We have over 75 special programs planned for AANHPI Heritage Month! Enjoy arts and crafts, author talks, concerts, film screenings, special exhibits, and so much more.

Here is a selection of our AANHPI Heritage Month programs. Visit the QPL Calendar to see the full list!

Photo Exhibition: Chinese Laborers and the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad (In-Person)

From 1865 to 1869, thousands of Chinese laborers played a vital role in constructing the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, at an astonishing speed and under hazardous working conditions. The completion of this railroad transformed the U.S. transportation and trade industries and had a profound impact on the U.S. economy that can be felt to this day. Join us for this photo exhibit hosted by APAPA New York and Flushing Library.
Exhibition Opening Ceremony: Saturday, May 10, 1pm

Thursday, May 1-Saturday, May 31 (during regular hours of service)
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

AANHPI Month: Hip Hop Celebration (In-Person)

Join our QPL Hip Hop Programs team as we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This May, DJs of AANHPI descent will perform at these locations — groove along!

Thursday, May 1: DJ Get Live
2:30pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Thursday, May 8: DJ Bles-sed
5pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Thursday, May 15: DJ Phillip Lee
5pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street

Thursday, May 22: DJ Neil Armstrong
4:30pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard

Blossoms & Beams: Exploring AANHPI Heritage Through Design (In-Person)

In this hands-on series, kids will explore amazing traditions, beautiful landscapes, and unique buildings that tell the stories of AANHPI communities. From designing your own cherry blossom pagoda to building cool 3D models of homes from around the world, each session is a chance to craft, create, and learn. Let your imagination bloom as you dive into art, architecture, and the wonders of AANHPI heritage!

Thursdays, May 1, May 15, and May 29
3pm
Poppenhusen
121-23 14 Avenue, College Point

Fridays, May 2 and May 9
3pm
Briarwood
85-12 Main Street

Asian Heritage Celebration Concert (In-Person)

Celebrate New York City’s vibrant immigrant community through music! Join us for this special family–friendly concert, where artists will express their rich heritage in creative ways. Come to celebrate your heritage, or to learn with an open heart and mind about the cultural richness of our city!

Thursday, May 1
5pm
Richmond Hill
118-14 Hillside Avenue

Friday, May 9
3pm
Far Rockaway
1637 Central Avenue

Thursday, May 15
4pm
South Ozone Park
128-16 Rockaway Boulevard

Corky Lee’s Asian America: Book Panel (In-Person and Virtual)

Join us and our special guests — Chee Wang Ng, Virgo Lee, moderator Jiefei Faye Yuan (Queens Memory Project), New York Assembly Member Ron Kim, and NYC Commissioner on Human Rights Rocky Chin — for this discussion about the book Fifty Years of Photographic Justice: Corky Lee’s Asian America and the life of Corky Lee (1947–2021), who was a Chinese American activist, community organizer, photographer, journalist, and the self-proclaimed unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate. His work chronicled the diversity of Asian American culture.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/37cd
Meeting ID: 833 9180 7019
Passcode: 383237

Thursday, May 1
5:30pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Literary Thursdays: K-Ming Chang, Author of Cecilia (Virtual)

Smart, subversive, and gripping, K-Ming Chang’s surreal novella is a winding, misty road trip through bodily transformation, the ecstasy of desire and disgust, the inextricable histories of violence and love, and the ghosts of girlhood friendship.
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/4bN5

Thursday, May 1
6pm

Mandarin Storytime (In-Person)

Welcome to a storytime in Mandarin! Our bilingual artists are excited to share their second languages with early learners and their families. These programs consist of interactive songs, stories, rhymes, puppets, movement, and crafts, intended for bilingual families and curious learners.

Friday, May 2
11am
Pomonok
158-21 Jewel Avenue, Flushing

Wednesday, May 7
11am
Astoria
14-01 Astoria Boulevard

Dongfeng Liu Band: Latin Jazz Fusion Chinese Music (In-Person and Virtual)

Dongfeng Liu draws on musical influences from his native China, fusing them with American jazz harmonies and Caribbean rhythms. His music uncovers buried pages of the history of Chinese immigrants journeying to the Americas as early as the 1860s. His unique collision of music and culture has built a brand new bridge for the world. This program is funded by a Starr Grant.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/4B5p
Meeting ID: 827 8991 9131
Passcode: 050325

Saturday, May 3
3pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Sunday Concerts at Central: Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble NY (In-Person)

This ensemble, led by Masayo Ishigure, features members of the Sawai Koto Academy. Their mission is to blend classical and jazz traditions, showcasing the koto (the national instrument of Japan) not only as a traditional Japanese instrument, but as a vehicle for universal expression. The ensemble has performed at numerous venues across the New York metropolitan area, the eastern United States, Hawaii, and South America. This performance will celebrate Japanese culture through a dynamic blend of music, dance, traditional attire, and more.

