Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With summer in full swing, Broadway Stages is featuring and celebrating exceptional people, businesses, and organizations that make New York City a great place to spend the warm weather and sunny sky season. This week, we explore the night markets of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn!

There is so much to do in NYC under the summer sun, but the night markets also offer plenty of food, fun, and activity! Join us in exploring the open-air evening cuisine and festivities in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.

On the first Saturday of every month through October, the Bronx Night Market transforms Fordham Plaza into a center of community, culture, and commerce. Patrons can choose from over 20 countries' cuisines and 50+ vendors, serving creations like mac & cheese fried burritos, enormous slices of carrot cake, fried chicken cones, and watermelon pizza!

Shoppers can also find the Fordham Farmers Market, a new general store offering fresh, locally sourced products, a vegan bazaar, and the occasional cooking demonstration. While you peruse your food options, you can find a pop-up bookstore curated by Bronx is Reading and Bronx Native's beloved Tiny Desk concert series. Best of all, 70% of the vendors classify themselves as micro-, small-, POC-, immigrant-, LGBTQIA+-, and female-owned businesses.

From the Bronx, we make our way to the Queens Night Market at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Saturday nights through the end of October, this night market remains the city's most affordable market, with all items capped at $5 and $6. Reflecting the diversity of Queens, the Market offers dishes such as Afghan kabuli pulao, Indian BBQ, Colombian arepas, Tibetan momos, Sichuan ice jelly, Venezuelan Cachapas, Japanese ramen, Ukrainian blintzes, and much more.

The displays of diversity don't end there. While you eat, you can take in a diverse line-up of live performances, including African dance troupes, Chinese lion dances, break-dancers, Bollywood bands, and more. Or you can browse through vendors of vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, ceramic products, locally produced art pieces, crochet toys, stationery, and more. Above being a great night out, the Queens Night Market has acted as an engine of growth. It has helped launch 350 new businesses in New York and represented more than 90 countries through its vendors and their food.

Finally, on the last Monday of the month (through the end of October), we find ourselves at the Brooklyn Night Market at Industry City in Sunset Park. With over 65 vendors representing cultures from around the world, the Market "stands as a testament to the borough's culinary prowess, creating a space where residents and visitors alike can savor the essence of Brooklyn's dynamic and ever-evolving gastronomic scene," event organizers say.

The Brooklyn Night Market has been described as the pinnacle of NYC's culinary scene, establishing itself as a must-have experience for food enthusiasts. While there, you can enjoy delicious food and tasty treats from the likes of BamuBamu Fire Club, Matcha n' More, Twisted Potato, Perros Locos' fancy hot dogs, HangryDog's late-night munchies, and Jasmine Roti Factory's Caribbean flavors, just to name a few! As you consider your next snack, you can indulge in a rotating line-up of performers and entertainers and shop for eclectic handmade items and creative, independent vendors.

Broadway Stages knows that New York City's diversity is one of its greatest strengths and a source of inspiration. These night markets are a great way to experience a culinary journey worldwide without leaving the city. Moreover, they support our neighbors' up-and-coming small businesses. So treat yourself and journey to one of these night markets this summer! And don’t forget to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you!