The best street fairs NYC has to offer

If you’ve ever encountered a random street fair while wandering the city, chances it's Pop Up New York's doing. The brand hosts numerous outdoor bonanzas while giving back to local non-profits. From the end of April to late October, the company hosts a new wave of bazaars featuring up-and-coming restaurants, designers and musicians in trendy neighborhoods. Check out the full lineup of upcoming events online.

Back at the Seaport for its second year, the original Lower East Side makers mart brings the best of small business and food pop-ups for themed Saturday markets like a Pride Market, a weekend dedicated to women-owned businesses, an ice cream social and more. DJs bring fun vibes to make this a place to hang, eat and shop.

Crowds flock to this bimonthly pop-up, which runs from spring through the fall, and turns part of Chelsea into a sliver of Japan. Snack on treats inspired by Japanese and East Asian street food like takoyaki (octopus balls), sushi, gyoza, Korean-style rice hot dogs, Taiwanese popcorn chicken and much more. Japanese crafts and gifts are also sold at the events.

Though it’s only once a year, this annual French festival is worth planning for. Taking place on Sunday, July 10, 2022, this fete turns a stretch of Madison Ave. from 59th St. to 63rd. Street into a full-on French marché. Live music, dance, champagne and wine tastings, crepes, pastries, boutiques and more will all be outside to celebrate. 

The Bronx’s Little Italy becomes an Italian piazza every weekend, April - October, from 6pm - 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 pm - 9 pm on Sundays. Arthur Avenue is closed to vehicles from East 188th Street to Crescent Avenue, so diners can eat on the sidewalk and in the streets, peruse vendors, and stroll for blocks with a fresh scoop of gelato in hand. 

Also known as the Feast of the Giglio, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s annual celebration in Williamsburg has taken place since 1903, outside the church at North 8th St. and Union Ave. This year, it will take place from July 6-July 17, and vendors presenting oozy mozzarella-laden treats and powdered sugar-topped zeppole will be out in full force.

Harlem Bazaar is a new monthly series that takes place the third Friday of every month between June and October, from 2pm to 8pm at the State Building on West 125th Street.

Patrons will get to browse through a slew of items, from jewelry pieces to apparel and merchandise, self-care products and exquisite art. Bonus points: 75% of the vendors present belong to minority communities (POC, LGBTQ, immigrants and women). 

In addition to the product lineup, there will also be over 30 food vendors serving delectable fare on site and live performers to keep everyone entertained. We're in Harlem, after all!

A new, open-air market with more than 50 food and art vendors is coming to Industry City this month for the first time. The Brooklyn Night Market by MASC Hospitality Group—the same company behind Bronx Night Market and Harlem’s Uptown Night Market—starts up on June 27 at Industry City and promises to bring an array of eclectic global street food and art & culture "artifacts," a press release states. The vendors you'll find at the Brooklyn Night Market at Industry City include vendors such as Perros Locos, Culiraw, Mister Bocadillos, Tacos El Guero, OH! K-Dog and Egg Toast, #DeepFriedWatermelon by MD ChickAn, Downeast Lobstah, Passion Fusion BK, Cupcake Me!, Oh.Sweet.Mason, The Waffle Chic, Twister Cake NYC, Cee Love Sea Food My Bath Bar, ForTheCultureNY LLC, Harlem’s Heaven Hats, Lotus in Violet LLC, black N ugly, and others.

This open-air, food-centric market features Bronx-based vendors serving up tamales, soul food, latkes, ice cream, pastries, elotes and vegan creations, plus libations from the Bronx Brewery and others. In addition to all of the delicious provisions, the market offers nifty wares from local artisans and live music performances from Bronx musicians. Come appreciate all that NYC's northernmost borough has to offer. The night market takes place on the last Saturday of each month.

A Brooklyn tradition dating back to 1999, this 15-block street fair keeps summer going after labor day every year. On September 25, 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 59th Street will be closed and full of New Yorkers offering dozens of types of tacos, fresh fruit and so much more.

An early fall celebration that makes it hard to say goodbye to summer, this annual festival is known as a Brooklyn institution. Taking place on October 2, 2022, expect a kids’ block with pony rides, bounce houses, face painting and circus performers; tastings from local Atlantic Avenue restaurants; and so many vendors offering whatever money can buy. Hundreds of food and craft vendors and multiple stages close down a busy Brooklyn artery for Atlantic Antic each fall. Spanning 10 blocks and cutting through four neighborhoods, it's billed as NYC’s largest street fair, so there’s more to see than stands hawking pashminas and MozzArepas. The eclectic musical lineup brings together diverse local talent and you can graze on grub from a delicious variety of artisanal vendors—washed down with some fab locally brewed ale, of course.

At this massive grub hub, there’s only one rule: Come hungry. The Brooklyn Flea spin-off draws more than 10,000 visitors per day with a slew of 75 to 100 incredible food vendors. Our pro tip? Make sure you peruse the lineup before you go—those mouthwatering scents and the bevy of choices can make you dizzy (and the dense crowds can make you hangry).

This open-air bazaar is Queens’ answer to the Brooklyn Flea, as both markets offer a wide array of retro wares and antiques, finger-licking–delicious eats and gorgeous skyline views that could bring a tear to the eye of the most jaded New Yorker. But it certainly pays to take a train or ferry to enjoy the Flea’s all-Queens Beer and Wine Garden. Just check its website before you head over — dates have not yet been announced.