Richmond Night Market
Family of 4
$60-90 CAD (~$45-65 USD) including admission and food
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
All ages
About
The Richmond Night Market is one of the biggest outdoor night markets in North America, and for families, it's like a food-themed carnival that happens every weekend from late April through mid-October.
Located in Richmond, a one-block walk from the Canada Line's Bridgeport Station (a direct 17-minute SkyTrain ride from downtown Vancouver), the market spreads across a large outdoor lot with over 100 food vendors, retail stalls, carnival games, and entertainment stages.
The food is the star. Over 500 different dishes are available from vendors representing cuisines from across Asia and beyond. Popular kid-friendly picks include: tornado potatoes (whole potatoes spiraled on a stick and fried), bubble waffles with ice cream, mango sticky rice, Japanese takoyaki, Korean corn dogs, giant cotton candy in rainbow colors, and every variety of BBQ skewer.
Each item runs $5-12, so you can try lots of different things without spending a fortune. The visual spectacle alone is half the fun — vendors flip, sizzle, and construct dishes right in front of you.
Beyond food, the market has carnival games (ring toss, balloon darts, prize wheels), novelty shopping stalls, and live entertainment on a central stage — sometimes music, sometimes magic, sometimes dance performances. For kids, the combination of food freedom, games, and a festival atmosphere is irresistible.
The market runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Friday and Saturday hours are 7pm to midnight; Sundays close at 11pm. Admission is a small entry fee — kids under 7 and seniors 60+ are free. The market is largely outdoors and uncovered, so it's weather-dependent — check forecasts before going.
Practical family tips: strollers are allowed but the aisles can get very crowded on Saturday nights, making navigation tough. Compact strollers or baby carriers are better for peak times. Arrive right at 7pm for the shortest food lines. Bring cash in small bills — while many vendors accept cards, some are cash-only. The market has portable washrooms but limited baby changing facilities.
The Canada Line transit approach is strongly recommended. Parking exists but fills up quickly and costs money. The Bridgeport Station is literally one block away, making transit the stress-free option.
The Richmond Night Market is a unique Vancouver-area experience that gives families a taste of Asian night market culture without flying to Taipei. It's become a beloved summer tradition for thousands of local families.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
partial
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Arrive right at 7pm when it opens for shortest food lines. Sunday evenings are less crowded than Friday or Saturday. The market runs late April through mid-October.
Wait Times
5-15 minutes per food vendor; some popular stalls have 20+ minute waits on Saturdays
Nearby Food
The market itself IS the food destination — with 100+ vendors, you won't need to eat elsewhere. If the market is closed, Richmond's No. 3 Road has excellent Asian restaurants. Aberdeen Centre food court is a 5-minute drive.
Why Kids Love It
The Richmond Night Market is a sensory wonderland for kids. Over 100 food vendors serve more than 500 different dishes — we're talking giant tornado potatoes on sticks, rainbow cotton candy bigger than a kid's head, mango sticky rice, takoyaki octopus balls, bubble waffles stuffed with ice cream, and every kind of skewer imaginable. Kids' eyes go wide at the sheer variety and spectacle.
Beyond the food, there are carnival games, prize stalls, and live entertainment stages with performers. The energy is electric — it's loud, colorful, and feels like a festival every weekend. Older kids and teens love the independence of choosing their own food from different stalls.
The market has a distinct Asian night market vibe that feels like a mini trip to another country. It runs every weekend from April through October, making it a reliable summer and early fall family outing.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station — the market is a 1-block walk and you skip parking headaches
- Arrive right at 7pm opening for the shortest food lines
- Bring cash — while many vendors take cards, some are cash-only
- Don't fill up at the first stall — walk the whole market first to see what you want
- Sunday evenings are less crowded than Friday or Saturday nights
What to Bring
- Cash (small bills) for food vendors
- Wet wipes and napkins — the food is messy and delicious
- A light jacket — evenings can be cool near the river
- Comfortable shoes (lots of walking on pavement)
- An adventurous appetite
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$60-90 CAD (~$45-65 USD) including admission and food
Tips to Save
- Kids under 7 and seniors 60+ get free admission.
- Bring cash — some vendors don't take cards.
- Budget around $5-10 per food item.
- Take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station — it's a 1-block walk and avoids parking costs.