The Chinatown Night Market team is back! This year as Chinatown Nights*.
Friday, June 26 & Friday July 10, 2026 (7:30pm-11:30pm)
Last summer, we thought it was our last. Site conditions on Forsyth Plaza (broken street lights, human excrement, discarded needles, unhoused settlements) became increasingly challenging. Permitting and red tape from various City agencies added barriers and costs at every turn. Corporate sponsorship ended. It was too overwhelming for us to even think about taking it on again.
Then we heard the outpour of love from our community and from our vendors. Despite dealing with all these challenges, we realized that we too would be sad without this summer event in Chinatown.
So, we’re back…with some changes to make it possible for us to continue this tradition. The Chinatown Night Market team returns June 26 & July 10 to Forsyth Plaza, this year as Chinatown Nights*. Expect musical performances, folk artisans, Asian American artists, Chinatown shops, food, and great neighborhood vibes.
See you there.
*Chinatown Nights is a throw back to how it all started in 2021 as a pandemic response to gather community outdoors and to give local Chinatown artisans and shops an opportunity to vend. Since then this summer festival has grown and evolved into the Chinatown Night Market and now will transition back to Chinatown Nights centering arts and culture.
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“Chinatown Night Market” Through the Years
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2026 is the sixth year of Think!Chinatown’s summer series of food, art & music at the iconic gateway of the Manhattan Bridge. This open-air cultural festival features Chinatown-focused programming alongside local art & food vendors.
Artisans of traditional folk art crafts like paper cutting art, sugar painting, and braided straw figures demonstrated their artform, all of which were available for purchase. To check out our growing list of vendors… just keep scrolling!
Chinatown Nights events happen at Forsyth Plaza (Forsyth & Canal St) and Forsyth Street, 8-11:30PM on select Fridays in the summer months. 橋頭夜市集市活动位于科西廣場（科西街 【Forsyth St】和坚尼街 【Canal St】）。此夏季的月度街市活動时间为每个月的一个週五晚上8至11時。
Chinatown Nights is a place for our community to come together, celebrate, and claim safe space in our public realm. This series is an evolved continuation of 2021’s Chinatown Nights. In 2023, the Night Market expanded onto the street along Forsyth Plaza, allowing us to welcome more vendors, live performances, and gathering spaces.
The 2026 season of Chinatown Night Market is presented by Think!Chinatown in partnership with Asian Americans for Equality and produced with support from di Domenico + Partners, and Buro Happold. This community event is made possible with the financial support of Council Member Chris Marte, NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs, and Renaissance. Thank you to our city agency partner Dept of Transportation. Thank you to our community safety partner, Nonviolent Peaceforce.
“These Night Markets are not only an opportunity for our local vendors and artisans to make money, but also important moments to come together and celebrate our culture here in Chinatown.”
Our 2026 Featured Performers
At Chinatown Nights, Think!Chinatown presents a series of culturally relevant musical performances. With much joy, we are announcing our Chinatown Nights performers — the New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) and Chinatown Records. We hope you will join us. Throughout the night, Chinatown Records will spin Canto and Mandopop records inherited from family, friends, and neighbors. See our list of past performers here.
New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC)
Presented by the New York Chinese Cultural Center, this live music performance features guzheng, violin, and erhu in a program that blends beloved Chinese melodies and Western classics. The evening's repertoire celebrates cultural connection through timeless music and fresh interpretations. NYCCC Performers include: Wei Sun (Guzheng), Barbara Chiang (Violin), Danting Qiao (Erhu)
Photo: Loreto Jamlig @Still1
Chinatown Records 華埠錄音
Chinatown Records 華埠錄音 is a homegrown collective and archive of inherited music collections based in NYC’s Manhattan Chinatown. Kicked off in 2018, Chinatown Records is a community effort to bring the archive’s music, memory, & history back to the neighborhood & beyond through block parties, sonic histories, workshops, radio, & so much more. Keep tuning in at chinatownrecords.us / @chinatownrecordsproject
KEEP THE NIGHT MARKET RUNNING
This is a community-ran event, meaning it would not be possible without the hard work, care and dedication of our T!C team and volunteers who have come together to make this happen. Think!Chinatown is committed to hosting accessible events for our Chinatown neighbors. We appreciate and need any donation you can contribute. Thank you, we can't wait to be in community with you.
