SAN FRANCISCO — Chinatown’s monthly night market returns Friday, Sept. 11, bringing food, live music, games and lion dancing to Grant Avenue for four evening hours.
Current September event information lists the Chinatown Night Market from 5 to 9 p.m. on Grant Avenue between California and Pacific streets, with additional activities on Waverly Place. Admission is free.
The September program includes lion dancing at 6 p.m. and live music by Jest Jammin’ on the main stage near Grant and Jackson.
What time is the Chinatown Night Market Friday?
The Sept. 11 market is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m..
The broader 2026 series runs on the second Friday of the month from May through October, so make sure you are looking at the September date rather than an older monthly listing.
Where does the night market run?
The main market footprint runs along Grant Avenue from California Street to Pacific Avenue.
Current September information also lists programming on Waverly Place from 5 to 9 p.m. The main live stage is identified at Grant and Jackson.
What is happening at the September market?
The market centers on Chinatown food and small businesses, with cultural performances and entertainment mixed into the street event.
For Sept. 11, the published program specifically calls out lion dancing at 6 p.m., Jest Jammin’ live on the main stage, games, arts and crafts, and activity on Waverly Place.
SF Station describes the recurring market as five blocks of food and entertainment on Grant plus two blocks of games and seating on Waverly, with more than 40 local restaurants and merchants participating across the series.
Is the Chinatown Night Market free?
Yes. The Sept. 11 event is listed as free and open to all ages.
Food and drinks from vendors are sold separately, so “free” refers to admission rather than everything at the market costing nothing.
What is the easiest way to get there?
The Central Subway’s Chinatown–Rose Pak Station is a practical rail option for the neighborhood, followed by a walk through Chinatown toward Grant Avenue. Multiple Muni bus routes also serve the area around Stockton, Powell, Broadway and Columbus.
For a large Friday-night event, transit avoids the hardest part of the trip: finding curb parking in and around Chinatown while streets are busy with pedestrians and event operations.
What do we know about street access Friday?
The market itself occupies Grant Avenue, but SF News Today has not yet located a current city traffic notice giving a precise Sept. 11 closure window for this edition.
We are therefore not publishing an unverified start or reopening time for street restrictions. If SFMTA or another city agency posts a specific September traffic advisory, this page should be updated with that official window.
If you are driving nearby, treat Grant Avenue inside the event footprint as unavailable for ordinary through travel during the market and follow posted signs and traffic controls.
Context