CHICAGO, IL: The Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) hosted its 43rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on February 28, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Chicago, welcoming more than 1, 000 guests. Attendees included community leaders, business executives, elected officials, judges, artists, and members of Chicago’s diverse Asian American communities. The event is recognized as the State of Illinois’ largest Lunar New Year celebration.
The evening featured a VIP reception, Political Candidates Forum, Elected officials, Networking, Cultural performances, traditional Lion Dances, Honor Awards and delicious dinner. Former Chicago broadcaster Nancy Loo and NBC correspondent Brian Cheung served as emcees. The celebration marked more than four decades of AACC’s commitment to honoring leadership, service, and cultural excellence across the region’s Asian American communities.
Each year, one of AACC’s ten member communities serves as host. In 2026, Chicago’s Chinese Community led the celebration, highlighting its cultural heritage and welcoming the Year of the Horse which represents strength, resilience, and momentum.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, a longtime participant in the AACC events, has supported the celebration for four decades and previously hosted this event in 2020.
Apinder Singh, also known as Vic Singh, Certified Illinois Assessing Officer and Permanent Board of Review Member for Lake County, received the Indian Exemplary Community Service Award in recognition of his integrity, leadership, and decades of public service. Vic Singh is a past president and current board of governors of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago.
Ten individuals—one from each member community—were recognized as Exemplary Community Service Awardees for their lifelong dedication and impact to the Asian American community. The Youth Who Excel Awards honored emerging leaders, including Ava Kaur Silverstein, recipient of the 2026 Indian Community Youth who excel Award.
The program began at 4:30 p.m. with a VIP reception and Candidate Forum, followed by dinner and live entertainment. Guests enjoyed cultural performances and a featured appearance by internationally acclaimed magician Shin Lim, winner of America’s Got Talent.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, and City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke on the main stage and congratulated the Asian American communities for their contributions.
Deputy Consul General of India in Chicago Mr. Kriti Das Thokchom represented the Indian consulate.
This year’s theme, “Asian + American, ” commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States and celebrated the vital contributions of Asian Americans to the nation’s history and future. As Illinois’ oldest and largest pan-Asian American organization, AACC continues to serve as a unifying platform for advocacy, recognition, and community engagement.
The evening included a presentation of AACC’s highest honors. The Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award was presented to Dr. Manjeet Singh Chawla for his distinguished career in medicine and philanthropy. The Grand Asian American Sandra Otaka Memorial Award was awarded to the “Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights” organization for its longstanding leadership in advancing immigrant and refugee rights across Illinois.
The event was organized by co-chairs Anne Shaw and Dr. Karen Eng, along with Darryl Tom and Grace McKibben, AACC Board members, with dozens of volunteers, performers, and technicians with support from several sponsors.
The 43rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration reflected AACC’s enduring mission to foster unity, celebrate diversity, and strengthen the bonds that connect Chicago’s Asian American communities.