Get your free tickets: https://m425.eventbrite.com/?aff=website

Sunday, May 4
3pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Chinese Music Appreciation Workshops (In-Person)

Discover the rich and diverse world of traditional Chinese music with these interactive workshops led by Zhou Yi and Yimin Miao from the Ba Ban Chinese Music Society! You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history, instruments, and various musical pieces of this tradition, and even try playing some of the instruments. A short Q&A session will follow to further enhance the experience.

Monday, May 5
3pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Boulevard, Flushing

Wednesday, May 7
4pm
Rosedale
144-20 243 Street

Wednesday, May 14
3pm
Bay Terrace
18-36 Bell Boulevard, Bayside

Friday, May 30
4pm
Forest Hills
108-19 71 Avenue

Bhangra Dance (In-Person)

Join us and learn a joyful folk dance from the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. This dance originated in rural areas and was performed to celebrate a good harvest. The signature move of this folk dance is strong shoulder movements, accompanied by big joyful hops, leaps, and arm movements. The music will be positive and energetic, highlighted by the dhol drum’s infectious beats! This is a fun, interactive program, in partnership with Ajna Dance, for the whole family — balle balle!

Monday, May 5
4pm
St. Albans
191-05 Linden Boulevard

Wednesday, May 14
4pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Saturday, May 17
3pm
Bellerose
250-06 Hillside Avenue

Saturday, May 31
3pm
Glen Oaks
256-04 Union Turnpike

Ancestral Culture and Traditions of the Southern Philippines (In-Person)

Join Kinding Sindaw, a New York City–based Filipino dance theater company, for an afternoon of dynamic performances and insightful commentary exploring the rich ancestral culture and traditions of the Southern Philippines. Featuring traditional dance, kulintang music, and silat martial arts — passed down orally through generations — this event offers a powerful window into the living heritage of the Filipino people. This program is funded by the New York State Assembly Queens Delegation.

Wednesday, May 7
4pm
Woodside
54-22 Skillman Avenue

Japanese Culture Through Music and Dance (In-Person)

Traditional Okinawan dancer/singer and musician Junko Fisher will perform her choreographed dance pieces, using Okinawan and Japanese dance forms to tell the story of historical places and events in Japanese culture.

Wednesday, May 7
4pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street

Monday, May 19
4pm
Howard Beach
92-06 156 Avenue

Magic Show with Eric Q (In-Person)

Join magician Eric Q for an interactive experience that will delight both kids and parents! Eric will engage the whole family with captivating illusions and playful storytelling, turning ordinary moments into unforgettable magical adventures.

Wednesday, May 7
4pm
Fresh Meadows
193-20 Horace Harding Expressway

Wednesday, May 21
3:30pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street

Culture Bridge: Duo Yumeno (In-Person and Virtual)

Duo Yumeno is here to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with traditional Japanese and contemporary chamber music, as well as arrangements of beloved popular songs! You don’t want to miss the opportunity to listen to this unique combination of Japanese and Western instruments up close in this live performance. This program is funded by a Starr grant.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/M8
Meeting ID: 851 8801 4398
Passcode: 931309

Thursday, May 8
4pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Literary Thursdays: Clare Osongco, Author of Midnights With You (Virtual)

Clare Osongco’s soulful young adult romance novel tells the story of Deedee and Jay, who fall in love during a series of secret late-night driving lessons. Together, these two must decide if the pain they’ve both inherited from their traumatic and turbulent families has the power to choose their fate, or if they have the power to choose for themselves. 

Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/42ntf 

Thursday, May 8
6pm

Bengali Folk Dance (In-Person)

Join us for an introductory Bengali Folk Dance class! We will explore traditional hand gestures, lively footwork, and rhythmic patterns. Our experienced instructor will share the rich history and cultural significance of Bengali folk dance, breaking down the steps to make it accessible to all ages.

