It’s a food lover’s paradise throughout the year, but when summer hits the streets, New York City heats up with the nation’s largest gathering of street fests and night markets. From Queens to the Bronx, Brooklyn to Harlem, there’s something for everyone, every day (and night) of the week.
This summer, local food festivals are continuing to draw huge crowds of hungry locals and eager-to-taste tourists who flock to the streets of the Big Apple to sample cuisines from across the globe from vendors from across the city.
For foodies, music lovers, and those looking for unique experiences, these festivals, fairs, and markets are opportunities for restaurants to promote their businesses, share their offerings, and expand their customer base.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Park South Plaza, Union Square East, Manhattan
July 25th and August 1st, 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm
New York City's foodie scene is expanding this summer with Union Square's first-ever night market, featuring over 20 of NYC’s top independent food vendors. Visitors can indulge in a diverse array of food, and enjoy live music, dance performances, and movie nights.
Wollman Rink
59th Street and Fifth Ave.
Aug 6th, September 3rd, and Oct. 1st, 12 noon to 8 pm
First launched in 2023 and quickly gaining a following of plant-powered eaters, the Vegan Night Market is back this summer. Set against the backdrop of Central Park at Wollman Rink (the site of the pickleball courts), the Vegan Night Market offers a bustling food scene, weekly performances, and community activities every first Tuesday of the month through October.
Seasoned vegans and the plant-based curious alike can feast on plant-based tacos and burgers, vegan ice cream, and refreshing beverages from a variety of local vendors while listening to live music in a crowd of like-minded foodies. Hosted by Masc Hospitality Group (MHG), which runs several other night markets around town, everything at the Vegan Night Market will not only be plant-powered, but focus on ethical living and sustainability.
August 3 - 18, 2024
Set in one of the country’s best-known neighborhoods, Harlem Week, which began in the summer of 1974 as a “one-time only,” one-day event, will be celebrating its 50 year anniversary this August.
Block Party: August 3, 2024, 7 am - 3 pm
109th Street & Park Avenue – 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd.
Kicking off the event, August 3rd is the date for what promises to be one of the hottest block parties in the nation. A Saturday of non-stop fun on the streets of Harlem, New Yorkers and visitors alike are invited to come together for great food, outdoor activities, and live music.
Uptown Night Market: August 8, 2024, 4 - 10:00 pm
133rd Street and 12th Avenue, Manhattan
A must-attend event for food lovers, Uptown Night Market will feature a celebration of cuisines from around the world, diverse performances, and family activities.
Harlem Summerstage: August 8, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
163 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building W 125th St, Manhattan
In the heart of Harlem at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, Harlem Summerstage has rapidly become the place to be on Thursday evenings with live performances and vendors from across the city.
Senior Citizens Day: August 9, 2024, 10:00 am - 3:00P pm
This year, Senior Citizens Day will include health demonstrations, testings, performances, exhibits, and a Senior Hat Fashion Show.
Summer In The City: August 17, 2024, 1:00 - 6:00 pm
The second largest day of events offers a full day of activities, with performances from local, national and international artists, an adult urban fashion show, health testing stations, and hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors, and games.
August 11 to 17, 2024
Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, 75 River Terrace
An integral part of the fabric of New York City since 1976, Battery, which supports the creative process and educates children in the New York City schools through local programs and performances, national and international tours, and international arts exchange programs , will host the Battery Dance Festival this summer.
New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival draws a combined audience of over 12,000 in-person and over 35,000 virtual viewers each year.
Every First Saturday of the Month through October, 4 pm
1 Fordham Plaza
On the first Saturday of the month through October, thousands of New Yorkers will converge upon the Bronx Night Market, an open-air food and drink culinary fest uniting 4,000 guests with 50 vendors to foster community engagement, celebrate local talent, and boost the borough's identity.
Showcase your unique offerings, be part of iconic events, and connect with diverse audiences by becoming a vendor.
NYC Summer Streets
Saturdays from July 24 to August 24, 2024
Summer Streets lets New Yorkers experience the city in a whole new way, free from the usual hustle and bustle of traffic. An annual car-free tradition, complete with food vendors, artisans, workshops, and recreational activities, Summer Streets transforms the city's streets into pedestrian paradises with food, community events, and activities from cycling and rock climbing to dancing and live music.
In 2023, over 500,000 people participated in the program, with this year’s event adding 20 miles of car-free space, expanding into Queens, Staten Island, and Harlem. Summer Streets 2024 happens on Saturdays from July 27th to August 24th in all five boroughs between 7:00am and 3:00pm.
Dates and Locations:
Queens - July 27, 2024, Vernon Boulevard between 44 Drive and 30 Road
Staten Island - July 27, 2024, Broadway between Richmond Terrace and Clove Road
Brooklyn - August 24, 2024, Eastern Parkway between Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue
The Bronx - August 24, 2024, Grand Concourse, from East Tremont Avenue to Mosholu Parkway
Manhattan - August 3, 10, and 17, 2024
Brooklyn Bridge to West 125 Street
Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 109 Street
East 109 Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
5th Avenue between East 109 Street and Central Park North
Central Park North between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard
Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between Central Park North and West 125 Street
Admission and participation in Summer Streets is FREE and open to the public.
How to Make the Most of Summer Festival Season
Get creative with these strategies to take advantage of summer festival season.
Set Up a Mobile Cart: Like a billboard on wheels, setting up a mobile cart during an outdoor festival or night market could deliver a whole new customer base.
Promotions and Giveaways: Promoting your restaurant at a festival by offering free samples, giveaways, and prizes is a great way to boost business. Offering free specialty advertising items like t-shirts, key chains, and stickers to attendees will help keep your restaurant at top of mind the next time visitors are hungry for your restaurant’s type of food.
Get Social: A simple and low-cost way to engage with festival goers and expand your customer base is to invite visitors to post a photo enjoying your food and tag your restaurant on social media to get 20% off their next delivery order.
By Eileen Strauss
Comments