Mall of America® welcomes the Twin Cities debut of Panda Fest, one of the largest outdoor food festivals in the U.S.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m. CT
BLOOMINGTON, MN — March 4, 2025
Mall of America® is proud to host the Twin Cities premiere of Panda Fest, one of the largest traveling outdoor Asian food festivals in the U.S. The highly anticipated event will take place in the North Lot at MOA® from July 11–13, bringing an unforgettable celebration of Asian cuisine, art, and cultural traditions to Minnesota.
Tickets go on sale to the public beginning March 12 at 10 a.m. CT. Due to the overwhelming demand in previous cities, early ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. The festival has sold out in other markets, and organizers anticipate a similar response from the Twin Cities community.
“We are always looking for unique, immersive experiences to bring to Mall of America, and Panda Fest is a perfect fit,” said Jill Renslow, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Mall of America. “This festival not only highlights the incredible flavors of Asian cuisine but also celebrates the beauty and diversity of Asian culture — something that we anticipate will resonate with the Twin Cities community.”
Panda Fest is traveling to 12 major cities across the U.S. and will offer attendees an opportunity to explore interactive experiences that bring to life the rich heritage of Asian traditions. The event features more than 100 Asian food vendors, a marketplace with Asian market vendors, live cultural performances and a giant, 15-foot inflatable panda for one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.
“Panda Fest was created as a dedicated platform to showcase the depth and richness of Asian food and culture, so having the opportunity to share this experience with the Twin Cities community is something I’m incredibly passionate about,” said BiuBiu Xu, founder and organizer of Panda Fest. “This is more than a food festival — it’s a celebration of culture, community, and connection. We’re thrilled to bring this experience to the Twin Cities and share the flavors, traditions, and artistry of Asian culture with a new audience.”
Early bird general admission tickets are $10 through March 30 and then go up to $14. General admission ticket holders will receive a customized Twin Cities Panda Fest pin and headband. VIP tickets are available for $35, which includes an exclusive Panda Fest bag in addition to special designated VIP seating areas. Children ages six and up require a ticket to enter. Additionally, local vendors interested in participating can still apply online here.
Prior to founding Panda Fest, BiuBiu Xu created Dragon Fest which debuted in New York City and drew more than 200,000 attendees in 2023.
For more information and to purchase tickets to Panda Fest Twin Cities, visit pandafests.com or follow @pandafesttwincities on Instagram.
ABOUT PANDA FEST
Panda Fest is one of the nation’s premier outdoor Asian food festivals, celebrating Asian cuisine, culture, and community. Formerly known as Dragon Fest, the event has grown into a multi-city festival that provides a platform for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to showcase their culinary and artistic talents while fostering cultural appreciation and connection.
ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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