If you’ve ever wished you could food-crawl across Asia without leaving Tampa, this is your moment. Spring clean that schedule, at least for your first March weekend. You’ll want to come hungry for this one. 

From March 6-8, the Dream Asia Festival is coming to the Florida State Fairgrounds for its first-ever area event. This popup transforms the area into a vibrant celebration of Asian culture, food, and entertainment. General admission is $14.81 and VIP access is $44.95 (taxes and fees included). Buy your tickets here, and use the code THATSSOTAMPA10 for 10% off tickets.

About Dream Asia Festival 

Dream Asia Festival is a traveling multi-day celebration of Asian food, culture, and entertainment that’s touring cities across the U.S. It has been a sensation all over the country with incredible performances, thousands of food items, and interactive experiences. This weekend, it’s Tampa’s turn. 

The heart of the festival is the food scene, with 80+ vendors serving dishes inspired by different regions across Asia. You’ll find everything from takoyaki made to order, mango sticky rice, and fluffy baos, to bubble tea stands crafting drinks almost too beautiful to sip. It’s built for wandering, tasting, taking pics for your socials, and going back for seconds (and thirds). 

This is the kind of event where you show up saying, “I’ll just grab a few things,” and leave three hours later having taste-tested your way through half the continent with all the camera roll pics to show for it.

More than great food

While undoubtedly a foodie’s paradise, Dream Asia is far more than a food festival. It’s a full-on interactive sensory experience. Live performances and entertainment run throughout the weekend, including high-energy shows like K-STAR Circus: A Kung-Fu Journey, DJ sets, cultural showcases, a Squid Game challenge, and more.

Anime and pop culture stans will adore the Anime & Merch Marketplace. It consists of 30+ stalls with collectibles, art prints, crafts & lifestyle goods. Think cool finds you won’t spot at your typical mall stop or comic convention. 

Don’t forget the kiddos, either. Dream Asia Festival puts a big emphasis on being family-friendly: Kids ages 10 and under get in free. There’s even a dedicated kid’s activity zone with games, bounce houses, and a petting zoo. Plus, by attending the festival, they get early exposure to different cultures.

The latest Tampa star attraction

Tampa has been stepping up its festival game lately, and Dream Asia Festival fits right into that momentum. This brings something refreshing to the average weekend lineup. The immersion and high-energy feels like more than just grabbing a bite from a cool new food truck in town. 

If you’re a foodie, this is your chance to try dishes you may not find on your usual restaurant rotation. And if you’re a culture enthusiast, it’s an opportunity to experience performances and traditions from across Asia in one place. For everyone else, it’s simply a fun way to spend a March weekend outdoors with good company and even better eats. Show up early and pace yourself. Trust us. You’re going to need the room. Mark your calendar for March 6-8 and start making that gameplan now. Tampa’s about to eat well. Tickets are available here. Don’t forget to use the code THATSSOTAMPA10 for 10% off tickets!