The best free events and festivals in NYC

It’s hard to get good food on the cheap, but for seven years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best eats for just $5-6. The foodie festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, starting on April 13. New this year: The event will open at 4pm, an hour earlier than it has in the past and will include even more vendors than usual. There will also be other items sale besides food, including vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, ceramic products, locally produced art pieces, crochet toys, stationery, and much more. In its existence, the market has attracted over 2 million visitors, helped launch 350 new businesses in New York and represented more than 90 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2022, the event averaged over 15,000 attendees each Saturday night. 

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2024. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.  FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome! Here's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2024 Spring April 13-14: Earth Month Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterMay 4-5: Brooklyn Brewery Market at Brooklyn BreweryMay 11-12: Mother's Day and Made in NYC Market at Empire Stores in DumboMay 18-19: NYCxDesign Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterJune 1-2: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo Summer June-October (third weekend of the month): Governors Island MarketJuly 13-14: Summer Market at Empire Stores in DumboJune 22-23: Summer Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterJuly 27-28: Summer Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterAugust 10-11: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo  

Grand Bazaar is one of NYC’s oldest and largest marketplaces where you can buy vintage treasures, antiques, clothing and more goodies from more than 100 local merchants. Photographers, jewelers and furniture designers sell their best on Sundays between 10am and 5pm on the Upper West Side (77th Street at Columbus Avenue).  Each week offers a different theme, from featuring women-owned businesses to focusing on handmade items to spotlighting international wares. The market runs both indoors and outdoors each week all year long.