Commemorate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at a local festival, book fair, or cultural performance.
“How Can You Forget Me” exhibit
through November 28, 2027
location_on Smithsonian National Museum of American History
language Website
“How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories” explores more than 50 artifacts belonging to migrant laborers who settled in Stockton, California from the 1910s to the 1970s. The exhibit honors the impact of a community that was once the largest population of Filipinos living outside of the Philippines (free).
AAPI Celebration Performances
For dance performances and music, check out these free Friday concerts at Eastern Market. On Friday evenings in May, dancers, singers, and musicians will perform outdoors on the plaza. Audiences can expect shows from Taiko Drummers, Samurai Sword Soul, Aloha Boys, and other groups (free).
Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Film Fest
This film festival is a great way to watch educational and fun movies that spotlight AANHPI cultures. Moviegoers can see Lilo and Stitch, documentary Nurse Unseen, and Waterman, a biopic about Olympic swim champion Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (free, registration encouraged).
Fiesta Asia
The Passport DC festivities continue with Fiesta Asia. This celebration of pan-Asian heritage will include over 1,000 performers, food vendors, and artisans, plus kid-friendly activities, karaoke contests, a sushi cook-off, street dancing, and a colorful parade. The fair has been a popular tribute to Asian culture since 2006 (free).
Asian Festival on Main
Take the entire family to this outdoor party in Old Town Fairfax City, which will feature over 60 food options, dozens of performances, vendors, a cosplay costume contest, karaoke, a mini horse petting zoo, and a beer garden (free).
IlluminAsia Festival
The IlluminAsia Festival returns to Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. This year there are three main events: a Bruce Lee film screening accompanied by a live dee-jay score on May 22, and a Children’s Book Fair spotlighting Asian writers followed by a BookCon Fair and Disco dance party on May 23 (free but registration encouraged).
Asia on the Creek
Head to downtown Frederick for a family day at the outdoor amphitheater in Carroll Creek Park. The spring jamboree includes traditional Asian art, dance, music, cuisine, fashion, and a vendor market (free).
Howard County’s AAPI Festival
Shop local vendors, taste Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, and check out a martial arts demo at Howard County’s annual community gathering. Attendees can browse crafts from cultural exhibitors, make origami, beat drums, and play games in the park (free).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