June 2026 Vendors
For food and merchandise vendors, a majority of menu items are $7 and under with at least 1 item $6 and under. For craft and art vendors, a majority of merchandise is $25 and under.
Jinmen Shaokao
Aquaman Grill & BBQ LLC
Mr. Li Pancake
Sugar Town (Tanghulu)
Sugar Painting Art by Yan Sui
Calligraphy Names by Master Tang
Dough Figurines by Xun Ye
Braided Palm Leaf Figurines by Meifang Shi
Paper Cut Portraits by Ming Liang Lu
Dragon-Phoenix Calligraphy by Mr Jiao S. Lei
Framed Calligraphy by Mr Huang Jianting
Stone Bead Jewelry by Lixing Zhou
Charcoal Portraits and Caricatures by Xuan Lin
Check out the index below to learn more about each vendor!
Index of Chinatown Nights Vendors
Be sure to check the list above to see which vendor will be at the next night market! Click here for past vendors from 2025.
Yan Sui - Sugar Painting Artist
Mastering art, performance, and culinary prowess, Ms. Yan practices the traditional Chinese folk art of Sugar Painting.
Using hot liquid sugar to create two-dimensional figures, her live performances dazzle school events, senior centers, religious functions, and weddings. Suggested paintings include the dragon, fish, monkey, dog, bird, and flower basket.
Dough Figurines by Xun Ye
In this highly skilled folk craft, dough is prepared by the hand of Master Ye and shaped into animal-themed figurines.
Originally from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Xun Ye is an artist by trade and received awards in America, France, Japan, and Singapore. Glutinous rice flour, colorant, honey, and wax are mixed into masses of different colors to make life-like sculptures. The dough that is prepared by a master will not grow mold, fade in color, or crack over time. Even after decades, the sculpture will still look as fresh and lively as the day that it was made.
Braided Straw Figurines by Meifang Shi
Ms. Shi has spent two decades honing her family’s craft of palm braiding, as each figurine is made in its own signature way.
Butterflies, frogs, grasshoppers, dragons, tigers… Ms. Shi can braid so many different figures. The cost of each animal depends on the amount of time spent on braiding them. She started out selling in NYC’s Chinatown, and now she sells near Times Square. Her hours vary but she mainly comes out on weekends, when the weather permits. Due to COVID, she has reduced her hours.
Paper Cut Portraits by Mingliang Lu
A Shanghainese master of traditional Chinese folk arts, Mingliang Lu can cut a client’s portrait out of a piece of paper in under 5 minutes.
In his daily practice, Mingliang puts his own spin on the traditional art form by turning his clients into his muse. He is able to effortlessly cut a portrait of his client out of a piece of paper in under 5 mins, all in front of a live audience, while engaging in his easy going chatter. Make sure to stop his booth to watch his expert shears in action and to get yourself this unique Night Market keepsake.
Traditional Paper Cutting by Ling Tang
As a family famous for their paper cutting craft, Ling Tang brings such an integral and traditional Chinese art to NYC.
Paper-cutting is a Chinese tradition, a popular art essential to everyday living. During festivals and celebrations, each household uses paper-cuttings to decorate their walls, windows and doors. Ling Tang is a New York City-based teaching artist who offers Chinese dance and cultural workshops. She is a 2021 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow in Folk/Traditional Arts.
Jinmen Shaokao 津门烧烤
Mr. Su serves authentic Tianjin-style chuar (skewers) from his cart in Chinatown, with favorites like lamb, beef, chicken, squid, and more—all grilled over charcoal for a signature smoky flavor.
With over a decade of experience in Tianjin, Mr. Su brought his passion for skewers to the neighborhood, quickly turning first-time visitors into loyal regulars. His menu includes a wide variety of meats, plus teppanyaki specialties like whole grilled squid. You can find the Jinmen Shaokao cart daily from noon to 11pm, at the corner of Catherine St, Division St, and the Bowery, across from the Confucius statue (weather permitting).
