The 9th Avenue Food Festival is one of New York's largest and oldest traditions. A vibrant celebration of cultural diversity through food, it promises to surprise your taste buds. There are many foods to taste at the festival. That being said, the fair offers both traditional festival treats like zeppolis, mozzarepas, funnel cakes, egg creams, and more fabulous dishes you won't see at any other festival.
Available Cuisines
Here, you'll also find Argentinian, Brazilian, Cajun, Cuban, Dominican, Ethiopian, Greek, Haitian, Irish, Moroccan, Ukrainian, and many other kinds of cuisine. The festival is a great example of the diversity in NYC, highlighting the variety of cultures and fostering a sense of community.
Entertainment
But not only the food at the festival is international. There are also two stages with ethnic music and performances, like German folk dancing, Arabian scarf dancing, Celtic dancing, Peabody, and Egyptian belly dancing. Your little ones might enjoy a child-friendly area. If you'd like to remember this day not just by taste but something more substantial, hundreds of merchants set up their booths with clothing, handmade jewelry, souvenirs, and all kinds of merchandise.
Location & Schedule
The Ninth Ave International Food Fest takes place, as the name suggests, on 9th Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets in Hell's Kitchen. The festival usually takes place on the first weekend after the Mother's Day. The event begins at 10 am and lasts until 6 pm on both days.
Transportation
You can easily commute to the festival's grounds just by public transportation. Travel by subway from Grand Central to Times Square Station and then walk several blocks to Ninth Avenue or consider catching a taxi. If you're from out of state and are thinking of the festival as a good weekend gateway, the John F. Kennedy airport is located 16 miles (26 km) away, so plan your vacation ahead of time.
Housing
The 9th Avenue Food Festival is held to raise funds for community groups and mirror the diversity of New York itself. Due to the event's popularity, we suggest booking an apartment in the city beforehand (NY is always crowded, but during festivals, it's literally jam-packed with people). Other than that, you're good to go!
