Sep. 11, 2024 By Czarinna Andres
The Queens Night Market returns this Saturday, Sept. 14, to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for its fall season.
Running from 4 p.m. to midnight, the event will continue every Saturday through Oct. 26, culminating in its signature Halloween-themed celebration, complete with costume contests and trick-or-treating.
John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market, is excited about the fall reopening. “It’s been a tricky year weather-wise. We’ve had cold, heat and rain—sometimes all in the same month. But the forecast looks amazing for this Saturday, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back,” Wang said. He added that despite weather challenges, the event has been busier than ever when the skies cleared, thanks to consistent support from sponsors like Citizens, who help cover vendor fees.
The market has remained a community favorite, in part due to its affordable $5-$6 price cap on food and drinks. Since its launch in 2015, it has drawn over 3 million visitors and helped launch nearly 450 new businesses. This fall, the market will feature vendors representing more than 95 countries.
Along with its food stalls, the market’s fall programming is packed with activities, including a Halloween costume contest offering prizes like VIP concert tickets from Forest Hills Stadium and signed memorabilia from the New York Mets.
Cookbook Reprint in Time for Fall
The Queens Night Market is also celebrating the reprint of its award-winning cookbook, “The World Eats Here.” First published during the pandemic, the cookbook features 88 recipes from market vendors, offering a taste of the many cultures represented at the market. “These recipes carry deep personal stories,” Wang said. “They’re tributes to family, to tradition and to the community that makes Queens so unique.” The reprint is set to ship this fall.
Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Gala Returns
In addition to the fall opening, the market will once again produce the “Evening Under the Sphere” gala for the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Set for Thursday, Sept. 26, the event will be held beneath the Unisphere and will feature unlimited food from over a dozen Queens Night Market vendors, with proceeds benefiting the park’s programming and maintenance.
“We are thrilled to partner with Queens Night Market again,” said Anthony Sama, Executive Director of the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park. “This event brings our community together and supports the park that so many people love.”
Tickets for the gala are available online, with entertainment provided by DJ Shinobi Shaw, live jazz and more.