Happy Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
What is AAPI Heritage Month?
AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander people and communities in the United States. It can also be called Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. A similar celebration happens in Canada as Asian Heritage Month. This observance is a time to acknowledge the significant impact that AAPI individuals have had on the social, cultural, history, and economic fabric of the nation.
When is AAPI Heritage Month?
In 2023, AAPI Heritage Month will take place from Monday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 31.
The month of May was chosen for two reasons. First, it commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843. Second, it honors the Chinese immigrants who worked on the transcontinental railroad, which was completed in May 1869, and would not have been possible without these Chinese laborers’ contributions.
The history of AAPI Heritage Month
The history of AAPI Month dates to the 1970s, when a small group of AAPI individuals sought to promote and raise awareness of the contributions of AAPI communities. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating the first week of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of May. Nearly 20 years later in 2009, President Barack Obama signed Proclamation 8369 to recognize May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
How to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
Looking for ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with your children? We’ve compiled a list of kid-friendly AAPI Heritage Month events in cities across the United States that are fun for the whole family!
Don't see AAPI Heritage Month events in your area? We recommend checking out local museums, parks departments, and cultural associations near you for events calendars and more AAPI Heritage Month events for families.
AAPI Heritage Month Events in 2023:
San Francisco, CA
Oakland Museum of California (May 5) – Friday Nights at OMCA Celebrating AAPIH with Children’s Day, the museum will feature hands-on Windsock Making and DJ Teao Sense. Creating windsocks, or koinobori flags, is one way people in Japan celebrate the holiday.
Chinese Historical Society of America Museum (May 6) – Joy on Joice Street Fair Hosted by CHSA and Cut Fruit Collective, this street fair will feature AAPI makers, artists, performers, community organizers, and more. Located in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the event aims to uplift the community.
Children’s Fairyland (May 6) – Meet the Author Join a special story time with Asian American children’s book illustrator Minnie Phan. She will read excerpts from the book The Yellow Ao Dai and do live illustration demonstrations and book signings.
Our Heritage 5K 2023 (May 7) oin a 5K fun run/walk to celebrate the rich Asian and Pacific Islander history in San Francisco. The route will cover 14 historic AAPI landmarks. Each landmark will have goodies, resources, and other information about each location.
Asian Art Museum (May 7) – AAPI Heritage Month Celebration To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, the Asian Art Museum will host a free all-day event featuring a series of family-friendly programing including storytelling, dance, music, and art making.
AAPI Fest 2023 by Over the Fog (May 13) Formerly known as the Asian American Culture Festival, this family-friendly festival in Daly City features AAPI labels, brands, and artists. Some of the featured activities include arts and craft booths, a Kid Zone with games and activities, free bowling, and more.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival (May 20) Held this year in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the festival will feature live performances including song and dance to martial arts. It will also feature art and other cultural resources organizations.
San Francisco Public Library (May 20) – Meet the Authors Join a special story time and live drawing with Asian American children’s book authors, Sabrina and Eunice Moyle. They will be reading one or two of their books, such as Bananas for You, School is Cool, or You Are Fantastic, among others.
New York City, NY
Brooklyn Public Library (May 6) – Puppet Show Watch a puppet show with a giant pop-up book. The performance will bring to life a classic Chinese folktale, “The Magic Brush,” about a boy who acquires a brush that brings everything he paints to life.
Brooklyn Public Library (May 11) – Meet the Authors Join a special story time reading of An Asian American A-Z and meet the authors, Cathy Linh Che and Kyle Lucia Wu. This popular children’s book offers a comprehensive exploration of Asian American history.
NYC Parks (May 14) – Nature Calligraphy Learn how nature influences the art of Chinese calligraphy and how to use Chinese calligraphy brushes to write. This lesson will cover the evolution of Chinese characters representing the natural world.
New York Public Library (May 20) – Movie Screening Watch a free community screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” – a story about Mei Lee, a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence.
Los Angeles, CA
Chinese American Museum (May 4, 18) – Meet the Authors Join a special virtual story time featuring Lulu Cheng, the author and founder of Bitty Bao Books, a series of bilingual children’s books.
Japanese American National Museum (May 7) – Film Screening As part of the Los Angeles Asian American Film Festivals, “MeiHouWang” is an animated short film about a boy who loves the Monkey King but is met with ridicule from his classmates.
