May 2026 Newsletter
Asian Night Market Festival Earns 2nd Place in USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
We are thrilled to announce that the Asian Night Market Festival was named the #2 Best Night Market in the United States in the 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!
This national recognition is an incredible honor and reflects the passion, creativity, and hard work of the entire Oklahoma City community. Competing alongside renowned night markets from across the country, the Asian Night Market Festival was recognized for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse food offerings, cultural performances, local vendors, and celebration of Asian cultures and traditions.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our attendees, volunteers, performers, vendors, sponsors, partners, and planning committee members who continue to help the festival grow year after year.
What began as a community celebration has quickly become one of Oklahoma City’s most anticipated annual events and a destination experience that showcases the richness and diversity of the Asian community in Oklahoma.
Thank you to everyone who voted, shared, attended, and supported the festival. We are proud to represent Oklahoma City on a national stage and excited for what’s ahead for the 2026 Asian Night Market Festival!
Asian Night Market Festival Honored with Visit OKC’s 2026 Hometown Heroes Award
We are incredibly honored to share that the Asian Night Market Festival was recognized as a recipient of the 2026 Hometown Heroes Award by during an awards ceremony held on May 5, 2026, at the Jones Assembly.
Presented during National Travel and Tourism Week, the Hometown Heroes Awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on Oklahoma City’s tourism industry through leadership, collaboration, hospitality, and community ambassadorship.
The Asian Night Market Festival was recognized alongside several outstanding community leaders and organizations from across the city. Hosted by local personality, the evening highlighted the people and events helping shape Oklahoma City into a vibrant and welcoming destination.
Accepting the award on behalf of the festival were Executive Director, Steve Le, and Board President, Vivian Le. Many members of the 2025 Asian Night Market Festival Planning Committee were also in attendance to celebrate the recognition and the collective effort that makes the festival possible each year.
Since its launch, the Asian Night Market Festival has grown into one of Oklahoma City’s most anticipated cultural events, bringing together thousands of attendees to experience diverse food, performances, art, and traditions from across Asia while supporting local businesses and fostering cultural connection.
We are proud to represent the Asian community and the Oklahoma City Asian District, and we look forward to continuing to grow this celebration for years to come.
Asian District Youth Board “2nd Gen” Celebrates Graduation
& Leadership Transition
On May 17, 2026, the Asian District Youth Board celebrated the graduation of its second cohort, proudly known by the students as “2nd Gen”, during a special evening at Oshiki Japan in the Plaza District.
The evening recognized a year of leadership, service, cultural celebration, and community impact led by an incredible group of high school students from across the Oklahoma City metro. From organizing the Asian Youth Empowerment Conference to supporting events throughout the Asian District, these students have demonstrated passion, creativity, and heart in everything they do.
A highlight of the evening was the passing of the “President Gavel,” as outgoing Co-Presidents Nidhi Patel (Westmoore HS) and Alicia Pham (Piedmont HS)officially passed leadership to incoming Co-Presidents Lacey Do (Piedmont HS) and Jeremiah Lim (Classen SAS) for the 2026–2027 year.
We are incredibly proud of this year’s ADYB members and grateful for the energy, leadership, and vision they brought to the program. We cannot wait to see how they continue to grow and lead in the future!
2025–2026 ADYB “2nd Gen” Cohort
Hailey Bui — Putnam City High School
Darleen Dang — Moore High School
Bryan Ding — Edmond North High School
Lacey Do — Piedmont High School
Hanson Duong — Piedmont High School
Hannah Joo — Norman North High School
Jonathan Joseph — Yukon High School
Nathan Lee — Casady School
Claire Linkous — Putnam City North High School
Kaitlyn Luong — Crossings Christian School
Marley Reyna — Deer Creek High School
Reigne Mayo — Western Heights High School
Lily Nguyen — Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
Natasha Nguyen — Harding Charter Preparatory High School
Nidhi Patel — Westmoore High School
Gouri Patel — Westmoore High School
Alicia Pham — Piedmont High School
Sunya Phoutthavong — Yukon High School
Mia Statler — Westmoore High School
Amandy Thammavongsa — Mustang High School
Amarachi Ude — Mount St. Mary Catholic High School
Julie Vo — Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
Jeremiah Yim — Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast
Joshua Yim — Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast
Congratulations, ADYB 2nd Gen! 🎉
Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with Us
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month — a time to celebrate the cultures, stories, traditions, and contributions that continue to shape our community and our city.
At the Asian District Cultural Association, we are proud to create spaces where culture is celebrated, youth are empowered, small businesses are supported, and community connections thrive year-round. From the Asian Night Market Festival to youth leadership programs, cultural events, and community outreach, every program is made possible because of supporters like you.
This month, we invite you to celebrate with us by making a donation to support our mission of promoting and preserving the diverse cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in Oklahoma City.
Your support helps us:
Empower the next generation of leaders through the Asian District Youth Board
Produce cultural events and festivals that bring thousands together
Support local Asian-owned businesses and artists
Expand educational and community programming throughout the year
No gift is too small — every contribution helps us continue building a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community.
Thank you for celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with us and for investing in the future of the Asian District and the communities we serve. 💛
OKC Zoning Survey:
Have a Say In Your Neighborhood
You may have heard that OKC is working to update its outdated zoning code. Our city is growing and a new development code will better reflect the character of our neighborhoods today and guide how we grow in the future.
At this phase of the effort, we are focused on the urban core of the city, the area designated as Urban Medium — roughly between I-35 and I-44, east to west, and NW 63rd and SW 59th, north to south.
Please take the video-guided survey to learn about proposed zoning code updates and share your feedback. The video walks through the proposed changes step by step so you can better understand how they may affect your neighborhood. The feedback we receive through this survey will help us determine the right rules for the right places.
Start with the video, then follow the instructions to complete the survey. The video and survey are designed to work together, so you will need to toggle between them on your device or browser.
Both the video and survey are available on the zoning updates page. Thank you for taking a few minutes to help shape the future of your neighborhood.
2026 Vendor Applications Open!
Vendor applications for the 2026 Asian Night Market Festival are open!
Join us on October 2–3, 2026, as the Asian District comes alive with incredible food, shopping, performances, and cultural experiences from across Asia. We’re looking for dynamic food and retail vendors to help create one of Oklahoma City’s most anticipated community events.
🛍️ 2026 Festival Hours
Friday | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
This year, we’re expanding Saturday hours to give vendors even more time to engage with guests and showcase what they offer throughout the day and evening festivities.
With thousands of attendees expected, vendor spots are highly competitive and space is limited. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance, as vendors will be selected based on festival needs, variety, and space availability.
Interested in being part of the 2026 festival? Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2026, and include important information regarding eligibility, requirements, and booth pricing.
Upcoming Events
AANHPI Collective History Day | ASO Asian Festival
Asian Society of Oklahoma Festival will be Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Oklahoma History Center!
Come join in celebrating this year’s Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Heritage month! You can expect to see cultural performances, educational booths, ASO Royalty Pageant and food trucks.
July 24:
Heart of the District Dinner
Join us as we reflect on our 2025 Impact, share stories of growth, and honor the individuals & organizations who help our community thrive.
Enjoy an inspiring evening filled with meaningful connections, delicious food, and a special cultural performance by KAPWA OKC.
We will be recognizing our 2026 Honorees:
Legacy Lantern Honorees: Nathan & Scarlet Cao
Asian District Anchor Honoree: Grand House
Cultural Luminary Honoree: KAPWA OKC
Cheers to a great year ahead,
Asian District Cultural Association
