Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs311Search all NYC.gov websites
Immigrant Heritage Celebration 2025
Download our Immigrant Heritage Social Media Toolkit
In 1613, Juan Rodriguez who originated from La Espanola was the first immigrant to arrive in New York City on a Dutch ship. For more than four hundred years since his arrival, New York City has become and continues to be a city of opportunity, resilience, and multiculturalism, shaped by the dreams and determination of NYC's diverse immigrant community.
That's why this year, MOIA's IHW campaign celebrates NYC: Built by Generations of Immigrants. Immigrant New Yorkers have transformed the city into a global capital of innovation, creativity, and progress. Pockets of the globe can be found across all five boroughs taking the shape of countless immigrant enclaves. Generations of immigrants have played a part in writing New York City's history.
About the Artist
John Dykes
Artist and illustrator J.S.Dykes has created over five thousand illustration assignments for hundreds of clients. John has garnered recognition and awards from top illustration industry associations. Among these organizations are The Museum of Illustration at The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, American Illustration, and Luerzer's Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide. Twenty-three of John's illustrations are included in the permanent collection of The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. John currently works on select illustration projects while devoting increasing time to gallery work and private commissions.
Visit John Dykes' website
Visit John Dykes' Instagram profile
April 2025
Immigrant Heritage Week 2025
The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) is proud to celebrate the 21st Annual New York City Immigrant Heritage Week which starts on Monday April 14, 2025. IHW 2025 kicks off MOIA's three-month immigrant heritage 2025 celebrations to run through June, National Immigrant Heritage Month.
June 2025
National Immigrant Heritage Month
June marks the start of National Immigrant Heritage Month and we will continue to celebrate the all the ways immigrant New Yorkers make NYC the most unique and best city in the world.
The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) will continue to highlight and promote community partner events until June 30th in honor of #ImmigrantHeritageMonth.
In 2023, our team launched MOIA's Immigrant Enclave Illustration Series as part of MOIA's Immigrant Heritage Celebration. NYC is home to 3 million immigrants and our aim with this series is to highlight the endless contributions, rich histories, and unique cultures of our city's diverse immigrant communities throughout all of the five boroughs. Since 2023, we have expanded this initiative and currently have 10 illustrations released with 11 more to be released later.
Download and share your favorite MOIA Immigrant Enclaves Illustration.
How to Celebrate with MOIA and get Involved
- Fill out MOIA's Community Partners Immigrant Heritage Week Celebration Form to submit an event to be included in MOIA's partner IHW celebrations.
- Download MOIA's Immigrant Heritage 2025 Poster from our social media toolkit.
- Download MOIA's Immigrant Enclave Illustrations
- Join MOIA and our partners celebrating immigrant heritage. See list below:
Immigrant Heritage Events
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April 14, 2025
LP21's Bomba and Plena Adult Workshops
Organization: Los Pleneros de la 21
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: 1680 Lexington Ave, Room 213, NYC, 10029.
Admission Fee: $25. Class registration and fee are required to attend. Interested participants can register for LP21's Bomba and Plena Adult Workshops online before or on site at the workshop.
About the Event: This April, dive into the rich traditions of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music and dance with Los Pleneros de la 21's adult classes. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a curious beginner, these workshops are for everyone! Drumming with Nelson 'Mateo' Gonzalez Monday, April 14 and Dancing with LeAna Lopez Tuesday, April 15. Classes are from 6-7:30pm, beginner friendly and flexible – join as many classes as you can in April!
Don't miss your chance to join Los Pleneros de la 21 this April for the final round of our 2024-2025 Bomba and Plena Adult Workshops.
NYPL's World Literature & Arts Festival
Organization: New York Public Library
Time: Various times
Location: NYPL Library Branches in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx and online
Admission Fee: Free. Register for NYPL's World Literature & Arts Festival.
About the Event: The New York Public Library's World Literature & Arts Festival brings together trailblazers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to celebrate storytelling–through books, performances, culinary traditions, and beyond–while spotlighting NYC's vibrant communities. Join the Library for free events and programs, book recommendations, and more for all ages in a range of world languages! World Literature & Arts Festival kicks off during NYC's Immigrant Heritage Week (April 13–19). Upcoming programs include "New Voices of the Bengali Diaspora: Poetry Reading & Discussion," "The New Rap Language: How Musicians Continue to Transform the Spoken Word," "World Poetry Salon: Nikola Madžirov with Becca Stevens & Patricio Ferrari," "Latinx Artists Speak: Storytelling, Making, and Belonging," "More than a Meal: Celebrating Korean Food and Community," and "Martes, 29 de abril a las 7pm | Karla Cornejo Villavicencio con Daniel Alarcón: 'Catalina' (En español | In Spanish).
