The Japan-America Society of DFW (JASDFW) welcomed more than 18,000 attendees to Haggard Park for its 2026 Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival, setting a new attendance record for the annual celebration. Plano Mayor John Muns delivered welcoming remarks at the event, which continues to grow as a signature gathering for the region.
One of the evening’s most anticipated guests was Emi Lo, an acclaimed anime English voice actress known for roles in popular series including The Apothecary Diaries. Fans gathered at the Main Stage for a special appearance and screening by Lo, highlighting one of Japan’s most popular contemporary cultural exports and creating a memorable experience for anime enthusiasts of all ages.
Traditional Japanese culture was equally prominent. Dallas Kiyari Daiko energized the crowd with powerful taiko drumming, while the Dallas Sumo Club presented multiple sumo wrestling demonstrations that drew large crowds and cheers. The entertainment lineup also featured a classic anime Ghibli songs concert by Nova Pangea, dance performances by Okinawa Eisa Ryukyu-damashii and Lonestar Yosakoi, the Dallas Cherry Blossom Children’s Chorus, and a live J-pop performance by Sallad, who closed with a song from The Apothecary Diaries.
Beyond the performances, thousands of guests explored Japanese and Asian cuisine, a marketplace of artists and vendors, anime and pop-culture experiences, traditional Japanese children’s games, and hands-on cultural activities including calligraphy, flower arranging, and tea ceremony. View Event Photos from the record-breaking celebration.
The festival’s success was made possible through community support, volunteers, performers, vendors, partners, and sponsors. JASDFW recognizes Toyota as its Community Impact Partner, along with key festival sponsors EZ On Coat, SpotOn, H-E-B, Kawai, 7-Eleven, NEC, i Fratelli Pizza, Dimaco, Art Centre of Plano, The Original Pancake House DFW, Crunchyroll, The Time Group, and FC Dallas.
The 27th Annual Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival continued JASDFW’s mission of strengthening friendship and understanding between Japanese and Americans by creating opportunities for North Texans to experience Japanese culture firsthand. With more than 18,000 attendees in 2026, Otsukimi has grown into the region’s largest public celebration of Japanese culture. Learn more by visiting www.jasdfw.org.
