Take part in the festive celebrations for AAPI: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Events and activities across New York City are sure to please the whole family, from special storytimes and crafts, to parades and live performances.
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Manhattan
MOCAKIDS: Author Meet & Greet with Cynthia X Li & MOCACREATE
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., Chinatown
Saturday, May 16, 2 – 4 pm
Ages 4–8
Included with museum admission: $10-$15; free for ages 12 and younger
Dragons are mean and scary and breathe fire, right? Not so fast! Learn all about the Chinese dragon, the 龙 (pronounced “Loong”) with author Cynthia X Li in “I’m a Loong, Not a Dragon!” Learn some amazing Loong lore in this exciting tale of a Loong at school! After an interactive read-aloud and Q&A, make your very own dancing Loong to parade through the museum. Reading begins at 2:30 PM, with Q&A and craft to follow.
5th NYC AAPI Heritage Cultural Parade
Parade begins at 44th St. and 6th Ave., Midtown
Sunday, May 17, 11 am – 3:30 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at this festive parade featuring unique floats, live performances, music, and more.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Sunday Family Fun Day
The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West, Upper West Side
Sunday, May 17, 11:30 am – 2 pm
All ages
Included with admission: $6–$24
Enjoy a day of programs focused on Asian American history and culture. With story time, AAPI coloring pages, a book giveaway, an interactive game to celebrate the Year of the Horse, Balikbayan boxes, Filipino dancing, and more there will be plenty to see and do all day long.
AAPI Month Crafting and Maker’s Market
Essex Market, 88 Essex St, Lower East Side
Saturday, May 23, noon – 5 pm
All ages
Free admission
Make your own pipe cleaner flower (fee), decorate Heart of Dinner grocery bags for AAPI elders, shop small to win prizes!
Pop-Up Science: AAPI Inspired Mini Moai Sculptures
Macomb’s Bridge Library, 2633 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd., Harlem
Friday, May 29, 3 – 5 pm
Ages 5 – 12
Free
Participate in this hands-on STEAM activity to create mini Moai sculptures.
Bronx
Cooking By The Book
Bronx Children’s Museum, 725 Exterior St., 2nd Floor, Mott Haven
Saturday, May 23, 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 5 pm
Ages 3 – 8
Included with admission: $8–$14
Celebrate AAPINH month with a fun tea party! Plus, enjoy a reading of “Luli & the Language of Tea” with author Andrea Wang. Learn about how tea is a cultural touchstone that crosses languages and cultures.
Brooklyn
3D Print Giveaway: Hello Kitty Figurines
Jamaica Bay Library, 9727 Seaview Ave., Canarsie
Monday, May 18, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 9 and younger
Free
Discover a curated book display highlighting works by prominent Asian American authors, featuring stories that showcase the richness, diversity, and history of AAPI cultures. While you’re here, don’t miss your chance to take home a special keepsake—a 3D-printed figurine of the beloved Japanese character Hello Kitty.
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration
United Cultural Association, 829 63rd St., Sunset Park
Wednesday, May 20, 3:30 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate AAPI history and culture with your children and families! Food, workshops, and performances will be at this special event. Hang out, enjoy great company, and celebrate the vibrant cultures and stories of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
AAPI Night Market
Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights
Wednesday, May 20, 6 pm
All ages
Free admission
Celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander community with complimentary food from local vendors, performances, kids activities & more.
Queens
Storytime & Craft Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
Bowne House, 37-01 Bowne St., Flushing
Saturday, May 16, 11 am
Ages 5 and older
Donation per child; free for adults
Join this Storytime & Craft celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage. Bowne House educators will read stories about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage. Attendees will also enjoy a surprise craft project and refreshments.
2026 Queens Tennis Festival
Cunningham Tennis, 196-00 Union Tpke., Fresh Meadows
Saturday, May 16, noon – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Enjoy Asian music, dance and food and tennis, while learning more about tennis and the AANHPI culture. People of all ages and cultures can hit the courts for a little friendly, relaxed competition and instruction. There will be an exhibition game featuring former professional players, Samantha Crawford and Tracy Almeda-Singian. Bring your racquet and get on court!
Tuvergen Band: Mongolian Folk
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
Sunday, May 17, 2:15 pm
All ages
$20; $15 members and children 12 and younger
Experience the distinctive musical and cultural traditions of Mongolia, with its deep connection to the natural world. Hear how the country’s traditional music reflects the sounds of wind, water, animals, and the expansive grasslands of the steppe.
AANHPI Month: Hao Bang Ah! Horse! with Chinese Theater Works
Sunnyside Library, 43-06 Greenpoint Ave., Long Island City
Thursday, May 21, 4 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
“Hao Bang Ah!” is a common Chinese expression meaning “great!” or “well done!” The whole family will enjoy this variety show of Chinese Budaixi hand puppets, horse themed skits, songs, and dance. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well-known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals.
Srijan Dance: Storytelling through Indian Classical and Folk Dances
South Ozone Park Library, 128-16 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park
Saturday, May 30, 1 – 2 pm
All ages
Free
The four different festivals of India that take place during four different seasons are depicted using Indian Classical and Folk Dances. Through these stories the audience will learn about different sociocultural aspects of South Asian culture. Varying languages and styles of music from different regions of India will also be illustrated to showcase the diversity of its culture.
Staten Island
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Birds of Eastern Culture
Clove Lakes Park, Forest Ave. and Clove Road, Castleton Corners
Sunday, May 17, 9 – 10:30 am
All ages
Free
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with NYC Parks! Join the Urban Park Rangers during spring migration in search of birds that are significant to east Asian culture and folklore. Rangers will discuss influential birders and ornithologists as well as the role of birds in different cultures.
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Storytime + Crafternoon
Port Richmond Library, 75 Bennett St., Port Richmond
Tuesday, May 19, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 5–12
Free
Celebrate AAPI Heritage month with a family storytime, and make your very own lei poʻo!
Chinese Theatre Works: Music and Dance Workshop
Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Snug Harbor
Saturday, May 30, 4 – 4:45 pm
Ages 8 and younger
Included with admission: $8
Join as the Chinese Theatre Works presents Traditional Music & Ribbon Dance! Experience this interactive celebration of music, dance, and Chinese culture. Grab a ribbon, a percussive instrument, or just enjoy the show – this program is fun for the whole family! This workshop uses traditional Chinese dance styles to introduce participants to fundamental techniques in dance performance, as well as develop skills in collaboration and self-expression. Accompanied by a live musician, children will explore the relationship between music, rhythm, and movement, and how dance can be used as a method of self-expression.
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