Smorgasburg spent fifteen years as a Brooklyn waterfront institution before planting a market inside Central Park, and the Friday opening shift is the one where you can actually get to the front of a line. Expect the same format that made it famous: dozens of small independent vendors, most of them selling one thing extremely well, arranged so you can graze your way down the row. Entry is free, so the only cost is however many things you decide to eat.
What to expect
Vendor tents line up in rows with communal seating scattered between them and a mix of park visitors and neighborhood regulars grazing between stalls. The Friday shift is noticeably calmer than the weekend, so it is the best day for photos of the food rather than of the crowd. Bring cash as a backup, though most vendors take cards.
Good to know
- Entry is free — you only pay for what you eat
- A, B, C and D trains to 59th Street–Columbus Circle put you a few blocks south
- The Friday shift is the least crowded of the three days
- Vendor lineups rotate, so check the market's site before you go for a specific stall
- Shaded seating is limited; a hat helps on a hot afternoon
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Do I need to buy a ticket for Smorgasburg?
No. Admission is free and open to the public; you pay individual vendors for food.
Which days does the Central Park market run?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Is it a good option with kids?
Yes — it is outdoors, stroller-friendly, and most vendors have something plain enough for picky eaters.
More this weekend
