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Every May, AAPI Month NYC events light up the city with color, culture, and connection. For those looking to honor heritage with intention—whether through art, movement, food, or quiet reflection—New York offers a tapestry of celebrations rooted in both community and self-care.

Interested in more heritage celebration ideas? Check out Lunar New Year: What to Gift and What to Do!

This article includes:

AAPI month events NYC
Asian-owned businesses NYC
How to celebrate AAPI month
Free events NYC
Asian restaurants NYC
Food festivals NYC

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AAPI Month in NYC: Events, History & Community in 2025

Every May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month events light up the city with color, culture, and connection. For those looking to honor heritage with intention—whether through art, movement, food, or quiet reflection—New York offers a tapestry of celebrations rooted in both community and self-care.

A Brief History of AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognized each May, honors the generations of AAPI individuals who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental to its future. It’s celebrated in May to commemorate two key milestones: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869—built largely by Chinese laborers.

Beyond history books, AAPI Month is a living tribute. It’s a time to amplify stories that are too often left unheard and to celebrate the vast diversity within the AAPI umbrella—from East and Southeast Asian to Pacific Islander cultures, languages, and lived experiences.

Learn more about Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

From Roots to Rituals: Amy Ling Lin’s Story and the Sundays Philosophy

At sundays, AAPI heritage isn’t a seasonal spotlight—it’s the soul of our story. Our founder, Amy Ling Lin, immigrated from a small town in China to the U.S. at 19. With no formal English training and a heart full of uncertainty, she arrived in a country that often overlooked voices like hers.

Her journey—navigating identity, language, and the pursuit of purpose—inspired sundays: a wellness-centered nail care brand designed to champion inclusivity, authenticity, and health. The studio’s clean formulas, gentle rituals, and number-coded polishes reflect her quiet rebellion against beauty standards that exclude.

For Amy, AAPI Month is a time to celebrate visibility. To honor immigrants. To uplift the nail specialists, small businesses, and creative forces who bring beauty and resilience to this city every day.

Learn more about Amy and the sundays story.

Cultural Celebrations: NYC AAPI Heritage Month Events (May 2025)

Whether you’re exploring with kids, friends, or solo, these events offer ways to connect deeply—with heritage, art, and the heart of New York itself.

Family-Friendly + Cultural Arts

1. Yayoi Kusama Craft Workshop

May 3, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. – Al Oerter Recreation Center, Queens
Paint pumpkins and whimsical blooms in Kusama’s iconic style. Free!

Learn more about Yayoi Kusama Craft Workshop.

2. Nature Calligraphy Workshop

May 4, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. – Kissena Park, Queens
Learn traditional Chinese calligraphy and its natural inspiration. Free!

Learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Nature Calligraphy.

3. Asian Pacific Heritage: Year of the Snake

May 25, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Allison Pond Park, Staten Island
Explore the Chinese Zodiac and the story behind 2025’s symbolic snake. Free!

Learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Year of the Snake.

4. New York Botanical Gardens: Chinese Plants Tour

May 2, 6, 14, 23 & 31 – Meet at Reflecting Pool
A serene walking tour of plants with Chinese cultural roots, with tours available in Mandarin.

Learn more about NYBG Chinese Plants in the Garden Tour.

Wellness & Reflection

5. Virtual Moon Salutation Yoga

May 12, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. – Online
Flow under the Flower Full Moon in this meditative online practice. Free!

Learn more about AAPI Heritage Month Virtual Yoga – Moon Salutation under the Flower Full Moon.

6. Wellness in Place Festival

May 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. – Pell Street, Chinatown
Mindfulness sessions, health pop-ups, and quiet pockets of joy.

Learn more about Chinatown Business Improvement District’s Wellness in Place Festival.

Food & Street Festivals

7. Chinatown Live! AAPI Fest

May 3, 12 p.m.–6 p.m. – Pell Street, Chinatown
Cultural performances, local vendors, and live energy.

Learn more about Chinatown Business Improvement District’s Chinatown Live! AAPI Fest.

8. NY Chinese Food Festival

May 10, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. – Mott Street, Chinatown
Sample dishes across regional Chinese cuisines. Come hungry!

Learn more about Chinatown Business Improvement District’s NY Chinese Food Festival.

Parades, Film, & Arts

9. Japan Parade & Street Fair 2025

May 10 – 72nd Street (between Central Park W & Columbus Ave)
Celebrate Japanese culture with dance, art, and community joy.

Learn more about Japan Parade and Street Fair 2025.

10. Chinatown Film & Arts Festival

May 25, 1 p.m.–9 p.m. – Columbus Park, Chinatown
Independent films, cultural panels, and community storytelling.

Learn more about Chinatown Business Improvement District’s Chinatown Film & Arts Festival.

Active Events

11. The AAPI 5K Run

May 25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – Central Park area
A community race promoting visibility and supporting local AAPI nonprofits.
Includes costume challenge and cha siu bao rewards!

Celebrate Through Self-Care & Supporting AAPI-Owned Businesses

Celebration can also look like quiet support—choosing where you spend, eat, and recharge. Some thoughtful ways to participate:

Book a Rose Extract Anti-aging Manicure or Non-Toxic Gel Pedicure at sundays studio (East Village, NoMad, Hudson Yards, Upper East Side, SoHo), founded by Amy Ling Lin, whose Chinese-American heritage shaped her belief that beauty should never require sacrificing your health — and that self-care can be a bridge to belonging, pride, and wellness.

Book an appointment at sundays studio.

Dine at noreetuh, a modern Hawaiian eatery (128 1st Ave), or Huli Huli Hawaiian Rotisserie (231 W 39th St) by Chef Chung Chow, a Honolulu native who is bringing the flavors of home to the Big Apple.

Visit noreetuh and Huli Huli NYC.

Explore Lungi (1136 1st Ave), a vibrant eatery showcasing the cultural heritage of Chef Albin Vincent from Kanyakumari, India and his fellow chefs from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka.

Visit Lungi.

Shop nostalgic-meets-modern fashion, inspired by nostalgia, girlhood, and grandmothers in Chinatown, at the eponymous Sandy Liang (28 Orchard Street).

Check out Sandy Liang.

Final Thoughts

In NYC, AAPI Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a living celebration. One that whispers in calligraphy ink, dances down Mott Street, and sprints through Central Park in joyful stride. Whether you’re attending a festival or simply taking a moment of reflection in a studio space designed with intention, there’s no one way to honor heritage.

Enjoyed this article? Next, check out 15 Things to Do in SoHo: The Perfect Itinerary.

more from sundays:

FAQ: AAPI Month in NYC: Events, History & Community in 2025

1. What is AAPI Heritage Month and why is it celebrated in May?

AAPI Heritage Month honors Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions to American history. It’s celebrated in May to mark the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants and the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

2. What are some free AAPI Month events in NYC this May?

Free events include craft workshops, calligraphy classes, virtual yoga, and cultural talks in NYC Parks and Botanical Gardens.

3. How can I support AAPI communities beyond attending events?

Support AAPI-owned small businesses, donate to AAPI nonprofits, volunteer, or amplify AAPI voices on social platforms.

4. Is the AAPI 5K open to all participants?

Yes! The AAPI 5K welcomes runners and walkers of all identities. It’s a celebration of solidarity, visibility, and wellness.

5. Where can I experience AAPI wellness in NYC?

Visit sundays studio for a non-toxic, wellness-focused nail care experience inspired by Chinese-American heritage, or attend community wellness events like “Wellness in Place” in Chinatown.