Panda Fest is coming back to downtown Dallas, so go hungry and wear comfortable shoes.
The traveling Asian food and culture festival made its Dallas debut at Carpenter Park last November, and it returns to the same spot, 2201 Pacific Ave., Nov. 6 through 8. This year’s lineup has more than 60 food vendors serving upward of 150 dishes, plus more than 20 merchandise vendors and a schedule of live cultural performances that includes kung fu shows.
The food is the reason to go, and the vendor list mixes North Texas names with specialists who travel the festival circuit.
On the local side, CupBop brings its Korean barbecue served in a cup, and VK Delicious Khmer represents Cambodian cooking, which deserves more attention in DFW than it gets. From the road, Le Poke serves sushi push pops, King Squid grills giant whole squid, and Mumu Sweet makes the tall, wobbly Japanese soufflé pancakes that take a while to cook and are worth the wait.
Every vendor has to offer at least one item under $10, according to organizers, so it’s easy to graze your way through the park instead of committing to one big plate. A good strategy is to bring friends, split everything, and keep moving.
The panda theme is everywhere, too, with panda installations, pins, headbands and photo spots. Kids will love it, and plenty of adults will, too.
Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.
General admission is $14 and VIP is $35, and Saturday tickets cost $2 more. If there’s room, tickets at the gate are $20 plus tax, so buying ahead saves money and guarantees entry. VIP adds a third gift, a custom bag, on top of the panda pin and headband. Children under 6 get in free and receive a panda headband. The early-bird deal ended Oct. 4. Tickets are on sale on the Panda Fest website.
Parking is the usual downtown puzzle. Organizers recommend ridesharing or carpooling, and there’s paid parking in nearby garages.
Saturday is likely to be the busiest day, and tickets cost a little more that day. For a calmer visit, try Friday evening or Sunday morning.
