The Ultimate Guide to Southeast Asian Festivals in New England: 2026–2027
Southeast Asian Festivals in New England: 2026–2027 Guide
New England is home to some of the largest Southeast Asian communities in the United States, and their festivals bring an extraordinary mix of food, music, dance, religious traditions and community celebrations to the region.
Lowell, Massachusetts, is especially important. Its Cambodian community has helped make the city one of New England’s most fascinating destinations for Southeast Asian culture, while Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai and other communities hold celebrations throughout Massachusetts and Maine.
This guide begins with events you can still attend in 2026, followed by the major Southeast Asian festivals to watch for in 2027.
September 2026
Harvard Square — Cambridge, Massachusetts
September 5, 2026 | 4 PM–10 PM
Harvard Square’s Asian Night Market returns for its second year with an evening of Asian food, entertainment, vendors and cultural activities.
The event is organized by the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance, bringing a strong Filipino-American presence to one of Cambridge’s best-known neighborhoods. The 2026 festival takes place along Brattle and Church Streets.
Why go: A lively evening festival that’s easy to combine with a Boston or Cambridge weekend.
Asian Night Market information
Plan Ahead: 2027 Southeast Asian Festivals
Several of New England’s biggest Southeast Asian festivals have already completed their 2026 celebrations. Rather than leave them out—or pretend their 2027 dates have been announced—we’re including them here as 2027 events to watch.
Boston, Massachusetts
Winter 2027 | Festival Date TBA
One of the biggest Southeast Asian celebrations in New England happens right in Boston.
Tết in Boston describes itself as New England’s largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival, bringing the Vietnamese-American community together for traditional food, performances, activities and Lunar New Year traditions. The festival has also moved to a substantially larger venue at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year begins February 6, 2027, although the Boston festival may be scheduled on a nearby weekend.
Why go: One of the best opportunities in New England to experience Vietnamese food, clothing, music, dance and Lunar New Year traditions in one place.
Khmer New Year
Lowell, Massachusetts
Spring 2027 | Festival Dates TBA
Few places in New England are as closely connected with Cambodian culture as Lowell.
Khmer New Year traditionally takes place in April and is one of the most important celebrations of the year for Cambodian families. In Cambodia, the 2027 holiday is expected to fall around April 14–16; Lowell-area celebrations may occur on surrounding weekends.
Expect traditional Cambodian music and dance, Buddhist traditions, food and community gatherings throughout Lowell’s Cambodian community.
Why go: Lowell is the place to experience Cambodian culture in New England, and Khmer New Year is one of the most meaningful times to visit.
Riverbank Park — Westbrook, Maine
Spring 2027 | Date TBA
Maine’s SEAFEST grew from a Khmer New Year festival into a broader celebration of Southeast Asian heritage.
The festival brings together Maine’s Khmer, Thai, Filipino and Vietnamese communities, highlighting traditional dance, music, arts and food. The 2026 program included Khmer dance and performances from the Filipino American Samahan of Maine.
Why go: Instead of focusing on just one country, SEAFEST offers travelers an introduction to several Southeast Asian cultures in one afternoon.
Philippine Independence Day Festival
Attleboro, Massachusetts
June 2027 | Date TBA
Filipino-American communities across New England celebrate Philippine Independence Day each June.
PAMANA’s annual Massachusetts celebration traditionally combines a festival with Filipino food, live music, dance and cultural performances. The 2026 festival was held at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro and included a parade as part of the festivities.
Boston also traditionally recognizes Philippine Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony.
Why go: A great introduction to Filipino-American culture through food, music, dance and community traditions.
PAMANA New England Filipino Community
Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival
DCR Lowell Heritage State Park — Lowell, Massachusetts
August 2027 | Date TBA
This is the big one to put on your New England cultural-festival calendar.
Every third Saturday in August, the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Southeast Asian communities along the Merrimack River.
The festival features boat races, traditional blessings, Southeast Asian food, crafts, vendors and cultural performances. Organizers say the event draws approximately 20,000 people from around the country and beyond.
Cambodian, Lao, Thai and other Southeast Asian traditions are represented, reflecting the communities that have profoundly influenced modern Lowell.
Why go: The combination of riverfront boat racing, traditional performances and Southeast Asian food makes this one of the most distinctive cultural festivals in all of New England.
Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival official website
Experience Southeast Asian Culture in New England
You don’t need to travel across the world to experience Southeast Asian traditions.
Spend Lunar New Year surrounded by Vietnamese culture in Boston, experience Khmer New Year in Lowell, discover Filipino traditions during Philippine Independence Day or stand along the Merrimack River watching boats race during Lowell’s Southeast Asian Water Festival.
And don’t overlook the food. Cambodian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai and Lao cuisine are an essential part of these celebrations and one of the best reasons to build a weekend getaway around them.
For travelers interested in cultural experiences beyond New England’s traditional attractions, these festivals reveal a completely different—and incredibly vibrant—side of the region.
Always confirm festival dates, locations and schedules with the organizer before traveling, particularly for 2027 events whose exact dates have not yet been announced.
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Tags:
Southeast Asian Festivals, Cambodian Festivals, Vietnamese Festivals, Filipino Festivals, Thai Culture, Lao Culture, Khmer New Year, Tết in Boston, Lowell Massachusetts, New England Festivals, Cultural Travel, Massachusetts Festivals, Maine Festivals
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