Sunset Night Market Celebrates Lunar New Year Tonight

Inspired by the vibrant night markets of Taipei, the Sunset Night Market was first launched in September 2023 by Supervisor Joel Engardio. The inaugural event on Irving Street was an immense success, drawing an estimated 10,000 visitors and establishing itself as the first major Asian night market in San Francisco in two decades. The event's popularity surged in its second year, expanding from three to seven blocks and attracting crowds of 20,000 people to each of its 2024 dates. This rapid, overwhelming growth, coupled with delays in receiving a $120,000 city grant, led organizers to pause the event for 2025 to restructure and ensure sustainability. Tonight's celebration for the Year of the Horse marks the market's return and kicks off a four-part series for 2026. The event is a collaborative effort produced by Sunset-based organizations including Sunset Mercantile, Wah Mei, Into The Streets, and ASIAN Inc. The street festival will span a five-block stretch of Irving Street, from 20th to 25th avenues. It will feature over 35 food vendors, including Dumpling Kitchen and The Kabob Trolley, and 75 retail vendors. In addition to the food and shopping, four stages will host a variety of live performances. Highlights include a cooking demonstration by renowned chef Martin Yan, a performance by yo-yo master Ernest Kahn, and a traditional lion dance by the Jing Mo martial arts team.