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Now that we’ve passed the threshold of daylight savings, it’s official: spring is almost here. While others note the changing of springtime with longer days, sprouting flowers and warming breezes, we mark the coming of season with the return of one of our favorite night markets in NYC: Queens Night Market.
Returning for a 10th year, the night market plans to promise what it does best: offer an amazing diversity of food and culture at accessible prices. It’s this dedication and more that earned the market recognition as one of the top food festivals in the country.
RECOMMENDED: The Queens Night Market is looking for ways to keep its low food prices
Yesterday, USA Today ranked Queens Night Market as the number one spot on its “Best City Food Festival” list. The destination also appeared on the outlet's list of best festivals across the nation. To come up with the country’s best, the publication assembled a panel of experts to nominate their top picks. Readers were then allowed to vote and decide the winners. Another win for New York, EEEEEATSCON New York also made the list, coming in at number nine.
So, why did Queens Night Market nab the number one spot? According to USA Today, it's the open air market’s culinary diversity that earned it the top ranking.
“The weekly, seasonal Queens Night Market is modeled after the popular open-air night markets of Asia, offering street food that showcases the ethnic and cultural diversity of the borough—all at wallet-friendly prices,” writes the publication.
Since its inception in 2005, Queens Night Market has welcomed more than three million visitors, helped launch approximately 450 brand-new businesses in New York and represented over 95 countries through its vendors and their food. Even more impressive, the festival has been able to maintain its low prices, ranging from $5-6, thanks to its sponsors Citizens and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation. This year, the festival is looking for an additional sponsor to eliminate vendor fees altogether in order to maintain the affordable price point.
The Queens Night Market will return next month to the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. While the free festival officially kicks off on Saturday, April 26, the event is selling a limited number of tickets for a sneak preview on April 12 and April 19. The hope is to alleviate the traffic and capacity issues for opening night. Tickets are $5 and are free for children under 12. While purchasing tickets in advance is preferred, any unsold will be available at the door for $8. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities. Buy your tickets here.