Events

Boston’s new Asian food festival debuts this weekend. Here’s what to expect.

Panda Fest kicks off Friday at City Hall Plaza.

Panda Fest launched in New York City in 2024. Panda Fest

By Maya Shavit

1 minute to read

Boston is set to host a massive outdoor Asian food festival — just in time to kickoff Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

Panda Fest will bring over 250 authentic Asian food vendors and performers to City Hall Plaza in Downtown Boston for the first time this weekend, according to the website. 

The event bills itself as “one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the US.” It will take place from Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4.

Panda Fest launched last year in New York City, and has listed upcoming events in major cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia and Seattle.

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According to MassLive, a few local participating vendors will include PAGU in Cambridge, Lakon Paris Patisserie, and Somerville macaron shop Maca. Food booths lining the area will have special tastings for hungry festival-goers. 

In addition to food vendors, there will be more than 15 “merchandise” vendors, and live performers. Set to energize the crowd are a variety of performers including K-Pop dance group 919 Crew,  Japanese band shiori kubrick, and DJ Saucy Lady, the Panda Fest team told Boston.com.

General admission tickets cost $13 and includes single entry into to the festival of food and merchandise vendors, access to a Panda inflatable, performances, and a custom Boston panda pin and a festival headband. VIP tickets cost $25 and additionally include express entry line access and a Boston panda bag. Panda Fest will be rain or shine, and is family- and pet-friendly. Children under 6 can attend for free.

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See full details on its website.

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