Friday, May 9
4pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Monday, May 19
4pm
Lefferts
103-34 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill

Srijan Dance Company: Celebrate Holi, The Festival of Colors (In-Person)

In celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors, dancers will welcome the spring season with this performance of Indian folk, Bollywood semi-classical, and Kathak (storytelling) dance styles. There will be an interactive activity with the audience following the performance. This program is funded by New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.

Saturday, May 10
2pm
Bellerose
250-06 Hillside Avenue

Music Tour of Japan (In-Person)

Traditional Okinawan dancer/singer and musician Junko Fisher will take you on a musical tour of the different parts of Japan, performing the songs of each region, from the southern islands of Okinawa to the main island of Honshu!

Saturday, May 10
3pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard

Discover Pandanggo sa Ilaw (In-Person)

Join us and discover the dance form Pandanggo sa Ilaw! This popular dance, which means “dance of light,” is often done in groups to mimic fireflies at sunset. Typically, the dance involves balancing candles on your hands and heads; our instructor Katrinka will bring battery-operated tea lights to the library. She will give a short performance, then lead everyone through exercises that break the movements down so all ages can enjoy and experience!

Monday, May 12
4pm
Baisley Park
117-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica

Tuesday, May 13
4pm
Howard Beach
92-06 156 Avenue

Wednesday, May 14
11am
Arverne
312 Beach 54 Street

Wednesday, May 14
4pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach

Author Talk with Michele Wong McSween (In-Person)

Join us for a fun and interactive read-aloud of Gordon & Li Li: All About Me with children’s book author Michele Wong McSween! Panda cousins Gordon & Li Li will introduce little learners to different parts of the body in both English and Mandarin. Books (and plushies) will be available for purchase, and a book signing with Michele will follow the reading!

Thursday, May 15
4:30pm
Whitestone
151-10 14 Road

Culture Bridge: Reclaiming Vietnam: A One-Woman Show (In-Person and Virtual)

Written and performed by Kim Chinh, this one-woman play is an autobiographical work that explores identity, human fragility and human error. The play follows her journey to reclaim her Vietnamese heritage while confronting the painful family secrets she inherited. A post-show discussion with Kim will follow her performance.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/3Wk5
Meeting ID: 854 0760 5543
Passcode: 941955

Get your free In-Person tickets: https://m15.eventbrite.com/?aff=website

Thursday, May 15
6pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Lei Day in NYC: Hawaiian Lei Making Workshop (In-Person)

This workshop will highlight the cultural significance of lei, or Hawaiian garlands, and showcase different lei-making techniques and styles of lei. You will be supplied with all the materials you need to make your own fresh flower lei, and you’re welcome to bring your own supplementary flowers too! This program is for ages 10 and up; preregistration is strongly recommended.

Saturday, May 17
2:30pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Boulevard

Bangla Storytime (In-Person)

Welcome to a storytime in Bangla! Our bilingual artists are excited to share their second languages with early learners and their families. These programs consist of interactive songs, stories, rhymes, puppets, movement, and crafts, intended for bilingual families and curious learners.

Tuesday, May 20
2pm
Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard

AANHPI Month Bingo (In-Person)

Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month and learn about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander icons during a game of Bingo! Match the pieces with pictures of the icons to test your luck. All ages are welcome. Prizes will be given to winners while supplies last.

Tuesday, May 20
4pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Boulevard

Family Storytime and Craft with Children’s Author Yobe Qiu (In-Person)

Join us for a fun and engaging storytime with children’s author Yobe Qiu! She’ll read two of her uplifting books, share what it’s like to be an author and teacher, and explore the power of positive affirmations. After the stories, kids can get creative with a themed craft activity! This program is funded by New York State Senator John Liu.

Wednesday, May 21
4pm
Hillcrest
187-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing

Author Reading of My Paati’s Saris and Sari Demonstration (In-Person)

Jyoti Rajan Gopal will share the magic of saris, clothing from South Asia that has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. During this program for all ages, she will share an interactive presentation and read from her picture book My Paati’s Saris, a story about a little boy who loves his grandma’s saris. There will also be a sari-wearing demonstration — attendees can volunteer to be draped! Books will be available for sale and signing.

