- May 14
- 6 min read
It’s officially the month of May — which means it’s time to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month! At Serica, we’re thrilled to see that now, more than ever, there’s endless ways to commemorate AAPI Heritage Month and support AAPI businesses, stories, and voices.
From markets, performances, screenings, and more — we’ve rounded up our favorite events and things to do this weekend in NYC (May 15-17).
Friday, May 15
AAPI Film Screening: It Was Just An Accident (2025)
⏰2:00 - 4:00 PM
📍Columbus Library, 742 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
🎟️ FREE
Join the NYPL for a film screening of the 2025 political thriller film It Was Just An Accident. In Iran, a man bumps into the man he believes to be his former torturer. However, faced with this person who fiercely denies having been his tormentor, doubt sets in.
Origami Workshop at the NYPL
⏰4:00 - 5:00 PM
📍Bronx Library Center, 310 E Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10458
🎟️ FREE
The origins of orikata can be traced back to ancient Japan. Orikata, meaning folded shapes, were a vital skill for aristocrats and high ranking soldiers in Japan. Several styles of formal gift/ritual wrappings were developed for such things as money, poetry, and fans. Origami is derived from two Japanese words, Ori (folded) and Kami (paper). The transition from the term orikata to origami came into use in 1880. This ancient Japanese art of folding paper has become increasingly complex over the years. Join the NYPL to create your own origami sculptures to honor the ancient Japanese art style.
Celebrate Asian American Heritage at Ailey Citigroup Theatre with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
⏰7:30 - 9:30 PM
📍Ailey Citigroup Theatre, 405 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
🎟️ $40
In celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, the acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will present a captivating, cross-cultural program at The CitiGroup Theatre. This season’s concert is a special tribute, honoring the past by reviving Nai-Ni Chen's Du, honoring the present by showcasing Flowing Stream under the Moon Light, and looking toward the future with Peter Chu's premiere, Reflections of a Ripple.
Saturday, May 16
Weekly Saturday pinkFROG Mahjong Brunch
⏰12:00 - 3:00 PM
📍pinkFROG Cafe, 221 N 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
🎟️ $22
Attention to all mahjong lovers! You are invited to join pinkFROG on Saturdays 12 Noon for fun Mahjong, Brunch with Live Music! All levels are welcome! Play PENG, CHI, GANG, make new friends, enjoy Food, Drink, Art and Music!
Ticket is $22 in advance & $26 at the door including 1 free drink (wine, draft beer or a soft drink). You could also pay $28 in advance, $32 at the door if you wish to have one free food item included instead of drink. You could choose any 1 item including our signature pan fried dumplings, Bao, takoyaki etc. on food menu.
$10 additional can be added if need a lesson for beginners.
Queens Tennis Festival
⏰12:00 - 4:00 PM
📍Cunningham Tennis, 196-00 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
🎟️ FREE
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander food, music and dance on-court! Play tennis & celebrate culture with USTA Eastern.
To celebrate both National Tennis Month as well as Asian-American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May, USTA Eastern is partnering with Cunningham Park Tennis Center for the fourth time. The day will serve as a celebration of Asian culture and diversity as well as introduce community members to the sport. Those who attend the completely free event can enjoy Asian music, dance and food and tennis, while they learn more about the sport and the AANHPI culture. On this day, people of all ages and cultures can hit the courts for a little friendly, relaxed competition and instruction. There will be an exhibition game featuring former professional players, Samantha Crawford and Tracy Almeda-Singian.
Celebrate Asian American Heritage at Ailey Citigroup Theatre with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
⏰3:00 - 5:00 PM
📍Ailey Citigroup Theatre, 405 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
🎟️ $40
In celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, the acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will present a captivating, cross-cultural program at The CitiGroup Theatre. This season’s concert is a special tribute, honoring the past by reviving Nai-Ni Chen's Du, honoring the present by showcasing Flowing Stream under the Moon Light, and looking toward the future with Peter Chu's premiere, Reflections of a Ripple.
Queens Night Market
⏰4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
📍47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
🎟️ FREE
The Queens Night Market is a large, family-friendly open-air night market in Queens, featuring over 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens.
