City Cast Madison logo

Everything You Need to Know About the Madison Night Market

Posted on May 9, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Hayley Sperling

Hayley Sperling

state street pictured at night

The Madison Night Market kicks off in May and runs monthly through October, with the exception of July because of due to Maxwell Street Days. (katie wheeler / Flickr)

The Dane County Farmers’ Market may have just experienced its 15 minutes of fame but it’s not the only market that takes over downtown Madison streets once the weather warms.

Though newer to the scene — the first night market was held in 2017 — the Madison Night Market has become a staple summer and fall event on the isthmus. And this year, the market is bigger than ever before. Here’s everything you need to know about 2024 Madison Night Market.

Who?

This year’s market will host more than 100 local vendors showcasing handmade art, food, gifts, and more.

There will also be plenty of food carts at the market and live music from local artists and buskers.

The all-ages event is family and pet friendly, but no live animals are allowed where food is served or stored, except for service dogs. Also, if your pets aren’t great with crowds, this probably isn’t the best event for them.

What?

The Madison Night Market is a chance to get to know some of the city’s small businesses and enjoy what downtown has to offer. The city is making a push to bring people to State Street and the market helps accomplish that goal.

When?

The first Madison Night Market is Thursday May 9. Markets will also be held on June 13, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, and Oct. 17, all from 5 to 9 p.m.

The event will go on rain or shine. But if the weather gets particularly bad — e.g. if there’s a tornado or prolonged thunderstorms — organizers will cancel.

Where?

In the past, the Madison Night Market was restricted to State and Gilman streets. But this year, the market is expanding and will also host vendors on the Capitol Square's North Carroll and West Mifflin streets.

Buskers and vendors will be located throughout the event and food carts will be set up on Gilman Street.

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Neighborhood Guides

See All
Neighborhood GuidesMarch 4

Your Guide To Madison’s Sister City of Camagüey, Cuba

Madison has had a decades-long relationship with its sister city of Camaguey, Cuba. Here's what to know about the country's largest inte...

A cityscape with brown roofs.
Neighborhood GuidesJanuary 28

Uncovering Madison’s Kinky Past

For Valentine's Day, take a deep dive into the kinky history of Madison, from the Hotel Washington to the Cardinal Bar to Madison's now-d...

A room with red lights and a giant "X" scaffold.
Neighborhood GuidesAugust 18, 2025

Your Guide to Madison’s Sister City of Vilnius, Lithuania

But for today’s Sister City feature on Vilnius, Lithuania, I have some expert help.

A man in a hat sitting on a pink bench in a city square.
Neighborhood GuidesJuly 23, 2025

Your Guide To AtwoodFest, Madison’s SASY-est Festival

Since 1982, AtwoodFest has celebrated the spirit of Madison's east side SASY neighborhood and raised money for good causes. This year's f...

A group of people dancing outdoors.
Neighborhood GuidesJuly 9, 2025

Your Guide to Madison’s Sister City in Obihiro, Japan

One of Madison's sister cities is Obihiro, located on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The city has a lot that will be familiar to visito...

A small train station in a snowy landscape.
Neighborhood GuidesJune 4, 2025

Check Out Madison’s Black Business Hub

The Black Business Hub opened last summer to support and accelerate minority-owned businesses, and new ventures are constantly opening in...

A large space with floor to ceiling windows and orange chairs.
Neighborhood GuidesMay 20, 2025

Jade’s One-Day Getaway: Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron

In our new feature, City Cast Madison producer Jade Isere-Ramos takes us on a road trip to check out a popular attraction near Madison. T...

A series of metal sculptures in a park.
Neighborhood GuidesMay 13, 2025

Hit the Road For These Community Festivals Near Madison

Madison has its share of summer neighborhood festivals, but many nearby communities also come together for their own summer fests that re...

Three people in red costumes and sunglasses smiling and waving red flags.

The latest in Madison

Madison's BestJune 3

Your Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright's Madison

Legendary designer Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home and he left his mark on the city. Here's some of his most famous buildings, fro...

A building with glass windows and a triangular roof.
Madison's BestJune 2

Your Guide to June 2026 in Madison

If you’re looking for a page-turner to take to the beach this summer, UW-Madison graduate Joseph Eckert is coming back to town to Lake Ci...

A group of people at tables in front of a marble building.
Madison's BestJune 1

How Madison’s Capital City Theatre is Reinventing ‘RENT’

Madison's Capital City Theatre is putting on a bold new version of the Tony-winning musical 'RENT' at the Orpheum Theater June 5-7. For i...

A woman gestures to several other people in a room.
Food & DrinkMay 28

Madison's Best New Restaurants

This month's list of new restaurants include a new coffee shop on Winnebago Street, an ice cream shop coming to downtown Sun Prairie and...

A building with an orange outline of two palm trees on the side.
Madison, ExplainedMay 18

How Smart Studios Put Madison on the Musical Map

Why did Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Death Cab for Cutie and other bands want to record songs in Madison? As a new documentary explains, S...

A two-story red brick building on a street.
Food & DrinkMay 14

These Madison Butcher Shops Are a Cut Above

With summer coming up, you might want to stock up for the next cookout. Here are some of Madison's favorite butcher shops, from Meat Peop...

A man in glasses peers at a stack of hamburger patties.
Madison's BestMay 12

Wisconsin Authors Are an Open Book on New Podcast

On the new podcast "Writing Forward," Madison writer Jeff Oloizia interviews Wisconsin authors about their writing process, how to be suc...

A man in a blue shirt stands next to a shelf of books.
Food & DrinkMay 7

Supper Clubs in Madison You Have To Try

You can savor the Wisconsin supper club tradition without traveling far from Madison, hitting historic spots like Tornado Steak House, Ka...

A photo of a plate of food and a nighttime photo of the exterior of a restaurant.