San Gabriel's Historic Mission District turns into an open-air food hall this Friday, October 2, as the city's Dumpling & Beer Fest returns from 6 to 10 p.m. with free general admission, dozens of vendors and a brand-new dumpling cook-off. More than 7,000 attendees are expected to pack the streets for what has grown into one of the San Gabriel Valley's signature fall food events, now in its 11th year.
The City of San Gabriel presents the festival, which is produced by MPD Events, according to Food Journal Magazine. This year's lineup is bigger than ever, with more than 20 food vendors, 17 beverage partners and a retail marketplace set up around 250 South Mission Drive, per the same outlet. General admission is free and open to all ages, though food, drinks and shopping are paid separately at each vendor, as NBC Los Angeles also notes.
A First-Ever Dumpling Bowl Takes the Stage
New this year is the Dumpling Bowl, a culinary competition pitting Southern California dumpling makers against each other, with the winner revealed live on stage during the festival, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The festival's official charity partner is the San Gabriel-based Asian Youth Center, per the Tribune's report. Beyond the competition, attendees can expect gyoza, bao and other classic Asian dumpling styles alongside tacos, rice balls, barbecue and desserts, NBC Los Angeles reports.
Vendors confirmed for the event include Mad Dumplings and Dumpling Dream, per the NBC Los Angeles report. The night market atmosphere also brings live music and shop-ready vendors, along with specialty tastings and exclusive pours from regional craft breweries, according to the same account.
Beer Garden Requires a Wristband and ID
While the festival grounds are free to wander, the beer garden is a separate, ticketed experience. A general beer garden wristband requires guests to be 21 or older with valid identification, per the Food Journal Magazine report. A VIP beer garden ticket, which includes complimentary food and other perks, runs $92.55, while a new non-alcoholic VIP option is priced at $28.52, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Families don't need to sit this one out — children are welcome and general admission stays free for all ages, the Food Journal Magazine report notes, and pets are welcome at the festival as well, per NBC Los Angeles. Because parking is limited, organizers are encouraging attendees to rideshare into the Historic Mission District, according to the same report.
A Decade of Dumplings and Beer in San Gabriel
The festival launched in 2015 as a local twist on Oktoberfest built around San Gabriel's culinary scene, per Food Journal Magazine. That inaugural event was held at Mission Playhouse Plaza and the Mission District at 320 South Mission Drive, also offering free admission with beer-tasting wristbands sold separately for $20 in advance or $25 on the day of, according to the Los Angeles Times. That first year featured 16 beers from local breweries, a live performance by Moonsville Collective, and dumpling vendors including Fine Garden Vegetarian Restaurant, Kai Kai Dumplings, ShanDong Dumplings and Yummy Ling, the Times reported at the time.
Eleven years later, the festival has scaled up considerably, with this year's roster of more than 20 food vendors and 17 beverage partners dwarfing its modest beginnings. Whether it's the new Dumpling Bowl showdown or the sheer variety of pours in the beer garden, Friday's event promises a fuller night out than the neighborhood's first Oktoberfest-inspired gathering a decade ago.
