Festival 16

The 16th Asian American Day Festival was held on Saturday, September 5, 2026 on Boston Common.

That edition has ended. This page is a recap of the date and venue published on the current AADay page. It is not an upcoming-event notice.

AAAB's 16th AADay Festival Press Conference

August 3, 2026

July 2026

The Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB) is honored to have the 16th Asian American Day Festival Press Conference featured by multiple Chinese-language media outlets, helping share the festival's vision and mission with communities across the United States and beyond.

Held in the historic Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House, the press conference officially announced the upcoming 16th Asian American Day Festival, which will take place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Boston Common.

The press conference welcomed distinguished guests from government, the diplomatic community, business, and the nonprofit sector, demonstrating strong support for the Asian American community and the 16th Asian American Day Festival.

From left to right: Rose Hall, CEO of Blue Ocean Realty and Title Sponsor of the 16th Asian American Day Festival; Senator Michael Brady; State Representative Lisa Field; Pan Fei, Director of AAAB; and Dr. Robert Wu, Director of AAAB.

Honored guests included:

• Massachusetts State Senator Michael Brady
• Massachusetts State Representative Lisa Field
• Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn
• Mr. Li De, Director of the Chinese Consulate General in New York
• Representatives from Meet Boston, Boston's official destination marketing organization
• Representatives from the Free Jacks, New England's professional rugby team

The event was professionally emceed by Mr. Kewei Gan, Secretary General of AAAB, and Ms. Kailey Zhu, Deputy Secretary General of AAAB, whose bilingual hosting guided guests through the program and highlighted the festival's mission of promoting Asian culture, strengthening community partnerships, and fostering cultural exchange.

From left to right: Kailey Zhu, Deputy Secretary General of the Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB), and Kewei Gan, Secretary General of AAAB.

Cultural Performances

The press conference also featured captivating cultural performances that showcased the richness and diversity of Asian heritage. Guests enjoyed a preview of the vibrant entertainment that will be presented at the 16th Asian American Day Festival, including traditional music, dance, and multicultural artistic presentations celebrating the many cultures represented throughout the Asian American community.

The performances reflected AAAB's commitment to preserving cultural traditions while fostering cross-cultural appreciation and community engagement, setting the stage for an exciting festival this September.

The 16th Asian American Day Festival will feature:

• Cultural performances representing diverse Asian communities
• Community organizations and nonprofit exhibitors
• Local businesses and sponsors
• International cuisine and food vendors
• Family-friendly activities and cultural experiences

AAAB sincerely appreciates the continued support from our media partners for helping promote this important community celebration and amplify the voices of the Asian American community.

Sing Tao Daily (U.S. Edition)

Sing Tao Daily covered the official press conference, highlighting the festival's announcement, community impact, and the collaboration among organizers, sponsors, and community partners.

Read the original article:

https://www.singtaousa.com/2026/07/18/news/usa/asian-american-festival-press-conference/
https://www.singtaousa.com/2026/07/24/news/usa/asian-american-festival-boston/

WeChat Media

The WeChat feature introduced the upcoming festival, its mission, and AAAB's dedication to building stronger connections through culture, education, and community engagement. The article also recognized the support of sponsors, community organizations, and volunteers who make the festival possible.

Read the original article:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/MxHFM-_Qv1UmdMrEbmwURg

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ArJnNfuZf7JL32jBPWbTdA

AAAB extends its heartfelt thanks to all media partners, sponsors, volunteers, performers, and community members for their continued support. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 16th Asian American Day Festival on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Boston Common as we celebrate culture, diversity, and community together.

16th Asian American Day Festival Marks a Grand Success

September 10, 2026

Organizations gathered in celebration, as thousands came together in joy. Asian American communities united in strength, their voices joining in a shared celebration of culture and community.

On September 5, 2026, the 16th Asian American Day Festival, organized by the Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB), took place at Boston Common in downtown Boston. in downtown Boston. The festival was presented with Blue Ocean Realty as Title Sponsor and Ascend Tax Service as Co-Title Sponsor.

More than 150 sponsors, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and arts and cultural groups from across Massachusetts participated in this year’s celebration.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, Yan Pan, Director of the Consular Protection and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, and special guest Linda Ho, Marketing Manager of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, attended the Opening Ceremony and delivered remarks.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll also presented official citations recognizing the festival.

