We’re finally through rainy April, and the stunning weather this past week is just the start of the best time of year in NYC.
With the sunshine comes alll the outdoor activities, including of course, markets galore! There are countless night markets, flea markets, and farmers markets across the five boroughs, but we’ve picked some extra special ones that aren’t the most well-known (and even just spoke about them on NY1!). Check out our spring market edit here:
Night Markets
Chinatown Night Market
This amazing cultural open-air market is returning for its fifth year in 2025, put on by Think! Chinatown, nonprofit organization that helps support the community and what makes it so special. What’s special about this one is in addition to delicious food vendors (including Heaven Noodles & Bun’s spicy noodle dishes and Mrs. Jiang’s Sweet Soups), it showcases music and dance performances and local artisans. In fact, there are a lot of traditional folk art crafts like paper cutting art, sugar painting and more you can watch in real-time and then purchase. It’s right at the gateway of the Manhattan Bridge at Forsyth Plaza. AND it’s only once per month on Fridays in the summer so make sure you add it to your schedule!
📍Forsyth Plaza, Forsyth St.&, Canal St.
📅 One Friday per month June-August; 2025 dates not released yet
Bronx Night Market
NYC’s summer markets are a great opportunity to get to the outer boroughs if you don’t already. The Bronx edition is one of the best, with over 35 vendors and offering everything from grilled lobster tails to smoked chicharron to pina colada smoothies to infused cupcakes. Every option will truly make your mouth water. Plus, there are musical performances and more. Just bring an appetite! There were fears that it would close last year, but they are 100% back in action, and opening day is May 10 (next weekend)!
📍161st St. & Grand Concourse (5/10);
📅 May 10 opening, and then: May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25
Flea Markets
BQ Flea, Williamsburg
Brooklyn Flea’s spot under the Manhattan Bridge/DUMBO Arch is a classic, but they actually have a new spot that just opened this fall for the first time and is back for spring under the BQE – BQ Flea! There’s everything from cool vintage clothing and furniture to handmade items to original prints. And vendors just drive right up, have their trunks open with their goods. There’s also food and drink so you can have a nibble while pursuing.
📍202 Meeker Ave, Brooklyn
📅 Every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ludlow Flea, Lower East Side
This small but mighty market is right off of Ludlow Street tucked away in-between a few buildings on the LES. It’s super curated, with mainly clothes, jewelry, accessories – and lots of great, affordable vintage. They switch out vendors often so you always get something new, plus the Lower East Side, is such a cool, artsy scene you’re bound to find something good. It’s also open on weekdays which is nice – Wednesdays and Thursdays in addition to the weekend, unlike some other NYC flea markets!
📍159 Ludlow St.
📅 Wednesday-Sunday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Farmers Markets
Jackson Heights Greenmarket, Queens
This is actually the largest (and busiest!) farmers market in Queens, so if you live in the area it’s worth getting over to Jackson Heights. But even if you don’t live in Queens, it’s perfect for making a day of it: you can roam there first – there are fruits/vegetables, fresh eggs, fish, honey, chicken and specialty Mexican produce – then head to the Queensboro for brunch, some shopping on 82nd Street and on Roosevelt Ave and cap off the day at Florence for a beer/app.
📍34th Ave between 79th & 80th Sts., Queens
📅 Open Sundays, year-round. Summer hours (June-Dec): 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. *farmers may leave early due to inclement weather
Down to Earth Markets, Multiple Locations
These little markets are great because they’re in a variety of locations different from the typical NYC Greenmarkets. The organization brings in small-scale farmers and food makers – there’s of course local produce from around NY State and NJ, plus specialty items like pickles, salsa, soaps, handmade pasta, baked goods and more. They have one in McGolrick Park, Battery Park City (New), Chelsea, Morningside Park and more. See the full list of locations and hours here:
📍McGolrick Park: between Driggs and Nassau Ave, off Russell St in Greenpoint; Sundays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Park Slope: On 4th St. off 5th Ave at Washington Park; Sundays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Battery Park City: River Terrace between Murray St. & North End Ave.; Sundays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. *Opens May 11, 2025
📍Chelsea: Sidewalk on North side of 23rd St, off 9th Ave; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Morningside Park: 110th St. & Manhattan Ave; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.