Come hungry. There is a lot of culture on the menu at the Wichita Asian Festival, one of Wichita’s largest annual celebrations of Asian culture and community. The one-night festival fills Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center in downtown Wichita with food, art, music, dance and traditions representing cultures from across Asia.

The 45th annual Wichita Asian Festival takes place 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Hosted by the Wichita Asian Association, the festival draws thousands of people each year for cultural performances, a scholarship pageant and a wide variety of food and craft vendors. This year’s theme is “Journey Across Borders.”

Planning to go? Here are five things to know before you walk through the doors.

Dances bow with hats at Wichita Asian Festival in Wichita KS

1. Get your tickets before you go

General admission is $5, and tickets are on sale now. The Wichita Asian Association also offers a $35 VIP ticket that includes early entry at 4 p.m., first access to vendors and exclusive seating for the performances and pageant. General admission begins at 5 p.m.

The festival is organized by the Wichita Asian Association, a volunteer-led organization that has served Wichita for more than 40 years and works to celebrate and uplift the area’s Asian community.

Find current ticket information through Century II.

crowds gather at Wichita Asian Festival in Wichita KS

2. Come hungry

Food is not a side attraction here. It is one of the main events.

Vendors bring a wide variety of Asian cuisine under one roof, giving visitors a chance to try different dishes, flavors and drinks as they make their way through the festival. The Wichita Asian Association describes the event as a celebration of Asian cultures through food, art, performances and community.

Translation: do not eat a big dinner before you arrive.

Participants at Wichita Asian Festival dance in Wichita KS

3. Watch the stage

The food may get you through the door, but keep an eye on the stage. The 2026 festival will feature dynamic live performances showcasing Asian cultures and traditions throughout the evening.

Traditional and contemporary performances are part of what makes the Wichita Asian Festival more than a food event. It is an opportunity to experience cultural expression through music, dance and storytelling.

Cups of boba tea are displayed at Wichita's Asian Festival

4. Leave room in your plans for vendors

Between performances and food stops, browse art, crafts and other offerings from festival vendors. The 2026 event is expected to feature a diverse mix of vendors as part of its celebration of food, art, music and community.

In other words, showing up “just for dinner” may be ambitious. There is a lot happening under one roof.

Pageant contestants pose in front of a lit "Asian Fest" sign during Wichita's Asian Fest

5. Cheer on the scholarship pageant 

The scholarship pageant returns as part of the 45th annual Wichita Asian Festival, with contestants representing different cultural backgrounds. The pageant is one of the festival’s longstanding traditions and combines cultural celebration with opportunities for young women in the community.

The current Miss Wichita Asian Festival 2026 is Ananya Gandikota. The pageant joins the festival’s performances, vendors and food as part of an evening built around this year’s “Journey Across Borders” theme.

Know before you go

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
  • Time: 5-9:30 p.m.; VIP entry begins at 4 p.m.
  • Location: Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, 225 W. Douglas Ave. in downtown Wichita
  • Admission: $5 general admission; $35 VIP

For festival updates, follow the Wichita Asian Association as the event approaches.

Looking for more things to do in Wichita? Browse the Visit Wichita calendar of events and download the latest visitor guide for more trip ideas.