The event received coverage from numerous English- and Chinese-language media outlets, including WBZ NewsRadio, Hoodline Boston, Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN), Sampan, and Sing Tao Daily.

Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB) Parade Team

A Grand Multicultural Parade Celebrating Asian Heritage

At 10:10 a.m., following an opening drum performance by a Cambodian community dance group from Fall River, the powerful sound of gongs and drums from the Lake Thanh Lion Dance Team signaled the beginning of the 16th Asian American Day Festival Parade.

Nearly 400 participants representing more than 40 businesses, cultural, and community organizations came together for a vibrant procession through Boston Common. Linda Talarico, Business Development Director of the New England Free Jacks, and Sharon Driscoll, Executive Director of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, also joined the parade in a show of support for the festival and the Asian American community.

Led by the Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB), parade groups carried banners and flags while showcasing the diversity and traditions of Asian cultures. Parade Director Tammy Tsikar, together with parade hosts Kyle Pan, Dora Mou, and Brian Zhao, introduced each participating group from the main stage.

Stretching more than 300 meters, the parade featured vibrant cultural traditions, including lion dancing and traditional Hanfu attire, drawing crowds of visitors who stopped to watch, take photos, and share in the celebration.

As the parade returned to the main stage, dozens of community dancers dressed in colorful traditional attire performed Munao Zongge, led by members of the Dance Connection Club and instructors from NewStar Community Art School.

Photographers from the Boston Chinese Photography Association (BCPA) worked closely with parade volunteers to bring nearly 400 participants together for the festival’s annual group photo, capturing the memorable moment in just ten minutes.

From left: Parade Host Zixiang Pan, Parade Director Tammy Tsikar, and Parade Hosts Dora Mou and Brian Zhao.

Some of the participating parade groups

Some of the participating parade groups

Opening Ceremony Highlights Community, Partnership, and the Future

At 11:00 a.m., the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian American Day Festival officially began.

The ceremony was hosted by AAAB Secretary General Kewei Gan and Deputy Secretary General Kailey Zhu.

AAAB Chairman Klysler Yen delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming guests and community partners while expressing his hopes for continued cooperation, unity, and prosperity within the Asian American community.

AAAB Executive President and Festival Committee Chair Lee Song thanked the sponsors, performing groups, volunteers, and departments of the City of Boston that contributed to the festival. He further emphasized the shared mission of AAAB and the Asian American Day Festival:

“Our mission is to bring Asian Americans and other American communities closer together and make this city a better home for everyone.”

Co-Executive President and Festival Committee Co-Chair Nicholas Tan emphasized that the Asian American Day Festival is more than a cultural celebration— it is a bridge connecting cultures and generations while strengthening the relationship between the Asian American community and the City of Boston.

“A strong city is not built only with steel and concrete. It is built on trust, respect, opportunity, and people helping one another.”

Yan Pan, Director of the Consular Protection and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, noted that this was his third time representing the Consulate General at the festival’s Opening Ceremony.

He highlighted Asia’s rich cultural heritage and recognized the Asian American Day Festival as an important annual event that provides a platform for connection and friendship within Boston’s Asian communities while sharing their history, unity, and contributions with the broader public.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn reflected on his years of service in the U.S. Navy before entering public office. During that time, he witnessed firsthand the many contributions Asian Americans have made to the country. At the same time, he noted that hatred and prejudice against Asian communities continue to exist.

“We still have a lot of work to do. We cannot tolerate discrimination or violence against Asians in any form, whether here in Boston or anywhere else in our country.”

From left: Chairman Klysler Yen, President Lee Song, Director Yan Pan, Co-President Nicholas Tan, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, Title Sponsor Rose Hall, Co-Title Sponsor Nancy Mui, Cathay Pacific representative Justin Yu, Sunshine Travel President Lorraine Tse, Hong Kong Tourism Board representative Linda Ho, and Opening Ceremony Hosts Kailey Zhu and Kewei Gan.

Business and Community Leaders Help Build Cultural Bridges

The 16th Asian American Day Festival brought together businesses and community organizations from Massachusetts and beyond.

As Title Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, Blue Ocean Realty continued its longstanding support of the festival.

