Here's the best time to see the cherry blossoms at Toronto's High Park
Even mid-week, dozens of people can be found taking pictures of the cherry blossoms at High Park — a sign that warm weather is on the way.
'Half the blossoms have reached full bloom, but there's a lot of blossoms that are still chugging along,' said High Park Nature Centre Executive Director Rohith Rao.
According to Rao, many of the blossoms that have bloomed already are as a result of recent warm-weather days.
He predicts the trees will be at 'peak bloom' by this weekend — particularly Saturday.
View image in full screen
Cherry blossom buds readying to bloom later this week at High Park. Megan King / Global News
'Peak bloom at High Park typically lasts between four to ten days, and this depends on weather conditions,' Rao said. 'Cool, calm weather can extend that period, but warm and unsettled weather can mean a shorter blooming experience.'
Story continues below advertisement
For many park-goers, seeing the trees in bloom is an opportunity to get out of the house and embrace springtime.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'We don't really need to go all the way to Japan to experience the Sakura blossoms,' said photographer Rajdeep Bose. 'It's so great to have them here right inside the oasis that Toronto has — which is the High Park. And hopefully we can come back every year to continuously see this going forward.'
For one man at the park, the trees are a reminder of his late wife — they got married in Japan during cherry blossom season and were together for 57 years.
View image in full screen
A father and son enjoy peak blooming season for the cherry blossoms at High Park — in honour of their late loved one. Megan King / Global News
'It's the first time we've come together, the first time we've come since mum passed away,' his son told Global News. 'It's really pretty… I think it brought back memories for my dad, reminding him of what it was like living in Japan.'
Story continues below advertisement
These trees were a gift from the citizens of Tokyo to Toronto in 1959 and now serve as a beautiful backdrop for thousands to visit.
For Rao, preserving the trees is important to ensure their beauty for years to come.
'We strongly urge people to not pluck flowers, pull down on branches, climb on trees,' said Rao. 'This is because the cherry blossom trees are extremely sensitive and delicate trees.'
View image in full screen
A park-goer takes pictures of the cherry blossoms in bloom at High Park. Megan King / Global News
There are several locations across Toronto where cherry blossoms can be seen, including several City parks, the Exhibition Place grounds and some University of Toronto and York University campuses.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
‘Stay away' from demonstrations, Canada warns citizens amid L.A. tensions
The Canadian government is cautioning citizens in the United States to 'stay away from demonstrations' in Los Angeles and other major cities that could jeopardize their safety and security. According to the federal government's travel advisory website, although Canadians visiting the United States are generally advised to 'take normal security precautions,' there is now a heightened potential security risk flagged for those travellers related to the ongoing demonstrations. 'Since June 6, 2025, large demonstrations have been taking place in Los Angeles. Demonstrations are also occurring in other major cities,' the advisory update issued late Wednesday states. 'Additional security forces have been deployed and a curfew is in effect for most of downtown Los Angeles from 8 pm to 6 am. Additional curfew orders may be imposed on short notice.' 3:07 'These aren't the criminals': L.A. mayor urges Trump administration to stop ICE raids In addition, the government statement lists tips for Canadian travellers in the United States, and the Los Angeles area in particular. Story continues below advertisement This includes staying away from demonstrations, following the instructions of local authorities and imposed curfew orders, and monitoring local media for updates. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The federal government also includes a list of general tips and advice for Canadian travellers visiting the U.S. urging them to stay vigilant about risks related to potential crimes, fraud, terrorism, hiking and mountaineering, as well as air travel and crossing the U.S. border into Mexico. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged Thursday to carry on with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown despite waves of unrest across the U.S. Hours later, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order directing Trump to return control of the National Guard to California. The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the guard was illegal and both violated the 10th Amendment and exceeded his statutory authority. — with files from The Associated Press.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Montreal Grand Prix fans gouged on inflated accommodation prices
Paula Wadden has been a huge Formula One fan ever since she got hooked on the Netflix show 'Drive to Survive' a few years ago. But the Halifax-area health-care worker says watching the Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend comes with high-octane prices. The Montreal hotel where she's spending the first part of the week doubles in price for the weekend. Instead, she'll spend the weekend at a hotel outside the city, near the airport, for about $600 a night. 'The tickets (prices) are OK, it's the accommodation and the means that are getting expensive,' she said Tuesday in Old Montreal. 