Panda Fest Returns to Phoenix This Spring with New Food, Entertainment Offerings

90+ Asian Food Vendors, Cultural Performances, Panda-Themed Attractions April 10-12

PHOENIX – Panda Fest, one of the largest outdoor Asian food and culture festivals in the United States, will return to Phoenix April 10-12 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (7555 N. Pima Road) with a bigger, more immersive celebration than ever before. Featuring more than 90 Asian food vendors serving 200+ dishes, live cultural performances, market vendors, and all-new panda-themed attractions, the three-day festival invites guests to eat, explore, and experience the vibrant flavors and artistry from Asian cultures.

Drawing vendors from Arizona and across the country, Panda Fest offers a culinary journey through cuisines representing China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. Guests can also shop from more than 30 market vendors showcasing crafts, apparel, accessories, and artisanal goods inspired by Asian heritage, while enjoying playful panda-themed attractions, and vibrant music and dance performances throughout the weekend.

“We are so excited to return to Phoenix after such an incredible response to our first Arizona Panda Fest,” said BiuBiu Xu, founder of Panda Fest. “The energy from the community showed us how powerful it can be when food, culture and people come together, and we’re proud to provide an even more immersive experience that celebrates the diversity, creativity and shared joy of Asian food and culture.”

For its 2026 Phoenix return, Panda Fest will debut guest-informed upgrades, including streamlined check-in, improved parking flow, and an expanded culinary lineup. Attendees can expect a broader range of budget-friendly food options priced under $15, alongside returning fan favorites.

The festival grounds will come to life with Panda Fest’s signature panda-themed attractions, including an all-new inflatable bounce house for children, a 15-foot inflatable panda, themed treats, Phoenix-exclusive merchandise, interactive games, and curated photo moments. Asian cultural and musical performances will take the stage, including Japanese taiko drumming, Sichuan opera face-changing performers and so much more.

To minimize food waste after the festival’s conclusion, Panda Fest will partner with local nonprofit Waste Not, an organization which utilizes sustainable food systems to rescue surplus perishable food and deliver it to families experiencing food insecurity.

Early bird tickets ($10) go on sale Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. through Feb. 15 at 10 p.m., after which general admission pricing increases to $15 per person. Admission includes entry to the festival and two complimentary gifts: a Phoenix-exclusive panda-themed pin and an inflatable headband ($11 value). VIP tickets are available for $35 and include access to shaded seating, VIP restrooms, exclusive experiences, a private bar, and a Panda Fest tote bag.

For ticket information, vendor applications and more, visit pandafests.com. Follow @pandafestphoenix on Instagram for festival updates, vendor spotlights and sneak peeks ahead of the event. Panda Fest is a rain-or-shine event unless severe weather conditions require cancelation.

About Panda Fest
Launched in 2024, Panda Fest is 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. Featuring experiential activities, tastings, market fairs, and live performances, Panda Fest brings communities together to celebrate the richness of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.

Pandas serve as a playful central theme, appearing throughout the event in inflatables, games and activities, merchandise, and food offerings. Originally created as a one-day event called Panda Day by founder BiuBiu Xu, Panda Fest has since expanded into a multi-day, multi-city experience with events held in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Dallas, Seattle, Austin, the Twin Cities, Connecticut, Charlotte, Nashville, and Orlando.

For more information on Panda Fest, visit www.pandafests.com and follow along on Instagram.