A Guide to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 2025 in Philly

Through Wednesday, June 11, 2025

The Philadelphia Film Society’s newest film series is dedicated to the Japanese genre that steals the imaginations of animation lovers worldwide.

This month’s movies showcase the genre’s incredible range and test its boundaries with Love & Pop, a live-action feature by anime titan Hideaki Anno that draws inspiration from the filmmaker’s animated work, and Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence, the sequel to one of the most beloved anime movies of all time.

Through Saturday, June 28, 2025

Focusing on three major art collectives from the 1980s and ’90s — Asian Improv aRts/Records, the Afro Asian Music Ensemble, and the Far East Side Band — this multidisciplinary exhibition explores the intersection of music, art and activism.

On display, you’ll find archival materials and multimedia displays including vinyl records, newspaper clippings and more, showcasing how Asian American artist-activists of the time — inspired by the jazz and improvised music of the Black Arts Movement — used music, poetry, dance and more to reflect their Asian cultural heritage and resist racial oppression and systemic violence.

Through October 26, 2025 (Saturdays & Sundays)

Hailed as “one of the best food markets in the United States” by Food & Wine, the seasonal Southeast Asian Market brings the tastes of the region to FDR Park each weekend through October.

The massive culinary treasure includes over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, street food, native produce, plants, jewelry, apparel and more. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy your food fresh along with your take-home haul. Please note: Some vendors are cash-only and there’s no ATM on site.

Celebrate the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Asian Eats, a delicious tribute to Asian culture, cuisine and small businesses.

During this 10-day-long restaurant week-like celebration, a dozen (and counting) Chinatown restaurants offer limited-time-only meal deals showcasing their menus and the bold flavors of Asian cuisine dishes.

The all-star restaurant lineup includes longtime Chinatown staple Sang Kee Peking Duck, popular Sichuan hotspot EMei Restaurant and cozy dessert shop A La Mousse.

The National Constitution Center celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with a series of special programs exploring the lives and contributions of trailblazers like suffragist Mabel Ping Hua Lee, civil rights activist Fred Korematsu and politician Patsy Mink — the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress. AAPI programming is free with museum admission

Join Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center for a day of festive fun celebrating Children’s Day, a beloved Japanese holiday.

Displays of miniature samurai armor and colorful koinobori (fish-shaped streamers) are set up across the grounds, while guests enjoy family-friendly activities like koinobori and origami-making, kimono dressing, traditional paper theater storytellers, and a performance by the Keystone Japan Club. Plus, from May 1 to 17, visitors can continue to learn about the holiday’s traditions, check out displays, feed koi at the pond, or simply stroll through the serene garden and blooming azaleas.

Traditionally celebrated on May 5 each year, Children’s Day is a time to wish for children’s health and happiness, and a brighter tomorrow. All Children’s Day activities are included with general admission to Shofuso.

Dedicated to uplifting Lao and Lao American voices through storytelling and the arts, Laos in the House celebrates its 10th anniversary with an epic culinary bash hosted by Next Level Chef alum and internet star Ae ‘aebaybayy’ Southammavong.

Lauded chefs from around the country — including James Beard Award semifinalist Seng Luangrath and finalist Donny Srisavath, Philly’s own Sunny Phanthavong, and Southeast Asian Market vendors Inn Ariyakham and Boutsakone Keopondadith —  curate a delicious multi-course dinner packed with Lao flavors.

The evening also features traditional Lao blessings and live musical and dance performances.

This installment of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s monthly Family Festival features a full day of kid-centric art and play inspired by Asian American artists.

Create inkblot artwork with local artist Cynthia Zhou, or join community youth arts center Ginger Arts for a fun activity. Build sculptures inspired by well-known sculptor and designer Isamu Noguchi or learn to channel your chi during a dance workshop with Philly’s Kun-Yang Lin Dancers.

Admission to the museum is pay what you wish, and Family Festival activities are included.

In addition to its regular Free First Sunday programming (hello, free admission!), the Barnes Foundation’s monthly family day features a touching performance by Filipino-American mother-daughter duo Malaya Ulan, the youth poet laureate of Philadelphia, and dancer and multidisciplinary artist Ani Gavino. The special collaboration — titled Freedom Rain Speaks — blends dance, music and poetry for an inspirational experience.

Also look out for free art activities, Spanish-language storytimes, and access to the Barnes’ full collection and limited-time exhibition, Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations.

Kosuke Chujo’s Philly love affair started with music and naturally progressed to food, leading him to open Nihonbashi Philly, a sandwich shop in Tokyo fully decked out in all things Philly.

When the shop went viral, Philly was impressed (no small feat) and adopted the Japanese cheesesteak slinger as one of its own.

