More than 15,000 visitors pack out the Asia-Pacific New Year Celebration 2026 in the United States
Tacoma, Washington – More than 15,000 visitors, mostly Americans, crowded the iconic Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, as part of the Asia Pacific New Year Celebration 2026, with Nusantara culture once again acting as a magnet for attendees. Participants from around 47 Asia-Pacific countries took part in the event, this year’s edition staged by Cambodia on 28 February.
Indonesia’s participation was realised through the collaboration between the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco (KJRI San Francisco), the Indonesian Cultural Association (ICA) Tacoma, and the Seattle-Surabaya Sister City Association (SSSCA). Indonesia showcased not only arts and traditions but also its cultural wealth, from dance performances to traditional cuisine and promotions of travel destinations.
“Cultural heritage is not only something we preserve in a museum, but something we share through music, movement, flavours, stories, and direct encounters as neighbours, friends, and members of a community,” said Consul General Yohpy Ichsan Wardana in a press release from KJRI San Francisco on Wednesday (4 March).
In the event, Indonesia featured a food stall and a tourism stand. At the food stall, visitors were offered the warm West Java drink wedang bajigur, accompanied by performances of Indang and Baralek Gadang from West Sumatra, and Bajidor Kahot from West Java.
On the tourism front, KJRI San Francisco teamed up with Singapore Airlines and Majestic Vacations to promote five priority Indonesian destinations: Borobudur, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang.
“In a world that feels increasingly divided, events like this are vital to building understanding, fostering trust, and reminding us that diversity is not a challenge to be managed, but a strength to be celebrated,” said Yohpy.
Visitors were particularly enthusiastic, with the draw for a return flight Seattle–Indonesia drawing a winner: a young mother and former expatriate fluent in Indonesian.
At the close of the event, Indonesia was named host of the 29th Asia Pacific New Year Celebration in 2027. The Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco described the appointment as an important milestone for strengthening the role of the diaspora and Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy in western United States.
KJRI invited all Asia-Pacific communities to reunite and celebrate cross-cultural friendship next year. The event itself is a flagship programme of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, now in its 28th year, and serves as an annual gathering bringing together Asia-Pacific communities in the spirit of friendship, unity, and cross-cultural understanding.
KJRI San Francisco hopes active Indonesian participation in the event broadens understanding among Americans and Asia-Pacific communities of Indonesia’s rich culture and inspires them to explore Indonesia’s destinations.