626 Night Market
Location(s)Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California; OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California; Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California
Established2012
Website626nightmarket.com

626 Night Market is a regular night market located in the 626 area code region of San Gabriel Valley, northeast of Los Angeles. As of 2022 it is the largest night market in the United States.

Format

The event is held multiple times a year from May through September. Each 3-day night market event draws up to 100,000 attendees[1] with more than 250 participating food, merchandise, and craft vendors, as well as art and music.[2][3] The market is held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.[4] It is the largest night market in the United States.[1][5]

The events are known for their large selection of Instagram-friendly foods, ranging from traditional night market snacks found in Asia such as stinky tofu and meat skewers to fusion cuisine such as pho tacos and ramen burgers.[6][7] Vendors are local artisans and aspiring chefs plus entrepreneurs who already own a restaurant, retail store or food truck, or those who are launching a new product or brand or test-marketing a new concept.[1][8]

History

Conceived by Jonny C. Hwang, a businessman born in Taiwan and raised in southern California,[9][10] the market was inspired by the night markets of Asia, especially the Shilin Night Market in Taipei.[11] The inaugural market was held in 2012 and drew an unexpectedly large crowd that clogged the streets of Old Town Pasadena, initially drawing negative criticism from attendees and allegations of mismanagement.[12][13] The market subsequently relocated to Santa Anita Park.[14]

Related events

626 Night Market established OC Night Market at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.[4] DTLA Night Market was held for a limited run next to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles in the same year.[15] In 2018, 626 launched NorCal Night Market at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.[4][16][17] As of 2020, all events were renamed to 626 Night Market, with OC Night Market rebranded as 626 Night Market/OC and NorCal Night Market as 626 Night Market/Bay Area.[18] In 2022 626 launched in Santa Monica.[19] The various locations do not overlap dates.[20]

Similar events

Since the first 626 Night Market event in 2012, a number of other night markets have emerged in Los Angeles and Orange County, including the KTOWN Night Market, the Little Saigon Night Market and the MPK Night Market.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Take a stroll through the biggest night market in the United States". TODAY.com. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  2. ^ "On the 626 Night Market: An Interview with Founder Johnny Hwang". Public Diplomacy Magazine. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. ^ Paredes, Lisa (2019-07-09). "Get Out Of Town!: 626 Night Market". myBurbank.com. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  4. ^ a b c Huang, Josie (2 May 2014). "The 626 Night Market branches out beyond the San Gabriel Valley". 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  5. ^ Richard Chang, "Area night markets at head of new trend", Orange County Register, June 24, 2013.
  6. ^ Hang, Kristie (2015-09-03). "Here's What to Eat at the Last 626 Night Market of the Year". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  7. ^ Hang, Kristie. "Get Pho Tacos And Burritos At This New Asian-Latin Fusion Joint". LAist. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  8. ^ "San Gabriel Valley's 626 Night Market returns this weekend". Los Angeles Times. 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  9. ^ Clarissa Wei, "626 Night Market Founder On Next Steps and Chinese Restaurants", KCET, May 2, 2013.
  10. ^ Liana Aghajanian, "Jonny Hwang: The Man Who Invented 626 Night Market", LA Weekly, May 15, 2013.
  11. ^ Zen Vuong, "626 Night Market and its Taiwan predecessor", Pasadena Star News, November 2, 2013.
  12. ^ Xia, Rosanna (June 7, 2013). "San Gabriel Valley's 626 Night Market returns this weekend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  13. ^ Jennifer Medina, "New Suburban Dream Born of Asia and Southern California", The New York Times, April 29, 2013.
  14. ^ Clarissa Wei, "626 Night Market is back: Grilled skewers, spiraling potatoes and dragon whiskers", Los Angeles Times, June 10, 2013.
  15. ^ Odell, Kat (2014-02-05). "626 Night Market Grows to Downtown LA, OC in 2014". Eater LA. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  16. ^ Schena, Susan C. (Jul 26, 2018). "'NorCal Night Market' To Debut At Alameda Co. Fairgrounds". Patch Media. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "NorCal Night Market To Debut This Summer At Alameda County Fairgrounds". Alt 105.3. July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  18. ^ "626 Night Markets 'come home' after pandemic". Pasadena Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  19. ^ "The 626 Night Market Comes to Santa Monica, Featuring Kim Chi, Bomb Squid, Stinky Tofu and other Asian Fusion Cuisine". Santa Monica Observer. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  20. ^ "Everything You Need to Know About the 626 Night Market". Thrillist. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  21. ^ Chang, Richard (4 May 2014). "Food-filled night markets are crossing into the mainstream and headed our way". OC Weekly. Retrieved 10 May 2014.

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