working on their costumes just to come and meet up with their friends."

Blumm said last year's festival was well attended: “We broke our own single day record for public garden attendance in the country with over 37,000 people on a single day." 

Sakura Matsuri takes place at The Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.