Panda Fest Makes Its Cincinnati Debut This October
Panda Fest is coming to Cincinnati for the first time, setting up at Smale Riverfront Park from Oct. 16-18, 2026. The traveling festival, which has run in cities including Atlanta, Boston and Phoenix since 2024, brings dozens of Asian food vendors, cultural performances and a giant panda inflatable to the downtown riverfront for its inaugural Cincinnati event.
The event bills itself as one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the country, with more than 90 food vendors, 200 Asian street food options and 30 merchandise vendors. It’s family-friendly, with strollers welcome and a separate ticket policy for young kids.
What Families Will Find
Beyond the food, the festival includes Asian cultural performances, a panda-themed inflatable and a panda bounce house. Every ticket holder gets a customized Panda pin featuring Cincinnati and a headband, valued at $11 combined.
Hours run Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets and Pricing
Three ticket tiers are available through Eventbrite:
- Early Bird: $10, through 10 p.m. Sept. 13, 2026, or until the first 1,000 tickets per time slot sell out, whichever comes first
- General Admission: $14, which includes single entry for the selected time slot, access to the panda inflatable, food and merchandise vendors, and the cultural performances
- VIP: $35, which adds a fast pass for entry, access to exclusive VIP areas and bathrooms, and a third free gift, an “amazing bag,” bringing the total gift value to $28
Saturday tickets across all tiers run $2 more than Friday or Sunday. All sales are final. Children ages 6 and up need a ticket; kids under 6 get in free and receive a headband, though not the pin.
Good to Know
Only service animals are permitted on festival grounds. Outside food and drink aren’t allowed, with exceptions for medical dietary needs, baby formula and milk, and one factory-sealed water bottle up to 16.9 ounces per guest. Weapons, roller skates and skateboards, pepper spray, and any smoking or vaping are prohibited, as are illegal drugs.
Getting There and Parking
Panda Fest sets up at Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, right along the Ohio River downtown. The Central Riverfront Garage is the closest option, about a two- to five-minute walk from the park, with Lot E directly west of the park as another close option. For less congestion, the Fountain Square South Garage, Mabley Place Garage at 410 Race St. and Citadel Garage at 321 Race St. are all within a 10- to 15-minute walk. The festival is not affiliated with any parking facility, so organizers advise watching for posted signage and fees.
Families looking for more things to do in Cincinnati with kids can check our full guide for other weekend options.
Plan Your Visit
What: Panda Fest Cincinnati, first-year event
When: Oct. 16-18, 2026
Hours: Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Tickets: $10 to $37 depending on tier and day, via Eventbrite
More info: pandafests.com or @pandafests on Instagram
