Something many people may not know about the month of May is that it is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAPI Month is celebrated to teach of and honor Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders heritage and culture.
Many people or celebrities who have been known to speak out about AAPI Month or are part of the Asian-American community include Olivia Rodrigo, Auli’i Carvalio, Keanu Reeves, and Michelle Yeoh.
Major brands or companies that have done promotions for AAPI month include Warner Bros, with AAPI Month movie festivals, the NBA, Starbucks, META(Facebook), and major Taiwanese supermarket Ranch 99 Market.
By promoting and doing collaborations with AAPI businesses or AAPI content creators, many huge platforms are bolstering a new generation of AAPI recognition that wasn’t seen before.
Many people may not be aware that AAPI month takes place in May, as Mental Health Awareness month also takes place in the duration of May. This is in no way saying that one is better than the other; however, Mental Health Month is more recognized as a whole. It is very hard to find much publicity or recognition for AAPI month in Missoula for multiple reasons.
There is a very low Asian-Pacific Islander population in Montana, as Asian-Americans make up less than 2% of Missoula’s population as a whole. Because of this, it can be hard for AAPI businesses to gain traction or recognition, let alone be recognized for their heritage month.
One thing that will hopefully push acknowledgment of AAPI businesses in Missoula is the new Missoula Moonlight Market. The Missoula Midnight Market is a new Asian night market which is set to open for its first night on May 9, 2026.
Missoula is well-known for its farmers markets, but this market is special and unique to the Asian-American Pacific Islander population. Night markets are very prevalent in many Asian cultures, and to be able to bring this kind of market to Missoula is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The Moonlight Market will have many vendors. The vendors range from foods like dumplings, butter tteok, boba, and more. Other vendors that don’t offer food will be selling traditional Asian goods and products that are unique to their cultures.
The market will also have fun performances and crafts to enjoy while walking around. The market is going to be such a unique and fun experience for anyone from Missoula to enjoy, and it isn’t just limited to the Asian-American community.
Anyone is welcome to attend and the more of those who show up, the more Missoula can keep enjoying the food, treats, and goods that the market and the small AAPI businesses are selling. Anyone who is willing to help and support a community is urged to come.
On the Missoula Moonlight Market website, there is currently a section where community members are able to sign up to volunteer and help clean or set up at the Market. Another opportunity they have set up on the website is an application for performances.
If anyone is open to performing or showing off their talents at the market, the form they have provided on their site gives anyone the opportunity. Asian-American or not, applications are open to anyone of any culture or descent.
If the Missoula Moonlight Market is to gain traction, it needs to become a huge part of Missoula’s markets and nightlife. This would mean so much to the AAPI community in Montana that has struggled to thrive or find a place in a community where many people are ignorant to other cultures.
For years, the Asian American community in Missoula has been running their restaurants and selling their product and goods at the regular Missoula Farmers Market. By opening and curating a new market special to the AAPI culture it marks a new beginning for more opportunities for minority groups all around Missoula.
In order to keep the market alive or other AAPI owned businesses around Missoula, citizens will need to continue to support and shop at these businesses and continue to show support.
Some of the businesses or restaurants that are AAPI owned here in Missoula are Aiko’s Food Truck, Hana, Pearl Boba, Vietnam Noodle, all of which serve delicious meals and fun drinks.
More information about the market can or will be found on their Instagram, Facebook, or website. The market will be open on May 9, 2026 from 6-10 PM, make sure to go support and eat all of the delicious food you can, enjoy the performances, and make some crafts to show your artistic sides.
The market should be a fun experience for everyone of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. I am so excited to see what the Missoula community can do to show up for a fellow community that is less recognized.
I hope we can continue to build an understanding of different cultures and build more knowledge on how to understand each other to grow an increasingly diverse community for Missoula.
