NYC’s Nighttown Night Market is back for a fourth season

Big loss in Little China.

At a time when NYC’s Chinatown faces multiple threats ranging from decreased foot traffic and violent crime to urban renewal, one local organization has found a great way to support the historic Nabe—by organizing a fun and affordable late night party.

For a few transitory Fridays this summer, Big Apple sinophiles can enjoy the neighborhood well past its usual post-Covid closing time — as the Chinatown Night Market descends on Forsyth Plaza from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., including this evening.

The lively and delicious event, with food costing $7 or less per plate, is hosted by Think! Chinatown, a neighborhood nonprofit that works to keep the area’s profile high as the city evolves.

“The Chinatown Night Market is much more than just a street fair,” director Yin Kong told Timeout. “It’s a stake in the ground to proudly claim space for our community in the face of violent centralization.”

The threat to the area’s unique energy comes, ironically, as Manhattan enjoys a Chinese food boom, with neighborhoods throughout the borough spoiled for choice, from authentic Shanghainese concept Che Li in the East Village to the world’s largest Din . Tai Fung just steps from the heart of Times Square.

The open-air expo will feature numerous vendors specializing in traditional Chinatown art, food and more — no canopy carts and fake watches here, according to organizers.

Culinary offerings will showcase an increasingly diverse array of offerings lining the atmospheric streets of Chinatown.

This season’s food highlights include an array of restaurant stars, including:

• Bánh Mì Cô Út (a shop offering iconic French-style Vietnamese sandwiches, among other foods)
• Grand Tea & Imports
• Kuih Cafe (NY’s first Malaysian dessert store)
• Sugarcane Daddy (which specializes in fresh sugarcane juice)
• Yan Wo Dou Bun (a family-owned enterprise founded in 1936 offering soy milk and bean curd)
• The Little One (a Japanese pastry boutique) and more.

Also expect an abundance of locally made handicrafts, from dough figurines to sugar paintings, framed calligraphy and traditional paper cutting art.

Also keep your eyes peeled for the intermittent cultural dances that take place in the upper square at 8:45am, 9:45am and 10:45pm.

Organizers promise that neither the festival fare nor the merchandise will break the bank – a rarity amid inflation.

Most food items are priced at $7 and under, while most crafts are priced at $25 or less.