A mahjong festival is taking over the Museum of Jewish Heritage this summer

It seems like mahjong’s cultural relevance is only getting stronger, with women in particular playing the Chinese strategy game reminiscent of Rummy (yes, the card game) all throughout the five boroughs and beyond. So we are absolutely not surprised that the Jewish parenting website Kveller is hosting a first-of-its-kind mahjong festival at the Museum of Jewish Heritage this summer.

Happening on June 28 and 29 at the downtown cultural institution, the two-day festival will feature both beginner and advanced lessons, tournament play, talks about the Jewish connection to the game, access to vendors selling play sets, appearances from well known players and free snacks and lunch.

A few things to keep in mind: only more advanced players will be allowed to sign up for day two of the shenanigans—but only if they’re also attending the first day of the festival. Day two will end at 1pm and not feature a full lunch.

Tickets for day one are currently priced at $159 and you can register for them right here. Day two, tickets, on the other hand, will cost you an additional $60.

Although we’re still trying to pinpoint exactly why this Chinese game has such an uncharacteristically strong hold right now, the reality is undeniable: everyone is playing. And honestly, jumping on the bandwagon might not be the worst idea—it’s a built-in way to meet new people around the city and maybe even lock in a weekly ritual that involves something a bit more engaging than sitting around complaining about the ever-present garbage smell, the seemingly endless winter or your unfiltered thoughts about the current mayor.