2025 NYC food festivals guide

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: 

March 21-23: Salon du Chocolat NYC in Manhattan

Set to take place at the Javits Center's  River Pavilion, this three-day festival features a variety of chocolate desserts. More than 60 worldwide vendors will be selling chocolates and some booths will be offering samples of treats. Attendees can join workshops, go to demonstrations, hang out at the educational kids' zone and see a fashion show where the clothing is made from edible chocolate. On March 22 at 12:30 p.m., visitors can see chocolatier and co-host of Netflix's "Nailed It!", Jacques Torres, during a cooking demonstration.  

• WHEN | WHERE  11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 21; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 22-23; Javits Center, 429 11th Ave., Manhattan 
• COST Tickets start at $24.60, $15.64 ages 6-12
• MORE INFO 678-369-6069, salonduchocolatnyc.com

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, takoyaki, balls typically stuffed with octopus, green onions, tempura scraps and pickled ginger,  ramen and omurice, as well as Japanese-style cream puffs and Wayo Secchu dishes. On March 29, the festival takes place in Manhattan’s East Village at the corner of Astor Place and Lafayette Street. Food options include a matcha croissant cube by Softbite, Kagoshima Tonkotsu ramen by Menya Jiro, Hokkaido milk tea by Cozy Tea Loft and Sushi Tacos by Hoshino Sushi Tacos. Guests can browse manga comics and novels from artist Vandel Marchen and anime items from Aoho Anime. The April 6 event also happens on the Upper West Side at West 103rd Street and Broadway with the same selection of fun. 

• WHEN | WHERE  10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 29 and April 6; The festival takes place at several locations; check the event site for more information
• COST Free
• MORE INFO japanfes.com 

Saturdays, April 5 through Oct. 25: Bronx Night Market

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

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. New comers include: Knot of this World Pretzels from Long Island, Ween Dogs, selling hot dogs with all the fixings, Coco Bred, serving soft coco bread pocket sandwiches, Pastrami Underground, offering deli options and Dragon Lulu, delivering freeze-dried fruit and toasted nuts. Street food, desserts and market dishes to try include pasta from Pasta Wheel and treats from Chocolate on Tap.

• WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at both 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

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 

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

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. Beer by Round Table Brewery in Brooklyn (roundtablebrewery.com) will be ready to taste test  and several cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks will also be available, as will baked goods  from MumsKitchens NYC (mumskitchensnyc.com), gelato and sorbetto from Aurelia (eataurelia.com) and alcohol-infused ice cream from Tipsy Scoop (tipsyscoop.com). 

• 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 pub Lilly's Craft and Kitchen, Greek bakery Poseidon Bakery, burger joint 5 Napkin Burger, Latin/Colombian restaurant Empanada Mama, burger restaurant Lovely’s Old Fashioned and 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