This spring, Kosuke Chujo returns stateside. In honor of Philly icon Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka of Rittenhouse Square’s Zama, Nihonbashi Philly is popping up at Yanaga Kappo Izakaya to pay tribute to the late chef and give Philadelphians a chance to try the international steaks in person.

Throughout the month of May, the Please Touch Museum celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with special music and art activities inspired by instruments popular in Asia and the Pacific Islands, traditional Chinese ink paintings and traditional Hawaiian hale, or houses.

As part of the museum’s First Wednesday series, kids can join Asian Arts Initiative for a special block printing workshop inspired by the sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac — the snake — and families can settle in for an Indonesian-themed storytime featuring the book Spicy Spicy Hot! Bonus: Museum guests get $2 off on museum admission between 4 and 7 p.m.

Each Friday night, the Philadelphia Museum of Art keeps its galleries open late for a fun-filled social featuring live music by Philly DJs and performers, locally sourced wine and spirits, special events, and tours.

This special AAPI Heritage Month edition invites Philly-based artist, designer and poet Cynthia Zhou to demo hands-on printmaking techniques — and teach everyone how to decorate their own Chinese-inspired kite.

All activities and access to core museum galleries are included with Friday Night Lounge tickets, refreshments are pay as you go, and note that printmaking activities end at 8 p.m.

This chamber music concert highlights the talents of two distinguished members of The Philadelphia Orchestra: award-winning Taiwanese violinist Mei Ching Huang and international Shanghai-born cellist Hai-Ye Ni. The night offers a rare opportunity to hear an intimate and up-close performance by members of one of the world’s leading orchestras.

Tickets are required, and guests can come early for a light pre-show social hour and reception at 5 p.m. Stay tuned for the full program announcement.

May 13 & 14, 2025

How hard would you fight to earn the respect and recognition of your hometown? Relive Naruto’s journey to overcome challenges and become the leader of his ninja village during this powerful symphonic concert celebrating music from the legendary anime.

The two-hour concert showcases a live orchestra performing Toshio Masuda’s epic original score — featuring a blend of pop, rock and traditional Japanese instruments (like the shamisen) — with a synchronized backdrop of memorable scenes from the show’s 220-plus episodes.

The event also includes renditions of the series’ most iconic opening and endings, and encourages audience members to sing along.

The Philly drag scene is fire, and the AAPI Heritage Month edition of Lotus Lounge at sports bar/dance club 254 continues a monthly series of inclusive and culturally aware drag performances.

Drag queen and inimitable host Asia Monroe tears up the stage with several surprise special guest performers from Philly’s AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. After the show, head up to the newly opened roof deck for cocktails under the stars.

The show is free to enjoy with no cover, and food and drinks are pay as you go. (Just don’t forget to tip your queens!)

May means both AAPI Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History gives you the best of both worlds with a free double-heritage multicultural celebration.

The celebration features family-friendly activities and events, including music, dancing, crafts, workshops, tours and more. Both museum admission and the heritage celebration are free, but registration is required. For the full schedule of events, keep an eye on the official website.

The Asian Arts Initiative’s avant-garde SOUND TYPE Music Festival & Writers Residency is back for a second year. The year-long series pairs up musicians and writers, each from LGBTQ+ and people-of-color communities, in concerts and discussions that challenge musical boundaries.

This year’s festival opens with a multimedia collab between award-winning Bangkok-born pianist/experimentalist Kengchakaj, visual artist Nitcha Tothong and author of Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century, Nate Chinen. Kengchakaj’s piece — Lak Lan Yon Yæng ลักลั่น ย้อนแย้ง — taps into the ancestral soundscapes of Southeast Asia.

Philly is brimming with Asian-owned restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes both traditional and with a twist.

Restaurant scene staples like Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s eatery Kalaya, Ellen Yin’s concept Fork and Jesse Ito’s omakase at Royal Sushi & Izakaya have all received nods from the James Beard Foundation, while other go-to hotspots include Gabriella’s Vietnam, the Cambodian noodle house Mawn and LGBTQ+-owned Indonesian staple Hardena.

Food tours like City Food Tours’ Uncovering Chinatown make it easy to hit up spots across multiple cultures, with samplings of Peking duck, dumplings, boba tea and plenty more from local staples like Sang Kee Peking Duck and Xun Yu Si Kao.

Big fan of Asian cuisine? Dig in to our articles on Philly’s must-try Chinese restaurants and Thai restaurants.

Thousands of the retail outposts in Philly’s thriving small business ecosystem are owned by individuals of Asian descent, from boutiques and clothing stores to beauty supply and bicycle repair shops.

These establishments are located throughout the city and region, from Center City’s Chinatown to Montco’s Ardmore. Some businesses to check out include Queen & Rook Game Cafe on South Street, Tran’s Produce in the 9th Street Italian Market, Kayuh Bicycles and Cafe in Francisville, and pet grooming boutique ham + bone in Fishtown.