626 Night Market is a large-scale night market located in the 626 area code region of San Gabriel Valley, northeast of Los Angeles.
Its events are held monthly during the summer each year. Each month's 3-day night market draws an average of 60,000 attendees with more than 200 participating food, merchandise, and craft vendors, as well as art and music attractions. The flagship 626 Night Market is held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and has since expanded to include the DTLA Night Market held by Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles and the OC Night Market held at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. The organizers state that it is the largest such market in the United States.
History
Conceived by Jonny Hwang, a businessman born in Taiwan and raised in southern California, the market was inspired by the night markets of Asia, especially the Shilin Night Market in Taipei. The inaugural market was held in 2012 and drew an unexpectedly large crowd that clogged the streets of Old Town Pasadena, initially drawing negative criticism from attendees and allegations of mismanagement. The market subsequently relocated to Santa Anita Park where it now draws about 160 food vendors as well as performers and retailers. The August 2013 event featured a gigantic glass filled with 320 gallons of black tea, milk, and tapioca pearls, which the organizers dubbed the "world's largest cup of boba tea." In 2014, famous YouTuber Joseph Vincent and many others performed at 626 Night Market.
Since the original 626 Night Market event in 2012, a number of other night markets have emerged in Los Angeles and Orange County, including the KTown Night Market, the Little Saigon Night Market, the Orange County Night Market, and the MPK Night Market.
References
External links
- 626 Night Market official website
- "Interview: The Fearless Duo Who Brought the World's Largest Boba Cup to Los Angeles", Asia Society, August 14, 2013
