Old Town Fairfax’s Asian Festival on Main returns on May 17 to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For one day only, attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of Asian cuisines, including Thai, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian dishes, along with live music and dance performances.
Since its inception, Asian Festival on Main has always centered on community and connection. Entirely run by volunteers, Asian Festival on Main is organized in close partnership with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association, the City of Fairfax, and over 100 local sponsors and vendors for a true community effort.
“A group of local business owners in Old Town Fairfax came together to create something positive in response—a festival to celebrate Asian culture and bring the community together in our own backyard,” says Jinson Chan, the Asian Festival on Main co-chair.
Each year, Asian Festival on Main strives to expand in scope, offering a wider variety of vendors and performers to highlight Virginia’s Asian diaspora.
“I am especially excited about the depth of programming this year. From the Unity Stage performances to our headlining act INFUSION, there is a strong mix of traditional and contemporary cultural expression,” says Chan. “One of the biggest additions is The Hungry Immigrant LIVE, which brings a live podcast experience to the festival. It features conversations with chefs and community voices exploring Asian food culture, identity, and the evolving culinary landscape in the DMV, including Chef Tim Ma, Chef Erik Bruner-Yang, Chef Patrice Cleary, and Mya Yn, moderated by Chef Dr. Abang Brian.”
The festival, in celebration of the Year of the Horse, will be selling themed shirts and include a mini horse petting zoo to bring this year’s zodiac to life. The fan-favorite lion and dragon dances performed by the Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe, free karaoke, a Cosplay Runway, and a beer garden will also return for Asian Festival on Main’s largest event yet.
“People see the festival as something that belongs to them. It is not just an event they attend, but something they look forward to and bring their families and friends to each year,” says Chan. “I hope people leave with a deeper appreciation for the diversity of Asian cultures and a stronger sense of connection to the community. Whether it is through food, performances, or conversations, the goal is for people to experience something meaningful.”
This article is a Virginia Living digital exclusive. All photos courtesy of Fairfax’s Asian Festival on Main.
