If Chinatown Nights has been sitting on your summer bucket list, this is your last chance to go.
Tonight (Friday, July 10), Think!Chinatown’s beloved neighborhood celebration returns to Forsyth Plaza for its final event of the 2026 season, bringing together live music, local artists, Chinatown favorites, and some of the city’s most delicious street food for one unforgettable summer evening.
Originally launched as a pandemic response in 2021, the event has since become one of NYC’s most beloved summer traditions. And after organizers nearly ended it for good last year due to rising costs, every season—and every event—feels a little more special.
Expect all the neighborhood energy, culture, and community that have made the event a summer staple. Here’s what to know:
From pandemic-era lifeline to NYC summer staple
What began as a way to bring people together during an incredibly difficult moment has since become one of the city’s most beloved summer traditions.
Chinatown Nights launched in 2021 as a pandemic-era initiative to help revitalize a neighborhood grappling with the economic fallout of COVID-19 and a surge in anti-Asian hate. By creating a space for community gathering, local businesses, and cultural celebration, the event quickly struck a chord with New Yorkers.
In the years since, the festival has grown into a massive draw, welcoming more than 7,000 visitors per event and helping inspire a wave of food-focused community festivals both within Chinatown and across the city.
Its future, however, wasn’t always guaranteed. Rising operating costs and increasingly difficult site conditions pushed organizers to the brink, leading them to believe the 2025 season would be their last. But an overwhelming show of support from vendors, attendees, and the wider community helped keep the festival alive for another year.
Yin Kong, Executive Director of Think!Chinatown, stated:
Last summer, we thought it was our last…It was too overwhelming for us to even think about taking it on again…Despite dealing with all these challenges, we realized that we too would be sad without this summer event in Chinatown.
What to expect
For one final night this summer, Forsyth Plaza will once again fill with glowing lanterns, live music, folk artists, and some of Chinatown’s most beloved food vendors.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Live jazz under the Manhattan Bridge: The Red Pavilion Jazz Band headlines the evening, while Chinatown Records spins Cantonese and Mandopop vinyl throughout the night
- One last food crawl: Grab bites from Jinmen Shaokao, Phuntsok’s Momo, Mr. Li Pancake, Aquaman Grill & BBQ LLC, and more
- Support neighborhood businesses: Shop favorites including Yu & Me Books and Grand Tea & Imports alongside local artists
- Watch traditional folk artists at work: See everything from dough figurines and paper-cut portraits to braided straw art and calligraphy demonstrations
Why tonight is worth making the trip
If you’ve been meaning to check out Chinatown Nights all summer, this is your final opportunity before the event goes on hiatus until next season.
Unlike larger commercial food festivals, Chinatown Nights remains deeply rooted in the neighborhood, spotlighting local businesses, artists, and cultural traditions while keeping admission completely free.
With only two events scheduled all summer, tonight’s gathering is your last chance in 2026 to experience the glowing lanterns, live performances, neighborhood energy, and community atmosphere that have made the event a favorite among New Yorkers.
The details at a glance
- 🏮 What: Chinatown Nights
- 📍 Where: Forsyth Plaza, Forsyth St & Canal St
- 🗓️ When: Friday, July 10
- ⏰ Time: 7:30 – 11:30 pm
- 🎟️ Admission: Free & open to the public
💡 Pro tip
Arrive right when the market opens at 7:30 pm if you’re hoping to beat the biggest crowds and have the best selection of food before popular vendors begin selling out later in the evening!
Whether you’ve been every year since 2021 or have been meaning to check it out for the first time, tonight is your final opportunity to experience Chinatown Nights before the summer season comes to an end!
