It feels more like a gathering. A reunion. A space people didn’t realize they needed. That’s the Asian Night Market, which takes place on Thursday, May 30. Five years ago, the founders weren’t trying to build one of Fargo’s fastest-growing cultural events. They were just trying to find a connection. “We were all attending NDSU,” said
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Brady Drake
Editorial Director
April 28, 20262 min read
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TL;DR
Quick summary
Asian Night Market has grown from a small community gathering into one of Fargo’s fastest-growing cultural events, bringing nearly 50 vendors and an expected 3,000 attendees to the Fargo Air Museum on May 30 while staying free and family-friendly.
Thursday, May 30
Fargo Air Museum, 1609 19th Ave N, Fargo
Nearly 50 vendors and around 3,000 attendees expected
Free to attend; vendor fees stay around $20–30
Did You Know?
Did you know
The Asian Night Market grew from about a dozen vendors and a few hundred people to nearly 50 vendors and aroun
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Organizers kept vendor fees around $20–30 so first-time vendors and small businesses could participate.
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Namaste Chai first debuted its food truck concept at the Asian Night Market.
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By The Numbers
Four stats worth remembering
5
years of the Night Market
Heading into its fifth year
50
vendors
Nearly 50 expected this year
3,000
attendees
Around 3,000 expected
$20–30
vendor fee
Kept low for first-timers and small businesses
Beyond The Article
What else we found out
Asian Night Market is scheduled for May 30, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Fargo Air Museum.
Visit Fargo Moorhead (fargomoorhead.org)
The event is organized to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month each May in Fargo-Moorhead.
Asian Night Market (asiannightmarketfm.org)
The market’s website says the 2026 event features more than 30 local and regional AAPI vendors.
Asian Night Market (asiannightmarketfm.org)
It feels more like a gathering. A reunion. A space people didn’t realize they needed.
That’s the Asian Night Market, which takes place on Thursday, May 30.
Five years ago, the founders weren’t trying to build one of Fargo’s fastest-growing cultural events. They were just trying to find a connection.
“We were all attending NDSU,” said co-founder Shayna Karuman. “And kind of not as connected as we would have liked to be.”
At the time, there wasn’t a central space for Asian Americans in Fargo–Moorhead. During COVID—and amid rising anti-Asian sentiment—that absence became even more clear.
So they created one.
The first event came together in just a few weeks. A dozen vendors. A few hundred people.
Today, the Night Market is heading into its fifth year with nearly 50 vendors and around 3,000 attendees expected. It’s outgrown its original home and moved to the Fargo Air Museum to keep up.
You’ll find dishes you don’t normally see in Fargo—Filipino, Vietnamese, bubble tea—and artists selling work you won’t find anywhere else. But what stands out most is the interaction.
“It can be really cool to just shake hands with someone and learn what they’re most excited to share about their culture,” Co-Founder Sacred Mauricio said.
From the beginning, organizers kept vendor fees low—around $20–30—making it accessible for first-timers and small businesses. That means side hustles sit alongside established brands, and ideas get tested in front of real crowds.
Some take off. Namaste Chai debuted its food truck concept here. Others leave with new customers, new confidence, or new collaborators.
And the impact goes beyond business.
“We’ve seen people meet at the event and build friendships,” Shayna said.
Volunteers become organizers. Attendees become vendors. It builds on itself year after year.
Despite its growth, the event remains free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. Kids do crafts. Music fills the space. This year, even includes themed activities centered around storytelling.
“It feels like a huge family reunion,” Sacred said.
Location:
Fargo Air Museum
1609 19th Ave N, Fargo, ND
