Queens Night Market Is Back for Its Fall Season — Here's What Families Need to Know
Queens Night Market Is Back for Its Fall Season — Here's What Families Need to Know
Good news for families who love a Saturday night out with food from around the world: the Queens Night Market is back at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for its fall season, running every Saturday evening through Halloween, October 31.
Where and when
The market sets up behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until close (the market wraps a bit earlier in fall, around 11:00 p.m., instead of the summer midnight closing). It's free to attend.
What to expect
This is the market's 11th season, and it's grown into one of the city's most beloved weekend traditions — regularly drawing 15,000-plus visitors on a good Saturday. Expect:
- Up to 100 independent vendors selling food, art, and handmade goods
- Cuisine from dozens of countries and cultures, reflecting Queens' status as one of the most diverse places on Earth — this season's new vendors include Mamani (Iranian street foods like sosis bandari and kookoo sabzi) and Beachside Boriqua (Puerto Rican sorullitos de maíz and mofongo bites)
- Small-scale cultural performances throughout the night
- The signature $5–$6 price cap on food items — a market hallmark since 2017, making it one of the most affordable ways to sample new cuisines as a family
Worth noting for planning purposes: founder John Wang has said this will likely be the last season the market holds the line at that $5–$6 price cap, citing the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and years of inflation since the cap was set. So if you've been meaning to try the market for the first time, this fall is a great time to go before prices adjust next year.
Don't miss the Halloween finale
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 31, when the season wraps with the market's annual Halloween-themed extravaganza. Past years have included trick-or-treating for kids and costume competitions with real prizes — this year's haul is expected to include VIP tickets to Forest Hills Stadium, a stay at the Hyatt Regency, Disney on Ice tickets, gift certificates from Kidding Around toy stores, and gift cards from Nordstrom NYC.
Tips for visiting with kids
- Go early if you're bringing little ones — the market can get crowded as the evening goes on.
- Bring cash or a card you're comfortable tapping often — with dozens of $5–$6 bites to try, it's easy (and fun) to sample your way around the world in one visit.
- Dress for the weather — it's an open-air market rain or shine, except in unsafe conditions.
- Check the weekly vendor lineup before you go, since it rotates — the market's website posts an updated list each week.
Whether it's your family's first visit or your fiftieth, the Queens Night Market remains one of the easiest, most affordable ways to spend a Saturday evening exploring global food and culture without ever leaving the borough.
For the current weekly vendor lineup and more details, visit queensnightmarket.com.
