The 27th annual festival brings Japanese tradition, food and performances to Haggard Park on Sept. 26
A centuries-old Japanese tradition has become one of North Texas’ largest celebrations of Japanese culture. The 27th annual Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival returns to Haggard Park in Plano on Sept. 26, bringing taiko drumming, traditional dance, martial arts, Japanese food and hands-on cultural activities to the city’s downtown.
Hosted by the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) in partnership with the city of Plano, the free festival runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
What began as a celebration of an ancient moon-viewing tradition has evolved into JASDFW’s largest public event, drawing approximately 6,000 people to Haggard Park in 2025.
From Moon Viewing To Thousands Of Visitors
Otsukimi, which means “moon viewing,” is a Japanese tradition centered on gathering to appreciate the autumn moon and express gratitude for the harvest. JASDFW has been bringing that tradition to North Texas for decades. By its 20th celebration in 2019, Otsukimi had already become the organization’s highest-attended annual program and had moved north after years of being held at Klyde Warren Park.
Seven celebrations later, the event has found a large audience in Plano. JASDFW says approximately 6,000 people attended the 2025 festival at Haggard Park, and the organization now describes Otsukimi as its largest public event.
Plano is also an increasingly fitting home for the celebration. As Local Profile reported in 2025, more than 40 Japanese companies have a presence in the city, including the North American headquarters of Toyota Motor North America and NTT DATA.
That growing business relationship has helped deepen cultural connections between Japan and North Texas, giving traditions such as Otsukimi an audience far beyond the Japanese community.
What’s Happening This Year
The 2026 celebration will feature taiko drum performances, sumo wrestling demonstrations, live music, traditional dance, martial arts and Japanese anime and pop culture experiences. Families can also participate in children’s games, cultural activities and workshops, while an expanded food pavilion will feature Japanese and Asian cuisine.
The festival’s combination of traditional and contemporary culture offers visitors a way to experience both the centuries-old roots of Otsukimi and the Japanese community that continues to grow in North Texas.
The Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival takes place on Sept. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St. in Plano. Admission is free, and the event is open to all ages.
Visitors can reserve free tickets and find additional information through the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth’s official festival page.
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