Sunset Night Market Returns This Summer and Fall With Two Dates, Expanded Route
The long-awaited return of the Sunset Night Market has arrived, with two new Friday dates this summer and fall and an expanded footprint to bring more AAPI food, vendors, makers, community fun and local merchant highlights to the Irving Street corridor. The Sunset Night Markets will take place on Irving Street from 19th to 26th avenues from 5-10 p.m. on Aug. 30 and Sept. 27.
“The Sunset Night Market shows our economic resilience through an Asian-inspired, community-driven night market that welcomes the entire diaspora of our Sunset community,” said Lily Wong, director of the Sunset Chinese Cultural District and member of the Sunset Market Collaborative. “Though our neighborhood still faces challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and xenophobia against the AAPI community, the Night Market showcases the Sunset as both a thriving local hub and destination for the wider Bay Area.”
Building upon the success of last fall’s Sunset Night Market, attracting over 10,000 people, the expanded market will double in size and focus on celebrating the food, culture and community that shapes San Francisco and the Sunset District. The market is presented by The Sunset Night Market Collaborative, a collective including Wah Mei School, Sunset Mercantile, Into The Streets, and ASIAN, Inc.
The five-hour events will feature approximately 160 vendors, including:
● A cooking presentation from celebrity chef Martin Yan.
● Elected officials Opening Event (5 p.m. at main stage: 23rd and Irving).
● Onsite AAPI street food vendors located in the middle of the street in the style of classic Asian night markets.
● Street food vendors with an emphasis on handheld foods and bites that allow attendees to sample a variety of foods.
● A stinky tofu contest.
● Local artisans and makers with an emphasis on Asian cultures.
● Highlighting the small businesses, unique shops and eateries of the Sunset District.
● Live music on four or more stages, dance performances, and an 8:30pm dance party.
● Games with prizes and fun activities for all ages.
● Seating and places to gather and eat.
The night market will also uplift the many brick-and-mortar businesses on Irving Street and the Sunset District. During the 2023 event, many Irving Street restaurants reported selling out, and businesses even in the Inner Sunset reported increased sales, making this a welcome return for the local business community.
“As merchants, we’re thrilled that the Sunset Night Market is expanding to 19th Avenue,” said Outer Sunset Merchants and Professionals Association President Bill Barnickel. “Last year’s Night Market brought increased sales to local businesses throughout the entire neighborhood, and we can’t wait to highlight even more local merchants in the Outer Sunset for attendees to discover and visit year-round.”
The market is presented by The Sunset Night Market Collaborative, The Office of Supervisor Joel Engardio, The San Francisco Office of Economic Workforce Development (SFOEWD), Kaiser and The Civic Joy Fund provide key partnerships and funding for the event series. Many community partners who are rooted in the San Francisco Asian and Sunset community are also contributing to the program, including the Outer Sunset Merchants and Professionals Association, People of Parkside Sunset and Sunset Chinese Cultural District.
Categories: Press Release
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
What the article doesn’t state is there is another night market Sept 21 and Oct 19, both Saturdays, far from any business that will get a boost from foot traffic. Engardio will be closing the lower Great Highway from Santiago to Ulloa from 9 am to 11:59 pm. 15 hours. Meanwhile, the UGH will be closed as usual and also also for a dance party (alcohol will be served) in the same area. 15 hours, and where is all the traffic going to go? Right into the narrow residential streets. Residents pleaded with Engardio not to do this to them, but he went ahead anyway. He continues to ignore the damage his actions will do to the people who voted for him. These 2 unbelievable closures were officially approved by SFMTA on Aug. 22. So if you live in that area, buckle up. Keep your kids and pets inside. It will be a dangerous day on the streets.
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Engardio governs for downtown corruption, not the Sunset in which he’s a tourist.
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So long as merchants and residents are good with it, the night market on merchant corridors sounds like a great idea. But adding to what Patricia said, trying to close the Upper Great Highway 24/7 claiming it’s good for the environment, and then inviting 10,000 people to party there is destructive and so disruptive. Don’t the residents deserve to not be subjected to chaos and noise ? Why not put the market slated to be in front of peoples’ homes on an actual merchant corridor?! Noriega has had some street events, why not there? And for example the Pizza Place on Noriega has had its rent go up exponentially – surely a huge market would give them much needed extra revenue. Why not benefit the brick and mortar businesses instead of harassing the residents? And furthermore, the only way I found out about this residential street market was via a photo another neighbor took of a sign attached to a pole. Some outreach! Engardio, if you insist on holding a massive party on a residential street, why not invite all 10,000 people to party directly in front of your house? I voted for you thinking you would represent all of D4 better than Mar and wow I regret it. Stop dictating your vision of what our neighborhood should be and start listening and responding to what all of us actually need.
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Great comments, parack and D4 Resident. I agree with both of you. Furthermore, if you were trying to remotely attend the hearing on this matter (which you happened to find out about if you happened to be walking on the street by a pole and were able to read the tiny print on the 8-1/2” x 11” piece of paper taped about 6’ high up on the pole) by dialing the posted phone number and entering the posted code… guess what… the code didn’t work. The wrong code was posted. So no one other than the insiders from Engardio’s office and their good friends in the know were able to attend the hearing remotely. How convenient for them. That alone should be reason enough to stop this, or at least have another properly noticed hearing. Come on, Joel. Turn it around. Move these night markets where they will be appreciated, not a major disturbance. Do we really need 15 hours of dangerous traffic congestion? Start trying to at least look like you have some compassion for those of us who voted for you. You repeatedly said the Bicycle Coalition didn’t endorse you when you ran for D4 Supervisor. Maybe you could start thinking about the people who did.
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