Blue Ocean Realty President, AAAB Board Member, and Festival Committee Co-Chair Rose Hall reflected on her journey since arriving in Boston as an international student in 2008. Over the past 18 years, she has witnessed significant growth in the region’s Asian population and the increasing cultural diversity that has come with it.

She emphasized the importance of the Asian American Day Festival and its impact on the community:

“Culture does not exist only in museums or books. It must also be passed on and shared through events like Asian American Day, through food, live music, and connections across generations.”

Nancy Mui, founder of Ascend Tax Service and Treasurer of AAAB, represented the festival’s first Co-Title Sponsor since its return to Boston Common in 2022. In her remarks, she praised the dedication of AAAB’s board members and volunteers.

She also emphasized that the organization’s continued growth has been made possible by years of generous community support, with donations directly supporting community development and the promotion of Asian culture.

Other major sponsors included global airline Cathay Pacific, biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, and longtime Boston travel agency Sunshine Travel.

Representing Cathay Pacific, Justin Yu, Head of Revenue Management Optimization, noted that the airline’s first sponsorship of the Asian American Day Festival coincided with Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary and reflected its strong commitment to Boston’s Asian American community.

Since launching nonstop service between Boston and Hong Kong in 2015, Cathay Pacific has received tremendous support from local travelers. Yu invited festival attendees to visit the company’s booth to learn about anniversary promotions and participate in interactive activities and giveaways.

Lorraine Tse, founder of Sunshine Travel and AAAB’s Director of Community Development, shared that her company has spent more than 30 years connecting cultures and communities through travel.

During her remarks, she proudly displayed a piece of calligraphy personally presented to her by Chairman Klysler Yen and encouraged attendees to continue supporting the community through donations and helping build bridges between cultures.

At the special invitation of the Festival Committee and Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong Tourism Board was represented at the Opening Ceremony by Marketing Manager Linda Ho.

Ho highlighted the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and Hong Kong’s famous Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage tradition. She also invited food lovers to experience the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival on October 9.

“Hong Kong is a city where East meets West and tradition meets modernity. We welcome everyone to come and experience it for themselves.”

Scenes from the 16th Asian American Day Festival

Scenes from the 16th Asian American Day Festival

Scenes from the 16th Asian American Day Festival

Scenes from the 16th Asian American Day Festival

More Than 10,000 Visitors Fill Boston Common

During Labor Day weekend, more than 10,000 visitors came to Boston Common to explore festival booths, enjoy food, watch performances, and participate in cultural activities throughout the day.

Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Tourism Board attracted visitors of all ages with an interactive prize wheel featuring Cathay Pacific zodiac plush toys, detailed Airbus aircraft models, and other giveaways.

Cultural and retail booths—including the Boston Hanfu Society and Crafts Zone—introduced visitors to traditional clothing and Asian-inspired crafts and souvenirs.

Interactive cultural exhibits also gave visitors from diverse backgrounds opportunities to experience Chinese tea culture, traditional music, philosophy, and other cultural traditions.

Six young reporters from the Newton Chinese School made their way through the festival grounds, interviewing Festival Committee members, guests, and sponsor representatives.

At the AAAB booth, nearly 90-year-old Chairman Klysler Yen created traditional Chinese calligraphy pieces for visitors, raising $1,000 in donations for the organization. He was assisted by Lorraine Tse and Yaling Qin, President of the Asian American Economic Alliance, who traveled from Las Vegas and serves as an AAAB Cultural Ambassador.

Chairman Klysler Yen raises funds through calligraphy.

This year also marked a record number of food vendors at the Asian American Day Festival.

All 18 food vendors remained extremely busy throughout the day, with many restocking multiple times to keep up with demand. Some vendors, including Hong Kong City Restaurant, still had long lines when the festival approached its 4:00 p.m. closing time.

One bakery vendor reported that sales had far exceeded expectations and that the booth had already restocked four times.

“Business has been incredible. Every time we restock, everything sells out quickly. Our kitchen simply can’t keep up.”

A Stage Celebrating the Diversity of Asian Arts

At noon, following an announcement by Secretary General Kewei Gan, hosts Olivia Liu, Aiden Hall, Ruixin Liang, Ruisi Liang, and Bo Toun officially opened the performance program of the 16th Asian American Day Festival.

