Previous Events
AAPI events in the region from various organizations
The Japanese Cultural Fair is holding a design contest to create artwork for the 2023 Japanese Cultural Fair. Entries due by March 3, 2023.
Please find the entry form here.
Last year's Japanese Cultural Fair artwork
Come say 'hello' - we will have a table at the Filipino American History Month Festival
Saturday, Oct 1, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St, Watsonville, CA
See local playwright Spike Wong's piece: White Sky, Falling Dragon. Aug 26-Sep 4
Previous Events
Saturday April 15, 2022 to Saturday May 14, 2022
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
“Remembering 1882“ The date of the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act, prohibiting Chinese immigration to the U.S. Exhibit from the Chinese Historical Museum in San Francisco to be on display at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
April 30, 2022 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Chautauqua Hall, 16th Street & Central Ave, Pacific Grove
“Stop AAPI Hate: The Point Alones Chinese Fishing Village & Intergenerational Trauma” This talk is about the Point Alones fishing village which was in Pacific Grove and its destruction in tragic fire in 1906 after 53 years of existence.
Russell Jeung PhD, San Francisco State; Fishing Village Descendant and co-founder of the Stop Asian Hate movement will be making a presentation on Saturday April 30, 2022.
Friday May 13, 2022, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Chautauqua Hall, 16th Street & Central Ave, Pacific Grove
“They Came Across the Sundown Sea: Honoring the Chinese pioneers and their inspiration and legacies on the shores of Monterey Bay”
Sandy Lydon is a writer, teacher, and historian who has published several books on local history. For a short time he was also a weather man on KCBA. He wrote the book Chinese Gold the best history of Chinese in California. He continues to teach classes on local history through Cabrillo College.
Saturday May 14, 2022, 11:00 am till 12:00 pm
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Abalone! By Bowen Lee
Abalone! is a story of the history of the many cultures for whom abalone have been an important source of food and commerce here in the Monterey Bay. This mollusk with the beautiful shell has been valued by Native, Chinese, Japanese, and European Americans for centuries. In bringing this treasured shellfish back from near extinction, scientists are looking to the past at the sustainable harvesting of Native peoples and Chinese fishers. Listen to the stories of this celebrated sea snail with the rainbow shell.
Saturday May 14, 2022, 1:00 - 4:30 pm
“Walk of Remembrance”
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Stanford Hopkins Marine Station.
Honoring the life and legacy of Gerry Low-Sabado, a descendant of Quock Mui and Quock Tuck Lee of the Chinese fishing village at Point Alones, for her work to bring recognition of Chinese contributions to Pacific Grove and achieve “Change with Kindness." Performance by Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team.
Saturday May 21, 2022, 11am-5pm
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
155 South River Street
Santa Cruz County’s first annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Festival will be held on May 21, 2022, 11am-5pm, in a free public event with speakers, music, workshops, and food vendors at the 418 Project on 155 South River St, Santa Cruz. Additionally, there will be art displays and exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History during the month of May.
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 11am-6pm
103 Emmett St, Santa Cruz
The purpose of the Japanese Cultural Fair is to provide an opportunity for the community to increase its awareness and understanding of Japanese culture. We believe that through increased education and exposure to the culture of Japan, we can help to improve mutual understanding among neighbors of the Pacific Rim and enrich the community of Santa Cruz.
Sunday, March 20, 2022 2-4pm
305 Evergreen St, Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz
AAPI Community Connection and Healing Event
Purpose of the event:
Recognizing those who have been affected by Anti-Asian Hate in this last year, and to commemorate the victims of Atlanta in March 2021.
Values of the event:
Promote safety, belonging, significance and community connection.
Masks encouraged though not required in this outdoor event.
-Healing circles
-Inspirational speakers
-Knowledge share on facts and statistics surrounding Anti-Asian hate crimes and stories of micro and macro aggressions
-Family centered strengths based activity
Saturday, March 19, 2022 2-3pm
Watsonville City Plaza, Main Street, Watsonville
Vigil in remembrance of the people who perished in the 2021 Atlanta Shootings; also, reminder that violence against Asian Americans/Oceanians (Pacific Islanders)/ Desi Asians (South Asians) continues. The vigil will be on the Main Street sidewalk in front of the Plaza in Watsonville, Saturday, March 19, 2-3pm. Masking is appreciated, but not mandated. Bring your own placard.
If you have a AAPI event to include in this list please email and let us know.
Please include: Date, Time, Event Name, Location, Relevant Website Link, and a brief (one or two sentence) description
Email: aapisantacruz@gmail.com