The food. The music. The after-dark revelry. San Francisco’s wildly successful night markets are among the best ways to party in the city right now — admission-free. Now, a national publication has taken notice.
Last month, USA Today released its ranking of the 10 best night markets in the country, and two San Francisco night markets cracked the top five. The BeChinatown Night Market, which kicked off its 2025 season on May 9 and is known locally as the Chinatown Night Market, took the No. 1 spot as the best in the country. The Sunset Night Market, which drew a whopping 20,000 people to Irving Street last summer, came in at No. 5. A third California tradition — 626 Night Market in Arcata — placed fourth on the list.
USA Today’s “expert panel” nominated the night markets based on their diverse range of booths, authentic foods, vibrant atmospheres, and immersive games and performances. From there, readers crowned the winners.
The Chinatown Night Market, which turns Grant Avenue into an outdoor bash of lion dances and specialty foods, runs the second Friday of every month through October, according to co-organizer Civic Joy Fund. The night market debuted in November 2023 to welcome the APEC Conference and has since doubled in size, now featuring 40 booths and stretching down seven blocks, according to KTVU-TV. Organizers told the outlet that each event draws 15,000 to 20,000 people to Chinatown…