TURN ON PUSH ALERTS. WE’LL SEND UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE. WELL, RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE WRAPPING UP A CELEBRATION OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY FOR THE EVENING. THE ANNUAL NIGHT MARKET IS A POPULAR EVENT THAT FEATURES FOOD, MUSIC AND CULTURE. KCRA 3’S ANAHITA JAFARY HAS BEEN OUT THERE ALL NIGHT LONG. LOTS OF FUN TO BE HAD, SO WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A FRIDAY NIGHT. ABSOLUTELY. AND FROM TASTY BITES TO BRIGHT TRADITIONS, THE A P NIGHT MARKET REALLY BRINGS CULTURE ALL THE WAY FULL CIRCLE. COOKING UP AUTHENTIC FOODS AND SPREADING ENCOURAGEMENT. I WAS REALLY SCARED TO START MY OWN BUSINESS. I THINK STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS AS A FILIPINO OR ANY MINORITY IS HARD WHEN YOU JUST DON’T KNOW THE ROPES. SO LEARNING FROM OTHER PEOPLE, LEARNING FROM PEOPLE AT THIS EVENT WHO ARE ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IS REALLY INSPIRING, ESPECIALLY FOR MYSELF, THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER NIGHT MARKET HAD DOZENS OF UNIQUE VENDORS LIKE THIS ONE, NATIONAL FLOWER PHILIPPINES CANDLES INSPIRED BY FILIPINO CULTURE. LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO, THERE WASN’T REALLY MUCH LIKE ASIAN SAYS YOU CAN FIND LIKE UBE OR LIKE BOBA SCENTED CANDLES. SO I DECIDED TO EXPERIMENT AND MIX MY OWN LIVE MUSIC, INCLUDING DJ’S AND A DRUM PERFORMANCE. FOR THOUSANDS TO ENJOY. IT’S A SPACE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN BE SAFE, OPEN, AND, YOU KNOW, SHARE THE CULTURE. THAT’S WHAT ASIAN CULTURE IS ABOUT, SHARING LOVE WITH FOOD. AND SO LOOK AT ITSELF. IT’S AMAZING. FOR MANY, IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST AN EVENT. IT BRINGS OUT THE HEART BEHIND IT ALL. OUR MOM WAS BORN IN VIETNAM. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE RECENTLY PASSED, BUT SHE ALWAYS USED TO BRING US TO THIS STREET FESTIVAL IN SACRAMENTO WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. IT’S A DIFFERENT FESTIVAL BECAUSE THAT ONE HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO. BUT SINCE THIS WAS MY SISTER’S BIRTHDAY, WE DECIDED TO COME. THE EVENT BRINGING GENERATIONS TOGETHER THROUGH SHARED CONNECTION. IT’S JUST REALLY BEAUTIFUL, THE COMMUNITY, AND IT REMINDS ME OF MY CHILDHOOD AND I KNOW MY MOM IS HERE WITH US, WATCHING. SUCH A SWEET STORY AND AAPI HERITAGE MONTH CONTINUES TO RUN
AAPI night market in Sacramento brings culture and community together
The AAPI night market in downtown Sacramento featured food, music, and cultural traditions, offering a space for connection and celebration.
Updated: 10:47 PM PDT May 15, 2026
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) night market in downtown Sacramento brought together thousands of attendees to enjoy authentic foods, live music, and cultural traditions. “I was really scared to start my own business. I think starting a small business as a Filipino or any minority, it’s hard when you just don’t know the ropes. So learning from other people, learning from people at this event who are all small business owners is really inspiring, especially for myself,” said Josh Montemayor, a vendor from Dellsubi. The event featured dozens of unique vendors, including candles inspired by Filipino culture. “Like five years ago, there wasn’t really much like, you know, Asian scents you can find like ube and boba scented candles. So I decided to experiment and mix my own,” said Ashley Sullera, owner of Kandelita. Live music, including DJs and a drum performance, added to the vibrant atmosphere. “It’s a space where everybody can be safe, open, and, you know, share the culture. That’s what Asian culture is about, sharing love with food,” said Alex Nguyen, who attended the event. For some, the night market held deeper personal significance. “Our mom was born in Vietnam. Unfortunately, she recently passed. But she always used to bring us to this street festival in Sacramento when we were growing up. It’s a different festival because that one happened a long time ago, but since this was my sister’s birthday, we decided to come,” said DaVina Warner, who attended the event with her family. The event brought generations together through shared connections and memories. “It’s just really beautiful, the community and reminds me of my childhood and I know my mom’s here with us watching,” Warner said. The AAPI night market was part of AAPI Heritage Month, which continues until May 31.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) night market in downtown Sacramento brought together thousands of attendees to enjoy authentic foods, live music, and cultural traditions.
“I was really scared to start my own business. I think starting a small business as a Filipino or any minority, it’s hard when you just don’t know the ropes. So learning from other people, learning from people at this event who are all small business owners is really inspiring, especially for myself,” said Josh Montemayor, a vendor from Dellsubi.
The event featured dozens of unique vendors, including candles inspired by Filipino culture.
“Like five years ago, there wasn’t really much like, you know, Asian scents you can find like ube and boba scented candles. So I decided to experiment and mix my own,” said Ashley Sullera, owner of Kandelita.
Live music, including DJs and a drum performance, added to the vibrant atmosphere.
“It’s a space where everybody can be safe, open, and, you know, share the culture. That’s what Asian culture is about, sharing love with food,” said Alex Nguyen, who attended the event.
For some, the night market held deeper personal significance.
“Our mom was born in Vietnam. Unfortunately, she recently passed. But she always used to bring us to this street festival in Sacramento when we were growing up. It’s a different festival because that one happened a long time ago, but since this was my sister’s birthday, we decided to come,” said DaVina Warner, who attended the event with her family.
The event brought generations together through shared connections and memories.
“It’s just really beautiful, the community and reminds me of my childhood and I know my mom’s here with us watching,” Warner said.
The AAPI night market was part of AAPI Heritage Month, which continues until May 31.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel