The Charlotte Asian Festival is the highlight of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Charlotte Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, May 16 marks the 26th Charlotte Asian Festival and the 21st anniversary of the Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s top May events, the Charlotte Asian Festival returns for Saturday, May 16 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman. Organized by the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC), Charlotte Dragon Boat Association (CDBA), Asian American Foundation for the Carolinas (publisher of AsiaCarolinas.org), Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and Visit Lake Norman, and supported by sponsors, vendors, and volunteers, the annual festival honors Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month with a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and unity.
This FREE annual family-oriented event is a celebration of Asian cultures. The festival welcomes the Asian and non-Asian community in and around Mecklenburg County and throughout the Carolinas.
Festival Highlights
Parade of Nations – A colorful kick-off featuring Charlotte’s Asian communities.
“The Search” for The Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts – Now in its 6th year, this juried contest, founded by Dr. Nini Bautista, showcases top-tier talent.
Marketplace & Street Food – An expanded vendor area featuring retail, cultural immersion, wellness, kids' crafts, and authentic Asian cuisine.
Dragon Boat Race – North Carolina’s largest team event marks its 21st anniversary with new race divisions.
The first Asian Festival was organized under the leadership of Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun in 2000 at Marshall Park in uptown Charlotte. The purpose of the Festival was to unite all Asian communities in the Charlotte to celebrate the Asian-Pacific Heritage Month of May. Attendance at the Festival continued to grow in the ensuing years, drawn by the colorful and diverse cultural presentations, food, and retail selections. After a few years at the then-Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) Atrium, the Asian Festival moved to its current location at Ramsey Creek Park in 2006 to accommodate the new Dragon Boat Festival Race. The combined festivals continue to grow as the Carolinas’ premier Asian cultural event.
The Dragon Boat race is an exciting team competition. An important part of the Chinese traditional calendar, Dragon Boat racing originated over 2,300 years ago on the life-sustaining rivers of southern China.
Visit the Charlotte Asian Festival & Dragon Boat Festival web site >