By Molly Given
After a successful debut in 2025 that featured two sold-out events, Panda Fest is set to return to Dilworth Park next month, and this go-around, founder BiuBiu Xu is expanding the family-friendly festival with even more food, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
The festival is meant to celebrate the diversity of Asian cuisine and traditions while also honoring the beloved panda, a symbol closely tied to cultural heritage and joy across many communities. This year’s event will feature more than 60 food and merchandise vendors serving over 100 dishes representing culinary traditions from across Asia. Attendees can explore flavors from countries like China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with everything from authentic street-food classics to creative fusion bites being offered.
Beyond the food, the festival will also feature a curated marketplace highlighting crafts, apparel, accessories, and artisanal goods inspired by Asian heritage. Cultural programming throughout the weekend will additionally include traditional art demonstrations, contemporary dance performances, theatrical showcases, and live entertainment. While the full lineup will be announced closer to the event, past editions of Panda Fest have featured lion dances, intricate sugar painting, paper cutting, calligraphy, and K-pop dance performances.
And pandas remain at the heart of it all. Guests will be welcomed by a towering 15-foot inflatable panda at the entrance, and across the festival grounds, visitors will find panda-themed treats, exclusive merchandise and souvenirs, interactive games, and plenty of “Instagram-worthy photo moments” with the animal.
Since its creation, Panda Fest has grown into a nationwide celebration. In 2025, the festival hosted 13 events across 11 cities, drawing more than half a million attendees. Major stops include cities like Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, and Minnesota, and Philadelphia of course. Panda Fest’s parent festival, Dragon Fest, was created in 2021, and the organization has more plans to keep growing in the future.
For those who attended last year’s event, expect to enjoy a slew of new food vendors and entertainers for this year’s installment. Online tickets are currently closed, but gate admission is $20 per person for those who show up day-of without a ticket. (Note that entry is subject to venue capacity and not guaranteed).
All attendees will receive two free gifts — a customized panda pin with a Philly feature, and an inflatable branded headband, along with access to all the food, culture and themed fun. VIP ticket holders receive all general admission benefits plus an additional bag and a skip-the-line ‘fast pass’ for entrance. The family-friendly event welcomes all children under six for free without a ticket. Strollers are welcome, as are pets on a leash.
To find out more information on this year’s PandaFest at Dilworth Park (1 S. 15th Street), visit pandafests.com