( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) New York City’s First Night Market in Queens
ENSPIRE Contributor: Hamna Khan
We know New York City as the cultural capital of the world. People from different ethnicity, race, and cultural background reside in this big city. Nearly 800 languages are spoken here. Therefore, this city has a wide variety of food representing different countries throughout the world. If you are a foodie like me, you would probably want this variety in one place and at an affordable price range. The question is how to get Pakistani Lunch, Mexican evening snacks, and Korean-style dinner all at the same time and place. The answer is Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park.
Queens Night Market is NYC’s first night market founded in April 2015 by John Wang who introduced 40 vendors at the time. Queens Night Market is a family-friendly open-air market that features up to 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food with entertaining free concerts. The market operates on Saturdays from April through October starting from 5 pm to midnight. Some of the amazing food includes Feijoada- Brazil’s Beefy National Dish, Indonesian street snacks at Mas Budi, Romanian chimney cake ice cream cones at Twister Cake, Classic Sweet Blintzes from Ukrainian- Owned Blintz Box, Spicy BBQ Jamaican Jerk Chicken from Treat Yourself Jerk, and many more.
In 2019, the market featured food from over 80 countries. This market has helped over 300 NYC-based small businesses. There have been 200 free live performances at this event to date. Due to recent pandemic, the market has to stay closed in 2020 but it reopened in June 2021. The 2022 market returned on 7th May with a timed and ticketed entry for $5. The food menu at the market changes a little almost every week introducing new food stalls.
John Wang started this venture not to just welcome different food, heritage, and culture but for charity as well, the responsibility of giving back to the community. This June, the market partnered with United Nations Refugee Agency to back the refugee population in the borough. They also donate at least 20% of these sneak preview ticket sales to charity.
The last night market until after US Open is on 20th August, the last summer Saturday. If you want to enjoy the food, art, and performances from these 60 vendors this is your chance to get a ticket and spend quality time with your friends and family. Follow them on their Instagram account for the latest updates. All you need to know about Queens Night Market is here.
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