eventsThere’s always something exciting happening at Essex Market.
From cooking workshops and demonstrations to guest speakers and dance classes, our calendar is packed with events for all ages.
Join us for regular activities or check out our upcoming events list to discover what we have in store at New York City’s most historic public market.
We also host a variety of regular programs with the support of our local community partners and city organisations.
To learn more about our work with the community, visit our programs page.
Regular Events:
Upcoming Events:
Essex Market Toy Drive
Bring joy to local kids this holiday season! Now through January 5, drop off new, unwrapped toys in the donation bin on Essex Market’s mezzanine level near the elevator or through the online wishlist.
Your support makes a difference—thanks for helping spread the holiday cheer!
Three Kings Day Celebration
Join us for a free toy distribution for kids (ages 4-14) to celebrate El Día de los Reyes Magos with us at Essex Market!
Enjoy an afternoon of after-school fun with crown crafting, hot chocolate and traditional Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings bread), and a special visit from the Three Kings and their Giant Heads,
Belgium Beers
Join us for a very special evening with Knighted Belgium beer expert extraordinaire, Alex Gonzalez Jones, and discover the iconic flavors of Belgian styles and the country’s storied beer culture and history.
This 90-minute classes will showcase approximately six tasty beers, light snacks and Belgian SWAG.
Hester Street Fair Holiday Market
Every Saturday and Sunday on Essex Market’s mezzanine level, from Nov. 30 – Dec. 22, 11AM–6PM
Perfect for a special gift, visit Essex Market’s mezzanine for small local vendors provided by Hester Street Fair.
Whether you’re shopping for bold statement pieces, artful stationery, small-batch condiments, or festive packaged treats, you’ll find gifts with character and charm. Each weekend’s lineup is fresh and different, giving you endless reasons to return!
Free and open to the public.
Chanukah on the Lower East Side: A Century of Change
For centuries, Chanukah was a minor holiday that lacked the depth of Rosh Hashanah and Passover. It would be transformed on the Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century to become the major Jewish holiday we know it as today.
Join us on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30pm on Essex Market’s Mezzanine level as Scott Brevda of the Museum at Eldridge Street discusses how Chanukah was shaped into a holiday to rival Christmas and presents a unique look at the historic menorahs in the Museum’s ongoing exhibition Lighting the World: Menorahs Around the Globe.
Free event. Registration is required.
Free Intro to Tango with TriANGulO
TriANGulO is hosting a free Intro to Tango on the Essex Market Mezzanine followed by an afternoon milonga, a tango dance party, with host Carina Moeller.
All are welcome! Come and dance or watch the party on the mezzanine.
Hester Street Fair Holiday Market
Every Saturday and Sunday on Essex Market’s mezzanine level, from Nov. 30 – Dec. 22, 11AM–6PM
Perfect for a special gift, visit Essex Market’s mezzanine for small local vendors provided by Hester Street Fair.
Whether you’re shopping for bold statement pieces, artful stationery, small-batch condiments, or festive packaged treats, you’ll find gifts with character and charm. Each weekend’s lineup is fresh and different, giving you endless reasons to return!
Free and open to the public.
Santa at Essex Market
Get ready for a jolly good time as Santa himself will be making a special appearance on Essex Market’s mezzanine level! Bring your family and friends to meet Santa, take photos, enjoy some festive music, and share your holiday wishes.
After getting your pic with Santa, stop by Hester Street Fair's holiday market on the other side of the mezzanine for one-of-a-kind gift, or head to the market floor to grab a bite!
Free and open to the public.
Hester Street Fair Holiday Market
Every Saturday and Sunday on Essex Market’s mezzanine level, from Nov. 30 – Dec. 22, 11AM–6PM
Perfect for a special gift, visit Essex Market’s mezzanine for small local vendors provided by Hester Street Fair.
Whether you’re shopping for bold statement pieces, artful stationery, small-batch condiments, or festive packaged treats, you’ll find gifts with character and charm. Each weekend’s lineup is fresh and different, giving you endless reasons to return!
Free and open to the public.
Holiday Slay Drag Bingo
Bring a friend, grab a bingo board and get ready to SLEIGH this holiday season with drag icon Champagne Bubbles!
This free drag bingo event features special holiday gift prizes from Essex Market vendors, fabulous tunes, bites & brews from the market, and more!
Free and open to the public, for ages 21+. Registration required.
Hester Street Fair Holiday Market
Every Saturday and Sunday on Essex Market’s mezzanine level, from Nov. 30 – Dec. 22, 11AM–6PM
Perfect for a special gift, visit Essex Market’s mezzanine for small local vendors provided by Hester Street Fair.
