One hundred and twenty-five thousand visitors in two weeks: this is last year’s record. A few kilometers from the city of Turin, the Reggia di Venaria is trying again, thanks to a 2025 edition that has transformed the cherry blossoms into one of the most followed natural events in Northern Italy, and relaunches with something that does not yet exist in Italy: the 2026 edition will see the gardens open until eleven in the evening, with the illuminated trees that will defy the darkness.
The event is called “In the shade of the cherry trees in bloom” and returns between March 21st and April 6th (indicative dates, linked to the whims of nature). The novelty of this edition is “An evening under the cherry trees in bloom”: extraordinary evening openings every day from 7pm to 11pm, even on Mondays – the day on which the gardens are normally closed. One hundred trees, one hundred lights. The same effect that the Japanese call yozakura, the nocturnal contemplation of the blossoming cherry trees, a practice rooted in the hanami tradition.
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To inaugurate the evening program, on 21 and 22 March, there will be Sakurasonic – A contemporary matsuri, a performance born from the collaboration between the Consortium of Royal Savoy Residences and the MAO Museo d’Arte Orientale of Turin. From 7.30pm to 10pm, three Japanese artists — Hatis Noit, Kiki Hitomi and Tsubasa Hori — will transform the gardens into an immersive space through voice, traditional instruments and electronic music.
The program extends throughout the flowering period. On March 21st there is also Yoga in the shade of the cherry trees (dedicated ticket); on the weekends of 21, 22, 28 and 29 March there will be plein air painting with the Academy of Fine Arts of Turin; on 28 and 29 March and 5 and 6 April it’s the turn of live music with the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory. Every evening, at the Cascina Medici del Vascello, sake tasting with oriental food.
There are three tickets: daytime entry (7.30am-6pm) for 6 euros with the usual Giardini ticket; evening entry (7pm-11pm) at 8 euros; cumulative daytime plus evening ticket for 10 euros. Those who present the MAO ticket access the Palace at a reduced rate, and vice versa. Entrances are limited and online booking is mandatory on lavenaria.it.
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