Charlotte, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Panda Fest, an Asian food and culture festival, took place at Ballantyne’s Backyard in Charlotte. Despite featuring over 70 food vendors, the event faced an early shutdown due to safety concerns. Attendees expressed concerns over high food prices and long wait times, leading to mixed reviews. The festival had ticket prices ranging from $10 to $35 and offered various Asian culinary experiences, yet it struggled with vendor variety and organization.
Charlotte hosted its inaugural Panda Fest, an Asian food and culture festival, from September 12 to September 14 at Ballantyne’s Backyard. The festival, created by the founders of Dragon Fest—one of the largest Asian cultural festivals in the U.S.—drew mixed reviews from attendees and faced an early shutdown.
On the festival’s opening night, fire marshals mandated an early closure, ending activities at 7 p.m. instead of the scheduled 9 p.m. This decision stemmed from fire inspectors reporting that outdoor cooking operations did not meet code requirements. The shutdown was enforced as an “abundance of caution” to ensure public safety. The festival reopened at 10 a.m. the following day after the issues were resolved.
Upon reopening, attendees affected by the early closure were offered a choice to use their tickets on Saturday or Sunday or request refunds through Eventbrite. The festival featured over 70 Asian food vendors showcasing cuisines from various nations including China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
However, many food vendors were not local, and several booths offered duplicate menus, which resulted in a limited variety for attendees. A spokesperson for Panda Fest noted that the festival intentionally included a mix of local, regional, and national vendors to provide a diverse experience.
Ticket prices for the festival ranged from $10 to $35 for entry, while food costs were an additional expense. Prices for food items varied significantly; for instance, some vendors sold meat skewers for $11, while a panda-shaped souvenir cup of lemonade was priced at $25. A former attendee from Atlanta cautioned about high food prices, citing $16 for tanghulu—candied fruit on a stick.
Discussion on social media platform Reddit revealed long wait times of up to an hour for food, prompting some users to advise against attending the festival. The entry line for regular attendees appeared organized on Sunday morning, but lengthy lines formed later in the day. A spokesperson for Panda Fest explained that wait times were mainly observed at the beginning of new sessions due to the large groups arriving and safety screenings in place.
Although the festival did not confirm its plans for future events in Charlotte, updates regarding its potential return will be communicated via their website and social media channels. Besides food, Panda Fest offered experiential activities, tastings, and a marketplace that showcased Asian food, art, and cultural traditions.
General admission tickets included entry to the festival along with a custom festival pin and panda headband, while VIP tickets offered additional perks to attendees. The festival also experienced an unrelated outage with Eventbrite on the night it was scheduled to open, which caused inconvenience for some attendees.
Key Features of Panda Fest
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival Dates | September 12-14 |
| Location | Ballantyne’s Backyard, Charlotte |
| Food Vendors | Over 70 vendors from various Asian cuisines |
| Ticket Prices | $10 to $35 for entry; food priced separately |
| Early Closure | Shut down at 7 p.m. on Friday |
FAQ
What were the dates for Panda Fest?
Panda Fest debuted in Charlotte from September 12 to September 14.
Where was the festival held?
The festival took place at Ballantyne’s Backyard.
How many food vendors participated?
The festival featured over 70 Asian food vendors.
What were the ticket prices?
Tickets for the festival ranged from $10 to $35 entry, with food costs being an additional expense.
What caused the early shutdown on Friday?
On Friday, fire marshals shut down the festival two hours early due to outdoor cooking operations not meeting code requirements.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV: Panda Fest Charlotte Forced to Close Early on Opening Night
- WSOC-TV: Fire Marshal Shuts Down Charlotte Panda Fest
- Axios: Panda Fest Sold Out in Charlotte – Review
- WCNC: Charlotte’s Panda Fest This Weekend
- QC News: Charlotte Asian Food Festival Closes Early Due to Unforeseen Emergency
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
