New to the site: the National City Night Market debuted on July 11, 2026 at Old Schoolhouse Square, a small plaza on East 8th Street in National City. The next market is currently planned for Saturday, August 15, 2026 (exact hours not yet announced; evening timing shown here is estimated based on the inaugural event).
The market was launched by local pop-up tea cafe Thaiyo and longtime Filipino restaurant Villa Manila, with support from First Gen Scholars and event consultant Social Artistry. It grew out of Villa Manila’s existing Sunday flea markets at the same plaza, reimagined as an evening event blending food, live music, and community culture.
The debut drew families and friends from across the South Bay for street food (crepes, lumpia, barbecued chicken skewers, and more), open-play mahjong tables, and a live set from Chula Vista band Together Again. Organizers describe the market as a way to spotlight National City’s diverse, largely Filipino and Asian community and to bring more visitors to the city’s east side.
Because this is a new, still-developing recurring event, check with the organizers on Instagram (@thaiyo.cafe) before visiting to confirm the date and hours.