'I don't know how the average Joe can afford it.' Wadden said the trip, which she's taking with her daughter and her daughter's partner, will cost $6,000 to $7,000. And that's despite the switch in hotels and the decision to save money by driving the 12 hours from Halifax rather than flying. Story continues below advertisement While looking up hotels online, she said she saw even more eye-watering hotel prices ranging between $1,200 to more than $2,000 a night, as well as $4,000-per night Airbnbs. The Grand Prix is Montreal's biggest tourist event, expected to attract some 350,000 visitors and generate $162 million for the city, according to the head of Tourisme Montreal. Yves Lalumière estimates average hotel room prices on Grand Prix weekend at $600 to $800 per night — although some wealthy CEOs will pay $8,000 for a suite. 'This year's prices will probably stabilize quite a bit, maybe a two to three per cent increase over the previous year,' he said in an interview. 'But the last five years I've seen an increase year after year, and a substantial increase as well.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A ticket package for the three race days starts at $360, according to the Canadian Grand Prix website — though well-off fans can pay much more. Packages with perks such as VIP concierge service, reservations at popular restaurants and parties, and access to areas such as pit lanes and paddocks can run in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, Lalumière noted that the city also offers plenty of free entertainment, including a Grand Prix party on Crescent Street. And he said hotel room prices are still 'very competitive,' especially for those paying in U.S. dollars or euros. Crowds, meanwhile, are not only growing but also becoming more diverse, he said. Story continues below advertisement 'I think F1 has done a great job in selling the sport over the media,' Lalumière said. 'And, therefore, now you're attracting a lot more ladies, you're attracting a lot more young people as well to the race.' Black-and-white checkered banners were already fluttering on St-Paul Street in Old Montreal on Tuesday, as tourists lined up to photograph a Formula One car on display outside Max Bitton's racing-themed store, Fanabox. Bitton said he brought in the car as a gift to fans after last year's Grand Prix, which was marred by mishaps on and off the track that left a bad taste in some fans' mouths. Those issues included traffic headaches, flooding from rain, fans turned away from a practice session they were led to believe was cancelled, and restaurants ordered to suddenly close their patios on one of the busiest evenings of the year. 'I'm trying to give back because last year was so tough,' Bitton said. While Grand Prix fans are generally well-off, Bitton also worries about rising prices, especially now that the city has imposed tougher new rules on short-term rentals for primary residences. Next year, the Grand Prix will be held from May 22 to 24, which is outside the June-to-September window in which primary residence rentals are allowed. 'A lot of the fans love to flock here because of the heritage and they love this place,' Bitton said. 'They're willing to pay more but at some point it doesn't make sense.' Story continues below advertisement At Bitton's store, tourists said attending the Grand Prix was costly, but worthwhile. Max Harrison, from Bournemouth in southern England, said he managed to find a spot in a hostel for about $40 a night early in the week. For race weekend, he's spending $200 a night to stay in a room in an Airbnb shared with several others. 'It's a bit much, you can tell they've spiked (the prices),' he said. He believes 'Drive to Survive' has brought new fans to the sport, which means prices will only continue to go up. But for him, it's worth it to check the Montreal Grand Prix off his bucket list. 'The championship this year is looking really close, so it's going to be a really good race,' he said. 'And Canada is a beautiful place and I've always wanted to come.' Denise Beevor and Mark Omerod, from West Sussex in England, say they're spending 'a small fortune' for a 10-day trip that includes Sunday's race as well as stops in Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant. 'I think, particularly since COVID, it's important to have things to look forward to and to take memories away with you, and you can't replace that,' Beevor said. 'Possessions come and go, memories don't.' The CEO of the greater Montreal hotels association said the occupancy this weekend is expected to be around 90 per cent, similar to last year. Dominique Villeneuve said the industry was prepared to meet the demands of Grand Prix weekend 'enthusiastically and with the same professionalism that characterizes our industry.'
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
101-year-old man celebrates birthday parasailing on Okanagan Lake
For his 101st birthday, Arpan Szentpronai is gaining a fresh perspective. The centenarian, taking flight, was carried by a parasail as his friends and family cheered him on from the boat. His daughter, Sue Tarrant, says she isn't surprised her father has bested the Canadian life expectancy by 20 years. She says he has always been a survivor. 'He just keeps going — he's an amazing man, he is just very resilient,' said Tarrant. 'After high school, he went into the military (and) after the war, he was captured and spent two and a half years in a Siberian war camp.' 1:52 100-year-old B.C. swimmer blows the competition out of the water Tarrant says he immigrated to Canada in 1969 from Hungary with his family. Story continues below advertisement 'He had a great life here,' said Tarrant. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Having more life experience than many has given Szentpronai a unique perspective on life. With 101 years under his belt, he has some advice for the next generation. 'Young people are sick and weak because they want everything too much. They should cut everything off and just moderate and live life,' said Szentpronai. However, he may not be taking his own advice, because he is collecting record-breaking sails. He was the oldest customer of Okanagan Parasail last year, and broke his record this year. 'People think it's a thrill-seeking but really it's more like a Ferris wheel ride in the sky,' said Robert Wittmer, Okanagan Parasail owner. By the time Szentpronai is back on the boat, he's already planning to go up again on his birthday next year.