Sunday, May 17
5th Annual NYC AAPI Heritage Month Cultural Parade
⏰11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍Midtown Manhattan, 44th St to 55th St along 6th Ave
🎟️ FREE
The annual NYC AAPI Heritage Month Cultural parade returns this weekend to Midtown Manhattan! Bring your family and friends to celebrate a showcase of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture, heritage, and performances.
Thai Next 2026: When the Seeds Bloom
⏰11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍The Foundry, 42-38 9th St, Long Island City, NY 11101
🎟️ FREE
Presented by the Royal Thai Consulate General in New York and Thai Theatre Foundation. Come celebrate the evolution of Thai art and culture as it takes root and flourish on the global stage — one of New York City's largest Thai art fairs.
Enjoy a full day of Thai art, food, activities, and community, all in one place. Featuring 46 Thai and Thai-affiliated artists and their collaborators from across New York City and beyond. Plus 30+ vendors.
Tuvergen Band Workshop: Mongolian Music
⏰1:00 - 2:00 PM
📍Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354
🎟️ $5
Join the Tuvergen Band for a fun, hands-on 45-minute pre-performance workshop exploring the musical traditions of Mongolia!
Families will get a close-up look at the unique instruments featured on stage—including the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), igil (fiddle), doshpuluur (lute), tovshuur (lute), and elements of a global percussion kit. Participants will also hear and learn the basics of khöömii (throat singing), a fascinating vocal technique that produces multiple tones at once and reflects the sounds of Mongolia’s natural landscape.
All Weekend Long
Flushing Restaurant Week
📍Flushing, NY
Celebrate the fifth annual Flushing Restaurant Week with great food from 18 of the most popular restaurants in Flushing. Now is your chance to discover new restaurants and experience your favorite! Prix-fixe menu for two, starting at $20! Leave the cooking and dishes at home and DINE OUT as we celebrate the most delicious time of the year!
Support AAPI Small Businesses in NYC
It's always a great time to support small and local businesses in NYC, but now is the perfect time to treat yourself to some great food, cute gifts, or fun experiences at an AAPI-owned small business in NYC! Here are a list of some of the one's we love:
Food/Drinks/Restaurants:
Hi-Collar: Western-inspired Japanese café (popularly known as kissaten) by day, sake and jazz bar by night.
Lê Phin: Cozy café with Phin brewed coffee and Vietnamese inspired coffee, dessert, tea, and pastries.
929: Cocktail bar inspired by Canto-pop and Mando-pop with creative craft drinks.
53 NYC: Contemporary Asian restaurant known for its art-infused ambiance.
MÁLÀ PROJECT: Known for its neo-Sichuan hot pot mala dry pot with a secret blend of 24 medicinal herbs and spices.
Red Sorghum: Sichuan and Hunan restaurant with a baijiu bar in a romantic dining room inspired by old Chinese cinema.
GupShup: Bi-level Indian restaurant with food and drinks that meld traditional Indian flavors and ingredients with contemporary techniques and global creativity.
Singlish: Cozy bar that pays homage to the world-class Singapore craft cocktail culture with bold flavors and unexpected pairings.
SaRanRom Thai: Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai restaurant in the heart of Little Thailand, Elmhurst serving a wide menu of traditional and modern favorites.
Shopping:
Yu and Me Books: New York City's first Asian American woman-owned bookstore, serving books, beer, coffee, and community.
ELOREA: Perfume concept store with fragrances that draw on Korean nature, memory, and craft that can be paired with drinks from their in-house cafe.
Mogutable: Artisanal tableware and home goods store filled with a curated selection of handmade crafts, including a wide selection of ceramic chopstick rests.
Niconeco Zakkaya: Charming Japanese stationery and gift store with paper goods, art supplies, rubber stamps, gifts, and more.
Loaf on Paper: Newly-opened sister store of Niconeco Zakkaya; a cozy stationery and cafe, haven for cat-lovers.
Wellness/Experiences:
Fullfill Clinics: Medical spa with premium, tailored cosmetic treatments that emphasize natural beauty.
Studio Calmplex: Peaceful ceramics and craft studio with a quiet tearoom in the back.
Blissful Headspace Spa: Relaxed, clean, and calm head spa offering steamy and herbal treatments.
