'Explore Asia' Grand Opening Weekend
VIEW EVENT DETAILSPresented by The Ling and George Yang Family
This program has taken place. Find the event recap here »
Schedule
Friday, July 21, 2023
12–7 p.m.
Saturday, July 22, 2023
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 23, 2023
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Jump to: Friday Activities | Saturday Activities | Sunday Activities | Day-Of Information
Celebrate the grand opening of our new permanent exhibition Explore Asia! Highlighting five Asian countries across six unique experiences, Explore Asia is the only interactive learning exhibition in Texas focused specifically on Asia.
Enjoy free admission and be among the first to join an immersive journey to China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam! Travel across time and space on a virtual bullet train, learn about delicious meals and treats (and where to find them in Houston), take our stage by participating in a drumming performance, and more.
Each day in our three-day Grand Opening begins with a lively lion dance and features all-ages fun, food, and activities in celebration of the exhibition. Learn more deeply about the highlighted countries and their arts, cultures, and traditions through hands-on activities and demonstrations, and enjoy storytimes and locally-owned food trucks as part of the fun!
Admission to the Grand Opening is free; registration (online or walk-up) is required. Timed tickets are available for two-hour time slots each day. Admission to the interactive Performances Across Asia Drumming Experience is separate of general admission; tickets are limited-quantity and cost $6 per guest.
Register and Purchase Tickets Now
Opening Weekend Activities
Friday, July 21, 2023
Asia Society Texas' building is closed to the public until 12 p.m.
| 12–6:30 p.m. | Free timed entry to building and Explore Asia exhibition | Indoors |
| 12–7 p.m. | Coffee-Q food truck opens | Outdoors |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lion dance performance by Lee's Golden Dragon | Outdoors |
| 1–6 p.m. | Paid timed entry to Performances Across Asia Drumming Experience ($6 per guest) | Indoors (Theater) |
Saturday, July 22, 2023
| 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Free timed entry to building and Explore Asia exhibition | Indoors |
| 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Coffee-Q and Foreign Policy food trucks open | Outdoors |
| 10:30 a.m. | Lion dance performance by Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association | Outdoors |
| 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | SOLD OUT: Paid timed entry to Performances Across Asia Drumming Experience ($6 per guest) | Indoors (Theater) |
| Ongoing | Arts, crafts, and games by community partners | Indoors (Upstairs) |
| 4:30 p.m. | Lion dance performance by Lee's Golden Dragon | Outdoors |
Sunday, July 23, 2023
| 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Free timed entry to building and Explore Asia exhibition | Indoors |
| 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Coffee-Q and Foreign Policy food trucks open | Outdoors |
| 10:30 a.m. | Lion dance performance by Unity Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe | Outdoors |
| 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | SOLD OUT: Paid timed entry to Performances Across Asia Drumming Experience ($6 per guest) | Indoors (Theater) |
Day-Of Information
Health and Safety
Asia Society Texas Center is closed to the public on Friday, July 21, until the Grand Opening begins at 12 p.m.
Parking and Directions
Paid parking is available in Asia Society Texas' lot across Southmore Boulevard from the building. Entrances are located on Caroline and Austin Streets. Bicycle racks are available in our parking lot for no cost.
Street parking is also available. The Center is a five-minute walk from the Museum District METRO Rail Station.
Press Coverage
You can ‘Explore Asia’ with a new exhibit debuting in Houston, CW29, July 6, 2023.
Don't Miss Out on the Grand Opening of the 'Explore Asia' Exhibition Coming to the Asia Society Texas This July!, Houston on the Cheap, July 8, 2023.
Join Asia Society Texas for the free grand opening of ‘Explore Asia’, 365 Things to Do in Houston, July 12, 2023.
Wanna ride a bullet train? You can (virtually) in Houston this weekend, ABC 13, July 18, 2023.
Interactive exhibits offer a way to ‘Explore Asia’ without leaving Houston, Houston Matters, Houston Public Media, July 19, 2023.
Experience Asian Culture during the Grand Opening of ‘Explore Asia’ at Asia Society Texas, Houston Life, KPRC, July 19, 2023.
Explore 5 different Asian countries without leaving Houston, KPRC, July 20, 2023.
Immersive $4.6M 'Explore Asia' exhibition opens this weekend in Houston's Museum District, Houston Chronicle, July 21, 2023.
體驗虛擬子彈列車 休城新互動展探索亞洲5國, World Journal, July 22, 2023.
About Explore Asia
Highlighting five Asian countries across six unique experiences, Explore Asia is the only interactive learning exhibition in Texas focused specifically on Asia. The educational exhibition — informed by several years of research and in consultation with an extensive group of scholars and community partners — is designed to spark curiosity and highlight the interconnectedness between the peoples of Asia, Houston, and the United States, building upon Asia Society Texas' belief in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
Foundational gifts for Asia Society Texas’ Education Project come from E. Rudge and Nancy Allen Family, Anne and Albert Chao, The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, and Durga D. and Sushila Agrawal Family. Major support provided by Chinhui Juhn and Edward R. Allen III, American First National Bank, The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Cullen Foundation, The Elkins Foundation, The Fondren Foundation, The Freeman Foundation, H-E-B, Hugesen Polymers Inc., Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, The Wu and Tsai Family, and Dr. Asha and Farid Virani.
Free admission to the Explore Asia Grand Opening Weekend is made possible by The Ling and George Yang Family.
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
Upcoming at Asia Society Texas
Event Details
1370 Southmore Blvd
Houston, Texas 77004