Asian Food Fest Event Guide
60+ vendors, 150 unique dishes and two days of performances — all free, all on Court Street
The 15th annual Asian Food Fest (AFF), presented by Kroger and Procter & Gamble, returns to Downtown Cincinnati on Court Street between Elm and Main Streets on April 25–26 for two days of world-class food, live entertainment and cultural celebration. What started 15 years ago as a gathering of five vendors and 1,000 neighbors has grown into one of the region’s most beloved events, drawing more than 125,000 attendees and 60+ vendors serving 150 unique dishes from 15 different Asian countries (Cambodia, China, Filipino, Hawaii, Indian, Japanese, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Syria, Taiwanese, Thailand, Vietnam, Vietnam (Hmong). Everyone is welcome and admission is free. AFF is produced by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and Asianati.
Festival Fast Facts
- Location: Court Street Plaza between Walnut Street and Elm Street, Downtown Cincinnati
- Saturday, April 25: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Download the digital event guide, including the vendor map and festival footprint.
15 Years of Flavor: A Milestone Anniversary
“Fifteen years ago, we set up five tables and hoped people would show up. They did — and they’ve never stopped. What began as a small act of community pride has grown into something that genuinely reflects the soul of Cincinnati,” JP Leong, Asianati Co-Chair for Asian Food Fest, said. “This year, we’re not just celebrating how far we’ve come — we’re showing the world what’s possible when a community decides to show up for each other.”
The 15th anniversary edition of Asian Food Fest is ambitious, with new vendors, new performances and new programming. This year’s festival is about celebrating its evolution.
“The 15th Asian Food Fest is a milestone celebration. What the team at Asianati dreamed up and launched 15 years ago has grown into one of the city’s signature events. We can’t wait to share this experience with Cincinnati and beyond,” Chelsea York, Vice President of Events and Experiences, Cincinnati Regional Chamber, said.
The 2026 Vendor Lineup Is Here
This year’s festival features more than 60 vendors, from beloved Cincinnati staples to first-time participants, who are serving a total of 150+ unique dishes. Each year, AFF’s Vendor Outreach Team works directly with each participating vendor to ensure minimal overlap among menus, meaning each of those 150 dishes is genuinely distinct.
New Vendors for 2026:
- Thai Table
- Tenji Sushi
- Stix-on
- Pacific Bowls
- Lotus Thai & Sushi
- Gimmebap
- Duck Beijing House
The Secret Menu Is Back!
The beloved Secret Menu returns for its ninth consecutive year. The Secret Menu is a section of Asian Food Fest where communities, nonprofits and “mom and pop” chefs serve dishes that are nods to longstanding traditions in Asian restaurant culture. These are more authentic, home-cooked dishes — the kind of food that doesn’t always make it onto a standard menu but carries deep cultural meaning for the people who grew up eating it. Organizers want to share these offerings with festival visitors to enhance the cultural experience of AFF.
The full Secret Menu lineup will be revealed on asianfoodfest.org and social media on April 22, 2026. Follow Asian Food Fest on social media (Instagram, Facebook) for the latest information.
Full Entertainment Schedule
Each day features a full day of entertainment and cultural programming from open to close across three stages, each showcasing a new wave of emerging performers. From morning coffee vibes to a closing drag show, there is something for every attendee at every hour of the day.
The complete 2026 entertainment lineup, including all performers, set times, and stage assignments, is available here.
New Programs for 2026:
cAFFeine Sunshine Social — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., both days
Kick off your festival morning with coffee, matcha, and chill DJ vibes. The new Daytime Coffee Vibes program invites guests to ease into the day with relaxing music and warm drinks before the full programming begins.
Saturday Karaoke – Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m.
This year’s Eastern Eats and Vocal Beats , presented by First Financial, has a new twist that will amp up the competition to an even higher degree. Singers must apply for the contest, but only a select number will be selected to compete.
Asian Drag Show — Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Closing out Sunday night in style, AFF is proud to present its first-ever Asian Drag Show. Three AAPI queens will take the stage for a vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable performance celebrating Asian identity, artistry, and community.
Food Tour Giveaway!
The Asianati Food Tour at Asian Food Fest is a brand-new, first-of-its-kind guided walking experience featuring eight curated food and drink items from seven exceptional vendors. Led by Asianati team members Nat and Sam, this tour offers participants the chance to meet restaurant owners, learn about the cultural background and stories behind their dishes, and explore the history of Asian Food Fest.
This is a new event, and the only way to get tickets is by participating in our giveaway. One lucky winner will receive two free tickets to our Sunday, April 26 tour. To enter the giveaway, simply tag your friends in the comments and like and share our promo video on Instagram or Facebook.
