Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is here and events are happening throughout the Pittsburgh area. This celebration was born in 1979, when President Carter issued a proclamation designating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week to celebrate the significant role Asian-Pacific Americans have played in building American society through contributions to the sciences, arts, industry, government and commerce.
This weeklong celebration took place in May each year until 1990, when President George H.W. Bush designated May 1990 as the first Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. This year, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council has announced that theme for AANHPI Month is “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.”
Year-round, Pittsburgh families can explore the Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Philippine rooms at the University of Pittsburgh (details here). And during AANHPI Month, you’ll find kid-friendly and family-friendly events happening at a range of places:
Thursday, May 7: Teen Time: Korean Schoolyard Games at CLP Hill District, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This Teen Time program, planned as part of CLP’s AANHPI Heritage Month 2026 programming, will give participants a chance to play some popular Korean schoolyard games and learn to appreciate a different culture and values. Details here.
Teen Times: Korean Schoolyard Games will also be happening:
May 9, 3:30 p.m. at CLP Woods Run, details here
May 12, 4 p.m. at CLP Woods Run, details here
May 13, 4 p.m. at CLP Homewood, details here
May 19, 3:30 p.m. at CLP Squirrel Hill, details here
May 28, 4 p.m. at CLP Mt. Washington, details here
Friday, May 8: Teen Time: Jade Snow Wong-Inspired Ceramics at CLP Lawrenceville, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This Teen Time program will help teens learn the history of and significance of ceramics in AANHPI culture, focusing on the work of Chinese American ceramicist Jade Snow Wong, while also learning how to make pottery with air-dry clay. Details here.
Teen Time: Jade Snow Wong-Inspired Ceramics will also be happening:
May 13, 3:30 p.m.at CLP Carrick, details here
May 13, 4 p.m. at CLP Brookline, details here
May 14, 5 p.m. at CLP West End, details here
May 21, 3:30 p.m. at CLP East Liberty, details here
May 21, 4 p.m. at CLP Hill District, details here
May 28, 4 p.m. at CLP Knoxville, details here
Saturday, May 9: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration at the Kamin Science Center, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Kamin Science Center is prepared to help local families understand the important role of indigenous people in Pittsburgh and beyond this month. Join the cultural celebration with themed activities. This event is included with general admission.
Chinese Library for Children photo courtesy of Remake Learning Days.
Sunday, May 10: Playful Early Learning: Multicultural Storytime & Interactive Crafts at the Chinese Library for Children, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Discover the joy of bilingual reading at this free Remake Learning Days event for early learners ages 2 to 5. It will feature an interactive Chinese/English story time, followed by a fun craft inspired by the book. Build early literacy and motor skills in a playful, multicultural setting. All are welcome. Details here.
Monday, May 11: Teen Time: Yuken Teruya – Kirgami & Environmentalism at CLP Sheraden, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m
This Teen Time program will help teens learn about Japanese artist Yuken Teruya, the Japanese paper folding and cutting technique kirigami, and recycled art. Details here.
Tuesday, May 12: Kids Club: Ruth Asawa Sculptures, at CLP East Liberty 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ruth Asawa combined her observations of nature with things she learned in hardship to create unique art that inspired many other artists. Children will learn about Asawa’s life and how her experiences with racism and sexism shaped her work, as they create their own sculpture inspired by her art. Details here.
Kids Club: Ruth Asawa Sculptures will also be happening:
May 15, 4 p.m. at CLP Lawrenceville, details here
May 20, (we’re confirming the time) at CLP West End, details here
May 21, 3:30 p.m. at CLP Downtown, details here
May 26, 4:30 p.m. at CLP Carrick, details here
May 28, 4 p.m. at CLP Woods Run, details here
May 28, 4:30 p.m. at CLP Beechview, details here
Wednesday, May 13: Teen Time: Wasōbon: Japanese Book Binding at CLP Oakland, 3 p.m.to 4 p.m.
This Teen Time program will help teens think about the contributions of Chinese and Japanese ancient traditions into book binding and bookmaking and learn how to create a notebook using the four-hole Japanese book binding technique. Details here.
Teen Time: Wasōbon: Japanese Book Binding will also be happening:
Wednesday, May 13: Teen Time: Shadow Puppet Dragons at CLP Allegheny, 4 p.m.to 5 p.m.
This Teen Time program will help teens explore the cultural significance of dragons in various Asian traditions and learn about a form of entertainment that dates back centuries in Chinese culture. Teens will learn about traditional Chinese shadow plays and make their own moveable shadow puppet dragon. Details here.
Teen Time: Shadow Puppet Dragons will also be happening:
Wednesday, May 13: Kids Club: Astronaut Kalpana Chawla at CLP South Side, 4 p.m.to 5 p.m.
Kids will learn about astronaut Kalpana Chawla and her legacy as the first woman of Indian descent in space. They will then design their own NASA mission patch, drawing inspiration from their own life and interests to create a unique design. Details here.
Kids Club Astronaut Kalpana Chawla will also be happening:
May 14, 4 p.m. at CLP Woods Run, details here
May 16, 3:30 p.m. at CLP Oakland, details here
May 19, 4 p.m. at CLP Homewood, details here
May 19, 4 p.m. at CLP Allegheny, details here
May 20, 4 p.m. at CLP Knoxville, details here
May 21, 4:30 p.m. at CLP Hazelwood, details here
May 26, 4 p.m. at CLP East Liberty, details here
May 26, 4:30 p.m. at CLP Mt. Washington, details here
Wednesday, May 13: Teen Time: AANHPI Poetry at CLP Hazelwood, 5 p.m.to 6 p.m.
This Teen Time program will help teens gain understanding of the variety of poetic forms that exist across AANHPI cultures and learn about the rules and structures needed to create these poetic forms. Teens will express themselves through poetry during this program. Details here.
Teen Time: AANHPI Poetry is also happening:
Westmoreland Museum of Art photo courtesy of Remake Learning Days.
Sunday, May 17: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration at the Westmoreland Museum of Art, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This free drop-in event, part of the Remake Learning Days festival, invites families to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at The Westmoreland with a vibrant day of cultural discovery, creativity, and community connection. Experience dynamic live performances that bring powerful stories and traditions to life, and explore hands-on art activities designed for participants of all ages. Throughout the day, families can engage with the rich histories, artistic expressions, and cultural contributions that honor and uplift AAPI communities. Details here.
Monday, May 26: Teen Time: Yuken Teruya – Kirgami & Environmentalism, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This Teen Time program will help teens learn about Japanese artist Yuken Teruya, the Japanese paper folding and cutting technique kirigami, and recycled art. Details here.
Teen Time: Yuken Teruya – Kirgami & Environmentalism will also be happening