Tag Archive for: PANDA FEST: PANDA-MONIUM IN ATLANTA EARNS THE CITY AN ENCORE

PANDA FEST: PANDA-MONIUM IN ATLANTA EARNS THE CITY AN ENCORE – TWO FESTS, ONE UNFORGETTABLE YEAR!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/8/25

Update: FROM STREET EATS TO SWEET TREATS: PANDA FEST ANNOUNCES VENDOR LINEUP
FOR SECOND ATLANTA FESTIVAL I SEPT. 5-7, 2025

 Panda Fest is making its way back to the Peach State, and with its return only a few weeks away, the festival has unveiled its official lineup of vendors! This Sept. 5-7, Atlantic Station’s Pinnacle Lot will transform into a bustling street market, where over 70 food vendors, artisan merchants, and cultural performers will come together for an incredible celebration and display of AAPI culture. Brimming with flavor and panda-themed fun, the selection of vendors participating in the second installation of Panda Fest in Atlanta promises delights to suit every taste.

Panda Fest made its debut in Atlanta back in April of this year, and the city will mark another first for Panda Fest with the September event, as the first city to welcome Panda Fest back for the second time in 2025. With its return, Panda Fest is introducing several enhancements to create an even better experience for festivalgoers who attended the first event, and for those joining Panda Fest for the first time. A few of the most popular vendors from the last festival will now have more than one station, allowing guests to enjoy more of their popular offerings. Food vendors will also offer dishes in two portion sizes at different price points, allowing attendees to enjoy more dishes at a lower cost. In addition, there will be additional seating areas and more drink stations helping to allow guests to enjoy more of their water and other drinks from any location at the festival.

Attendees can expect both new and returning vendors from the first Panda Fest, including beloved local eateries and food offerings from across the country, including states like California, New York, and more.

“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.”

FOOD + BEVERAGE STREET STALLS
This September’s roster 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 + where they are based 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:



*Indicates a vendor who also participated in the first Atlanta Panda Fest.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Alongside the food and shopping, Panda Fest Atlanta 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

 
TICKET INFO
General Admission and VIP tickets are available on Eventbrite. General Admission includes entry to the festival and two complimentary gifts: a customized Atlanta festival pin and an inflatable panda headband. VIP tickets include upgraded perks such as shaded seating, VIP restrooms, exclusive experiences, a private bar, and a Panda Fest tote bag. Panda Fest encourages purchasing tickets only from the Eventbrite link on the Panda Fest website and avoiding third-party sellers.

Visit www.pandafests.com for ticket information and more. Follow along at @pandafestatlanta on Instagram for festival updates, vendor spotlights, and sneak peeks. Panda Fest is a rain-or-shine event unless severe weather conditions require cancellation. 

Sept. 5–7 | Early Bird Tickets Go on Sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. EST

WHAT:
Panda Fest

WHEN:
Friday, Sept. 5: 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6: 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Atlantic Station | Pinnacle Lot | 221 20th St., Atlanta, GA 30363

TICKETS:
Daily Early Bird tickets go on sale on Friday, July 11, at 10 a.m. EST. General Admission and VIP tickets are also available. See below or visit www.pandafests.com for ticket details and pricing.

 Panda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals, is thrilled to announce its return to Atlanta later this year. As the first city to host Panda Fest, Atlanta set the stage with a sold-out debut that created incredible momentum and excitement. From Sept. 5–7, Panda Fest will bring the panda-monium back to Atlantic Station’s Pinnacle Lot with a vibrant celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. Guests can enjoy a weekend filled with delicious food, live performances, arts and crafts, and interactive panda-themed experiences designed for all ages.
 
Founded by BiuBiu Xu, the creator of New York City’s acclaimed Dragon Fest, Panda Fest began as a one-day pop-up and quickly grew into a multi-city, multi-day festival. It has sold out in cities including Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Seattle, with plans to return to all of them in 2026. Atlanta is the only city selected to host Panda Fest twice in one year.
 
“Atlanta holds a special place in Panda Fest’s story as the first city to welcome us,” said Xu. “We’re honored to bring the festival back for a second time in 2025. It’s a testament to Atlanta’s vibrant AAPI community and their appetite for cultural celebration. This September’s event promises even more food, art, and fun, and we can’t wait to see everyone back for this exciting weekend.”
 
Building on the success of the first Atlanta event, the Panda Fest team has listened carefully to attendee feedback to make this fall’s festival even better. Enhancements include smoother and faster entry with more staffing, additional timed ticketing options to provide greater flexibility, budget-friendly eats under $15 alongside larger portions, more drink stations to keep guests refreshed, shaded VIP seating, and increased signage to help guests navigate the festival grounds with ease.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PANDA FEST ATLANTA
Guests can explore a culinary journey across Asia with more than 80+ 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 25+ 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 Friday, July 11, with a limited number of Early Bird tickets available through Sunday, July 27 at 10 p.m. EST or until sold out. General Admission includes entry to the festival and two complimentary gifts: a customized Atlanta festival pin and an inflatable panda headband. VIP tickets include upgraded perks such as shaded seating, VIP restrooms, exclusive experiences, a private bar, and a Panda Fest tote bag.
 
Visit www.pandafests.com for ticket information, vendor applications, and more. Follow along at @pandafestatlantaon Instagram for festival updates, vendor spotlights, and sneak peeks. Panda Fest is a rain-or-shine event unless severe weather conditions require cancellation.