One of New York’s most eagerly anticipated events is the Queens Night Market—a true haven for food lovers. Every year, thousands gather in Queens to savor street food from over 90 countries. This celebration of diversity, held every Saturday evening from April through October, is enriched with live music, dancing, and handmade crafts from local artisans. Read more about the festival on queenski.com.
Who Started It and When?
The story of Queens Night Market began in 2014, when John Wang left a successful law career to create a community space in New York that celebrates diversity. Inspired by the night markets he visited on his travels around the world, Wang aimed to introduce a similar festival to Queens, showcasing a range of cultures. The event was first held in April 2015 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, featuring 40 vendors and bringing Wang’s vision to life.
A Culinary Tour
Few New York events emphasize food as a medium of cultural exchange quite like Queens Night Market. From Afghan mantu dumplings and kebabs to Ukrainian borscht, you’ll need plenty of time to taste all the tempting options.
Moving from stall to stall, you can taste the flavors of Peru through ceviche, then sample Taiwanese popcorn chicken. Dishes from Indonesia, Ukraine, Haiti, Peru, Cambodia, Portugal, the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Singapore, El Salvador, Japan, and more are featured here—no transoceanic flights required!
At least 20% of each evening’s proceeds go to charity, and affordable prices with free entry ensure that the market remains accessible to all. Vendor prices are capped at $6 per dish or item (as of 2024) to attract a diverse audience. Thanks to strong sponsorship support, such low prices are sustainable.
Each year, nearly 100 independent vendors showcase food from around the world, honoring New York City’s ethnic and cultural diversity, with Queens at the heart of it. From 2014 to 2022, the market attracted over 2 million visitors, helped launch 350 new NYC businesses, and represented over 90 countries through its vendors. In 2022, over 15,000 attendees joined the festivities every Saturday night.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the market maintained its presence online. Vendors organized virtual cooking demos on Facebook and even published a cookbook, The World Eats Here, featuring recipes and success stories illustrating the American dream. By visiting Queens Night Market, you’re supporting immigrant vendors and chefs eager to share their culture and flavors with the world.
The event resumed in June 2021 with ticketed entry and strict health regulations. The following season, the festival returned to its free-admission format.
Beyond Food
While enjoying your meal, don’t miss the artisan displays, which feature unique candles, vintage clothing, toy collections, board games, and various figurines. Queens Night Market hosts over a dozen small shops offering art, clothing, gifts, and accessories. You won’t find counterfeit goods, mass-produced items, kitschy art, or experimental cuisine here. Be sure to take the time to explore the vendors’ offerings and pick up some unique souvenirs.
The festival atmosphere is enhanced with DJs, live music, and dance performances. Every Saturday evening, cultural events are held, adding to the experience with musical and dance performances along with traditional performing arts for all attendees.
If you’re looking to taste delicious international cuisine and witness ethnic performances, head to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Queens Night Market offers a memorable experience for visitors and vendors alike. Food vendors typically earn around $3,000 per night, while art and souvenir sellers make about $1,000 per night.
Alcohol is available, but bringing your own is prohibited. To purchase alcohol on-site, attendees must show ID to receive a wristband or stamp.
Even if you don’t come with the intent to eat, you can still enjoy the diversity of Queens by observing the vibrant crowd and engaging with new people. Families, couples, and groups of friends from all walks of life attend. Queens Night Market is the perfect place for relaxation and enjoyment.
8 Tips for Visiting
Queens Night Market can get crowded, which may make the experience challenging. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the festival stress-free:
- Skip the car: Arriving by car can lead to long waits for parking. With limited parking spots on-site, it’s best to take the subway or bus. You’ll recognize the festival by the sounds of live music and crowd noise before the delicious aroma of grilled meat lures you in.
- Arrive early: Lines for popular stalls get long, so arrive before the market opens at 5 PM to maximize your food experience.
- Don’t follow the crowd: While lines peak around 8 PM, a long queue doesn’t necessarily indicate popularity or quality. Sometimes, it just means the vendor has a slower service time or the dish requires more preparation.
- Divide and conquer: If you’re visiting with a group, consider splitting up to sample more food options.
- Pick the right day: The market runs every Saturday evening from April through October, with a break during the U.S. Open in late August and early September. Visit in the first six weeks to try new vendors or in the quieter autumn weeks if it’s your first time. The closing night in October, with vendors in Halloween attire, is particularly special.
- Bring cash: While an ATM is available on-site, lines for it are often long, and most vendors accept only cash.
- Pack a blanket: If you plan to sit and enjoy your meal rather than walk around, a blanket is helpful, as seating is limited.
- Be eco-friendly: Bring a reusable water bottle to help reduce waste.