One of the biggest Asian food festivals in the country is coming to Philadelphia this Spring.
Dragon Fest, a New York City-based Asian food and culture festival has created the first-ever Panda Fest for the city to take over Dilworth Park on April 26 and 27.
As a release describes, the experience invites guests of all ages to celebrate Asian food, art, and culture, as well as the beloved panda and the rich heritage that the beloved mammal represents.
A giant 15-foot inflatable panda will greet guests upon entry and guests can then peruse through cuisines from throughout Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and more. There will also be Asian cultural performances, family activities, games, raffles, merchandise, and more.
“We are beyond excited to expand our festival to Philadelphia, which is such an incredible city full of rich culture and food, especially within the Asian communities,” said festival founder Xuan (BiuBiu) Xu. “It’s difficult to discuss the biggest and best Asian food cultures in America without talking about Philadelphia, and the fact that we’re just a short train ride away in New York City made Philadelphia an obvious choice for our expansion.”
Panda Fest’s parent festival, Dragon Fest, was created in 2021, and since its inception, the organization has created 21 events for more than 500,000 attendees. Panda Fest specifically was created in July of 2024, and its hoped that the experience can come back to Philly after its inaugural event.
“If this first event goes well, we plan to return to Philadelphia in the fall and make this a bi-annual event, so we’re very optimistic and hopeful for a successful debut, especially since we planned this to be held the weekend before AAPI Month, which is an important time for all Asian cultures in America,” Xu added.
Philadelphia’s Panda Fest will feature more than 80 different types of Asian street food, with approximately 35 vendors spread throughout Dilworth Park. Early bird tickets have already sold out for the pop-up, but anyone interested can head to Eventbrite to jump on a waiting list for different timeslots. Children four and under do not need a ticket, and no tickets will be available at the door.
In addition to access to food, fun, and games, tickets include three free gifts as well: A customized Panda pin with a Philly design feature, an inflatable headband, and a customize panda bag. While many vendors will be from NYC, the event aims to be inclusive, and Philadelphia restaurants are encouraged to apply online to be vendors as well for the two-day affair, the release notes.
The festival will be adorned with panda decorations, and there will be a number of panda-themed foods as well. Pets are permitted, but must be kept on a leash.
To learn more about Philadelphia’s first Panda Fest, visit pandafests.com
