Festival 12

The 12th Asian American Day Festival, with Blue Ocean Realty (波士頓地產網) as title sponsor, was held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, on Boston Common.

This recap draws on the Association’s printed 12th-edition review and is kept together with the later “Looking Back” article already on this page. Sponsor logos and volunteer names, when staff have entered them, appear below the article.

Parade and opening

At the opening, more than twenty art and cultural groups from Boston and Massachusetts answered the call of the Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB). Led by a traditional lion dance team, each group carried its own flags and banners and circled the main paths of the Common.

The opening ceremony began at 11:00 a.m. Chairman Klysler Yen and Executive Director Phillip Pan gave the welcome. Speakers included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; Senate President Marc Pacheco; Senators Paul Donato, Will Brownsberger, and Lydia Edwards; Boston City Council President Ed Flynn; and Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau.

Mayor Wu accepted Yen’s calligraphy “Soul of the City” (市魂) in thanks for her work since taking office. Niangben, a Thangka painter and national arts-and-crafts master from China, received the honor “AAAB Tibetan Art Ambassador” from Co-Executive Director Pinci Cao and presented a Thangka to the Association.

Representatives of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York also attended and spoke on cultural exchange.

Stage, booths, and culture

Performances began at 12:00 noon. Thirty-five groups of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Hispanic, and Italian artists from Boston and nearby cities took the stage through 6:00 p.m., when hundreds of visitors were still watching. Spanish bel canto artists Sarah Zhai and Serge Carreras also sang.

The printed review records more than ten food booths and more than seventy other vendor booths — snacks, daily services, and community tables. Yen opened a calligraphy booth and wrote Chinese-name bookmarks for visitors. A designed photo wall invited guests to pose.

Parade and cultural highlights also included martial arts by the New England Wushu Academy, qipao presentations by the Boston Chapter of the World Cheongsam Federation, and traditional Hanfu groups — a mix already noted in the later looking-back article on this page.

What visitors said

Reporters from Boston and visiting outlets interviewed Asian and non-Asian guests. Almost all said they were satisfied with the performances and booths. A family from Minnesota said the day changed what they thought they knew about China and Asian cultures — art, food, and dress included.

According to the organizers’ preliminary count, more than 13,000 visitors came to watch or browse booths. Organizers described it as Boston’s largest outdoor Chinese community festival since COVID-19, and the most far-reaching AADay since AAAB was founded.

This page is a recap of a festival that has already taken place. It is not an upcoming-event notice.

Historical partnership proposal (2022 yearbook) — not a current offer

The 2022 yearbook printed a 12th AADay partnership proposal dated after the June 1, 2022 Boston Parks permit. It is kept here as a historical document. It is not the current 17th AADay sponsorship menu.

The proposal said the festival would be on September 10, 2022, on Boston Common, with a 30×40 ft stage, tents, food and fire permits, and an 8.5×11 visitor program. It listed seven 2022 tiers: $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, $3,000, $1,000, $500 (registered nonprofits $100 off), and $300 (food vendors only). Separate program ads: full page $488, half $288; greeting letters full $388, half $188. 2022 contacts printed then: Info@aaaboston.org; Phillip Pan 617-710-0592; Pinci Cao 917-498-7878; Kewei Gan 857-272-1581; Life Salon 72 Kneeland St (address as printed in 2022).

The proposal’s attendance forecast of 6,000–8,000 is a 2022 planning estimate, not a recorded count. The later recap on this page uses the printed booklet’s figures.

Historical partnership proposal (2022 yearbook) — not a current offer

The 2022 yearbook printed a 12th AADay partnership proposal dated after the June 1, 2022 Boston Parks permit. It is kept here as a historical document. It is not the current 17th AADay sponsorship menu.

The proposal said the festival would be on September 10, 2022, on Boston Common, with a 30×40 ft stage, tents, food and fire permits, and an 8.5×11 visitor program. It listed seven 2022 tiers: $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, $3,000, $1,000, $500 (registered nonprofits $100 off), and $300 (food vendors only). Separate program ads: full page $488, half $288; greeting letters full $388, half $188. 2022 contacts printed then: Info@aaaboston.org; Phillip Pan 617-710-0592; Pinci Cao 917-498-7878; Kewei Gan 857-272-1581; Life Salon 72 Kneeland St (address as printed in 2022).

