Dallas, September 18, 2025
News Summary
Panda Fest, a rapidly growing festival celebrating Asian food and culture, will debut in Texas this November. The multi-day events are set to take place at Carpenter Park in Dallas and Republic Square in Austin, showcasing over 150 dishes from various Asian food vendors, live performances, artisan markets, and family-friendly attractions. The festival aims to enhance cultural tourism and promote local businesses in both cities, creating a vibrant space for community engagement.
Dallas — Panda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing Asian food and culture festivals, will make its Texas debut this November, beginning at Carpenter Park in Dallas from November 7–9, 2025 and continuing at Republic Square in Austin from November 14–16, 2025. The multi-day events promise extensive food offerings, live cultural performances, artisan vendors, family-friendly attractions, and broader economic and cultural impacts for both cities.
What to expect at the Texas debut
The festival will present a heavy food focus in each city: Dallas attendees will have access to over 150 dishes from more than 60 Asian food vendors, while Austin festival-goers can enjoy a selection of over 100 dishes from more than 40 vendors. The festival’s offerings will include a variety of Asian cuisines, featuring items such as dumplings, sushi, spicy street foods, and decadent desserts. The event also will host maker markets and craft stalls to provide shopping options beyond food.
Vendors, marketplace and attractions
Around artisan and craft participation, over 15 artisan vendors will be featured at the Dallas festival, while Austin will host more than 10 craft stalls. The cultural marketplace will include handmade crafts, accessories, and specialty goods designed to allow visitors to take home a piece of Asian culture. A key attraction will be a 15-foot inflatable panda, supported by various panda-themed games and photo opportunities. The festival’s Panda Topic will influence food packaging, decor, and souvenirs.
Performances and interactive features
Live performances in both cities will include lion dances, K-pop performances, traditional music, Thai dance, and interactive arts like calligraphy and sugar painting. Programming is designed to provide immersive education into Asian American and Pacific Islander community traditions through stage acts, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
Family access, logistics and tickets
The festival is designed for families, offering free admission for kids under six, who will receive a panda headband. Strollers are permitted at the event, and well-behaved pets can attend with guidelines in place. Ticket sales for Panda Fest went live on September 17, 2025, and official festival information and ticket sales are available on Panda Fest’s website. Attendees should review venue rules and scheduling posted by the organizers before arrival.
Organizer and history
Panda Fest is organized by BiuBiu Xu, the creator of New York’s Dragon Fest, and has built a presence in several U.S. cities. The festival is known for sellout crowds and vibrant participation in markets including Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, and Philadelphia. The Texas edition marks the event’s first appearance in the state and follows the festival’s expansion pattern across multiple metropolitan regions.
Economic and cultural impact
The event is positioned as a significant milestone for cultural tourism and culinary adventures in Texas. Organizers and local partners expect the festival to promote local businesses and community groups while enhancing tourism and the hospitality sectors in Dallas and Austin. The inaugural Texas edition is expected to attract both local residents and regional visitors, contributing to hotel bookings and retail growth in the cities. Enhanced awareness of Asian and Pacific Islander contributions to the multicultural fabric of Texas is a stated focus of the festival.
Practical notes
Attendees are encouraged to plan travel and lodging early because festival organizers have cited demand-driven impacts on nearby hotels and services. The events will operate across multiple stages and vendor areas at both Carpenter Park in Dallas and Republic Square in Austin; maps and daily schedules will be available from organizers prior to each weekend.
FAQ
When and where will Panda Fest be held in Texas?
The festival will be held first at Carpenter Park in Dallas from November 7–9, 2025. Following Dallas, the festival will take place at Republic Square in Austin from November 14–16, 2025.
Is Panda Fest a nationwide event?
Panda Fest is one of the nation’s fastest-growing Asian food and culture festivals.
How many dishes and vendors will be in Dallas and Austin?
Dallas attendees will have access to over 150 dishes from more than 60 Asian food vendors. Austin festival-goers can enjoy a selection of over 100 dishes from more than 40 vendors.
What cultural performances and interactive arts will be featured?
Live performances in both cities will showcase lion dances, K-pop performances, traditional music, Thai dance, and interactive arts like calligraphy and sugar painting.
What are the family and accessibility details?
The festival is designed for families, offering free admission for kids under six, who will receive a panda headband. Strollers are permitted at the event, and well-behaved pets can attend with guidelines.
Where can I find official information and buy tickets?
Ticket sales for Panda Fest went live on September 17, 2025. Official festival information and ticket sales are available on Panda Fest’s website.
| Feature | Dallas | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | November 7–9, 2025 | November 14–16, 2025 |
| Venue | Carpenter Park | Republic Square |
| Food offerings | Over 150 dishes from more than 60 Asian food vendors | Over 100 dishes from more than 40 vendors |
| Artisan / craft vendors | Over 15 artisan vendors will be featured at the Dallas festival | Austin will host more than 10 craft stalls |
| Key attraction | 15-foot inflatable panda, panda-themed games and photo opportunities | |
| Family admission | Free admission for kids under six, who will receive a panda headband | |
| Ticket sales live | Ticket sales for Panda Fest went live on September 17, 2025 | |
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Additional Resources
- Travel and Tour World: Panda Fest in Dallas and Austin
- Secret Dallas: Panda Fest Dallas, Texas
- CW33: Panda Fest in Dallas
- CBS News: Panda Fest Comes to Mall of America
- Seacoast Current: Get Ready Boston, Panda Fest is Coming
- Wikipedia: Panda
- Google Search: Panda Fest
- Google Scholar: Panda Fest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Panda
- Google News: Panda Fest
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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