It’s hard to believe AsiaFest has only been around since 2022. Back then, it was a small community celebration with just 10 vendors.
“Today, it is one of Edmonton’s largest Asian cultural festivals, with over 120 vendors expected this year,” according to Kippy Cheung, the festival’s marketing director. In addition to food stalls, there are artists, performers and community organizations represented. The Asian night market is held to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, “one of the most important cultural celebrations across many Asian communities, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and several Southeast Asian cultures,” Cheung says.
Each year, the festival has welcomed more visitors, expanded its programming and created more opportunities for local businesses, artists, performers and community organizations to connect with the public.
There are more than 20 performances over three days on the main stage in 2026. These performers include lion dancers, musicians, breakdancers, vocalists, drummers and even a magician. And of course, there’s food everywhere, from Indonesian satays to Cantonese dumplings to Filipino kikiam.
This year, the festival has a moon theme. “The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, symbolizing reunion, harmony, gratitude and prosperity,” Cheung says. “Families traditionally gather to admire the moon, enjoy mooncakes and celebrate with lanterns. In fact, the lantern featured in the AsiaFest logo reflects this tradition and has been part of our identity from the beginning.”
“For many immigrants and newcomers, the Mid-Autumn Festival can also be an emotional time, as it reminds people of family and loved ones who may be thousands of miles away,” Cheung says. “The moon is something everyone shares, no matter where they are in the world.”
“We wanted to create something vibrant and uplifting for the city — a place where people could come together, reconnect and celebrate the diversity that makes Edmonton special.” Cheung adds that another purpose of the festival was to create opportunities for newcomer entrepreneurs and small businesses.
And it just keeps growing.
“What makes me most proud is seeing how the festival has evolved into a community event that many Edmontonians look forward to every year.” Cheung hopes visitors leave feeling more connected to their neighbours.
“I hope that in 10 years, AsiaFest will be recognized as one of Canada’s premier multicultural festivals and a signature annual event for Edmonton.”
AsiaFest
Windermere | Sept. 25 to 27, from 2 to 11 p.m. | Currents of Windermere | asiafestyeg.ca
