In 1912, then mayor of Tokyo Yukio Ozaki gifted 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington, DC. Every year from mid-March to early April, the pink blossoms draws millions of visitors to the US capital to celebrate the transient beauty of life and Japanese culture.

Celebrating the beginning of the lunar new year in January and/or February, Chinese Americans hang red lanterns throughout Chinatowns. Firecrackers and traditional performances featuring dancers in dragon costumes are also part of the 15-day long festivities. (Mina) 

Originally celebrated to mark the victory of Mexicans over French troops in Puebla in May 1862, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican-American communities and their culture across the USA. The festivities feature mariachi bands and dancers in traditional attires. Female dancers are especially stunning in their colorful, flowing dresses. (Kira)

Skulls in all sizes, colors, often painted with flowers, and even baked or as sweets arestaples of the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2 of each year. The festivities are rooted in indigenous and Spanish traditions in North America and were revived as part of the Chicano movement in the 1970s. (Finja)

Americans of Indian descent light “Diyas”, a small oil lamp traditionally made of clay, on Diwali, the Hindu feast of light, in November of each year. The celebration marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, welcoming prosperity and inner enlightenment. (Leonie)

In September 1957 German immigrants and German-Americans who wanted to keep the traditions of their homeland alive organized the Steuben Parade in New York City. The parade is named in honor of the Prussian officer Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794) who famously introduced rigorous military discipline to the Continental Army under General George Washington during the American War of Independence. 

Created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a pan-African first-fruit celebration in America, Kwanzaa is observed from December 26 to January 1 by lighting one new candle per day. Each candle represents distinct values of African Americans such as Unity (umoja) and Faith (imani). Furthermore, the red candles represent the bloodshed in the past, the green candles the earth, and the black candle – lit on the last day of Kwanzaa – the African people. (AB)

Mardi Gras (Day) refers to the final day of the carnival season in February of March of each year, which is originally tied to the French Catholic tradition of fasting before Lent. In New Orleans this ethnic celebration has incorporated indigenous, African, Caribbean, and Creole traditions. The colored beads given away from participants in the parades represent justice (purple) and power (gold). (Anne)

While honoring the Bavarian roots of the German Oktoberfest with Bratwurst, beer, and traditional clothing like Lederhosen and Dirndl, the celebration has been adapted to American festival culture by including competitions such as “the Running of the Wiener” in which Dachshunds in hot dog costumes race for fun and fame. (Celine)

According to legends, Ireland’s most famous saint, St. Patrick, brought Christianity to the Irish in the 5^th century when he taught the concept of the Holy Trinity with the help of the 3-leaf shamrock. Irish Americans remember the saint on March 17 every year and on that day, a majority of Americans celebrate along them with beer and an abundance of green everywhere. (Olivia)