A free evening market with 50 local vendors, food trucks and live music opens Thursday, Sept. 17, in Bellevue's Spring District.
The Bellevue Sunset Market is the first of two test events in a new Bellevue Night Market Series produced by Northwest Marketplaces.
The series is funded through the City of Bellevue's Community Programming Fund, which the city's event listing describes as "community-led, city-supported."
The market runs from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot beside Sound Transit's Spring District Station at 12040 NE Spring Blvd.
Admission is free.
Ryan Reiter of Northwest Marketplaces said the two-event season is a trial run. "We see this first season as the beginning of a conversation with the Bellevue community," Reiter told Downtown Bellevue Network.
He said the organizers hope both events will help them find the right mix of vendors, food, cultural programming and community experiences to build something residents look forward to every month.
The Thursday format targets residents, nearby employees and visitors looking to shop local, grab dinner and spend time outdoors in the evening.
A second, larger event follows. The Autumn Moon Night Market is set for Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the same location. That event will feature lantern lighting, a wider selection of local artisans, street food and Asian-inspired cultural programming geared toward families and food lovers.
Northwest Marketplaces is running the two formats side by side on purpose. The weekday evening market and the weekend festival give the producer a direct comparison of what audiences prefer, what vendors need and which programming draws the biggest crowds.
Feedback from vendors, attendees and community partners after both events will shape whether a monthly Bellevue night market launches in 2027.
Northwest Marketplaces has also said a move to downtown Bellevue is on the table for next year, according to Downtown Bellevue Network. The Spring District parking lot is a testing ground, not a permanent home.
The Sept. 17 market opens at 4 p.m. at 12040 NE Spring Blvd.
