Festival Vibes in the UK: How the ESEA Community Celebrates Culture Together
When it comes to parties, the ESEA community in the UK brings a unique mix of custom, energy, and national pride. For East and Southeast Asian groups across the country – from London to Birmingham, Manchester, and beyond – these events go beyond just marking times on a calendar. They’re about reconnecting with history, making shared culture events, and building neighborhood ties. Whether you’re British Born Chinese, or part of a South Asian social group, the variety of the ESEA community comes through every event. Here’s a look at some of the biggest ESEA cultural events in the UK and how you can join in on the festival vibes. Lunar New Year: Welcoming the New Year Together Lunar New Year is the biggest traditional event for the ESEA community, bringing families and friends together to welcome a fresh start. Customs include cleaning homes, to get rid of the old, and in with the new. Families gather for meals, which often are elaborate with endless plates of food on the table. People exchange red packets - from older relatives to young unmarried ones. In all Chinatowns around the world, celebrations take place - from Lion Dancing, to Martial Arts performances. It's a time for the British Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and other Asian groups to meet, share customs, and bring a bit of home in the Western cities that they live. Lantern Festival: Light, Unity, and Community The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year, and for many, it’s the festival’s most exciting night. Across East Asian communities in the UK, lantern events are planned in local parks, community halls, and meeting spots, lighting up the night with bright colours and providing a sense of unity among the ESEA community. It’s a memorable experience to see a sea of lights representing hope, dreams, and togetherness enjoyed by Chinese, Japanese, and Korean groups alike. For those looking to experience the beauty of this custom, the Lantern Festival is the perfect place to make new connections and engage yourself in ESEA culture. Mid-Autumn Festival: Celebrating the Moon and Heritage Mid-Autumn Festival usually occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Lunar calendar. On this day, it is believed the moon is the fullest and brightest, coinciding with the time of year to harvest. Although a Chinese festival, neighboring countries have similar festivals. Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is usually celebrated by eating mooncake - a thick pastry cake with various fillings - from duck egg to taro. The celebration usually takes the form of a family gathering for a meal, showing gratitude for the harvest, and praying for desired wants, such as a spouse, fortune, or a good future. Dragon Boat Festival: Racing and Remembrance Dragon Boat, also known as Double Fifth Holiday, is a traditional Chinese holiday that celebrates the life of Qu Yuan. He was a famous historical figure who protested against imperial corruption. On this day, cities with a sizable Asian population will host Dragon Boat racing. Professional and corporate teams will race against each other. Usually, as the competition advances, winning teams race against each other until there is a winner. Besides watching or participating in the race, families will eat dong zi (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves), and some follow other practices, including giving children 5 threads of silk for good luck. Finding Your Place in the ESEA Community Finding community events is usually done through word of mouth. Follow your local Chinatown organization, and stay connected to cultural organizations on Instagram. Maccha aims to be the one-stop shop for your source of ESEA cultural events. We bring together the ESEA community and help businesses promote cultural events. These events and meetings celebrate the variety and power of East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures in the UK, giving everyone a place to connect, share, and enjoy. If you’re looking to strengthen your relationship to your roots or meet new people, try the Maccha community app. Find these events in one click, or find the latest update in our forum. See you there!
Why Dragon Boating is So Special for the ESEA Community
If you’re Asian, you probably have tried Dragon Boating. Perhaps it was a one-off event, or you were committed to a club and attended regularly. Dragon Boating has been around for 2,000 years, and its spirit is kept alive by young overseas Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos and other ESEAs. Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th month in the Lunar Calendar. Today, races and events are managed by the International Dragon Boat Federation. Why do young people still participate in Dragon Boating, despite it being a niche sport in Western countries? Meeting Friends while Keeping Fit A Dragon Boat typically sits 20-22 people. The speed of the boat depends on the team paddling in rhythm. A drummer bangs the drum at the front and the whole boat “reaches” and paddles in sync. A cultural sport, it’s likely that other Asians participate. This attracts those that want to share the cultural sport with others from a similar cultural background. Dragon Boat clubs usually have other fitness related events to prepare for competitions - from group gym sessions, to other related sport events, such as badminton. Joining a team opens up many other physical activities, which promotes healthy living. This is a major attraction for people who prefer socials which don’t include going to a bar and getting drunk. The International Dragon Boat Federation organises competitions internationally, and teams will travel abroad together to compete, which further strengthens the bond in the team. Dragon Boating has built such strong connections, this has even led to marriage! It is well known in the community that some couples met on the boat. Many clubs allow paddlers to join on a pay as you go basis with no commitment. However, if you find yourself paddling frequently, membership may work out cheaper. Choosing the Right Club A simple Google search will reveal clubs near you. But which one do you join? Firstly, finding a club that is located near you is important, to ensure you can get to training easily. However, some will be more serious than others. If you are a ‘social paddler’, who wants to paddle just for fun, then there will be teams who take a more relaxed approach. However, there will be clubs who are very serious about competing. They may have a ‘second team’ for the more casual paddlers. The best way to understand which is the right fit is to talk to the captains, and have a trial session. Dragon Boat racing often opens the door to many other socials - from kick off parties, to international trips. If you’re looking to meet other Asians, it can be a fantastic way to find new friends (or more!). These events aren’t just about the sport; they’re about building bridges between different cultures and celebrating our unique identities. Maccha: Promoting Cultural and ESEA Events Dragon Boating is just one way to meet other Asians. If you have other interests, you can discover something that suits you at Maccha. We’re all about pushing cultural events and activities that bring the ESEA community together. Whether it’s Dragon Boating, food events, or club nights, our community app serves as an ESEA hub for sharing these incredible experiences. We believe in building links among the ESEA community and backing local projects that celebrate our varied heritages. Through the Maccha app, you can quickly find and join cultural events, meet new friends, and get involved in activities that show your shared identity. Let’s amplify our voices and showcase the beauty of our cultures together!
