The popular annual Little Mekong Night Market returns to University Avenue and Western in Saint Paul in 2024. A triumph in community-based economic development, the Little Mekong Night Market is a cultural celebration and economic driver for established and emerging small businesses – bringing hundreds of thousands to experience food, performances, cultural activities, and unique shops and vendors.
Returning after three years of cancellation due to COVID and rising event costs, the free, lively street festival attracts thousands of visitors to the Little Mekong business district at University Avenue and Western along the Green Line. The Night Market features an extensive list of food and artisan vendors, food trucks, and three stages of cultural performances, singing, and dancing. The Night Market boasts the most diverse audience and attractions of any Minnesota festival, a testament to the event’s status as MN’s original night market.
Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) started the annual Little Mekong Night Market in 2013 to support the recovery of small businesses following four years of LRT construction along University Avenue. The event has attracted 250,000 visitors and generated over $5M in economic benefit to Little Mekong businesses and vendors. The Night Market returns almost 10 years after the Green Line was completed – an event that transformed University Avenue and changed how local residents and visitors experienced the Avenue.
Building on AEDA’s cultural and economic impact in the Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods, the return of the Little Mekong Night Market is also the beginning of a longer-range vision to redevelop AEDA’s current home. AEDA is committed to promoting economic and cultural opportunities for Twin Cities Asian Americans. They are engaging partners and funders to explore the transformation of 422 University Avenue West into a multi-use cooperative commercial space and street market. The preliminary vision includes business incubator space, affordable housing, artisan and cultural performance amenities, and flexible space for the community
