The Queens Night Market returns to a parking lot of the New York Hall of Science this spring, debuting a new ticketing system for its first two weekends to alleviate some of the intense crowding. Crowds at last year's opening night were so packed in that it was "impossible to move within half an hour" of the doors opening.
To gain access to the April 22nd and April 29th markets, visitors will have to purchase $5 tickets in advance, a move founder John Wang hopes will stagger the amount of visitors from showing up all at once. Half of the proceeds from these "sneak peek" events will be donated to three charities: New York Immigration Coalition, New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund and Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park. About 10,000 tickets will sold for each night.
Also new this year is the lift on the $5 vendor cap, with some vendors now allowed to sell dishes priced at $6. New stands will be serving dishes including "Valencian paella; Indonesian tahu magelang and kue pancong; Ecuadorian bollos and corviche; Barbadian fishballs; Nigerian jollof rice and puff-puff," and other global eats, according to press materials.
Starting May 6th, the Market will once again be free for anyone to attend. There are live performances, DJs, a beer and wine garden, and non-edible vendors as well. Driving isn't recommended—and the subway was a nightmare last year—so manage expectations accordingly.
