Military Park

Panda Fest, a traveling Asian food and culture festival, will set up at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, 2026. The event features Asian food vendors, street food, cultural performances, merchandise booths and panda-themed activities for kids. When and Where The festival takes place at Military Park, 601 W. New York St. Hours are: Friday, May 15: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 16: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 17: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday is typically the busiest day at festivals of this size. Families with younger kids may find Sunday afternoon or Friday evening easier to navigate. What's at the Festival Organizers list more than 90 Asian food vendors and over 200 street food items, with cuisine spanning Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino and other regional dishes. The festival also includes: 20-plus merchandise vendors Asian cultural performances throughout the day A panda inflatable A panda bounce house Going With Kids Panda Fest is a family-friendly event. Strollers are allowed, and the bounce house and inflatable are open to attendees. A few details worth knowing: Kids ages 6 and up need a ticket Kids under 6 enter free and receive a headband Every paid attendee receives an Indianapolis-themed panda pin and a headband The festival is outdoors, so plan for sunscreen and water, especially during midday hours on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets Tickets are sold by date and time slot through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Early Bird: $10 (available through Feb. 22, 2026) General Admission: $14 VIP: $35 Saturday tickets cost $2 more across all tiers VIP tickets include a fast-pass entrance, access to VIP-only areas and bathrooms and a third free gift (a tote bag). Find Tickets here. Parking Military Park is in downtown Indianapolis. Organizers recommend rideshare or public transit. For drivers, nearby garage options include: IUI Riverwalk Parking Garage, 245 University Blvd. ($7 for 2 to 4 hours) OneAmerica Tower Garage, 1 American Square (starts at $4 per hour) LAZ Parking at Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St. (starts at $5 per hour) Huntington Plaza Garage, 35 N. Pennsylvania St. (starts at $10 per hour) The Republic Parking garages on Senate Avenue and Washington Street are also nearby and charge weekend rates. Before You Go Bring cash. Smaller food vendors at festivals are sometimes cash-only. Dress in layers. Indiana weather in May can shift quickly. Check ticket times before purchasing, since entry is tied to a specific time slot. For tickets and full event information, visit pandafests.com.

Military Park

Read Current Issue

Latest Articles

Slick City Geist to Open 55,000-Square-Foot Indoor Action Park

40+ Free Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids

11 Best Fall Train Rides in Indiana

17 Under-the-Radar Fall Festivals near Indianapolis You Don’t Want to Miss (2026)

Military Park

Panda Fest Indianapolis Comes to Military Park May 15-17

Read Current Issue

Latest Articles

Slick City Geist to Open 55,000-Square-Foot Indoor Action Park

40+ Free Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids

11 Best Fall Train Rides in Indiana

17 Under-the-Radar Fall Festivals near Indianapolis You Don’t Want to Miss (2026)