April 15, 2025
NYPL's World Literature & Arts Festival
Organization: New York Public Library
Time: Various times
Location: NYPL Library Branches in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx and online
Admission Fee: Free. Register for NYPL's World Literature & Arts Festival.
About the Event:The New York Public Library's World Literature & Arts Festival brings together trailblazers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to celebrate storytelling–through books, performances, culinary traditions, and beyond–while spotlighting NYC's vibrant communities. Join the Library for free events and programs, book recommendations, and more for all ages in a range of world languages! World Literature & Arts Festival kicks off during NYC's Immigrant Heritage Week (April 13–19). Upcoming programs include "New Voices of the Bengali Diaspora: Poetry Reading & Discussion," "The New Rap Language: How Musicians Continue to Transform the Spoken Word," "World Poetry Salon: Nikola Madžirov with Becca Stevens & Patricio Ferrari," "Latinx Artists Speak: Storytelling, Making, and Belonging," "More than a Meal: Celebrating Korean Food and Community," and "Martes, 29 de abril a las 7pm | Karla Cornejo Villavicencio con Daniel Alarcón: 'Catalina' (En español | In Spanish).
LP21's Bomba and Plena Adult Classes
Organization: Los Pleneros de la 21
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location:
Admission Fee: $25. Class registration and fee are required to attend. Interested participants can register for LP21's Bomba and Plena Adult Classes online before or on site at the workshop.
About the Event: This April, dive into the rich traditions of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music and dance with Los Pleneros de la 21's adult classes. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a curious beginner, these workshops are for everyone! DRUMMING with Nelson 'Mateo' Gonzalez Monday, April 14 and DANCING with LeAna Lopez Tuesday, April 15. Classes are from 6-7:30pm, beginner friendly and flexible – join as many classes as you can in April!
National Immigration Week Immigration Workshop
Organization: Bronxworks
Time: 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Location: 236 E Tremont Ave.
Join Bronxworks for an in person immigration workshop on Know Your Rights. This workshop will be given in English and Spanish.
Admission Fee: Free
About the Event: Join Bronx Works for an in person immigration workshop on Know Your Rights. This workshop will be given in English and Spanish.
April 16, 2025
Celebrating Chinese Culture: Virtual Concert
Organization: Concerts in Motion
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Virtual. Sign up at Concerts in Motion's event page
Admission Fee: Free
About the Event: Come join Concerts in Motion for an hour of contemporary and traditional Chinese music presented by world class musicians, followed by community conversation. All are welcome; the concert is accessible via phone or via a device with internet access. A translator will be present, translating between Mandarin and Cantonese as needed. Sign up required.
MOCACREATE: Earth Day Blooms with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
Organization: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: 215 Centre St, New York, NY 10013
Admission Fee: Free. RSVP for Earth Day Blooms with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
About the Event: Join Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and teaching artist Yu Rong in celebrating Earth Day and the nature all around us while learning how to quill! Quilling, or rolled paper art, is a wonderful way to explore different textures in our art. Roll, twist, and curl recycled paper strips to create cheerful flowers, buzzing bees, and bright springtime scenes. Paint, build, craft, and collage with us! Inspired by the museum's exhibitions and local artists, MOCACREATE explores different themes every month. MOCACREATE workshops are designed with families in mind, but all are welcome!
April 17, 2025
Fist Up Film Festival at the Loisaida Center
Organization: Loisaida, Inc. & FistUpTV
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Loisaida Center - 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Admission Fee: Free. Sign up for the Fist Up Film Festival at the Loisaida Center
About the Event: The Fist Up Film Festival highlights films that connect local and global struggles, creating a space for dialogue and social change. This year's theme, "Legacy and Ancestral Knowledge", explores the ties between art and activism, showcasing stories that challenge injustice and amplify marginalized voices. Through diverse perspectives–from immigrant rights to environmental justice–the festival fosters unity, empowerment, and tangible action.
By centering untold narratives, the festival inspires audiences to engage critically with the world and become agents of change. It bridges art and advocacy, encouraging communities to learn, resist, and reimagine a more equitable future.
April 19, 2025
Bengali New Year 1432 Celebration with rally and performances
Organization: Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA)
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Queens Center 90-15 Queens Boulevard
Admission Fee: Free. Sign up for the Bengali New Year 1432 Celebration
About the Event: Join Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) for a vibrant Bengali New Year celebration! Enjoy a lively rally inside the mall featuring mask figures, traditional Rickshaw, dance performances, and live music.
