Posted:
4/22/2025 |
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Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden returns May 3 and 4 for an immersive weekend celebrating the rich history and culture of St. Louis' Chinese-American community with new musical and acrobatic performances by artists from China.
This annual festival showcases traditional and modern Chinese music, entertainment, fashion and cuisine in the beautiful venue of the Missouri Botanical Garden in spring. The festival will take place across the entire Garden campus, featuring live performances, interactive demonstrations, a food court and a Chinese marketplace.
The weekend-long celebration will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. with a performance by a 70-foot dancing dragon outside the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center, after which guests are invited to join a parade to the Cohen Amphitheater for the opening ceremony of the festival.
Held during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Chinese Culture Days is an opportunity for St. Louis' Chinese-American community to celebrate and honor its history and culture while inviting others to appreciate and learn more. This annual festival is held in collaboration with Chinese Culture and Education Services. Hundreds of community volunteers work towards producing a weekend filled with colorful Chinese pageantry, art, music and dance, history and legends and wonderful food.
New this year:
The Changchun Acrobatic Troupe: This nine-person troupe from Changchun, China, will perform jaw-dropping acrobatics at the Garden's outdoor amphitheater. The group is the largest to attend the festival in several years and will be performing stunts, juggling and balancing acts, as well as more traditional Chinese entertainment.
Musicians from St. Louis’ Sister City: The Garden will also host four renowned, traditional Chinese musicians from St. Louis' Sister City of Nanjing, China. The musicians will play traditional music, including performances by Mr. Yu Dongbo who plays and studies the oldest surviving music instrument in China—the Jiahu bone flute.
38-foot long Dragon Boat: St. Louis residents can awe at the ornate 38-foot dragon boat on display in the Central Axis ponds near the Climatron. This massive piece weighs 800 pounds and was gifted to St. Louis from its Sister City of Nanjing, China, in 2023. The dragon boat will be on public display for the first time during the festival. Originating in ancient China, the dragon boat is used in races where paddlers row in rhythmic unison to the beat of a drum, symbolizing teamwork, perseverance, and cultural heritage.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit mobot.org/events.