Food a big draw at 626 Night Market, the Asian-inspired festival at Santa Anita Park. It is in its fourth season of food, entertainment, art and shopping.
The 626 Night Market is the brainchild of 3 Taiwanese-Americans who were heavily inspired by their experiences at night markets in Taiwan. The 626 Night Market will continue at Santa Anita Park next summer.
Organizers of the 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, estimate as many as 50,000 people attended the recent 3 night run of the event. The event featured Asian street food booths and other vendors and entertainment.
Two weekends remain for 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park. It wraps up its ninth season on September 3-5. The 626 Night Market is an evening festival of food and merchandise vendors, games and entertainment. Founded in Pasadena in 2012 by entrepreneur Jonny Hwang. After taking up residence at Santa Anita Park, it expanded to OC Fair in Costa Mesa and Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Festival did not take place in 2020 due to Coronavirus pandemic.
626 Night Market spawns copycats. The concept of a Taiwanese style foodie bazaar that has been held at Santa Anita Park, has spread to Orange County, Koreatown in Los Angeles, Monterey Park, and Studio City.
Asian night markets share a common language: food. Evening events draw thousands to LA, Orange, and San Diego counties. In 2012, the first 626 Night Market took place at Old Town Pasadena. Then the event moved to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and it has become a signature event, becoming kind of synonymous with Arcadia, says Jason Kruckeberg, assistant City Manager, and Development Services Director.
626 Night Market, an Asia-inspired market event returns for its ninth season at Santa Anita Park Friday through Sunday, with a phased reopening and reduced capacity. Admission is $5 plus fees.
Mark Holland took the top prize in the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) "roadeo" (yes, roadeo) driving competition at the Santa Anita Park Park race track parking lot.