Central Park is getting its own weekday food crush this spring, as Smorgasburg rolls into the Columbus Circle entrance from May 14 through September 19. The open-air market will pop up Thursdays through Saturdays, opening at noon and running into the evening so office workers, tourists and park regulars can swing by for a picnic spread or a late lunch. Organizers say the new outpost will feature more than two dozen vendors, and like Smorgasburg’s other locations, admission will be free.
Where and when
As reported by Time Out, the Central Park edition is set for the park’s Columbus Circle entrance on West 59th Street and will run Thursday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The outlet notes that Smorgasburg’s Instagram has already announced the dates, but the full vendor lineup is still under wraps. Time Out also points out that this Central Park debut folds into Smorgasburg’s 16th season.
Smorgasburg’s season and scope
Smorgasburg's official site lists weekly markets in Williamsburg, Prospect Park and the World Trade Center, and says this year’s program includes more than 70 vendors across all locations. The Central Park outpost is planned as a compact, park‑friendly setup of more than 25 vendors, mixing returning favorites with new concepts. For many of those vendors, a Columbus Circle footprint offers a direct line to midday office crowds and visitors staying in nearby hotels.
What to expect
Local coverage indicates the Columbus Circle market will feature over two dozen vendors and will stick with Smorgasburg’s usual model of free entry with pay‑per‑item purchases. As 6sqft notes, the Central Park expansion arrives as the Smorgasburg team also opens a large Pan‑American restaurant on Governors Island this season, signaling a wider push into Manhattan hospitality. Organizers have already teased the Central Park addition on social media, according to outlets like Patch, and say they will publish vendor details before the first weekend.
Permits and park impact
Setting up shop in major public parks has not always been a simple plug‑and‑play for Smorgasburg. Past coverage shows the operation has had to navigate permitting and community review whenever it shifts locations. Eater reported in 2021 on how state and city review processes shaped Smorgasburg’s presence in Williamsburg, underscoring that organizers will coordinate with park authorities for the Columbus Circle setup as well. Park users can expect typical market foot traffic and some setup infrastructure clustered around the entrance.
Plan your visit
The market operator says it will post the full vendor list and any weather or schedule updates on its site and social channels ahead of opening day; check Smorgasburg for the latest details. Expect crowds on sunny afternoons, and consider arriving early or taking public transit to reach the Columbus Circle entrance.
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