Performances included the moving harmonies of the Voice of the East Chorus, elegant presentations by the World Qipao United Association Boston Chapter, ballroom performances by the Huayi Ballroom Dance Group, and large-scale group dances from Angel Dance Academy.

Tenor performances by Dr. Robert Wu and Dr. Jiayi Zhou further showcased the remarkable artistic talent within Boston’s Asian American community.

The festival’s performance program was jointly organized by Festival Artistic Director Ling Guo, Program Director Julie Wang, and Outreach Director Amy Wu.

More than 30 artists and performing groups representing Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indian, Cambodian, and other Asian communities from across the United States participated.

The audience experienced Indian dance, including Shiva Vandana; Philadelphia tenor Aaron Scarberry performing the Chinese song When Will the Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon End?; Cambodian ceremonial drumming and dance; and Vietnamese conical-hat dance.

Traditional Chinese martial arts and Korean Taekwondo performances showcased strength, discipline, and determination.

Renowned Japanese American guitarist Max Hayes captivated the audience with a solo performance, while a Ryukyu taiko drumming group energized Boston Common with powerful rhythms and a distinctive performance style.

Together, the performances offered audiences a vibrant showcase of centuries of Asian artistic traditions and cultural expression.

This year’s festival also featured dedicated opportunities for young and international artists.

Groups including ADA Dance, Z Principal Dance Academy, and the Dance Inn Youth Intensive Team brought young dancers to the stage and encouraged the next generation to continue pursuing the arts.

Local music students and emerging musicians Meijiao Yan, Zijie Fu, and Xiaoya Qin showcased the strength of a new generation of artists.

International performers, including Hong Kong gong artist Jishan Leng and Mongolian mezzo-soprano Naren Qiqige, also reflected the festival’s growing reach beyond Massachusetts.

Group photos from the stage performances

Highlights from the stage performances

Highlights from the stage performances

Building Bridges Through Culture and Community

As the day’s final performances came to an end, the 16th Asian American Day Festival concluded after a memorable day of culture, community, and celebration at Boston Common.

The festival’s success would not have been possible without the dedication of dozens of behind-the-scenes staff members and volunteers, led in part by Volunteer Director Kailey Zhu and Food Director Yan Wang. Every helping hand and welcoming smile played a part in making the festival possible.

Some of the Volunteers at the 16th Asian American Day Festival

Volunteers Helping with Event Setup

Volunteers Helping Keep the Festival Grounds Clean

From the sound of drums in the morning parade to the diverse performances of the afternoon, Boston Common was filled not only with celebration but also with a spirit of connection among communities.

From locally rooted businesses to performing groups traveling from afar, and from senior community leaders practicing traditional calligraphy to young performers taking the stage, more than 100 organizations and over 10,000 visitors came together with enthusiasm, understanding, and mutual respect to create a vibrant portrait of multicultural Boston.

At the heart of the Asian American Day Festival is the belief that the strength and prosperity of a city depend on the contributions of every community—and on respect and inclusion across cultures.

The Asian American Day Festival is therefore more than an annual cultural celebration. It is a bridge that strengthens trust, friendship, understanding, and connection among communities.

As we say goodbye to this year’s celebration, we look forward to an even brighter future. The successful conclusion of the 16th Asian American Day Festival marked not only a memorable end to the summer, but also the beginning of a new chapter of unity, collaboration, and shared prosperity for the Asian American community.

We carry forward the joy, energy, and connections created this year and look forward to welcoming everyone back for another unforgettable celebration next year.

Read the Original Article:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Mdd-6o3lyhJQU0WgyU_pMQ

Author: Kewei Gan Reviewed by: Klysler Yunlong Zhen Photography: Boston Chinese Photography Association (BCPA) & Kevin Zheng

A Group Photo to Remember the 16th Asian American Day Festival

September 10, 2026

September in Boston still carried the lingering warmth of summer. At Boston Common, people arrived from every direction. Different faces, languages, styles of dress, and accents came together for one shared celebration.

This was the 16th Asian American Day Festival, organized by the Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB).

Looking back, perhaps the most memorable moment was not a particular performance on stage or a favorite dish from the festival, but the large group photo that brought everyone together.

A photograph takes only seconds to capture, but behind that moment were countless hours of planning, coordination, and dedication.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, organizers held meeting after meeting, planning parade formations, coordinating participating groups, and working through countless details. The parade was originally expected to include just over 300 participants. By festival day, nearly 400 people had arrived to take part.

