This weekend, Houston won’t just host another food festival. The city will become a celebration of Asian culture, community and representation.

Panda Fest, billed as one of the country’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals, is making its Houston debut Friday at the Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park. The three-day festival will feature more than 80 vendors serving over 200 dishes inspired by cuisines from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, alongside live performances, cultural workshops and artisan markets.

However for founder BiuBiu Xu, the festival was never meant to be just about food.

“Representation is at the heart of everything we do,” Xu told Chron. “Panda Fest is designed to be an immersive experience where you can see, taste, hear and feel different aspects of Asian cultures all in one place.”

That mission feels especially fitting in Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the country and home to one of the largest Asian American populations in Texas.

Launched in 2024, Panda Fest has quickly expanded across the country, with events held in Dallas and Austin. Organizers said the festival welcomed more than 500,000 attendees during its first year alone.

For Xu, the timing of its Houston debut during AAPI Heritage Month carries additional meaning: an opportunity to celebrate AAPI traditions in a joyful and inclusive way. Alongside street food vendors, attendees can expect traditional art demonstrations, dance performances and interactive experiences intended to introduce visitors to multiple Asian cultures at once.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to travel across Asia, so we wanted to bring that experience here in a way that feels fun, accessible, and immersive,” Xu said.

Xu is also the founder of Mulan House, a nonprofit focused on mentorship and leadership development for women of Chinese descent. Both organizations are a part of a bigger mission to create spaces that celebrate culture and build more opportunities and recognition for AAPI communities.

At its core, though, Panda Fest is meant to feel simple.

“Panda Fest is about connection,” Xu concluded. “It’s about bringing people together through food, culture, and shared experiences.”