Thursday, May 22
3:30pm
Lefferts
103-34 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill

Culture Bridge: Sachiyo Ito & Company (In-Person and Virtual)

In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, Sachiyo Ito & Company present a special program exploring Japanese culture through dance. This engaging program highlights the rich cultural heritage that shapes Japanese dance — including its historical, geographical, and literary influences. The event includes a demonstration of traditional styles and basic movements, followed by a unique opportunity for audience members to participate in a dance sequence while wearing a kimono. This program is sponsored by a Starr Grant.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/3X6W
Meeting ID: 885 2435 0768
Passcode: 922690

Thursday, May 22
6pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Manga Figuration Drawing with Ernest Concepcion (Virtual)

Discover the art of creating dynamic, captivating characters in this hands-on workshop led by renowned artist Ernest Concepcion! Designed for all skill levels, this workshop covers essential manga-style techniques — from basic anatomy and proportions to expressive poses and character design. Ernest’s personalized guidance and constructive feedback will help you refine your skills and develop your own artistic style.

Join us on Zoom:  https://queenslib.org/4Mu

Wednesday, May 28
3:30pm

Drag Story Hour Bingo (In-Person)

Join Yun-Hee Proft and Drag Story Hour for an AANHPI-themed Drag Bingo! This event is for attendees ages 18 and older. A copy of your registration is required to enter this program. Register here for up to 3 free tickets: https://M29B.eventbrite.com/?aff=website

Thursday, May 29
6pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street

Immigrant Pioneer Women in America: Episode 2: Dr. Ilora Rafique & Selina Sharmin (Virtual)

Join us for a special virtual series about pioneering immigrant women! Our guest, Dr. Ilora Rafique, is the Medical Director and Founder of Nirvana Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rafique is passionate about community-based outreach. During her own journey with breast cancer, she spearheaded a Susan G. Komen grant through Sapna NYC promoting breast cancer awareness and screenings for South Asian women. Dr. Rafique will be interviewed by QPL’s Selina Sharmin.
Join us on Facebook and YouTube.

Thursday, May 29
6pm

Echoes of Arrival (In-Person)

Echoes of Arrival is a powerful collection of immigrant stories. Through intimate performances blending storytelling, music, and dance, the cast will share their poignant first encounters with the United States and the bittersweet reality of leaving their homelands behind. These personal narratives offer a heartfelt glimpse into the immigrant experience, honoring those whose journeys are woven into the ever-evolving legacy of New York City. This program is made possible by the Museum of Chinese in America.

Get your free tickets: https://m2925.eventbrite.com/?aff=website

Thursday, May 29
6pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Culture Bridge: Author Talk with Lizi Rahman (In-Person)

Americar Pather Panchali (Songs of the Little Roads of America) is a deeply personal account that traces the hardships and resilience of Bangladeshis living in the United States from the early 1980s to the present day. Written as a reflection of Ms. Rahman’s journeys — from country to country and state to state, including travels through Bangladesh, the U.S., and Canada — each story captures the emotional landscape of displacement, hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Saturday, May 31
1pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Korean Traditional Music and Dance Center at McGoldrick Library (In-Person)

Immerse yourself in Korea’s rich and vibrant culture with awe-inspiring and captivating performances with the Korean Traditional Music and Dance Center! Witness the elegance and grace of a traditional Korean fan dance, feel the energy and power of a vibrant drum performance, and much more. This unique cultural experience is not to be missed! This program is made possible with support from the Korean Education Center in NY.

Saturday, May 31
2pm
McGoldrick
155-06 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing

Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble NY (In-Person)

This ensemble, led by Masayo Ishigure, features members of the Sawai Koto Academy. Their mission is to blend classical and jazz traditions, showcasing the koto (the national instrument of Japan) not only as a traditional Japanese instrument, but as a vehicle for universal expression. The ensemble has performed at numerous venues across the New York metropolitan area, the eastern United States, Hawaii, and South America. This performance will celebrate Japanese culture through a dynamic blend of music, dance, traditional attire, and more.

Saturday, May 31
3pm
Broadway
40-20 Broadway, Astoria

Fatele Dance Workshop (In-Person)

Come learn about the culture and history of Tuvalu, an island in the Polynesian sub-region of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, in this Fatele dance workshop! Tuvaluan traditional dances share similarities with those of neighboring nations Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. The Fatele, a traditional dance of Tuvalu, has been practiced for centuries and is deeply rooted in the island’s history and culture. Artist and workshop facilitator Tinai Kepa, who currently serves as First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the United Nations, will use warm-ups and Fatele exercises, along with a short choreography, to introduce the history of Tuvalu and the importance of the Fatele Dance in Tuvaluan culture.

Saturday, May 31
3pm
Richmond Hill
118-14 Hillside Avenue