626 Night Market, one of the biggest night markets in the U.S., is returning to Southern California this summer with several weekend events celebrating food and culture.
The open-air night market is known for its vibrant mix of Asian street food, local vendors, and live entertainment. Over the years, it has become a popular gathering that offers Asian Americans and visitors a platform to explore the cultural traditions.
The live cultural event will be held at several locations this year, according to a social media update.
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The first event weekend is scheduled for May 29 to 31, 2026, at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. The market will return to Santa Anita Park at Arcadia on June 19 to 21, 2026, and August 14 to 16, 2026.
Later in the year, 626 Night Market will expand north with a Bay Area event scheduled from October 9 to 11, 2026, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, according to the Instagram post.
Each event typically runs from Friday through Sunday, and the outdoor venues are transformed into bustling nighttime marketplaces.
Food is the centerpiece of the market, with a wide variety of Asian dishes on offer. Visitors can sample traditional Asian street food, such as Chinese tanghulu, Filipino lumpia, Japanese sando, Taiwanese fried squid, alongside creative fusion dishes, and eye-catching desserts and beverages.
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In addition to the food, the market also serves as a showcase for small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs. The event includes retail booths, handcrafted merchandise, and pop-up brands, along with live music and entertainment.
Each event features over 250 vendors and draws up to 100,000 guests, according to Islands.
About 626 Night Market
626 Night Market takes its name from the 626 area code of the San Gabriel Valley, where it was first launched in 2012, according to the event’s website.
As the festival grew in popularity, it expanded to other locations, including Costa Mesa and the Bay Area.
Inspired by the iconic Asian night markets, the event aims to celebrate the diversity of Asian food and culture by recreating the communal, lively atmosphere with local community members.
In October 2025, food festival producer Foodieland acquired 262 Night Market, the event announced in a social media post.
Backed with “Foodieland’s resources and reach,” 262 Night Market said it would return the following year with “new experiences, unforgettable vendor lineups, cultural celebrations, and even more flavor.”
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