The proposal’s attendance forecast of 6,000–8,000 is a 2022 planning estimate, not a recorded count. The later recap on this page uses the printed booklet’s figures.

Looking Back: Celebrating the Success of the 12th AADay

June 22, 2026

As we prepare for the upcoming 16th Asian American Day Festival, we look back at one of our most memorable celebrations—the 12th Asian American Festival, which brought thousands of community members together at Boston Common for a day of culture, unity, and celebration.

Presented by Blue Ocean Realty Boston as the exclusive title sponsor, the festival welcomed families, community leaders, businesses, performers, and visitors from across New England. The event featured vibrant stage performances, cultural exhibitions, community engagement, and a diverse marketplace that highlighted the richness of Asian American cultures and traditions.

Celebrating Community and Cultural Unity

Guided by the mission of "Uniting Asian American Communities and Enhancing Our Shared Neighborhoods," the festival created an inclusive space where people of all backgrounds could come together to celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen community connections.

Prior to the start of the performances, festival organizers, community leaders, and participating artists gathered on stage to commemorate the occasion and capture memorable moments from the event.

Distinguished Guests and Community Support

The festival was honored to welcome numerous elected officials, community leaders, and dignitaries, including: Michelle Wu, Lydia Edwards, Will Brownsberger, Marc Pacheco.

Representatives from the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York also attended and shared remarks recognizing the importance of cultural exchange and community engagement.

In appreciation of her support, Festival President Zhen Yunlong presented Mayor Michelle Wu with a special handwritten calligraphy piece titled "Soul of the City" (市魂).

A Colorful Cultural Parade

One of the highlights of the festival was the community parade through Boston Common, featuring cultural organizations, performing arts groups, and community associations.

The parade showcased:

• Traditional Chinese dragon dance performances
• Martial arts demonstrations by the New England Wushu Academy
• Elegant qipao presentations by members of the World Cheongsam Federation Boston Chapter
• Traditional Hanfu cultural groups

Together, these performances celebrated the beauty of Chinese heritage while demonstrating the continued growth and vibrancy of Asian cultures in Greater Boston.

A Multicultural Stage Experience

The 12th Asian American Festival featured one of its most diverse entertainment lineups to date. In addition to traditional Chinese music and dance performances, the festival welcomed artists and cultural groups representing Spanish, German, Indian, and other international traditions.

Throughout the day, audiences enjoyed a dynamic program of music, dance, and cultural performances that reflected the multicultural spirit of Boston.

Food, Vendors, and Community Engagement

More than 80 vendors participated in the festival, offering a wide variety of:

• Asian cuisine and international foods
• Tea and specialty beverages
• Cultural merchandise
• Community resources
• Arts and crafts
• Family-friendly activities

The vendor marketplace surrounded Boston Common and provided attendees with opportunities to explore local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and cultural exhibits while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Looking Ahead: The 16th Asian American Day Festival

As we celebrate the success and memories of past festivals, we are excited to invite the community to join us for the 16th Asian American Day Festival.

Save the Date

📅 Saturday, September 5, 2026 📍 Boston Common 🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This year's festival will continue our tradition of celebrating Asian American heritage through cultural performances, community engagement, educational exhibits, local businesses, arts, food, and family-friendly activities.

Whether you are a returning supporter or attending for the first time, we welcome you to join us for a day of culture, connection, and celebration in the heart of Boston.

Get Involved

The 16th Asian American Day Festival is currently accepting:

• Vendors
• Sponsors
• Volunteers
• Cultural Performers
• Community Organizations

We invite businesses, nonprofits, artists, and community leaders to be part of this signature annual event and help us continue building bridges across cultures and communities.

We look forward to celebrating with you on September 6, 2026, at Boston Common as we mark another exciting chapter in the history of the Asian American Day Festival.

Author: Tammy Tsikar