You Can Eat Your Way Through a Different Region of Asia Each Week at 2024's Hawker 88 Night Market at QVM

Spend your Wednesday nights jumping from food stall to food stall as you soak up the flavours, sights and sounds of Asia — no passport required.
Andrew Zuccala and Libby Curran
Published on March 27, 2024
Updated on March 27, 2024

Queen Vic Market manages to fill just about every Wednesday night of the year with a huge food, music and shopping party, be it the Summer Night Market, the Winter Night Market or the upcoming Hawker 88 Night Market. But the latter isn't a rinse-and-repeat kind of situation. Each night is unique, embracing a different Asian-inspired theme.

During 2024's autumn iteration, running from Wednesday, April 10–Wednesday, May 8, you'll find yourself immersed in a heap of other cultures and cuisines as you feast your way through a lineup of street food stalls, with live entertainment, local artisans and eating competitions rounding out the festivities.

Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market

The first Wednesday spreads its love across Asia in general, so every region gets a go. There'll be a stack of cultural performances such as colourful lion dances, plus a dumpling-eating competition. If you have a mate who goes ham at bottomless yum cha, consider signing them up for this one.

This will be followed by a Southeast Asia night where the divisively fragrant durian is in the spotlight. For those who love the fruit, there'll even be a durian-eating competition. Malay dancers and martial arts demos will also be on the cards. 

Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market

The following week, K-pop dancers will take over the QVM sheds and laneways, alongside a Japanese band and some taiko drumming.

Those heading over for Island Night get the chance to participate in yet another eating contest, this time tasked with downing as many skewers as possible. Plus, there'll also be a beer pong championship, with the facing off the next week for the title.

The five-week night market culminates in the Full Moon Festival on Wednesday, May 8, as DJs spin tracks and a live Filipino band gets people dancing. It's going to be one massive party to end this year's Hawker 88 Night Market.

Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market

The best things to do in Melbourne this month — April — Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market

Hawker 88 Night Market at Queen Victoria Market

2024's Hawker 88 Night Market will run at Queen Victoria Market every Wednesday from 5–10pm between April 10–May 8. Head to the market's website for more details.

Published on March 27, 2024 by Andrew Zuccala
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