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Dragon Fest, NYC’s largest Chinese food festival, is returning this year

Expect lots of panda-themed foods this time.

Ian Kumamoto
Written by
Ian Kumamoto
Culture Editor
Dragon Fest
Photo: Dragon Fest
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Chinese food lovers, start prepping your stomach linings now: Dragon Fest, New York's largest Chinese food and cultural festival, is coming back this year for multiple days of limitless food and entertainment across Manhattan and Queens. 

Although the festival is spread out across multiple dates throughout the year, the first one on April 13 is fast approaching. Here's everything you need to know about the festival and when you can attend this year.

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Every year, Dragon Fest brings Chinese vendors, chefs, artists and culture to one place. Last year, the festival drew over half a million New Yorkers, so they're expanding the festival to 10 days. In addition to six designated "Dragon Fest" days, the festival added four "Panda Days," which will bring adorable panda-themed food, art and photo-ops, perfect for families and diehard panda aficionados. Some of those adorable panda-themed foods will include shaved ice by Dragon Lulu, Candied Hawthorn by 80's Rabbit and Panda Boba Tea by Master Panda, among many others.

If that's not enough panda content for you, there will also be a 13-foot tall inflatable panda and panda archway entrance for photo-ops that might just awaken your inner child and revive your zest for life. “We’re bringing back Dragon Fest for 2025 because we’ve seen a growing appreciation for Chinese food and culture over the past few years,” says Biubiu Xu, Founder of Dragon Fest. “What started as a local celebration in New York City has now expanded to other cities like Philadelphia and Atlanta— but NYC will always be our home, where Dragon Fest was born.”

For a full slate of events, visit Dragon Fest's Instagram or website. You can RSVP for tickets here. Here are all the dates and locations for this year's festival.

  • April 13 – Astor Place (Panda Day)
  • April 20 – 6th Ave (30th–31st St)
  • May 10 – 6th Ave (30th–31st St)
  • May 24 – Astor Place (Panda Day)
  • July 20 – 7th Ave, 56th–57th St, (Panda Day)
  • August 16 (night market) – Queens Blvd, Forest Hills (Panda Day)
  • September 20 – Broadway (113th–114th St)
  • October 4 – 4th Ave (12th–13th St)
  • October 5 – 6th Ave (31st–32nd St)
  • October 12 – Broadway (81st–82nd St)

Here is a full list of this year's vendors:

C Bao Asian Buns

Twisted Potato

Bao Zang Chinese Snack 

Missing House

Dumpling King

Tang's Snack 

Bao Bu Tong 

Heaven Noodle 

Yu Kun Seasame Cake 1

Yu Kun Seasame Cake 2

BBQ master 

Pop n' Pork

80's Rabbit 

80's Rabbit 2

Na Tart

Yes Coconut 

Dragon Lulu

Softbite

Smoove Ice Cream

mumu sweet

@Boba 1

@Boba 2

Sugarcane Daddy

OJB

Crispy Cloud 1

Crispy Cloud 2

Cruncheese

Yakitori Tatsu

Master Panda

Orchard

INARI ZUSHI

Gen BBQ

SugaBox

Savory & sweet paradise

Sushi Taco

GREAT EAST BOBA

Yifan

Thaitai Eatery

Kung Fu Desserrt

Katsu Sando

HIMAWARI

Fearless Jewelry

Huashi NYC

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