2025 NYC food festivals guide
Oconomi & C Bao will return in 2025 to Smorgasburg at The World Trade Center in New York City. Credit: Grace Jeon
Foodies don't have to travel far to enjoy cuisines from around the world this spring and summer. Festivals and night markets are popping up across Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs, offering bites and cocktails from places near and far. Some events include live music, DJs, open-mic nights and activities for kids.
Hop on the train or take a day trip by car to these destinations where you can chow down on favorite dishes and discover new specialties:
Various dates through November: JapanFes in Manhattan and Brooklyn
You can catch this site-hopping event at locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, each offering what it claims to be the world’s largest Japanese food festival. Guests can purchase food such as okonomiyaki pancakes, Japanese-style cream puffs and Wayo Secchu dishes. Browse manga comics and novels from artist Vandel Marchen and anime items from Aoho Anime.
- WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 6; Upper West Side at West 103rd Street and Broadway; The festival takes place at several locations
- COST Free
- MORE INFO japanfes.com
Saturdays, April 5 through Oct. 25: Bronx Night Market
Adam Kaufman waits for his food at Bronx Night Market at Forham Plaza. Credit: Michael Owens
Browse a lineup of more than of 30 local food, beverage and merchandise vendors. The market will include live music and DJs, and will host open-mic night at 4 p.m. Entertainment will also include live mural painting, and kids can check out a family-friendly activity zone featuring games like cornhole and Kan Jam.
- WHEN | WHERE Noon to 7 p.m.; 1 Fordham Plaza, Bronx
- COST Free
- MORE INFO 646-475-9073, bronxnightmarket.com
Fridays beginning April 4 at World Trade Center Oculus, Saturdays beginning April 5 in Williamsburg and Sundays beginning April 6 in Prospect Park through October: Smorgasburg
Attendees enjoy dishes at Smorgasburg in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Credit: Samuel Hollenshead /Samuel Hollenshead
Explore more than 60 vendors at this open-air market featuring delicacies from around the world. Head to World Trade Center Oculus in Manhattan (April 4), Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg (April 5) or Breeze Hill in Prospect Park (April 6), where foodies can find Latin American street food, Chinese confections and treats, French sweets and baked goods and fresh seafood. Beverages for purchase include specialty drinks, tea, coffee and lemonade.
- WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at all locations; Fridays at World Trade Center Oculus, Manhattan; Saturdays in Williamsburg : Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave., Brooklyn; Sundays in Prospect Park : Prospect Park, Breeze Hill, Brooklyn
- COST Free
- MORE INFO smorgasburg.com
Biweekly Thursdays, April 10-Oct. 10: Uptown Night Market
Customers stroll around the Uptown Night Market in West Harlem. Credit: julia drummond
Happening under the Henry Hudson Parkway in West Harlem (where the rounded support system under the roadway has been dubbed the "Arches of Harlem"), it’s a celebration of the neighborhood’s food offerings, with over 50 vendors. Slated entertainment will include art installations and displays from local creatives, live music and DJs, spoken word performances and games for kids, and an open mic night happening at each event.
- WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 111th St. and 49th Ave., Manhattan
- COST Free
- MORE INFO uptownnightmarket.com
Saturdays, April 12 through October: Queens Night Market in Queens
From left, Kavya Cannan and Wannah Robert try some of the foods at the Queens Night Market. Credit: Olivia Falcigno
This weekly affair at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will feature dozens of vendors whose offerings will be as diverse as the borough’s population. Cuisines range in origin from Turkey and Argentina to Columbia and Portugal, from Guyana to Cambodia and Pakistan to Mexico, from Italy to Israel. Art and clothing vendors will also be on hand, and a mix of live entertainment will happening each week.
- WHEN | WHERE 4 p.m. to midnight; 47-01 111th St., Flushing
- COST Free
- MORE INFO queensnightmarket.com
April 23: Brisket King NYC at Pig Island NYC in Queens
The Brisket Guy and The Tio Rozay's BBQ booth at Brisket King NYC at Pig Island. Credit: Patty Brown / Rachael Markow
It’s a brisket bonanza as over 20 chefs and restaurants competing for the "Brisket King NYC" title, making Texas-style and Jewish deli to Caribbean jerk and Mexican barbacoa, among others. Tickets to the event include food and drink samples from each vendor competing.
- WHERE | WHEN 5 to 9 p.m. 35-37 36th St., Astoria
- COST Tickets start at $59.78; $91.70 for VIP tickets which include early admission and added amenities. All food and drink samples are included with ticket purchase.
- MORE INFO 718-362-6111, brisketking.com
May 17-18: Ninth Avenue International Food Festival in Manhattan
This two-day event focuses on food found in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Many area merchants will be taking part, such as Greek bakery Poseidon Bakery, burger joint 5 Napkin Burger, Latin/Colombian restaurant Empanada Mamaand Indian restaurant Bombay Grill. Visitors will also be able to enjoy live music and dancing, and kids can check out a game and ride pavilion.
- WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Ninth Avenue between 42-57th streets
- COST Free
- MORE NFO 212-581-7029, ninthavenuefoodfestival.com
Most Popular