Los Angeles Public Library (May 6) – Book Club Teens are invited to join a discussion of Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese. They’ll then learn the basic steps to creating you’re their own comic book with Rorie Still, the creator of the graphic novel Flashbang.
Huntington Library (May 20) – Chinese Brush Painting Join Chinese brush painting instructor Peifang Liang for a hands-on family workshop inspired by the Dragon Boat Festival.
Washington DC
National Museum of Asian Art (May 1-14) – NMAA Centennial Festival The NMAA and its surroundings at the National Mall will celebrate Asian arts and culture with keynote speakers, headline performers, interactive experiences, culinary adventures, and community projects.
2023 Fiesta Asia Street Fair (May 20) This one-day Pan-Asian festival in the DC metro area features over 1,000 performers, artists, entrepreneurs, food vendors, and organizations on multiple stages representing more than 20 cultures.
Festival on Main (May 21) This one-day outdoor family event on Main Street in Historic Old Town Fairfax City will highlight Asian heritage through food, arts & craft, education, and performances.
DC Public Library (May 23) – AAPI Heritage Month Crafts Kites and kite flying are important in many Asian and Pacific Island cultures. Come learn about various kite festivals and decorate your own paper kite!
Seattle, WA
Seattle Center (May 6) - Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration The festival marks the beginning of celebrations in Seattle for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. It features food, music, vendors, performances, and a cultural display of nations.
Seattle Art Museum (May 6) – Meet the Author Family Saturday programming for AAPI Heritage month invites families to participate in collaborative mural projects. The event will also feature a story time and origami art activity with author and illustrator Sanae Ishia.
United Festival (May 20) Celebrate Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culture in Washington state. This event will showcase the beauty, diversity, and culture of our communities to our neighbors for a day of celebration.
Chicago, IL
AAPI Restaurants Week (May 12-21) The Chicagoland AAPI Community is hosting its second annual restaurant week to showcase all the local AAPI-owned restaurants.
Gold Market (May 13) For the second year in the row, Gold Market will spotlight Chicago AANHPI chefs, bakers, makers, and artists coming together to celebrate their pride, heritage, and unity.
Chicago History Museum (May 21) – AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Celebrate Chicago’s AAPI community for a special family event at CHM.
Chicago Public Library (May 30) – Story Time Held at the Field Museum, this story time event includes reading, singing, and playing for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Atlanta, GA
AAPI Maker’s Market: Labor of Love (May 13) Join the Asian American Advocacy Fund’s inaugural AAPI Maker’s Market. Featuring Georgia’s finest AAPI makers of all kinds with art, jewelry, coffee, and more. Come shop and support.
SouthEats 2023 (May 2) Experience the best of Asian and Asian-inspired cuisine and a showcase of the incredible creativity and talent of AAPI artists. The event will feature immersive art-based experiences and kid-friendly, fun, art-themed activities.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta (May 1-30) CMA will feature a special program to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, such as learning about botany with Hawaiian scientist Isabella Aiona Abbott or STEM with Bangladeshi-American engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan.
Philadelphia, PA
AAPI 5K - Philly (May 13) Join a 5K community run to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The run will highlight the vibrant Asian American community and organizations and fundraise for the non-profits helping to kick off the first day of AAPI month.
The Franklin Institute (May 20) Come join a special day of AAPI Heritage Month programming including block printing, a curated fashion show, STEM exhibits and activities, and live performances.
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Public Library (May 18) Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by painting and learning about Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama.
HAAPIROOTS (May 28) Featuring local Asian- and Pacific Islander-owned small businesses and organizations, this unity celebration features cultural performances, vendors, family events, live band, shopping, a treehouse playhouse for kids, and more.
Boston, MA
Boston Public Library (May 11) - Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop for Kids Join the Boston Public Library in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month with this lotus flower lantern workshop! Participants will learn how to make a lovely lotus flower lantern using colored paper and wire frames. All materials will be provided.
AAPI 5K Run ‘n’ Walk Lexington (May 28) Join a 5K walk/run to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The race is a way to honor the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and learn about AAPI history and culture.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (May 6) – Live Performance The Celebrate! Series highlights America’s rich cultural diversity through the arts designed for family audiences. Learn about Hindu deities in a stunning performance with beautiful costumes and traditional dance styles from India.
