The 626 Night Market, a large festival-type event in California, came to the San Francisco Bay Area on the weekend of July 28–30 and will continue traveling around the state.
Inspired by the nighttime bazaars in Asia, the 626 Night Market is named after the 626 area code of San Gabriel Valley. Every year, the night market travels to different locations in California as well as Las Vegas.
There are two versions of the night bazaar—the main event and the night market mini. The main event was the one that visited the Bay Area over the weekend.
It was held in the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton from 3–11 p.m. on Friday and from 1–11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The venue charged $5 for tickets (plus fees), $10 for a 3-day weekend pass, and $15 for parking.
The market consisted of many small local business food pop-ups, merchandise and art vendors, and performers. The food included different types of seafood, skewers, boba, and juices, among other items. The merchandise stalls offered plenty of jewelry, plushies, accessories, clothing, and artwork.
Performers entertained guests on a stage off to the side throughout the weekend.
Attendees complimented the food and told The Epoch Times they enjoyed the variety of food choices.
“It’s cool to try all the unique foods,” said Aarya Siddiqui from Union City.
Andrew Lopez, a first-time visitor from Pleasanton, said his favorite part of the night market was “the food; the variety of food.” He also mentioned the friendliness and the artwork.
Emeryville’s Gammel Priesper said his favorite was the takoyaki, and although the food wasn’t very healthy, there were “a lot of options.”
Jordan Molina, a regular attendee from Sunnyvale, expanded on the food and its variety. He said he likes that a lot of the vendors were from outside the Bay Area.
“[There’s] a lot of food choices,” he said. “They bring a lot of food, especially from out of the area, L.A. as well. ... We don’t really travel that way, so it’s nice to have a lot of more choices than what we usually get in the Bay Area.”
His favorite so far was the lobster rolls, and he also mentioned Elaine’s bread pudding.
Mr. Molina has been trying to make it to every one of these night markets since they’ve started up again post-COVID, since, he said, “there’s not much food around my area; everything’s the same. Like I said, it’s just a big variety here.”
Ms. Siddiqui said her favorite part of the event was how it brought all different types of people together as well as “different types of places.”
Mr. Lopez noted something similar, saying “I feel like I’m somewhere else.”
All the interviewees spoke positively about the event. Ms. Siddiqui, Mr. Priesper, and Mr. Molina all said they would return.
So far this year, the main event has traveled to Las Vegas, Orange County, Arcadia, and the Bay Area, and it will return to Orange County and Arcadia in the coming months. The night market mini has traveled to Santa Monica, San Diego, Milpitas, and the Bay Area, and it will return to Santa Monica, San Diego, and Milpitas later this month.
