Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2025

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is honored to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout May. Learn more about upcoming events and support AAPI-owned businesses in Illinois by checking out the business directories below.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Kickoff & Business Expo
Wednesday | May 1, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | In-person
BMO Bank
320 South Canal Street, 17^th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606

Presented by OCA Greater Chicago and Asian American Coalition of Chicago, with support from Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Asian American Executive Network, BMO, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and many more organizations.
 

Online with OE3 - Overview of Financial Capital Resources
Wednesday | May 7, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Virtual

Access to financial capital, such as grants and loans, is crucial for business growth. Join OE3's Business Development Managers for an online conversation and get the latest updates on financial resources, federal, state, and local government programs, as well as other opportunities. You can ask us anything about your business in English or Spanish. Don't miss out! In honor and celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, the May Online with OE3 will also feature additional resources for AAPI-owned businesses and future founders.

AAPI Heritage Month: Asian Night Market
presented by Oakton College
Friday | May 9, 2025 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Oakton College - Des Plaines Campus
1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
 

28th Annual Asian American Showcase
presented by The Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM)
May 16 – 22, 2025 | EVENT | THEATER
The Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
 

Umbrella Arts Festival 2025
presented by Evanston ASPA
Saturday | May 31, 2025 | 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Fountain Square
1601 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
 

2025 AAPI Restaurants Week
presented by OCA Greater Chicago
May 16 – 25, 2025
Showcasing AAPI-owned restaurants all around the Chicago region

• To support women-owned businesses in Illinois, including AAPI women-owned businesses in Illinois, click here to check out the directory list on page 12 in the Connecting HER to Illinois Business Resources Guide.
• Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois' Business Directory | link (Click here to add your business to the community directory)
• Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce's Business Directory | link
• Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago’s Member Directory | link
• OCA Greater Chicago’s list of AAPI-owned restaurants, food trucks, cafes, bakeries, etc. | link
• Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago’s Business Directory | link
• South Asian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois' (SACCIL) Business Directory | link
• Thai Illinois Chamber of Commerce's Member Directory | link
• AAPI Chicago restaurants list, powered by Choose Chicago | link

Asian American Resource Directory
powered by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (AACCIL)

AAPI Community Events | Chicago Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Calendar
powered by the Chicago Asian Network (CAN)

How to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Chicago
By: Choose Chicago

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
By: The Library of Congress

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May 2025 – Census Stats
By: United States Census Bureau