WASHINGTON (May 7, 2026) — Panda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals in the United States, will make its D.C. debut this summer with a two-day celebration of Asian cuisine, culture and community set in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The festival will take place Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 7th streets. Tickets will go on sale Monday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at www.pandafests.com in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Bringing together more than 90 Asian food vendors, 200-plus street food offerings, cultural performances, over 40 merchandise vendors and family-friendly activities, Panda Fest will transform downtown D.C. into an immersive celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.
“D.C. already has a special connection to pandas, so bringing Panda Fest to the District and the DMV felt like a natural fit,” said BiuBiu Xu, founder of Panda Fest. “We’re excited to create an experience that brings people together through food, culture and community while celebrating the incredible diversity of Asian cultures in one of the most vibrant cities in the country.”
Launched in 2024, Panda Fest quickly became a national phenomenon, producing 13 events across 11 cities in its first year and welcoming more than 500,000 attendees. The multi-city festival has expanded to destinations including Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Seattle, Nashville and Orlando, with additional cities planned for 2026.
Festivalgoers in D.C. can expect a wide range of Asian street food and specialty dishes from local and nationally recognized vendors. Featured vendors include Chan Bai Mei of New York City, known for its candied hawthorn tanghulu; Le Poke of Atlanta; Dumpling King of New York City; and Mumu Sweets, featuring mochi donuts. More local vendors will be announced in the coming weeks.
Beyond food, the festival features a curated marketplace featuring more than 40 vendors showcasing crafts, apparel, accessories, and artisanal goods inspired by Asian heritage. Cultural programming spans traditional art demonstrations, contemporary dance, theatrical showcases, and nonstop live entertainment. While the final lineup will be announced closer to the event, previous editions of Panda Fest have included lion dances, sugar painting, paper cutting, and calligraphy, and K-pop dance performances.
Pandas remain at the heart of the experience, with playful, Instagram-worthy attractions, including a 15-foot inflatable panda, a panda bounce ring, themed treats, exclusive merchandise/souvenirs, interactive games, and photo moments throughout the festival grounds.
Panda Fest is a family-friendly event. Children under 6 receive free admission, and attendees are encouraged to use rideshare or public transportation.
For tickets and more information, go to www.pandafests.com and follow @pandafestdc on Instagram.
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, San Diego, and Orlando.
For more information on Panda Fest, visit www.pandafests.com and follow along on Instagram.