NYC night markets: 10 food festivals to check out
Chinatown Night Market. Photo credit: Francis Wu
New York City night markets provide the best way to explore cuisines of the world, without getting on a plane. Taking place across the city, these vibrant open-air festivals offer an affordable and fun night out, while also supporting local vendors and small businesses. Adding to the nightlife feel, the markets are often accompanied by live music, performances, and art from local artists. We’ve rounded up our favorite night markets to check out this summer, from the well-established Queens Night Market to new events at Lincoln Center and Union Square.
Bronx Night Market
1 Fordham Plaza
First Saturday of every month through October, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
After closing permanently last October and then announcing a return to Fordham Plaza earlier this year, the Bronx Night Market is back and better than ever. The revamped market features a new holistic approach to address previous pain points, transforming Fordham Plaza into a center for “community, culture, and commerce.” The market features a plethora of food vendors, as well as cooking demonstrations and nutrition education, an artisanal cafe, a curated bookstore, live performances, and much more.
Brooklyn Night Market
220 36th Street, Industry City
Last Monday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Experience one of the city’s most esteemed night markets that reflects the diversity of the borough of Brooklyn. On the last Monday of every month, the vibrant open-air food and drink festival takes over Industry City in Sunset Park with over 50 vendors offering delicious culinary experiences from all corners of the world.
Uptown Night Market
Harlem Arches, 701 West 133rd Street
Every second Thursday of the month through October, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hosted beneath the towering Arches of Harlem, the Uptown Night Market features over 80 vendors representing more than 20 countries, showcasing the best of Harlem’s rich African-American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European communities, as Secret NYC notes. From jerk chicken and bao buns to ice cream and viral mini pancakes, there’s something for every type of foodie. After enjoying delicious bites, enjoy live music and check out work from local artisans.
Queens Night Market
New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
On Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Now in its ninth season, the Queens Night Market remains the city’s most affordable market, with all items capped at $5 and $6. Located at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing, the open-air food festival has helped launch nearly 400 brand-new businesses and represented over 95 countries since launching.
Open every Saturday night from April through October, the market reflects the diversity of Queens, with vendors selling food from around the world, like Afghan kabuli pulao, Indian BBQ, Colombian arepas, Tibetan momos, Sichuan ice jelly, Venezuelan Cachapas, Japanese ramen, Ukrainian blintzes, and so much more. There’s also a diverse line-up of live performances, including African dance troupes, Chinese lion dances, break-dancers, Bollywood bands, and more. Find a full lineup of vendors and performers here.
Vegan Night Market
Columbus Circle, Central Park South
First Tuesday of every month through October, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
New Yorkers who follow a plant-based diet don’t have to be left out of the city’s night market scene. Established in 2023, the Vegan Night Market takes place the first Tuesday of every month through October on Central Park South by Columbus Circle. Enjoy vegan soul food, fruit smoothies, twisted potatoes on a stick, vegan baked foods, and more.
Latin Night Market
Quisqueya Plaza, 238-224 Dyckman Street
Friday, October 18 at 4 p.m.
At Upper Manhattan’s Latin Night Market, expect a stacked lineup of vendors offering the best in Latin cuisine and energizing live performances, all celebrating Latin food and culture. Thethe market only has one date left, so make sure to catch it before it closes for the season. The last event will take place on Friday, October 18 starting at 4 p.m.
New York Latin Food Festival
Pier 76, Hudson River Park
Fridays from September 13 through October 4, from 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month this fall, MASC Hospitality Group will host the New York Latin Food Festival at Pier 76 in Hudson River Park. The event will offer food from 100 vendors celebrating culinary traditions from across Latin America and the Caribbean, along with a diverse lineup of performers and art installations showcasing the heritage of the Hispanic diaspora. Admission is free; a suggested donation of $7 will go to the nonprofit Street Eats Foundation. RSVP here.
Lincoln Center Night Market
Wednesdays through Sundays through August 10, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A newcomer to the city’s roster of night markets, the Lincoln Center Night Market offers visitors a diverse variety of cuisine from curated vendors, ranging from Mexican desserts and soul food from Harlem to Lebanese street food and plant-based options. The market also features a tent with rotating food offerings to complement each week of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City programming, which includes hundreds of free events and thousands of artists featured across 16 acres of outdoor space.
Union Square Night Market
Union Square Park’s South Plaza
July 11, 18, 25, and August 1 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Famous for its annual holiday market and year-round farmers market, Union Square will debut a night market this summer. Hosted by Urbanspace, the Union Square Night Market takes place on four consecutive Thursdays starting July 11 and will offer 20 independent food vendors. Try fun culinary delights like Belgian-style fries, rice bowls in Pineapple halves, award-winning jerk chicken, po’ boys and fried oysters, banh mi sandwiches, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Learn more about the market and its vendors here. The night market coincides with the Union Square Partnership’s Summer in the Square, a series of fun activities and events, like pickleball, yoga, skateboarding clinics, jazz, and movie nights held on Thursdays in the summer.
Chinatown Night Market
Forsyth Plaza, Forsyth and Canal Street, Chinatown
One Friday a month during the summer, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In its fourth season, the Chinatown Night Market takes place one Friday a month in the summer, offering local food vendors, art, and family-fun programming. Hosted by Think!Chinatown on Forsyth Plaza, at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, the market features fare from local favorites, like Ka Wah Bakery and Pinklady Cheese Tart, with most food items priced no more than $7. There’s also a variety of arts and crafts vendors and live performances. The next night market is happening on Friday, July 26.
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