Festivals, Fairs & Special Events
Inaugural Panda Fest August 28, 2026
INAUGURAL PANDA FEST LANDS IN CHICAGO AUGUST 28-30 WITH FOOD, CULTURE & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The nation’s fast-growing Asian food and culture festival featuring 300+ diverse food vendors, artisanal goods, panda-inspired activations, cultural performances, and more
Photo link Credit: Panda Fest
WHAT: Panda Fest – Asian Food & Culture Festival
WHEN:
Friday, August 28, 2026: 4 pm to 10 pm
Saturday, August 29, 2026: 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday, August 30, 2026: 10 am to 8 pm
WHERE: 445 E. Monroe, Butler Field Chicago, IL 60603
TICKETS ON-SALE: For ticket details and pricing, visit www.pandafests.com.
ABOUT PANDA FEST CHICAGOPanda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals, is excited to make its debut in Chicago taking place Friday–Sunday, August 28-30, 2026, at 445 E. Monroe, Butler Field. Spanning three days, the festival brings together a vibrant mix of Asian cuisine, artisanal merchandise, panda-inspired attractions, and cultural performances, offering guests an immersive celebration of food, art, and tradition. More than just a food festival, Panda Fest is a large-scale cultural experience designed to showcase the richness and diversity of Asian cultures in a dynamic, family-friendly setting.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PANDA FEST Chicago: Attendees can embark on a culinary journey across Asia with 100+ food vendorsand 20+ merchandise vendors serving 200+ dishes representing cuisines from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond. From authentic street food staples to inventive fusion bites, Panda Fest offers something for every palate. Visitors can try sweet or savory food from across the country along with Chicago favorites such as Chicago’s own Hong Kong Phooey, Kinnaree Thai Kitchen, Te’Amo Boba & Desserts and more.
Beyond food, the festival features a curated marketplace showcasing crafts, apparel, accessories, and artisanal goods inspired by Asian heritage. Cultural programming spans traditional art demonstrations, contemporary dance, theatrical showcases, and nonstop live entertainment. While the final lineup will be announced closer to the event, previous editions of Panda Fest have included lion dances, sugar painting, paper cutting, and calligraphy, and K-pop dance performances.
Pandas remain at the heart of the experience, with playful, Instagram-worthy attractions, including a 15-foot inflatable panda, a panda bounce ring, themed treats, exclusive merchandise/souvenirs, interactive games, and photo moments throughout the festival grounds.
TICKET INFO: www.pandafests.com
General Admission tickets are $14, and VIP tickets are $35. Saturday tickets are priced $2 higher across all tiers.
- General Admission tickets include single entry during the selected time slot, access to all food vendors and merchandise vendors, cultural performances, and panda attractions, and two complimentary gifts: a customized Chicago Panda pin and a Panda headband.
- VIP ticket holders receive all General Admission benefits, plus fast-pass entry, access to exclusive VIP areas and bathrooms, and a third complimentary gift — an exclusive Panda bag.
FAMILY, PETS & POLICIES: Panda Fest is a family-friendly event. Strollers are welcome. Children ages six and up require a ticket; while children under six may attend for free and will receive a complimentary Panda headband. Only service animals will be allowed on festival grounds.
Outside food and beverages are not permitted, except for medical dietary needs, baby formula, and each guest may bring one factory-sealed water bottle (up to 16.9 oz).Small bags are permitted, and bag checks may occur at entry. Smoking and vaping of any kind are strictly prohibited on festival grounds.
WEATHER & PARKING: The festival is rain or shine unless severe weather conditions require delay or cancellation.
All guests will need to find parking independently around the venue, as on-site parking is not provided. Panda Fest strongly encourages the use of rideshare services, public transportation, or carpooling when possible.
For ticket information, vendor applications, and updates, visit www.pandafests.com and follow @pandafestchicago on Instagram for festival updates, vendor spotlights, and sneak peeks.
INTERVIEW & ASSET REQUESTS: 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 largest outdoor Asian food and culture festivals in the United States. In its first year alone, the festival produced 13 events across 11 cities, welcoming over 500,000 attendees, with attendance continuing to grow. Featuring experiential activities, tastings, market fairs, and live performances, Panda Fest brings communities together to celebrate the richness of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.
Pandas serve as a playful central theme, appearing throughout the event in inflatables, games and activities, merchandise, and food offerings. Originally created as a one-day event called Panda Day by founder BiuBiu Xu, Panda Fest has since expanded into a multi-day, multi-city experience with events held in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Dallas, Seattle, Austin, the Twin Cities, Connecticut, Charlotte, Nashville, and Orlando.
For more information on Panda Fest, visit www.pandafests.com and follow along on Instagram @pandafests.
