Seattle Family Calendar
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Puget Sound is home to more than a half-million residents of AAPI origin, so it’s no wonder that there are abundant opportunities to attend a festival, catch a theater performance, try a new food and learn more about these varied cultures all month long. Best of all, many events are free!
What is AAPI Heritage Month?
AAPI Heritage Month (May 1–31) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of people in the United States whose roots originate from the entire continent of Asia, including East, Southeast and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Historically, May contains the dates when the first Japanese people immigrated to the United States, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad with major contributions from Chinese workers, making it the month of choice. Originally a weeklong celebration established back in 1979, it expanded to an entire month in 1990.
AAPI Heritage Month events for families
Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Cuisine Scavenger Hunt
Date: Daily, May 1–30
Cost: Free
Take part in an ongoing, mouthwatering scavenger hunt at all Tacoma Public Library branches and learn more about foods from Asia, the Pacific Islands and Hawaii, and earn a prize!
Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads
Date: Daily, May 1–31, continuing through Oct. 24, 2027
Cost: Free
Get up close and personal with Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s impressive 12-piece Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads on display at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Each statue, representing the traditional Chinese zodiac animals, stands over ten feet tall and weighs over 1,500 pounds! On view through October of next year.
Asian American Pacific Islander Community Days at the Seattle Aquarium
Date and time: Daily, May 1–31, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission
The Seattle Aquarium has special programming planned to celebrate AAPI Month, including a scavenger hunt, talks with marine scientists and more.
‘Tadaima: I’m Home’ at MOHAI
Date and time: Daily, May 1–31, continuing through July 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission
Get a glimpse into the enduring traditions of the Japanese American Community at MOHAI’s exhibit of Boys’ and Girls’ Day dolls entrusted to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School by Japanese American families facing forced incarceration in 1942. The dolls will be on display through July 12.
All Ages Karaoke Kick-Off
Date and time: Friday, May 1, 7–9 p.m.
Cost: $20
Kick off Bainbridge Island’s Asian Arts & Heritage Festival Month by belting out your favorite tunes at a family-friendly (until 9 p.m.) karaoke party with door prizes, games and of course, singing.
Mountlake Terrace AANHPI Heritage Festival
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
All are invited to Terrace Park Elementary to learn about cultural traditions, meet neighbors and learn about community services at this celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Month.
Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy dance performances, catch a martial arts demo and watch the hum-bow eating contest (yum!) at Seattle Center’s annual fest celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander heritage.
Peony Festival
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, May 2–3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Visit the Seattle Chinese Garden to take in the sight of peonies in full bloom and the sounds of live music. You will also find crafts for kids, tea tasting and more.
Korea Day at Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 3–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
With cultural performances, traditional music, martial arts and Bibimbap cooking demos, Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s Korea Day in Tacoma has it all. Bring the whole family for a fun and immersive afternoon.
Kodomo no Hi Children’s Day
Date and time: Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Children’s Day with your crew and learn about children’s culture in Japan through art, history, food, music, active games and martial arts demonstrations. Head to the Japanese Cultural Community Center in Seattle for a day of fun!
Food Tours: Tastes of Chinatown-International District
Date and time: Fridays, May 8–22, 4–6:30 p.m., continuing through July 16
Cost: $82; ages 4 and younger are free
Indulge in a guided food tour of the Seattle International District that the whole family will savor. Curated by the Wing Luke Museum, each tour is unique, showcasing new dishes each time.
BonsaiFest
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free; $12 suggested donation
View hundreds of beautiful bonsai at the height of spring bloom at this fest celebrating a unique Japanese art form. Head to Federal Way’s Pacific Bonsai Museum to watch demonstrations, tour the collection and enjoy kids activities.
A Glimpse of China — Chinese Culture and Arts Festival
Date and time: Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to Seattle Center for another cultural festival — this time journey to China and experience 5,000 years of arts and culture through food sampling, painting and calligraphy, traditional clothing, and folk dancing.
