Founded in 2010 by three Lower East Side locals, the Hester Street Fair has set the standard for what a market is, while transcending the notion and meaning of a typical “food court” or “flea” to become a one-of-a-kind curious, cultural and community gathering, drawing from the diversity of the neighborhood and New York City at large.
Our mission is to empower pursuits of passion
Since 2010, Hester Street Fair has been the starting point for hundreds of such pursuits
We pride ourselves on being the most accessible market in New York City, not only in price or location, but the simple fact that all you need to do is show up. We have tents, tables, chairs, and a community, where everyone helps each other out. Need a sign? We can help. Wondering what to do about marketing and pricing? No problem. Want to lead an impromptu yoga meditation or get on the mic and sing a song? We can make that happen too.
“We Started Here”
Last year nearly 40 businesses made their first dollar at the Hester Street Fair, many of which were started as passion projects by people with full time jobs during the week, or those who recently quit their “9-5”, those who retired, and some not even old enough to be in high school. Many established brick and mortars in New York City and beyond, like Macaron Parlour, Melt Bakery, Gordos Cantina, Osaka Grub, Peetie’s Pie, La New Yorkina, Arancini Bros, Cheeky Sandwich, started at the Hester Street Fair and many more will continue to do so in 2017.
Our audience is hyper local on a worldwide scale -our visitors’ diversity spans across all race, income and age, bringing them together every Saturday by one common ground -“good vibes”.
Hester Street Fair events welcome over 450,000 visitors each year
Our weekly Saturday market continues to draw the crowds for its 10th year in a row. Some of our favorite themes were:
Total Independence with Tiger Beer and Stretch Armstrong
Neighborhood Independence Day celebration with beats by Stretch Armstrong, beer by Tiger Beer, and a BBQ plate by Black Tree.
Wellness Weekend
Health and wellness day with outdoor yoga by Sky Ting, dance class by Manny Cantor Fitness, water station by Outdoor Voices, Ayurveda workshop, and self-defense class in the park.
Girl Power with LES Girls Club
Special Saturday fundraiser for the Lower East Side Girls Club with Madame Gandhi from M.I.A., Nico Turner of Cat Power, artist Cleo Wade, and a line up of all female vendors.
Ice Cream Social
New York’s best ice cream vendors competing for a chance to win the audience award for best ice cream; the event drew in 5,000 in one afternoon, including Leonardo diCaprio and his mom!
Hi-at-us Is-land with Georgia and Sun Araw
Special performance by Georgia and Sun Araw, who was in town for his performance at the MoMA, with booth deals for artists and select vendors. Watch the video here
Jamaican Independence Day
Jamaican Independence Day celebration with Guinness Beer, VP Records, a BBQ plate by chef Sean John of Spur Tree, and musical selections by Rockers NYC, Queen Majesty, Johnny Go Figure. Watch the video here
OMF: Outdoor Music + Food
An intimate Sunday evening with music by Miho Hatari, Patrick Higgins, and the duo MSHR. Watch the videos here
NY Magazine’s Grub Street Food Festival presented by Citi
Our annual food festival with New York Magazine and Grub Street continues to be a hit, drawing in over 80 of the top restaurants and food vendors in New York City and 15,000 people in one afternoon. Watch the video here
Casual Art Fair
Echoing a contemporary art fair – Casual Art Fair created an affordable space for galleries, project spaces, collectives, and experimental retail projects, all gathering outdoors to share their most current excitements, artists, and projects Watch the video here
We hosted some amazing private events in the park
Eckhaus Latta SS17 Runway Show
One of the most anticipated fashion shows of the season with special musical performance by Dev Hynes (Blood Orange)
Shiseido “Marche Rouge” SS17 Fashion Week
Japanese-inspired Red Market with chef and food artist Laila Gohar and performance by No Vacancy
Spring Street Social’s Al Fresco
Spring Street Social Society’s members-only dinner party with surprise live performances, drinks, and amazing food by Chef Daniel Holzman of the Meatball Shop.
We were on the go
HBO Monday Night Movies in Bryant Park
Hester Street Fair provides the food experience for HBO Monday Night Movies in Bryant Park – a summer-long movie series with weekly attendance of over 10,000 people.
Hester Street Fair Gift Shop Miami
Hester Street Fair set up two storefronts at the Deauville Hotel during Art Basel Miami, playing homage to the traditional and sometimes absurd diversity of a beachside gift shop. Featuring over 50 contributors, including a bootleg Katz’s Miami, with gifts ranging from $8 key chains to a $3800 jacket from the future. Watch the video here
Hester Street Fair Holiday Market at the Seaport District NYC
Hester Street Fair’s Holiday Market at the Seaport District NYC included over 40 local vendors with plenty of holiday shopping and cheer for all. Special events included Wine Wednesdays for the neighborhood and studio holiday pet portraits. Watch the video here
And now on the corner too
A few blocks south of our outdoor market is the Hester Street Fair Project Space a multi-floor ground level corner “fishbowl.” Opening this past January we already hosted an impromptu five hour jam session with Georgia & Friends, Bard student film screening, a baby-shower, new fashion brand Everybody’s first informal retail shop and a T-Shirt show with over 40 artists, made to order with proceeds going to the ACLU.
We are also online with exclusive “pop-up” shopping
We believe that our special markets and events should be experienced by everyone so while they are happening products are available for purchase online, accessible to any one any where, even those who live in New York City.
We support our community and charitable partners
Supporting charitable partners is an integral part of the Hester Street Fair. We seek out charities to align with specific events, for instance, Lower East Side Girls Club was part of Girl Power Day, Green Beetz was part of Grub Street Food Festival, and some we support because our community came to use to help their cause. We will continue integrating charitable partners in our market to help make our local and global community better.