New Kam Man
New Kam Man has been a market at 200 Canal St selling authentic Chinese packaged food, teas, beauty supplies, and housewares since the 70s!
Founded over 50 years ago by Hong Kong immigrants, New Kam Man began as one of the first supermarkets in Chinatown and the East Coast. Today, under owner Hei Chan, it blends its rich history with a curated selection of specialty goods and popular prepared foods.
Phuntsok’s Momo
Phuntsok’s Momo is an Indian and Himalayan fusion food cart run by partners Miley and chef Phuntsok. It specializes in chicken curry, momos, and mango lassis. If you want to find more of their food, you can find them at their regularly parked location of Thomson Ave and 30 Pl–in front of LaGuardia Community College, from Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm.
Enjoy flavorful bites like chicken curry, chicken Manchurian, honey chicken, chicken momo, and mango lassi.
Sugar Town
Based in Long Island, Sugar Town makes traditional Chinese tanghulu on-site at festivals and community events. Fresh fruits like strawberries, grapes, and hawthorn berries are coated in a crisp, glossy sugar shell for a sweet-tart treat with a satisfying crunch.
Assorted fruit tanghulus: strawberry, grapes, blueberries, tangerines and fruit cups.
Auntie Zhou’s Bead Jewelry
Handmade traditional Chinese stone bead jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, and necklaces
With 15 years of experience running her own jewelry store in China, Auntie Zhou now brings her passion for handcrafted jewelry to NYC. She offers her own creations alongside custom-made stone bead bracelets, sharing her craft with the community at the Night Market.
Calligraphy Names by Master Tang
As a veteran teacher of Chinese language and literature, Mr. Tang's calligraphy work draws inspiration from ancient Chinese philosophy and contemporary ink art. Stop by his table to have your own name written in Chinese characters, or choose from a selection of ready-made calligraphy bookmarks, notecards, and panels.
Chinese name calligraphy works have a suggested donation of $2 each. All other artworks are priced, $5-20.
Grand Tea and Imports
Grand Tea & Imports is a multi-generational family business specializing in importing small-batch heritage Chinese teas and unique cultural goods. Access traditions passed down for generations through our goods. Our selection of fine Chinese tea and cultural products are directly sourced by our family.
GTI, located at 298 Grand Street, NY 10002, is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM for in-store shopping, and for the night, they’ll be offering Incense, Incense Holders, Chopstick Rests, Teas, Cultural Toys, and Lucky Charms.
Made by Oph
Ophelia (Made By Oph) is an artist and illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. As a multi-disciplinary artist using mediums including linocut, oil paints, inks, and markers, Ophelia draws inspiration from her Chinese American heritage specifically the foods and memories she grew up with - her mom’s cooking, the endless family parties, and the stories from her childhood house where it all began.
Asian Joy Co.
Asian Joy Co makes magnetic fidget keycaps and toys at the intersection of design and play inspired by the Asian American diaspora. We are your little keyboard companion and a reminder to make time for joy.
Huang Shanren (Huang Laoshi)
Calligrapher Huang Jianting, also known as Huang Shanren, is a famous Chinese calligrapher from Fujian Province in the United States.
At the Chinatown Night Market, Mr. Huang will be doing live-demos of his calligraphy, for personalized orders. He will also have framed completed works for sale in various sizes.
Website https://huangshanren.mysxl.cn/
Mr. Li Pancake
At 李記醬香餅 Mr. Li Pancake, our mission is to bring Chinese flavors to New Yorkers. We are a company that makes handcrafted Chinese street pancakes, with eleven years of professional experience.
Our cart is regularly located in Flushing, on the corner of Prince St and 39th Ave, Queens, NY 11354
Yu & Me Books
Yu and Me books is the first female owned Asian-American bookstore in NYC located in historical Manhattan Chinatown. Our focus is on the strong, diverse voices of our community, with a highlight on immigrant stories. Our carefully curated books and upcoming offerings of beer, wine and coffee cultivate a safe community space to sip, read, and foster some amazing conversations!
