THE LATEST:
Panda Fest lands in Charlotte Sept. 14–16, 2025, bringing a three-day, panda-themed cultural celebration to Ballantyne’s Backyard. The food and drink vendors for the event are available to view below.
“The vendors are such an important part of the festival, and we have really focused on finding and selecting restaurants and shops that truly represent the best parts of Asian cuisine and culture,” said BiuBiu Xu, Founder of Panda Fest. “They help to create an experience where people connect with each other while sharing a meal, learning about a tradition, and sometimes even learning a vendor’s personal story. This helps Panda Fest truly feel like a celebration of the richness and diversity of AAPI culture, and we’re excited to bring the festival to Charlotte for the first time.
FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS
Panda Fest Charlotte’s roster of vendors offers a bite for every appetite, from bao buns and sizzling skewers fresh off the grill to inventive desserts and refreshing bubble teas, allowing guests to savor flavors from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and more. The full lineup of food vendors includes:
ARTISAN MARKET
In addition to the food, Panda Fest’s artisan market will feature makers and merchants offering crafts, clothing, jewelry, home décor, and of course, panda-themed collectibles and gifts inspired by Asian cultures. The artisan vendor lineup includes:
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Alongside the food and shopping, Panda Fest Charlotte guests can also look forward to:
- Live entertainment, including modern K-pop dance routines, lion dances, theatrical performances, and more
- Traditional arts like calligraphy, sugar painting, and paper cutting
- Family-friendly panda fun, including Instagram-worthy installations like a 15-foot inflatable panda, a panda bounce ring, and themed treats, souvenirs, and games galore
General Information
CHARLOTTE, NC – One of the nation’s most popular outdoor Asian food festivals is making its way to the Queen City! Panda Fest lands in Charlotte Sept. 14–16, 2025, bringing a three-day, panda-themed cultural celebration to Ballantyne’s Backyard. This family friendly festival highlights the vibrant food, arts, and traditions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through interactive experiences, live performances, and hundreds of culinary delights.
Created by the founders of Dragon Fest—one of the largest Asian culture festivals in the U.S.—Panda Fest began as a one-day pop up event, “Panda Day,” that quickly gained popularity for its panda-themed food, games, and cultural programming. After selling out in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Seattle, the festival is now expanding into a multi-city, multi-day celebration—and Charlotte is on the list for later this summer.
“We’re thrilled to bring Panda Fest to Charlotte,” said BiuBiu Xu, Founder of Panda Fest. “This event is all about building community through shared experiences—whether that’s enjoying incredible food, discovering new art forms, or just having fun. We’re especially excited to feature both traveling vendors from across the country and amazing local talent to create a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.”
What to expect at Panda Fest Charlotte
Guests can explore a culinary journey across Asia with more than 70 food vendors and food trucks offering 300+ dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond. From authentic street food to creative fusion bites, there’s something for every palate. In addition to the food, attendees can browse a curated marketplace of 20+ vendors offering crafts, clothing, accessories, and artisan goods inspired by Asian heritage. Traditional arts like calligraphy, sugar painting, and paper cutting will be featured alongside modern K-pop dance routines, lion dances, theatrical performances, and more. And of course, pandas take center stage— expect Instagram-worthy installations like a 15-foot inflatable panda, a panda bounce ring, and themed treats, souvenirs, and games galore.
Ticket Info
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 25, with a limited number of Early Bird tickets available through Sunday, July 13 at 10 p.m. General Admission includes entry to the festival and two complimentary gifts: a customized Charlotte festival pin and an inflatable panda headband. VIP tickets include upgraded perks such as access to VIP restrooms, exclusive experiences, a private bar, and an additional Panda Fest tote bag. Visit www.pandafests.com for ticket information, vendor applications, and more. Follow along at @pandafestcharlotte on Instagram for festival updates, vendor spotlights, and sneak peeks. Panda Fest is a rain-or-shine event unless severe weather conditions require cancellation. Interviews with festival founder BiuBiu Xu, media passes, and high-resolution images are available upon request.
ABOUT PANDA FEST:
Launched in 2024, Panda Fest is one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the U.S. With experiential activities, tastings, market fairs, and performances, the festival brings people from various backgrounds together to celebrate and experience the vibrant food, art, and traditions of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. Pandas are a central theme displayed throughout the festival, with panda-themed inflatables, games and activities, merchandise, and foods available for festival attendees to enjoy. The festival originated as a one-day event called Panda Day, created by BiuBiu Xu, the founder of New York City’s popular Dragon Fest. Panda Fest is now a multi-day experience, which expanded and sold out in 2025 to cities like Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and more to come. For more information on Panda Fest, visit www.pandafests.com, and follow along on Instagram.
