#GWToDo: Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage in 2026

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is celebrated nationwide in May, but the George Washington University has since 2004 held its own Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration (APIHC) in April, giving the community an opportunity to celebrate before the end of the academic year. Below, a selection of events on campus and around Washington, D.C.

The Lao Kitchen: An Evening with Saeng Douangdara and Aleena Inthaly
April 27 at 7 p.m.
Bold Fork Books
3064 Mount Pleasant St. NW
$12 to $40 (including cookbook)

The food culture of Laos has historically been preserved through oral tradition, and in his guide to Lao cooking, personal chef Saeng Douangdara draws on his expertise and the food knowledge passed down through his family. Hear from him (and try Lao bites) at Mount Pleasant culinary bookstore Bold Fork Books.

Stephanie Chou Performs with The Tong Man and The Curse of Quon Gwon
May 3 at 4 p.m.
Meyer Auditorium, National Museum of Asian Art
Independence Ave. at 12th St. SW
Registration required

Experience two early Asian American-focused silent films-including one of the few silent films made by a woman, director and actor Marion Wong-with a live score by composer, saxophonist and singer Stephanie Chou and her band.

Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Film Fest
May 7 to 9
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave. NW
Registration required

Catch a series of films and panel discussions highlighting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander stories that continue to shape American history, including "Waterman," a documentary on record-breaking Olympic swimmer and father of modern surfing Duke Kahanamoku; a conversation with the director and stars of romantic comedy "A Nice Indian Boy"; Disney's original animated "Lilo and Stitch" with accompanying short films; and more.

Sheldon Simeon: Ohana Style
May 7 at 7 p.m.
Bold Fork Books
$45 (includes signed book)

Two-time "Top Chef" contestant Sheldon Simeon's food reflects Hawaii's flavors and cooking styles, a mixture of island influences including Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and other cuisines. "Ohana Style" features food for a range of occasions and showcases creative plant-based substitutions and shortcut cooking techniques.

APAHM Celebration Performances at Barracks Row
May 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 5 p.m.
Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Free

This series of outdoor performances every Friday includes Hawaiian group the Aloha Boys, local lion dancers, taiko drummers and comedy stunt performers Samurai Sword Soul.

Spring Night Market Presented By Tiger Fork and Hi-Lawn
May 14 at 5 p.m.
Hi-Lawn
1309 5th St. NE
$5

Enjoy street food, browse pop-up vendor stalls and see lion and dragon dancing at this Hong Kong-style night market.

AAPI Anthologies: Folklore
May 15 at 9 p.m.
Pubkey DC
410 7th St. NW
21 and up; $34

A cabaret show celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander folklore and culture, this annual showcase features performers across the gender and cultural diaspora. Established in New York City in 2024, the show aims to promote empathy across intersectional audiences while combating the model minority myth through burlesque, drag and performance art.

Hoʻolauleʻa: Welcoming Kānepō Ka Lua
May 16 at 11 a.m.
National Museum of the American Indian
Independence Ave. and 4th St. SW
Free

Join the American Indian Museum in welcoming Kānepō Ka Lua ("Kānepō the Second"), a volcanic stone from the famed caldera-overlook area of Ka'auea, loaned to the museum for a 20-year period by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in consultation with their Kūpuna (Elders) Consultation Group. A ho'olaule'a is a traditional Hawaiian celebration, this one featuring curator tours, music, hula performances, hands-on activities and more.

Fiesta Asia Street Fair
May 16 at 11 a.m.
400 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Free

This annual pan-Asian street fair features over 1,000 performers, artisans and vendors in a daylong party that features martial arts demonstrations, music and dance performances, crafting, food and drink, cosplay and karaoke competitions and more.

D.C. Dragon Boat Festival
May 16
Thompson Boat Center
2900 Virginia Ave. NW
Free

Dozens of elaborately decorated dragon boats race to the finish line on the Potomac River in one of D.C.'s most visually striking annual events.

AAPI Art & Vintage Market
May 17 at 11 a.m.
Maketto
1351 H St. NE
Free

Grab coffee or tea while browsing two floors of local AAPI makers and vintage creators at market and bakery Maketto.

Illuminasia: Bruce Lee Night with Jeff Chang and DJ 2-Tone of Shaolin Jazz
May 22 at 5 p.m.
Meyer Auditorium, National Museum of Asian Art
Free, registration required

Celebrate global icon Bruce Lee with an evening of literature, film and music to kick off the museum's IlluminAsia BookCon. First, author Jeff Chang discusses his new book, "Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America," with National Museum of American History curator Theo Gonzalves. Then catch a screening of Lee's 1971 breakthrough, "The Big Boss," accompanied live by DJ 2-Tone Jones.