Celebrate AAPI 2025: Fun Events in NYC and Westchester
Take part in the festive celebrations for AAPI: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Events and activities around New York City and Westchester are sure to please the whole family, from intimate ceremonies to lively celebrations with dancing and music.
Psst… Check Out Zoos to Explore in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Beyond
Manhattan
Japan Parade and Street Fair 2025
Parade Begins at W 81st St. and Central Park West, Upper West Side
Saturday, May 10, 11 am – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate the friendship between the United States and Japan with floats, live performances, community organizations, local leaders, and more.
Saung Budaya Dance
Third Street Music School Settlement, 235 East 11th St., East Village
Saturday, May 10, 2 – 3 pm
Ages 5 and older
Free
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a family-friendly dance event! Experience the Rantak Dance, which depicts the bravery of the Minangkabau people, and the Plate Dance, which symbolizes farmers’ gratitude for an abundant harvest.
Celebrate AAPI Month
Books of Wonder, 42 West 17th St., Chelsea
Saturday, May 10, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 13 and older
Free
Celebrate some incredible AAPI middle-grade reads by AAPI authors in-store, including Mindy Kim, author of Mindy Kim and the Fun Family Vacation, Sayantani DasGupta, author of The Ghost Forest and Katie Zhao, author of Winnie Zeng Shatters the Universe.
AAPI Heritage Month Film Series: Yellow Rose
Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library, 203 West 115th St., Morningside Heights
Tuesday, May 13, 4:30 pm
Ages 13 and older
Free
In rural Texas, a Filipino teen (Eva Noblezada) longs to make her mark on the world of country music. When an unexpected opportunity comes her way, she must make a choice between upholding her family’s traditions or leaving them all behind to pursue her lifelong aspiration. Directed by Diane Paragas. Rated PG-13.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Family Day
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side
Sunday, May 18, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
All ages
Included with admission: $6-24; free for children 4 and younger
Explore the history of the AAPI community with a jam-packed day of story times, living history, art making and an AAPI family guide.
Phoenix Palace, 85 Bowery
Saturday, May 31, noon – 3 pm
All ages
Free
Advanced registration required
Join SNIPES US in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. “Waves of Legacy” is a a community-driven event spotlighting the cultural legacy of Chinatown and uplifting local voices in partnership with Potluck Club and Phoenix Palace. There will be free giveaways from local Chinatown businesses (Banh by Lauren, Art Bean, Maxi Noodles, Yaya Tea, Anime Claw), a fireside chat featuring NY fashion icon Dao-Yi Chow and Cory Ng (Potluck Club & Phoenix Palace), and sounds by DJ Poon.
Dragon Boat Family Festival
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., Tribeca
Saturday, May 31, 2 – 5 pm
All ages
$5; free for children 12 and younger
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with an afternoon full of arts & crafts, storytelling, and scavenger hunts. Learn all about dragon boat racing, try your hand at wrapping zòngzi, stuff a fragrant xiāng bāo and much more family fun!
Bronx
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: The Influential Ocean
Section 2 Orchard Beach, Bruckner Blvd. and Wilkinson Ave., Pelham Bay Park
Sunday, May 4, 1 – 2:30 pm
All ages
Free
Join the Urban Park Rangers in celebrating and learning about the ocean’s influence on the lives, traditions and cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander communities!
Brooklyn
AAPI Month with BCM
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
May 1-29, Thursdays, 3 – 3:45 pm
All ages
Free
Join BCM during Community Access Thursdays in May for a series of programs celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, including special storytimes, dance performances and dumpling making.
AAPI Month celebration with Ajna Dance Company
Brooklyn Public Library — Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights
Saturday, May 10, 1 – 2 pm
All ages
Free
Dive into the rich traditions of Indian dance with interactive workshops that blend cultural learning with the joy of movement. Each session is designed to engage participants of all ages and levels. Through basic movements, cultural context, and fun routines, you’ll experience Indian dance in a way that is meaningful, accessible, and most importantly, joyful!
