The CherryHill Blossom Festival returns from 18 September to 4 October 2026 at CherryHill Orchards in Wandin East. The annual spring festival lets visitors walk beneath rows of flowering cherry trees, enjoy a picnic in the orchard, and take part in family-friendly activities.
The orchard is open from 10am to 5pm throughout the festival. Tickets are sold with allocated arrival times, so visitors should select an entry session when booking and allow enough time to reach the orchard before their scheduled arrival.
Weekdays offer lower admission prices and free entry for children aged 16 and under. Weekends and public holidays have a livelier festival atmosphere, with guided children’s activities and additional food, drink and market vendors.
CherryHill Blossom Festival 2026 Dates and Times
The 2026 CherryHill Blossom Festival runs for 17 days, from Friday 18 September to Sunday 4 October.
Opening hours are 10am to 5pm daily. Allocated arrival times are generally available at 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, subject to availability.
The selected session controls when you enter the orchard. It does not restrict your visit to one hour. Once admitted, visitors can remain at the festival until the orchard closes at 5pm.
The festival includes three weekends and the Friday before the AFL Grand Final. Friday 25 September is treated as a public holiday for ticket pricing, so the cheaper weekday admission and free children’s offer do not apply on that date.
Walking Among the Cherry Blossoms
The festival takes place at CherryHill’s Wandin East orchard, where rows of flowering cherry trees create white blossom displays across the property. The orchard provides plenty of opportunities for photographs, gentle walks and relaxed picnics.
Different cherry varieties flower at different stages. The orchard’s appearance can therefore change throughout the festival, and not every tree will reach peak blossom at the same time.
Allow approximately two to three hours for a visit that includes walking, photography and a food break. Families spending time at the Kids Hub or groups planning a longer picnic may prefer to stay for half a day.
Visitors may take personal photographs throughout the orchard. Drones and professional photography equipment require prior approval. You can also add professional photography packages when booking; reservations are recommended.
The Blossom Festival is a flower-viewing event and does not include cherry picking. CherryHill’s picking season is a separate experience that normally begins later in the year.
Children’s Activities and Live Entertainment
The Kids Hub offers family activities throughout the festival. These include:
- Arts and crafts
- Face painting
- Scavenger hunts
- Storytelling
- Lawn games
- Other seasonal activities
Weekends feature guided children’s activities, while weekdays offer a quieter, more relaxed format. Live acoustic music is also presented daily.
A weekday visit may be the best option for families prioritising lower admission prices and smaller crowds. Weekends offer a more traditional festival atmosphere, with additional food vendors, stallholders, and organised activities.
Individual entertainment and activity times can vary, so visitors should treat these attractions as part of the wider festival experience rather than planning the entire day around one performance.
CherryHill Blossom Festival Tickets
Weekday admission prices, excluding public holidays, are:
- Adults aged 17 and over: $15
- Children aged 4-16: Free
- Infants aged 0-3: Free
- Concession: $13.50
- Companion Card admission: Free
- Dogs: $3
Weekend and public holiday admission prices are:
- Adults aged 17 and over: $20
- Children aged 4-16: $10
- Infants aged 0-3: Free
- Concession: $18
- Companion Card admission: Free
- Dogs: $3
Booking fees apply. Infants and children receiving free admission must still be included in the booking. Visitors using concession or Companion Card tickets should bring the relevant card.
Tickets may sell out for popular sessions, particularly on weekends and public holidays. Booking also provides a clearer arrival time and makes it easier to plan lunch, transport and any additional experiences.
Picnics, Food and Drinks
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and blanket to enjoy on the orchard’s lawn areas. Cooking equipment, including barbecues and portable stoves, is not permitted.
As the event is licensed, visitors cannot bring their own alcohol. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the orchard.
The on-site cafe serves sweet and savoury food, coffee and CherryHill products, including cherry ice cream and cherry spritzers. Additional food and drink vendors operate on weekends.
Picnic packs may be available as optional additions when booking. These cost extra and should be ordered ahead where possible.
Dogs at the Blossom Festival
Dogs are welcome at the CherryHill Blossom Festival with a $3 ticket. They must remain on a lead and under their owner’s control throughout the visit.