Book Explorers at White River Valley Museum: ‘My Lost Freedom’
Date and time: Saturday, May 16, 2–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Young readers are invited to embark on a literary adventure with a book discussion and museum activities led by educators at Auburn’s White River Valley Museum. Kids will learn about actor George Takei’s experience as a young boy in a Japanese Internment Camp during World War II from his book, “My Lost Freedom.”
Family Saturday: Koi Day
Date and time: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free for youth 12 and younger; $6–$10 for ages 13 and older
The koi are hungry over at Seattle’s lovely Japanese Garden. Stop by and feed them during May’s Family Saturday, when you can also tour the beautiful garden in all its spring glory and take in a taiko drum performance.
Happy AAPI: Toddler Time at the Seattle Aquarium
Date and time: Sunday–Monday, May 17–18, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Bring your tot to learn about, appreciate and celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at this special session of the Seattle Aquarium’s Toddler Time with activities like traditional papermaking.
Melanesian Heritage Night
Date and time: Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s (BIMA) Asian Arts and Heritage Festival. It is celebrating Melanesian and Pacific Islander culture with stori telling (a traditional oral storytelling), sand drawing, dance and activities for all ages at this community-led event.
AANHPI Journeys: Stories of Family and Belonging
Date and time: Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Reserve your spot to mingle with a panel of local children’s book authors who will explore themes of identity, culture and sense of belonging at a book reading event celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander families at the Filipino Community Center in Seattle. There will also be arts and crafts, live performances, and other fun activities!
‘Strawberry Fields Forever: Picker Cabin Stories’
Date and time: Sunday, May 17, 2–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Preregister to attend a free screening of the short film, “Strawberry Fields Forever: Picker Cabin Stories,” another event that’s part of the BIMA Asian Arts and Heritage Festival. The film explores the history of Bainbridge Island’s berry fields through the eyes of the immigrant Asian children who worked and lived there in the 1950s and ’60s.
South Sound Day of Remembrance
Date and time: Thursday, May 21, 4–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma commemorates the forced eviction of Japanese Americans during World War II from Puget Sound with a program featuring a book fair, author chats and a panel discussion. Best for older kids and teens.
Fabulous Furoshiki
Date: Friday, May 22
Cost: Free
Pierce County Libraries invite all ages to discover the practical and stylish Japanese art of furoshiki, a multipurpose cloth that, with a few simple knots, can be used to wrap and carry almost anything. Learn this skill at Milton/Edgewood Pierce County and University Place libraries.
Olympia AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
The City of Olympia invites all to South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey campus to join in a celebration of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage with performances and activities for the whole family.
Ikebana Demonstration and Drop-In Studio
Date and time: Saturday, May 23, noon–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ikebana International Tacoma-Olympia Chapter invites all to learn about ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Watch a demo, then try your hand at creating your own arrangement to take home at the Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library.
Storytime with Michelle Jing Chan and Nadia Salomon
Date and time: Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Authors Michelle Jing Chan and Nadia Salomon share their picture books, “Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School: Based on a True Story” and “A Voice of Hope: The Myrlie Evers-Williams Story,” celebrating those who stood up for civil rights. Join them for story time in honor of AAPINH month at the Lake Forest Park Third Place Books.
Asian Arts and Heritage Festival Celebration
Date and time: Sunday, May 31, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge welcomes all to its Asian Arts and Heritage Festival Celebration for a day of live music, cultural performances, kids activities, paper crane ceremony and tasty Asian street food. The fun happens at Waterfront Park on Bainbridge Island.
Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival
Date: Saturday–Sunday, June 6–7
Cost: Free
Not in May, but not to be missed, complete your tour of AAPI cultures in June at the Seattle Center with the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival and experience Filipino heritage through music, dance, arts, history, literature and crafts.
More fun events for Seattle-area families:
Editor’s note: The article was originally published in 2025, and is updated every year to include new activities and events for AAPI Heritage Month in Seattle. It was most recently updated on April 27, 2026, by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.
