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 GuidesSeptember 29

Browse the Imagination Center, Madison’s Newest Library

Explore Madison's new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park—the city's first public library in 26 years. Take a virtual tour of this vibran...

The outside of the Imagination Center. A blue tiled buildiing with a sign that read "Library."
Neighborhood GuidesJune 15

Take a Look Inside the Center for Black Excellence and Culture

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened its doors last month to much fanfare. The $32 million facility is envisioned as a hub...

The interior of a building with white walls and a polished floor.
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.

The latest in Madison

Madison, ExplainedOctober 22

Why Wisconsin Cheesemakers Worry About New USDA Rules

A surprise shift in federal grants threatens small Wisconsin dairy operations, prompting state cheesemakers and Senator Tammy Baldwin to...

A red barn that reads "got milk?" and several gray silos.
Madison's BestOctober 21

UW-Madison’s ‘Inhumanities Building’ Inspires New Book

Discover the history and unique character of UW-Madison’s iconic "Inhumanities Building" in Doug E.L. Haynes’ new illustrated book. Explo...

Madison artist Doug E.L. Haynes, dressed in black, leans against a black metal railing in front of the Mosse Humanities Building at UW Madison, a light-colored brick building.
Madison, ExplainedOctober 20

Your Guide to the Fall 2026 Election in Madison

The big-ticket item on the Nov. 3 ballot for Wisconsin voters is of course the race for governor.

Two signs saying “Vote” outside of a doorway.
Madison, ExplainedOctober 19

Digging Up the Spooky History of Freakfest

Madison's Freakfest event ended several years ago, but its ghosts continue to haunt the city to this day. Here’s a look back at the good,...

A crowd of people, many in costumes, on a city street.
Food & DrinkOctober 15

What Do Madison Beer Drinkers Really Want?

Brewery owner Garth Beyer surveyed over 350 people about their beer and bar preferences. These are his takeaways about Madison's beer scene.

A man sitting in a chair pours beer into a glass.
Madison's BestOctober 13

Practice Shelf-Care at the Wisconsin Book Festival

Discover your next great read at the 25th annual Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration, Oct. 15-18. Enjoy free author events for all a...

A group of people browse a table of books in a bright sunlit space.
Madison's BestOctober 8

Your Favorite Spots To Meet Your Neighbors in Madison

City Cast Madison Neighbors share their favorite places in Madison.

Rolling green hills with wildflowers.
Madison, ExplainedOctober 7

UW-Madison Professor Receives Nobel Prize in Physics

Discover the backstory behind UW-Madison professor Francis Halzen's Nobel Prize in physics for pioneering the IceCube Neutrino Observator...

An observatory at the South Pole. A metal structure sits on a desolate landscape with the cosmos above it.