Water bowls are positioned around the site, and pup cups are available from the cafe. Owners should also be aware that cherry pits, stems and leaves can be harmful to dogs.
Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass
The Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass combines the CherryHill Blossom Festival with the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. It is available on selected weekdays from 18 September to 2 October 2026, excluding weekends and public holidays.
The pass costs $40 per adult, while children under 17 enter both festivals free. It includes:
- Admission to the CherryHill Blossom Festival
- Admission to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival
- A complimentary tractor ride at Tesselaar
- A complimentary cherry spritzer at CherryHill
- Entertainment and family activities at both festivals
The two venues are approximately 10 minutes apart, but transport is not provided. Visitors must drive between the properties and should allow a full day to enjoy both festivals comfortably.
Other Blossom Experiences
Blossom, Wine & Dine
The Blossom, Wine & Dine package is available on selected weekdays from 21 September to 1 October, excluding public holidays.
The experience begins at Rochford Wines in Coldstream and continues at CherryHill’s Wandin East orchard. Adult inclusions feature a two-course lunch, a glass of Rochford estate wine, Blossom Festival admission and a CherryHill tasting paddle.
Children receive a one-course meal, soft drink, festival admission and cherry soft serve.
This is a self-drive experience. Rochford Wines and CherryHill Orchards are approximately 15 minutes apart, so groups should organise their own transport and nominate a designated driver where appropriate.
Blossom and Ballooning
The Blossom and Ballooning package is available during the festival from 18 September to 4 October. It combines a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Yarra Valley with admission to the CherryHill Blossom Festival.
Book this experience separately through the ballooning operator. Check flight arrangements, meeting times, weather conditions, and package prices when booking.
Getting to CherryHill Orchards
The festival is held at CherryHill Orchards, 474 Queens Road, Wandin East. The orchard is approximately one hour by car from central Melbourne, although travel times vary with traffic.
Free parking is available on site. Visitors should allow extra time on weekends and public holidays to avoid missing their allocated arrival session.
Public transport to the orchard is limited. Visitors can take the Lilydale line to Lilydale station, then arrange a taxi or rideshare for the remaining journey, which takes about 20 minutes.
The nearest public bus stop is in Seville, approximately three kilometres from the orchard. Walking from the bus stop is not recommended, so a taxi, rideshare service or private vehicle is the more practical option.
Accessibility and What to Bring
The main customer areas have step-free access, wide pathways and accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities. Accessible parking and passenger drop-off areas are also available.
CherryHill is a working farm, and some parts of the orchard have uneven or sloping ground. Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility aids or prams should move carefully and contact CherryHill before travelling if they have specific access requirements.
Wear flat, closed-toe shoes suitable for grass and uneven surfaces. Spring weather can change quickly, so bring layers, sun protection and a waterproof jacket. A picnic blanket suitable for potentially damp ground may also be useful.
The festival continues in wet weather. Visitors who purchase ticket protection may be able to move their booking to another available date, subject to the applicable conditions.
CherryHill Blossom Festival FAQs
When is the CherryHill Blossom Festival in 2026?
The festival runs from 18 September to 4 October 2026.
What time does the CherryHill Blossom Festival open?
The orchard is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Visitors select an allocated arrival time when booking and may remain until closing.
How much are CherryHill Blossom Festival tickets?
Weekday tickets cost $15 for adults and $13.50 for concession card holders, with children aged 16 and under entering free. Weekend and public holiday tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for concession holders, and $10 for children aged 4-16. Booking fees apply.
Can I pick cherries during the Blossom Festival?
No. The Blossom Festival is held while the trees are flowering. Cherry picking is a separate seasonal experience beginning later in the year.
Can I bring food to the festival?
Yes. Visitors can bring a picnic and blanket, but barbecues, stoves, other cooking equipment and BYO alcohol are not permitted.
Are dogs allowed at the CherryHill Blossom Festival?
Yes. Dogs require a $3 ticket and must remain on a lead and under their owner’s control.
Does the festival continue when it rains?
Yes. The festival normally continues in wet weather, so visitors should check the forecast and bring appropriate footwear and clothing.
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