FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2026 International Cherry Blossom Festival Generates Record Attendance and Economic Impact
MACON, Ga. — The 2026 International Cherry Blossom Festival continued its momentum as one of Georgia’s premier tourism events, delivering significant economic benefits and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Macon.
According to the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival Impact Report created by Visit Macon, the Festival welcomed an estimated 282,004 attendees, representing a 4.6% increase over 2025. The Festival also generated an estimated $6.9 million in economic impact, a 6% increase from the previous year, further demonstrating its importance to the local economy.
Visitor data showed continued growth in tourism with out-of-market visitation increasing 1.1% over 2025. Additionally, 8.7% of all Festival visits originated from out-of-state visitors, matching 2025 levels and marking a substantial increase from 6% in 2024.
The top five states represented among Festival visitors were:
- Florida
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Alabama
The Festival’s influence was also evident throughout the community. Vehicle traffic along the Cherry Blossom Trail increased 36% above normal traffic levels during the Festival period, highlighting the widespread interest in Macon’s iconic Yoshino cherry blossoms.
Macon’s hospitality industry experienced notable gains as well. Local hotels reported an average occupancy rate of 72.4% during the Festival, a 2.4% increase over 2025. The city’s Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached $113.61, reflecting a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
During the Festival, 30.5% of visitors to downtown Macon had a household income exceeding $100,000, while 26.6% of visitors to Carolyn Crayton Park reported household incomes above the same threshold.
The 2026 Festival was produced under the leadership of President & CEO Stacy Moore. “The continued growth of the Cherry Blossom Festival demonstrates the event’s value not only as a beloved community tradition, but also as a powerful economic driver for Macon and Middle Georgia,” said Moore. “These results reflect the hard work of our staff, Board Chair Kenna Scragg, Festival Chair Patty Gibbs, board members, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and local businesses who help make the Festival a success each year.”
The International Cherry Blossom Festival remains committed to showcasing Macon’s unique culture, hospitality and designation as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World while creating meaningful economic opportunities for the region.
Data for the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival Impact Report was provided by Placer.ai, STR and the Destinations International Economic Impact Calculator.
About the International Cherry Blossom Festival
Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, the Cherry Blossom Festival through its diverse programming and events enhances sense of place, quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents. The Festival achieves this through economic impact, veterans support, educational opportunities, showcasing local organizations and artists, and community coordination of recreational, cultural, and social activities.
The 2027 Festival will take place March 19-28, 2027. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com
For media inquiries, please email htheus@cherryblossom.com
