Panda Fest returns to the Charlotte area this spring

Zoom in: The three-day event will be held at Route 29 Pavilion to accommodate a larger check-in area, more room to explore, easier parking and an enhanced layout.

• Festival organizers say they will use upgraded security gates instead of manual checks to reduce long entry lines.

What to expect: More than 80 food stalls serving 200+ dishes from countries like China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

• Vendors will include a mix of Charlotte businesses, as well as some nationwide ones from New York and Los Angeles. Certain stalls organizers expect to be in high demand will have multiple booths throughout the grounds.
• The festival will also have live performances, demonstrations and a marketplace of 20+ artisan vendors.

State of play: Pricing was a major concern for attendees last year. This spring, menu items are expected to be priced between $7-$25.

• While vendors can set their own prices, the festival will require each business to offer at least one item priced at $10.

If you go: Panda Fest will run from April 17-19 at 5650 Sandusky Blvd., across from Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• The festival hours are Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm and Sunday 10am–8pm.

What's next: Tickets go on sale Feb. 13 at 10am. Early Bird tickets start at $10, General Admission is $14 and VIP is $35.