AAPI Night Market
Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights
May 13, 6 – 8 pm
All ages
Free
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Barclays Center will host their annual AAPI Night Market in the Main Atrium. This free public event invites students, youth, and local community groups to experience an evening of cultural celebration featuring a curated lineup of AAPI community organizations, food vendors, and a performance by Ajna Dance Company. The market highlights the diversity and richness of AAPI communities across Brooklyn, fostering connection through creativity, community, and culture.
Queens
Yayoi Kusama Craft Workshop
Al Oerter Recreation Center, 131-40 Fowler Ave.. Flushing
Saturday, May 3, 10 am – 1 pm
All ages
Free
Participate in an art workshop inspired by the iconic artist Yayoi Kusama, where you’ll unleash your creativity in this exciting hands-on class. Dive into the whimsical world of polka dots, vibrant colors, and organic forms as you paint beautiful premade clay sculptures that reflect Kusama’s signature motifs, such as pumpkins and enchanting flowers!
Innovation Stations: AAPI Shrinky Dink Flowers Keychains + Charms
Woodside Library, 54-22 Skillman Ave., Woodside
Friday, May 9, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 5 and older
Free
Create your own charms that celebrate the flowers of the AAPI community.
2025 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Tennis Festival
Cunningham Park Tennis Center, 19600 Union Tnpk., Fresh Meadows
Saturday, May 10, 1 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Commemorate both National Tennis Month as well as Asian-American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May, with a celebration of Asian culture and diversity, and an introduction to tennis. Enjoy Asian music, dance, food and tennis, while learning more about the sport and the AANHPI culture. On this day, people of all ages and cultures can hit the courts for a little friendly, relaxed competition and instruction. There will be an exhibition game by Vania King and Sanae Ohta. The emcee will be Emmy Award-winning journalist Michelle Yu. Bring your racquet and get on court!
Celebrate and Dance: Tinikling
King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica
Saturday, May 10, 2 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate this AAPI Heritage Month at King Manor with Queensboro Dance Festival by learning the National Dance of the Philippines, Tinikling! Participants will have the opportunity to eat delicious snacks, learn some new moves, and craft.
Staten Island
Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Sensory Moon Art
West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., West New Brighton
Tuesday, May 13, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 5-9
Free
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, listen and take turns reading a moon- themed book, A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin. Then have fun creating your very own sensory moon using various textured materials. Children will have the opportunity to interact with different textures such as sand, puff paint, and more as a tactile way to explore and interact with their artwork.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Year of the Snake
Allison Pond Park, Prospect and Brentwood Aves., St. George
Sunday, May 25, 11 am – noon
All ages
Free
2025 is the Year of the Snake. Rangers will discuss the Chinese Zodiac and the significance of the Year of the Snake while also discussing different snake species that can be found in our parks. The Year of the Snake symbolizes intelligence, mystery, and renewal.
Westchester
Punjabi Mela
India Center of Westchester, 174 Brady Ave. Hawthorne
Saturday, May 3, 5–9 pm
All ages
$20; $10 children younger than 12
Celebrate tradition, community, and culinary delights at Punjabi Mela with flavorful cuisine, live traditional music, and more.
Asian American Pacific Islander Festival
Pascone Park, Ashford Ave. and McCormick Drive, Ardsley
Saturday, May 17, 11 am–3:30 pm
All ages
Free
Enjoy live performances, arts & crafts, scavenger hunt, and kids’ storytime.
AAPI Kids Storytime & Art with Amy
Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, 67 Central Ave., Ossining
Saturday, May 24, 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Ages 3-7
Free
Join teen leader, Amy, this Asian American Heritage Month, for a delightful reading about roti, a traditional round flatbread.
28th Annual Asian American Heritage Festival
Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Pkwy Road, Valhalla
Saturday, May 31, noon–6 pm
All ages
Free
Enjoy a day of live performances, Asian foods, vendors, and more.
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