As the number of participants continued to grow, positions had to be rearranged and groups coordinated again and again. Some organizers were constantly on the phone, while others moved back and forth across the festival grounds, barely stopping to rest as they worked to make sure everything was in place.

Through all of that preparation, the festival gradually came to life.

When the drums began, the parade made its way through Boston Common. Throughout the day, 30 cultural performances took the stage, aromas drifted from 18 food vendors, and more than 80 businesses and community organizations filled the festival grounds. People from different backgrounds and communities gathered in the heart of Boston to celebrate together.

Culture was shared not only through performances, but also through food.

The festival’s wide range of food offerings reflected the diversity of Asian cultures and their place within America’s multicultural landscape. Visitors enjoyed Chinese dim sum, Japanese sushi, Korean barbecue, Southeast Asian specialties, American favorites, and much more.

Xinjiang-style lamb skewers drew plenty of attention, with tender lamb grilled over an open flame and seasoned with cumin, chili, and other spices. Freshly made Beijing-style jianbing filled the air with a familiar aroma as batter sizzled on the griddle. Shiny candied hawthorn skewers offered a sweet-and-sour taste that brought back childhood memories for many visitors. Milk tea, cakes, and other desserts added a sweet touch to the celebration, while pan-fried buns and beef noodles were also crowd favorites.

The variety of food, distinctive regional flavors, and lively atmosphere drew large crowds, with long lines forming at many booths throughout the day. Food became one of the festival’s most popular attractions, giving visitors another way to experience and appreciate different cultures.

Culture was not limited to informational displays or performances on stage. It could be seen, heard, tasted, and shared throughout Boston Common.

Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Mongolian, and other Asian cultures came together in one shared space.

Within the Chinese American community itself were people with different hometown memories and regional traditions. Some traced their roots to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and many other places. Their hometowns and experiences may have differed, but after crossing oceans and building lives in America, they also shared something in common.

Here in Boston, together, they created a celebration they could call their own.

Perhaps this is where the meaning of “Asian American” truly comes alive.

AAAB’s mission is to unite Asian Americans and help build stronger, more vibrant communities. Asian American Day is more than a cultural showcase or a single day of celebration. It serves as a bridge, bringing cultures and communities closer together, creating new connections, and fostering a greater sense of belonging within the broader Boston community.

When it was finally time for the group photo, everyone gathered together.

For a brief moment, all the planning, rushing, and coordination seemed to come to a halt.

In front of the camera were nearly 400 smiling faces. Some stood in the front row, while others were deep within the crowd. Some wore traditional attire, while others wore everyday clothing. Some had known each other for years; others had met for the first time that day.

But in that moment, everyone was part of the same celebration—and the same shared memory.

A group photograph captures far more than a moment in time.

It reflects the dedication behind countless meetings, the teamwork built through collaboration, the helping hands extended between strangers, and the many cultures that came together in one place.

Next year, there may be new parade groups, new performances, and new friends. Perhaps even more people will join us.

But when we look back on September 5, 2026, and the photograph taken that day at Boston Common, we will remember:

On an early autumn day, we came from different places and gathered together as one.

Throughout the day, the 16th Asian American Day Festival welcomed more than 10,000 attendees, with a steady flow of visitors filling Boston Common. The turnout reflected strong community interest in and support for multicultural celebration and exchange.

The festival’s diverse programming and lively atmosphere also attracted media attention, including coverage by WBZ NewsRadio and Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN), further highlighting the festival’s growing presence in the local community.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, we come together to reflect on this shared moment in history and the role our communities continue to play in shaping it.

We are Asian Americans.

We live here. We work here. We build here. And in our own ways, we contribute to the America of today and tomorrow.

Two hundred and fifty years marks an important milestone for the United States. It also represents a new chapter that our generation of Asian Americans is experiencing—and helping to write—together.

We gather not simply to look back, but to appreciate the present and embrace the future.

We are Asian Americans.

We are here.

Author: Tammy Tsikar, AAAB Deputy Secretary General
English Translation & Editing: Asian American Association of Boston (AAAB)

Read the Original Article:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oCDQ6DMAqHzrRxg8NC7q8g

Author: Tammy Tsikar, AAAB Deputy Secretary General