Whether you’re shopping for bold statement pieces, artful stationery, small-batch condiments, or festive packaged treats, you’ll find gifts with character and charm. Each weekend’s lineup is fresh and different, giving you endless reasons to return!
Free and open to the public.
Talk & Taste: Jessie Sheehan & Melissa Clark at Essex Market!
Join baker and host of Cherry Bombe's She's My Cherry Pie podcast Jessie Sheehan to celebrate the release of her new cookbook: Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes. Joined by New York Times journalist and cookbook author Melissa Clark, Sheehan will talk about all things snackable-and-small along with plenty of holiday tips, tricks, and deliciousness. Following their talk, they'll take your questions, show off and taste a recipe from the book, and sign your copy of Salty, Cheesy…!
Jessie Sheehan is a celebrated cookbook author, recipe developer, baker, and host of Cherry Bombe’s baking podcast, She’s My Cherry Pie. She is the self-proclaimed queen of “easy-peasy baking;” and has contributed recipes and writing to The New York Times, The Washington Post, Epicurious, Food52, Bon Appetit, and more. Her third cookbook, Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy Recipes for Exceptionally Scrumptious Sweets and Treats was a New York Times best cookbook of 2022. And its savory sibling Salty, Cheesy, Herby Crispy Snackable Bakes, was published in the fall of 2024.
Admission Only: $10.00 or Admission + Book: $33.00 (save $5.00)
Free Intro to Tango with TriANGulO
TriANGulO is hosting a free Intro to Tango on the Essex Market Mezzanine followed by an afternoon milonga, a tango dance party, with host Carina Moeller.
All are welcome! Come and dance or watch the party on the mezzanine.
Turkey Talk: an Essex Market Thanksgiving Celebration
Join us at Essex Market this November for a special Thanksgiving community benefit: Turkey Talk!
Our benefit event will kick off with Chef Lily Chin demonstrating how to spatchcock a turkey, a technique that will be sure to wow your holiday dinner guests.
Following the demonstration, Essex Market’s Alex Ritter-Jung will sit with food personality, chef, and writer Farideh Sadeghin as they share some favorite holiday memories, recipes, tips & tricks, and answer your questions for easier entertaining this upcoming holiday season.
Afterwards, we will enjoy some food bites, mingle, raffles, and more!
All proceeds from this benefit event will directly contribute to a grocery distribution day at Essex Market on Tuesday, November 26.
Trick or Streets!
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween celebration at our Trick or Streets event on Broome Street (between Essex Street and Norfolk Street)
With over 1000lbs of candy from Economy Candy, family-friendly activities & giveaways, and live music to keep the Halloween spirit alive, this Halloween will be a treat for all ages!
This event is free and open to the public!
Free Intro to Tango with TriANGulO
TriANGulO is hosting a free Intro to Tango on the Essex Market Mezzanine followed by an afternoon milonga, a tango dance party, with host Carina Moeller.
All are welcome! Come and dance or watch the party on the mezzanine.
EYE ON RYE: The Place of Rye
Join rye scholar and professional baker Laura Valli, PhD, to explore the potential of rye in cooking and baking. The interactive class includes a sensory workshop where you’ll sample a variety of baked goods to better understand how rye influences flavor and texture. You’ll also enjoy a step-by-step demonstration where you’ll learn to bake traditional Estonian rye bread (made with 100% rye flour) using everyday equipment and home ovens.
La Cocina de Loisaida: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make the Puerto Rican National Dish - Arroz con Gandules as well as Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease!
La Cocina de Loisaida: Vegan Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make a Vegan version of Puerto Rican National Dish - Arroz con Gandules, as well as Jackfruit Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease!
Making Nixtamal: The History & Culinary Traditions of Maize
Join Essex Market's Tiffany Iung (Chomps-Elysées) on Saturday, September 28 for a look into the history and culinary traditions of maize in the American continent. Explore the origins of indigenous maize and the principles behind masa-making with a hands-on demonstration and soup tasting. Co-hosted with Chef Mercedes Golip (My Kitchen Farm to Table) and Valentina González-Nouel (Organic Healthy Girl)
Free Event. Este evento se traducirá al español.
Talk & Taste: Tropical Cooking with Von Diaz
Emmy Award-winning documentarian and Chef Von Diaz is joining us for the September edition of Essex Market's Talk & Taste series! With her new cookbook Islas, Diaz presents a celebration of the vibrancy, resilience, and creativity of tropical food cultures—from Cuba to the Seychelles to Fiji and beyond.
Chef Diaz is stopping by to chat about the making of Islas, show off one of the delicious recipes from the book, and sign your copy at the end of the evening.