From Here to Sunday
From Here To Sunday began in a fake bodega within a real museum by artist Diana Ho with the simple act of sharing baked goods. This gesture is at the root of the business, which values creating an inclusive community through artful gift-giving. Each product is lovingly made in limited quantities by talented artists – ranging from paintings, to zines, to jewelry, to baked goods, and beyond.
Caricature Portraits by Xuan Lin
Mr. Xuan Lin has been drawing caricatures, portrait sketches, and watercolor and acrylic paintings in NYC for 11 years. He was trained in Chaoshan, Guangdong, pursuing folk artforms like traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy as a serious hobby. When the weather is nice, especially on the weekends, you can find Mr. Lin with his booth at Central Park and Times Square. There you can get a portrait or caricature drawn or commission him for special projects and private event.
Dragon-Phoenix Calligraphy by Jiao S. Lei
Since 1991, Mr. Jiao S. Lei has been writing dragon-phoenix calligraphy 龙凤画, also known as name paintings 名字画. At his prime, Mr. Lei wrote dragon-phoenix calligraphy on streets, parks, and private events and parties. Now that he's older, he only works special events, so the Night Market is a rare opportunity to catch a master of his craft!
Fun fact: After immigrating to America, Mr. Lei specialized in gilding carved stone using real gold leaf. Notable works include the Chinese characters on the pedestal of the Confucius statue at Confucius Plaza and the Chew Lun Association.
Suse Studio
Hi everyone! We are Suse Studio, sharing with you all the beauty and the community that we experience across Asia and NYC. Through our artwork, we hope to bring a piece of the people and places that make our homes special into the spaces you call home too.
Pho & Roll
Pho&Roll is a small food vendor specializing in traditional Chinese comfort foods and street-food favorites. We are proud to share traditional Chinese flavors and culinary heritage with the community while offering affordable, family-friendly food that is accessible to all ages. Our small business is inspired by the neighborhood's rich culinary traditions and vibrant immigrant community. Our menu celebrates traditional Chinese foods that have long been a part of Chinatown's culture and everyday life. We are proud to contribute to the preservation and sharing of these traditions through authentic, affordable, and family-friendly food.
Aquaman Grill & BBQ LLC
Aquaman Grill & BBQ 阿科烧烤王, is located at 28-20 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101. We specialize in Northeastern Chinese BBQ, oden, fried snacks, rice balls, and other local delicacies. Our dishes and services feature carefully selected ingredients, blending Sichuan, Cantonese, Fujian, and Northeastern Chinese culinary techniques to create a unique and delicious experience. The result is a crispy exterior and tender interior, a savory and rich taste, and a numbing spicy aroma. We support online ordering, phone or WeChat reservations, and customized group orders. Our business hours are daily from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
Dumpling Magic
At Dumpling Magic, we bring the authentic taste of Kathmandu street-style momo with a New York twist. Every dumpling, curry, and sauce is made from scratch, just like home cooking — no shortcuts, no canned ingredients. We grind our own spices, make our sauces fresh daily, and use only quality ingredients from trusted suppliers. Our foodcarts are fully equipped with a grill, stove, freezer, fridge, and handwashing sink, ensuring freshness and safety wherever we serve. Most of our customers are regulars who visit us every day — because we serve real food, made with care, not fast food. Whether you find us in Long Island City or at an event across NYC, our goal is simple: to deliver homemade comfort food that connects people and cultures, one dumpling at a time. All items are served hot and made fresh, with flavorful sauces including a creamy mayo-based sauce and a spicy sauce. Our focus is on high-quality, street-style comfort food that is quick to serve and perfect for a night market setting. We would love to share our Nepali/Himalayan cultural food with everyone.
Our Partners
di Domenico + Partners
Leroy Street Studio
Buro Happold
Thank you to our community safety partner, Nonviolent Peaceforce
Thank you to our NYC city agency partners:
Promotional support provided in part by the New York City Tourism Foundation.
Think!Chinatown programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Mellon Foundation, Mosaic Network Fund, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Cultural Sustainability: Community Roots program. Additional funding is provided by many individual friends.