Fiesta Asia Street Fair celebrates Asian culture in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Business Journals

13-05-2025

2025 marks the 20th year of Fiesta Asia in Washington, D.C. As part of the annual event, dragons, lions, karaoke and more will take over Pennsylvania Avenue NW on May 17.
The Fiesta Asia Street Fair is celebrated as the longest running, most inclusive and the largest free Pan-Asian Festival in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
'We are so excited to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We always pride ourselves on presenting our festival with authenticity, wholesomeness and accessibility. Never has Washington, D.C. or anywhere else for that matter seen so many heritages represented in the same space — or so many dragons and lions commingling on an open street,' said Wuiping Yap with the Asia Heritage Foundation.
Noticing there weren't a lot of celebratory festivals for the Asian community 20 years ago in the metropolitan area, Yap thought about how many outdoor festivities are held in Asian cultures. She also thought there was a lack of representation and understanding of the Asian heritage. She reached out to friends in her performing arts community to start the grassroots street fair and hold it right in front of the U.S. Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue. Yap and that core group of founders are still integral to the festival's organization 20 years later.
'A lot of friends and families and different community groups all lent their strength and support to the founding of the event,' she said. 'Our goal has always been and will be to preserve and promote Asian heritage and culture through arts, traditions, cuisine and way of life. We remain relevant even after 20 years because someone must do it — to create and maintain the platform for cultural heritage promotion. Also, our nimble size and like-minded partners make decision-making and creative innovations a breeze.'
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What started as one and a half stages, has grown to five stages featuring dance, martial artists, contemporary performances, group performances and Persian artists. More than 1,000 performers are expected at this year's fair.
In addition to the varied heritage programs and activities representing more than 20 cultures, there will be a special parade featuring more than 10 fiery dragons and 20 lions; a karaoke duel on the latest Asian pop songs; a neko cosplay challenge (a cat-like costume play); and many more exciting activities.
'The Fiesta Asia Street Fair is a hallmark event of Passport DC, taking place during International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, D.C.,' said Angie M. Gates, president and CEO of Events DC. 'This lively festival showcases Asian culture and is part of a series of events this month that celebrate the diverse local, national and international communities in our nation's capital. We invite residents and visitors alike to join us in experiencing this fair and to explore our vibrant global city.'
A brand-new tradition for this year's Fiesta Asia is an inaugural cook-off battle for the public to show off their best ramen, demonstrate their dumpling wrapping skills or sushi rolling talents. Festival organizers will have all the tools and ingredients necessary for festival goers to sign up on the spot. The public also can learn how to do a dragon dance, a unique opportunity for participants.
'Come in as a group or company to adopt a dragon and have an experience,' Yap said. 'Who doesn't want to be able to say, 'I did a dragon dance down Pennsylvania Avenue?''
She added, 'Everyone is welcome to partake as a dragon performer or simply come as a cheering spectator. Do not miss the opportunity to celebrate Asian heritage with us.'