La Cocina de Loisaida: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make the Puerto Rican National Dish - Arroz con Gandules as well as Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease!
Music at the Market: Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff!
This Sunday, Essex Market is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a special Music At The Market event! Starting at 12 P.M. on the Essex Market mezzanine level, Puerto Rican Cuatro band Yotoco and Cuban bandleader Chino Pons —L.E.S. fan favorites— will have you on your toes all afternoon. Make sure to check out the market for a bite between sets!
Free event. No registration.
La Cocina de Loisaida: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make the Puerto Rican National Dish - Arroz con Gandules as well as Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease!
Free Intro to Tango with TriANGulO
TriANGulO is hosting a free Intro to Tango on the Essex Market Mezzanine followed by an afternoon milonga, a tango dance party, with host Carina Moeller.
All are welcome! Come and dance or watch the party on the mezzanine.
Talk & Taste: Bright Cooking with Camille Becerra
Our August Talk & Taste event explores the world of Camille Becerra. A celebrated Top Chef alumni and longtime fan of Essex Market, Becerra will join us for an evening of conversation and cooking through her book, Bright Cooking — which presents a new take on pantry staples, mother sauces, and more — afterwards, we will taste some bites from Bright Cooking, and Camille will sign your book.
Talk & Taste: Nom Wah with Wilson Tang & Joshua David Stein
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month and Lower East Side History Month, Wilson is stopping by the Essex Market kitchen for a special edition Talk & Taste evening with his friend and collaborator Joshua David Stein.
Together with Chef Annette Tomei, they will discuss the history of Nom Wah, the making of The Nom Wah Cookbook, answer your questions and show off one of the delicious recipes from the book! Your book will be signed at the end of the evening, with purchase.
Talk & Taste: Food Gifts with Elle Simone Scott
Elle Simone Scott shares exciting tips, recipes and more as a regular host on PBS’ America’s Test Kitchen. This spring, the food stylist and journalist celebrates her second cookbook release with Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents.
Meet Elle as she speaks about her exciting new book, which she will be signing at the end of the evening, and shows off some delicious recipes from Food Gifts.
Top Hops Beer Class
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an Ale and a Lager? What is beer actually made from? Is it true if cold beer warms up it gets skunked? Why are there so many beer styles? Wonder no more as we run through the basics of beer and introduce you to the major beer styles.
Whether you're already a beer lover or you're just dipping your toe in the water, we welcome you to join us.
Who Won the Pushcart Wars? 200 Years of Essex Market and the LES
Most Lower East Siders know that Essex Market only recently moved into its new space in Essex Crossing. But how many are aware there was another, far older Essex Market that was built just a few blocks away in 1818?
This talk traces the evolution of food vending in the Lower East Side, with the chance to sample market fare and street foods from 19th century New York after the talk as well!
This event is open to the public, located on the mezzanine level. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Tango Salon with TriANGulO
MILONGA LA GALLERIA: TriANGulO is holding a Tango Salon Event at Essex Market!
Attend the free INTRO TO TANGO on the Essex Market Mezzanine and then join the tango dance party with DJ Richard Ariza & Carina Moeller. All are welcome! You can come and dance or just watch while you eat at the market.
No Partner necessary. All are welcome. Mask Optional.
Talk & Taste: SESAME, SOY, SPICE
Remy Park will be stopping by Essex Kitchen to promote her new book SESAME, SOY, SPICE with a talk, cooking demo and signing!
In SESAME, SOY, SPICE, Park offers elegant, easy-to-make plant-based takes on international and Asian-ish dishes, and explores traditional vegan diets within her cultures, including Korean temple food, Japanese Buddhist cuisine, and Taiwanese faux meats.
Join us on Thursday March 28, doors open at 6pm.
CPC Family Day
Join us for CPC Family Day. There will be fun activities for early childhood and elementary school children, and resources for the entire family. We will have raffles and wheel prizes, too.
Open to the Public!
Join us for Talk & Taste evenings at Essex Market!
Hosted in partnership with Edible Manhattan, New York's most historic market opens the kitchen doors to welcome you to our series of monthly presentations on the past, present and future of food culture in NYC.
Each evening we’ll explore the relationship between food and our city with a variety of guest chefs and speakers, while savoring tasty bites that celebrate the diverse culinary landscape of the city!
See our calendar or join the newsletter to stay tuned to our next installment of Talk & Taste.
Image: Chef Jon Kung speaks on his culinary journey during a Talk and Taste evening.
Interested in hosting your own event?
Hosting an event at Essex Market is a unique experience that gives you and your guests the opportunity to interact with the city’s most exciting public market.