The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex’s (DFW) largest Filipino cultural market is back and bigger than ever. Lone Star Palengke, an annual celebration of Filipino culture, community, and creativity, returns this year with over 175 booths and organizations gathered under our largest venue yet to showcase the strength, diversity, and unity of one of North Texas’ fastest-growing cultural communities. The celebration will take place November 9th at Levy Event Plaza in Irving.
With more than 80,000 Filipinos calling the Metroplex home, Lone Star Palengke reflects both the growth and future of the Filipino American community in North Texas. Hosted annually by the Pilipino American Community Endeavor (PACE), the festival invites visitors to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Philippines while honoring the entrepreneurs, artists, and organizations that continue to enrich DFW’s cultural landscape.
“This event is for the community and made possible by the community,” Abby Casallo, Vice President of PACE, said. “Lone Star Palengke, to me, represents home away from home. It’s more than a market- it’s a celebration of who we are as Filipinos in Texas. It brings back the warmth, flavors, and energy of the Philippines while showing how beautifully our culture thrives here in the U.S. And most importantly, it means opportunity and access.”
Every year since its conception, general admissions have been free with registration on Eventbrite, and attendees are encouraged to support a greater cause with an optional $20 community donation. All proceeds will go toward our goal of establishing a Filipino Community Center and Filipino Town in DFW: a permanent home for gatherings, cultural programming, and future generations to connect and thrive. Despite being one of the largest Asian populations in DFW, Filipino-Americans do not have their own gathering space, unlike Richardson's Chinatown or Carrollton's Koreatown.
“Our initial goal together is to purchase land and create a community center: a physical space for us to come together and serve our families,” Casallo said. “From ideation to planning to showcasing vendors, we’re setting an experience that didn’t exist before. We’re shaking hands with people who can open even bigger doors for us that were once closed before.”
Lone Star Palengke is open to the public and welcomes visitors of all backgrounds. This year’s event will feature 175+ local vendors, food trucks, small businesses, artists, and nonprofits, alongside a full schedule of live performances, cultural showcases, and interactive experiences.
“The vendors are what excite me the most,” Casallo said. “I love how creative they get when promoting their best work or menu. There’s a rollercoaster of emotions when preparing for the Palengke, and honestly, there’s no exact advice on how to prepare for 10,000 people. Instead, we tell them: be flexible, come with more than enough, showcase your best, and have fun. I love hearing first-time vendors say Palengke was their launching pad. If you can handle LSP, you can handle anything.”
Beyond the marketplace, this year’s highlight collaboration, The Kapwa Project, unites Filipino Student Associations (FSAs) from UT Dallas, UT Arlington, SMU, and UNT, along with SIFA, for the first time at a major community event. Together, they’ll bring music, dance, and modern Filipino creativity to life in a one-of-a-kind showcase of youth leadership and cultural pride.
“I’ve been to their Filipino events before, and I love how these young adults bring in a crowd and creativity to fundraise while showcasing a modern spin on Filipino culture,” Casallo said. “The younger generation is a big part of Lone Star Palengke. Someday, they’ll be leading it- and we fully trust their passion and purpose to keep our culture alive.”
Last year’s theme, "Let's Get Loud", encouraged the community to stand proud and advocate for greater Filipino representation in North Texas. This year’s event builds on that message by amplifying visibility and unity across all generations.
“The biggest impact of Lone Star Palengke is visibility and unity,” Casallo said. “It gives our Filipino community a platform to be seen, celebrated, and supported. It helps younger generations reconnect with their heritage while showing the broader DFW community how rich and vibrant Filipino culture truly is. We want the politicians, corporations, and accredited investors to know we are here- and that we matter too.”
The long-term vision of Lone Star Palengke extends beyond the celebration itself. It’s a movement rooted in community empowerment, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation that is driven by the belief that Filipino Americans deserve a lasting place in the growing landscape of North Texas.
“A message I want to put forward into this event is that this is just the beginning,” Casallo said. “Lone Star Palengke is more than a day of celebration—it’s a movement to reclaim our roots, amplify our voices, and create a legacy for future generations of Filipino Americans in Texas. We’re not just showcasing our culture; we’re building a bridge that connects where we came from to where we’re going—together.”
Founded by PACE, Lone Star Palengke is an annual Filipino market and cultural celebration that brings together thousands of attendees and hundreds of local businesses, artists, and organizations from across North Texas. The event aims to uplift Filipino entrepreneurship, strengthen community ties, and foster cultural pride through shared food, art, and experience.
To learn more or to register for free admission, visit www.pacedfw.co/lsp.
