May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month highlights the stories of people in the United States who are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. May was chosen to honor the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was built due to the majority of Chinese immigrant laborers, and the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the shores of the U.S.The month-long celebration honors the heritage and histories of people from the Asian continent and islands across the South Pacific including Hawaii, American Samoa, Federated Islands of Micronesia, Guam, and more.
This May, the City of Philadelphia and many community organizations are hosting celebrations as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! See some of these events listed below and please join us in celebrating!
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month
Saturday, May 20 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Franklin Institute, 271 North 21st Street
The Franklin Institute is hosting a day of programming that highlights the contributions of some of the amazing Philadelphia organizations that help celebrate, educate, and nourish our AAPI community.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
Asian Pacific Jewish American Dual Heritage Month Celebration
Sunday, May 21 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
7300 Frankford Ave
Asian American Dream
Wednesday, May 24 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N Delaware Ave
Sponsored by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
This event is dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of Asians American and Pacific Islanders in the US, specifically, five Asian American who are successful in their career and entrepreneurship journey despite the difficult journey they endured.
AAPI Heritage Celebration Mixer
Wednesday, May 24 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Shofuso Japanese House
Sponsored by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia is proud to co-host the 2023 AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at the 17th-century-style Japanese House and Garden, Shofuso.
Japanese sushi and sake will be served. And special guest Daniel Matsukawa (Philadelphia Orchestra), who is regarded as one of the best bassoon players in the world, will perform.
No shoes are allowed inside the Shofuso house. Disposable socks will be provided at the entrance.
Proceeds from this event will be donated entirely to Shofuso, to restore paintings and murals that were vandalized last July.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
Back to the Roots
Thursday, May 25 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room and Conversation Hall
Sponsored by Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Office of Immigrant Affairs, Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement and the Department of Commerce
Join the Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement and the Department of Commerce in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! This year the event theme will focus on “Back to the Roots” and highlight the ways Asian and Pacific Islander communities honor their home countries and cultures through entrepreneurship.