The Parallels Between Maccha’s Community and Matcha Tea’s Stories
Maccha, or Matcha, perhaps its more well known spelling - has disrupted the beverage market in the West. Its existence dates back to the 12th Century and became popular in Japan, when it was banned in its native China. Since then, the product has been commercialised and has travelled to the West, where it is consumed in various forms - in lattes, cakes and ice creams. And in the spirit of this, the Maccha Community App was born. Maccha is a space for the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) community to come together, share, and support each other. Just like the tea, the Asian diaspora is thriving in the West, yet many seek a way to find others that hae gone on similar paths. In 2024, Maccha’s founder realised there was a missing piece for ESEA people, especially in Europe, where the Asian diaspora is scattered across small pockets. You could find people on Facebook, maybe, but it wasn’t quite there. Instagram was all photos and little conversation, and dating apps had a large population based in Asia. There was no single place to connect on a deeper level. So, Maccha took the principles of what matcha tea stands for – community, connection, and calm – and created a digital home for the ESEA community to vibe, chat, and connect in a way that felt real. Maccha Caters For Everybody In The Community For students looking to connect with those from a common background, Maccha provides the platform for information sharing. We also aim to work with university organisations, such as ABACUS to give them a space to publicise their events and latest news. For professionals with little time to meet new people, Maccha’s profile matching tool makes it easier to connect with like-minded individuals. Our filters include age, profession and educational background, so you can cut the chase and start chatting with people who you have a lot in common with. Perhaps you’re looking for a serious relationship, and finding someone from the same values and culture is important. Maccha provides the tool to access our community. When you register, you can state that you’re looking for a relationship, so you only see profiles of others who are looking for the same thing. What Makes Maccha Different Maccha isn’t just a repurposed social app; it’s a purpose-driven platform. Here’s what makes it truly special: Swipe to Chat and Meet: Find ESEAs near you - whether you are looking to just meet friends, or something more serious - we cater for all your needs Forums to Talk with those who just get it: Got thoughts on the latest ESEA dramas? Want to share your experiences dealing with post-Covid perceptions? Maccha’s forum is the place for it—real conversations, no pretence – just a spot for honest discussions. Spotlight on ESEA Businesses: Love supporting ESEA-owned brands or discovering new products? Maccha’s got a whole section for businesses from the community, giving them a space to promote what they do. From skincare to food, this is where you can discover what the community’s got to offer. In addition, Maccha is committed to giving back. We commit to reinvesting in the community through sponsorships, giving ESEA businesses a platform, and collaborations. We want to lift up the community through all that we do. Starting in the UK, But Not Stopping There The Maccha journey starts in the Europe, but the vision’s bigger than that. ESEA communities around the world share experiences, and the dream is to expand the app to bring them all together. But for now, we are focused on the UK and Europe. If you like our app, please support by leaving a positive review, telling your friends about us, and staying active! The Future of Maccha This is just the beginning for Maccha. It’s only going to grow, with the goal of becoming the go-to space for the ESEA community. Just like matcha tea, which balances tradition and modern life, Maccha, the Asian community app, is here to bring people together in a way that feels right for today’s world. So here’s to Maccha – an app inspired by tea, built for community, and ready to make a difference. And if you’re ESEA and looking for a place that just gets it, Maccha’s the app for you.