The 27th Annual Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival will return to Haggard Park in Plano on Saturday, September 26, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., offering a free, family-friendly celebration of Japanese culture. Organized by the Japan-America Society of DFW (JASDFW), the festival will feature 13 food vendors and a new centralized Food & Drink Ticket Tent designed to streamline purchases and allow guests to sample a wide variety of dishes throughout the evening.
Otsukimi, meaning “moon viewing,” is a centuries-old Japanese autumn tradition that celebrates the beauty of the moon, the changing season, and community. JASDFW’s annual festival brings that tradition to North Texas, combining cultural performances with hands-on activities and a diverse culinary lineup. This year’s food offerings range from traditional Japanese favorites to Asian and American comfort foods, reflecting the region’s growing diversity and appetite for global cuisine.
The centralized ticket system marks a shift from vendor-specific cash transactions. At the Food & Drink Ticket Tent, cashiers will accept cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Guests can then use tickets at any of the 13 participating vendors, making it easier to explore the festival’s food options without needing multiple payment methods. This approach not only improves the attendee experience but also supports vendors by encouraging cross-traffic and sampling.
Participating vendors include Beard Papa’s Plano, known for authentic Japanese-style cream puffs; Hana Hospitality LLC, serving Japanese food, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages; and Mitsuwa Marketplace with drinks, confection snacks, and Dango. Additional offerings include Sayuri Asian Cuisine with matcha drinks, Brazilian lemonade, smoothies, sandwiches, and curry; Breakfast Brothers serving chicken and waffles, including its famous red velvet waffles; F&F Express FoodTruck featuring Korean BBQ; Bobaddiction offering bubble tea, fruit teas, milk teas, and coffee; and Angel Touch Kitchen serving grilled chicken skewers, shrimp tempura, dumplings, egg rolls, nasi goreng, and mie goreng. Festival guests can also enjoy Playa Bowls; i Fratelli Pizza with pepperoni and cheese pizza; Sugar Rush Magic creating fresh artistic cotton candy on-site; Weebie Takoyaki specializing in takoyaki; and Martabak de Luna featuring Indonesian cuisine.
The food lineup complements an evening of Japanese culture and entertainment, including taiko drumming, sumo wrestling demonstrations, traditional dance, live music, anime programming, hands-on cultural experiences, and children’s activities. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to receive festival updates and be entered for a chance to win special prizes. The festival also promotes public transit: the DART Red Line operates every 20 minutes on weekends, with free parking at Parker Road Station and a three-minute ride to Downtown Plano Station, arriving directly at Haggard Park. Return service runs until midnight.
Now in its 27th year, the Otsukimi Festival underscores the Japan-America Society of DFW’s mission to strengthen friendship and understanding between Japanese and Americans in North Texas through cultural, educational, and business programs. By expanding its food vendor roster and simplifying purchases, the festival aims to make Japanese culture more accessible to a broad audience, reinforcing the value of community-driven cultural exchange in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
