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.

At this massive grub hub, there’s only one rule: Come hungry. 

Founded by Brooklyn Flea’s Eric Demby and Jonathan Butler, the culinary extravaganza typically spotlights about 100 vendors across its locations. Smorg has three spots in 2023, two in Brooklyn (in Williamsburg and Prospect Park) and one at the World Trade Center. The World Trade Center outpost runs on Fridays; Williamsburg on Saturdays; and Prospect Park on Sundays.

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2023. 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 full schedule:

— July 29 and 30 (Summer Pop-up) at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill
— August 5 and 6 (Summer Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— August 19 and 20 at Governors Island
— September 9 and 10 (Fall Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— September 16 and 17 at Govenors Island
— September 23 at Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights between Clinton and Hicks
— September 30 and October 1 (Fall Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— October 21 and 22 at Governors Island
— October 28 and 29 (Fall Pop-up) at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill
— November 4 and 5 (Fall Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— November 27-December 22 (Holiday Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17 (Holiday Pop-ups) at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill

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. 

The Brooklyn Flea is undoubtedly one of the most popular flea markets to hit in NYC if you're looking for the best selection of throwback wares and records.

Find Brooklyn Flea in DUMBO on the cobblestone streets of Pearl Plaza, where it spotlights roughly more than 40 vendors who display their goods beneath the Manhattan Bridge. Brookyn Flea operates on Saturday and Sundays, April through December. Brooklyn Flea also operates in Chelsea year-round on Saturdays and Sundays.

Crowds flock to this delicious pop-up, which runs from spring through the fall, transforming parts of NYC into a sliver of Japan. This massive festival attracts more than 250,000 people every year. This year, it'll be held 20 times during the season running through October 28, making it the biggest JAPAN Fes yet. Locations include Chelsea, Astoria, NoMad, Park Slope, the East Village and more. 

Snack on treats from 750 vendors 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. After you're full, shop for Japanese crafts and gifts featured at the event.

Here's the full JAPAN Fes schedule for the rest of the season:

— August 26 in the East Village
— August 27 in the East Village
— September 9 in the Upper East Side
— September 16 in Chelsea
— September 17 in Chelsea
— October 7 in the East Village
— October 8 in the Upper West Side
— October 28 in the East Village

This open-air, food-centric market features Bronx-based vendors serving up tacos, lobster, empanadas, burgers, soul food, chocolates and lots more. In addition to all of the delicious provisions, the market offers nifty wares from local artisans and live music performances from Bronx musicians. The fun happens at Fordham Plaza on the last Saturday of each month this summer through October, 1-7pm. 

Here are the 2023 dates: July 29, August 26, September 30 and October 28. 

This new night market celebrates all things vegan. The Vegan Night Market in Central Park this summer is the city's first night market celebrating plant-powered eats.

You'll get the chance to taste vegan foods from a variety of local vendors while listening to live music in a crowd of like-minded folks. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or curious about trying some plant-based meals, all are welcome.

Find the Vegan Night Market at Wollman Rink in Central Park from 4-10pm every Tuesday this summer through October 10. It's free to enter. The market's hosted by MHG Events, who also run the Uptown, Brooklyn and Bronx Night Markets.

In its first year, the Brooklyn Night Market quickly grew a devoted following, attracting thousands to Industry City for an open-air food and drink festival. The market is back for 2023 on the last Monday of each month this summer through October, and it's bigger than ever. 

Dine around with an extensive selection of cuisines from around the world, as well as live music and other activities. The event strives to celebrate the diverse food and vibrant culture in New York City. In the market’s second season, expect more than 50 vendors producing dishes and libations from all corners of the world.

Vendors include Perros Locos, Tacos El Guero, Downeast Lobstah, ROSTACY, Sassy's Fishcakes!, Nadas Colombian Rainbow Empanadas, HangryDog, Brooklyn Dim Sum Co, Twisted Potato, Inc., Patok by Rach LLC, Rosie's Empanadas, Pinche vegana and lots more. 

The market runs from 4-10pm on July 31, August 28, September 25 and October 30 from 4-10pm. Find it at Industry City, 36th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.

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. There will also be other items sale besides food, including vintage apparel, hand-poured candles, travel photography, crochet toys, stationery, small batch soap, henna, vintage brooches, international handcrafts, NYC-themed apparel, gourmet dog treats, handmade jewelry, ceramics and local art.

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. 

The massive foodie fest at Uptown Night Market is back in Harlem, running monthly into the fall. Expect more than 60 food, beverage and merch vendors focusing on a majority of local minority-owned businesses.

The free-to-attend outdoor event series runs on the second Thursday of the month through October (August 10, September 14 and October 12. Find the all-ages event at 133rd and 12th Avenue in West Harlem.

Food options available for purchase include Perros Locos' gourmet Mexican-style hot dogs; Tacos El Guero's traditional taco flavors; Patok by Rach's sweet, salty, and sour Filipino essence; Treat YourSelf Jerk's spicy offerings; Nadas' take on Colombian empanadas; La Braza’s popular shish kebabs and La Victoria's fun pineapple dishes.

A Brooklyn tradition dating back to 1999, this 15-block street fair keeps summer going after Labor Day every year. On September 10, 2023, 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 59th Street will be full of New Yorkers offering dozens of types of tacos, fresh fruit and so much more.