Dallas families can look forward to a three‑day celebration of Asian food, culture and pandas when Panda Fest returns to Carpenter Park, 2201 Pacific Ave., from November 6‑8. The festival, which draws more than 500,000 attendees across the United States, promises a family‑friendly experience with over 60 food vendors, 20 merchandise stalls, live entertainment and interactive panda installations.
Ticket Options and Schedule
Early‑bird tickets are limited to $10, while general admission is $14 and VIP tickets are $35 (Saturday admission costs $2 more). Gate admission is $20 and subject to venue capacity; advance ticket holders receive priority entry. Children under six enter free and receive a complimentary panda headband.
The festival runs Friday, Nov. 6 from 4 p.m.‑10 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m.‑10 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m.‑8 p.m.
Food and Vendor Details
Food is the centerpiece of Panda Fest. Vendors—both local and traveling small businesses—will serve a range of Asian street foods, viral bites, sweet treats and specialty dishes. Menu items will range from $7 to $25, and every vendor will offer at least one item under $10. Importantly, Panda Fest does not take a percentage of food sales, allowing all proceeds to go directly to the participating vendors. A full vendor lineup will be announced closer to the event.
Cultural Entertainment and Activities
All performers are local to Dallas, with a lineup expected to include J‑pop and anime performances, dragon dancing, kung fu exhibitions and more. Activities for children, shopping opportunities and photo‑worthy panda installations will be spread throughout the park. This year’s festival will debut a new panda design created specifically for Dallas, continuing the tradition of city‑specific panda artwork each year.
VIP Experience and Keepsakes
Every general admission ticket includes a custom Panda Fest pin and panda headband. VIP guests receive those items plus a festival bag, fast‑pass entry and access to exclusive VIP areas and restrooms.
Community Impact
Founder Xuan “BiuBiu” Xu said the festival aims to give Dallas residents a chance to try foods they may have never tasted, experience different traditions and spend quality time together. “Dallas gave Panda Fest such an incredible welcome last year, and we heard loud and clear that people wanted us to come back,” Xu said. “We hope you come for the pandas and the food, but leave having experienced something new.”
Panda Fest has become one of the largest outdoor Asian food and culture festivals in the United States. In its first year alone, the festival produced 13 events across 11 cities, welcoming over 500,000 attendees, with attendance continuing to grow.
Stay Updated
For the latest announcements, follow @pandafestdallas on social media or visit pandafests.com.
Original reporting: Focus Daily News — read the source article.