San Antonio is gearing up to celebrate cultural diversity with the return of the Asian Festival this weekend at La Villita Historic Arts Village, an event spotlighting the rich Asian heritage throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. Slated for Saturday, May 11, the festival, spearheaded by May Lam, is a partnership between the Asian Resource Center of San Antonio (ARCSA), the City of San Antonio, and UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC).

The Asian Festival is touted as a family-friendly celebration, featuring a wide array of hands-on activities and opportunities for cultural immersion, visitors can once again indulge in authentic cuisines, enjoy multicultural performances and educational demonstrations; they can also partake in a mix of music, games, art, fashion, and crafts they've come to expect. For those seeking the full festival experience, details and tickets are available on the event website.

Initially a humble grassroots initiative by the city's Asian community, the festival has evolved into a key component of the San Antonio cultural scene, becoming a much-anticipated event each year. As part of UTSA's ongoing commitment to cultural appreciation, the institution highlights the festival as a prime event in its observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the indispensable contributions and heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the area.

Those planning to attend should note that downtown will be bustling; street closures and likely heavy traffic will converge as several large events take place concurrently. The City has advised festivalgoers to consider public transportation, ride-sharing services, or biking and walking options—advice that's not to be taken lightly, consult Google Maps or Waze for directions, and check out the City’s Know Before You Go Downtown website for further resources and parking information before heading out.