Power Up Health Fair
Organization: RaisingHealth Partners
Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Asian Community Center: 746 61st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Admission Fee: Free
About the Event: RaisingHealth will be holding our free Power Up Health Fair on Saturday, April 19th from 12-3pm at the Asian Community Center (746 61st Street, Brooklyn). We're gathering a wide variety of local partners to offer health screenings, health and social service resources, food, and family activities! You don't want to miss this exciting event.
MOCACREATE: Earth Day Blooms with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
Organization: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: 215 Centre St, New York, NY 10013
Admission Fee: Free. RSVP for Earth Day Blooms
About the Event: Join Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) in celebrating Earth Day and the nature all around us while learning how to quill! Quilling, or rolled paper art, is a wonderful way to explore different textures in our art. Roll, twist, and curl recycled paper strips to create cheerful flowers, buzzing bees, and bright springtime scenes.
Chinese Theatre Works: Puppet Show Celebrating the Chinese Zodiac
Organization: Queens Public Library
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Admission Fee: Free. Sign up for Chinese Theatre Works: Puppet Show Celebrating the Chinese Zodiac
About the Event: In partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Hearst Foundation and Chinese Theatre Works, Queens Public Library is hosting a puppet show."Hao Bang Ah!" is a common Chinese expression meaning "Great!" or "Well done!" Each year, Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year season with an original "budaixi" traditional Chinese glove-puppetry production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year's show stars the Snake, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well-known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Special guests include the Lady White Snake and other all-star members of the zodiac puppet ensemble. A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to all audience members.
「好棒啊！」是一句常见的中文表达，意思是「太棒了！」或「做得好！」每年，美华剧坊都会以原创的布袋戏–传统中国木偶表演，庆祝农历新年，并以十二生肖为主题。 今年的演出由蛇担任主角，带来一场生动有趣的表演，包括精彩的木偶短剧、舞蹈、流行歌曲和广为人知的中国俗语，展现生肖动物的智慧与幽默。特别嘉宾包括白蛇和其他十二生肖木偶明星的登场。 演出结束后，观众可参与一个互动的木偶体验活动，使这一双语文化体验更具趣味性和包容性，适合所有观众
Celebrate Bengali New Year and Eid with Joy and Togetherness!
Organization: Queen Public Library
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: 250-06 Hillside Avenue, Bellerose, NY 11426
Phone: 718-831-8644
Admission Fee: Free. No registration required
About the Event: Join Queens Public Library (QPL) for a vibrant cultural event featuring traditional musical performances, modern dances, heartfelt poetry and recitations. As they welcome the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh), let's, also, embrace the festive spirit of Eid with unity and celebration. This event is to observe Bangladesh's rich traditions and shared joys. All are welcome! This program is made possible by the Queens Public Library Foundation, The Pickman Foundation, and our individual donors.
একটি উজ্জ্বল সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানে আমাদের সঙ্গে যোগ দিন, যেখানে থাকছে ঐতিহ্যবাহী সঙ্গীত পরিবেশনা, আধুনিক নৃত্য এবং কবিতা আবৃত্তি। আসুন আমরা একসাথে বাংলা নববর্ষ (পহেলা বৈশাখ) এবং উৎসবমুখর ঈদকে একসাথে স্বাগত জানাই। বাংলাদেশের সমৃদ্ধ ঐতিহ্য ও ঈদের আনন্দকে ও সম্মিলিত ভাবে উদযাপন করি।
For more information visit QPL's webpage on Celebrate Bengali New Year and Eid with Joy and Togetherness!
April 24, 2025
The Art of the Short Story: Lydia Millet on Atavists with Jenny Offill
Organization: The Center For Fiction
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Location: 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Admission Fee: $10 in person, $5 virtual. Click here for the Center For Fiction tickets
About the Event: The Center for Fiction is thrilled to welcome Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet to celebrate the release of her new collection of short fiction, Atavists. Millet will be joined by long-time friend, novelist, and editor Jenny Offill (Dept. of Speculation).
Atavists follows families, couples, and loners alike as they navigate the trials and tribulations of contemporary middle-class America. From an underachieving young bartender to an empty-nester determined to host refugees in his backyard, Millet's characters reveal the broad spectrum of heartbreak and joy we all experience in an age of overwhelm. Join for a powerful conversation about human error, grand emotion, and innate urges of all kinds, skillfully compressed into the short story form. Millet will sign books after the event.