NYC’s 2025 food festivals & markets: where to apply and how to get in
New York City is a powerhouse of food culture, and 2025 is packed with incredible opportunities for food entrepreneurs to showcase their culinary talents. Whether you run a food truck, a pop-up, or an established food business, applying to local festivals and markets is a fantastic way to gain exposure, build your brand, and increase sales.
To help you navigate the application process, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best food festivals and markets happening in NYC in 2025. We’ll cover event details, deadlines (where available), and application processes so you can plan ahead and secure your spot.
1. Smorgasburg
Description: Smorgasburg is renowned as America's largest weekly open-air food market, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each weekend. It offers a platform for local vendors to showcase a diverse array of cuisines in a vibrant, community-focused setting.
Locations and schedule:
Fridays: World Trade Center at The Oculus, Fulton St. and Church St., Manhattan.
Saturdays: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Sundays: Breeze Hill in Prospect Park (enter at Lincoln Road), Brooklyn.
All markets are scheduled to operate from the first weekend of April through the last weekend of October 2025.
Application details: Vendor applications for the 2025 season are currently open. Apply here.
Why apply: High foot traffic, strong social media presence, and a diverse customer base. Former Nimbus member, Tosh's Patties had a very successful 2024 summer at Smorgasburg and was able to do all of their food production at our location in Downtown Brooklyn. Their experience at Smorgasburg allowed them to have consistent customers and the connections they made ultimately allowed them to take over the kitchen operations at Please Tell Me in Brooklyn!
2. Queens Night Market
Description: The Queens Night Market is a family-friendly, open-air night market celebrating the rich cultural diversity of New York City. It features over 100 independent vendors offering a wide range of international cuisines, art, and merchandise, accompanied by live performances.
Locations and schedule: Held on Saturdays from April through October 2025, the market is located behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens.
Application details: Vendor applications for the 2025 season are open. Apply here.
Why apply: Affordable vendor fees, great exposure, and a supportive community of small businesses.
3. NYC Multicultural Festival
Description: This annual festival celebrates New York City's diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, art, and a variety of international cuisines. It provides a platform for communities to share and preserve their cultural traditions.
Locations and schedule:
Day 1: Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell, 116 Bradhurst Ave., New York, NY 10039 (cross street: 148th Street and Bradhurst Avenue).
Day 2: Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on St. Nicholas Avenue, Harlem, NY (between 141st & 145th Street).
Application details: Early bird registration for food vendors ends on April 20, 2025, with a fee of $100 per day, which includes a 10x10 raw space and free rental of one tent, one table, and one chair (subject to availability). After April 20, the fee increases to $125 per day without free rentals. Vendors must provide a DOHMH Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit and a valid Food Handlers Certificate. Applications can be submitted through the festival's website. Click here to apply!
Why apply: Ideal for businesses that specialize in authentic cultural cuisine and want to reach a broad audience.
4. New York Latin Food Fest
Description: This festival is dedicated to celebrating Latin cuisine, music, and culture, offering attendees a rich and immersive experience of Latin American traditions.
Locations and schedule: Details for the 2025 event are to be announced.
Application details: Food vendors interested in participating can submit their applications here.
Why apply: Great opportunity for Latin American food vendors to showcase their offerings to engaged audience.
5. Vegandale Festival
Description: Vegandale is North America's largest vegan festival, featuring a diverse lineup of global vendors, interactive art, music, and entertainment, all promoting a world free of animal exploitation.
Locations and schedule: Scheduled for September 27, 2025, at Citi Field in New York City.
Application details: Accepting vendor applications for 2025. Apply here.
Why apply: Perfect for plant-based and health-conscious food businesses.
6. The Great New York State Fair
Description: As one of the nation's longest-running state fairs, it features a wide range of attractions, including numerous food vendors, showcasing the best of New York's agriculture, entertainment, and culinary offerings.
Locations and schedule: August 20 to September 1, 2025, in Syracuse, NY.
Application details: New vendor applications are reviewed starting January 17, 2025. Apply here.
Why apply: A well-established event with significant foot traffic and sales potential.
7. New York City Wine & Food Festival
Description: An annual event celebrating food and wine, featuring renowned chefs, tastings, and seminars, providing a platform for culinary businesses to showcase their products to a discerning audience.
Locations and schedule: October 16-19, 2025, at various venues across New York City.
Application details: Exhibitor opportunities are available. Apply here.
Why apply: Great exposure for upscale food businesses and caterers.
8. Brooklyn Flea
Description: A renowned market featuring vendors of vintage, antiques, crafts, and food, attracting a diverse crowd of shoppers and food enthusiasts.
Locations and schedule:
Saturdays: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Sundays: Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza, DUMBO, Brooklyn.
The market operates from April through October 2025
Application details: Vendor applications for the 2025 season are open. Apply here.
Why apply: Great for businesses looking for a mix of food and retail exposure.
Need a commercial kitchen space for production? Nimbus has you covered
Securing a spot at one of these events is just the first step—having the right kitchen space to prepare your food is just as important. That’s where Nimbus comes in.
Nimbus offers state-of-the-art, fully licensed commercial kitchens designed for food entrepreneurs, small businesses, and caterers. Whether you need a dedicated space for high-volume production or a flexible kitchen to support your festival operations, Nimbus provides affordable, on-demand kitchen rentals to help you scale efficiently.
Why choose Nimbus?
Fully equipped kitchens with top-tier appliances
Flexible rental plans to fit your production schedule
Health department-compliant spaces to meet licensing requirements
Prime NYC locations for easy access to your event sites
Supportive food business community with networking opportunities
Get ready for your next event with Nimbus
As you prepare to showcase your brand at NYC’s best food festivals and markets, make sure your kitchen operations are seamless. Join the Nimbus community today and take your food business to the next level!
Click here to get in touch with our team about becoming a member!
With so many exciting events on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for NYC’s food entrepreneurs. Start planning now, submit your applications early, and secure the kitchen space you need to make your next big event a success!
