Best time to go to Ohio

Asian Festival 2024

One of the most popular ethnic festivals in Central Ohio

Dates: May 25-26, 2024

The annual Asian Festival is held on Memorial Day Weekend in Columbus, Ohio, celebrating the heritage of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Visitors of the event, held in Franklin Park, are entertained with Asian music, dance, interactive art demonstration, Tai chi, martial arts, games, and excellent food. There is​ a special children's area, a job fair and a market place with dozens of vendors. Showcasing cultural diversity the festival has proved to be a big success since its inaugural year of 1995. The Asian Festival attracts about 100,000 attendees every year.

Dragon Boat race at Westbank Park is the major highlight of the Asian Festival. It started in 2010 with just two boats and two teams and has grown into more than 20 competing crews. Dozens of volunteers and supporters of the Asian Festival help to stage the event. A dragon boat is a long canoe, decorated with a dragon head and a dragon tail. A drummer sits on the front setting the rhythm and directing the paddlers while a steersman in the rear end guides the boat. When paddlers stir in unison, it resembles a dragon flying over the water–hence the name.

If you plan arriving at the festival by car, there are numerous parking options, such as A. Wolfe Park, C. East High School, and E. Care Point East. Please keep in mind that Columbus gets extremely busy during the festival dates, so you may want to book your housing there beforehand.

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Last updated: by Dari Vasiljeva