GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Saigon Night Market is hosting the Gainesville Asian Food Festival from Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 3-11 p.m. each day. It’s taking place at Depot Station, 201 SE Depot Ave., Gainesville. This festival features elements of Thai, Japanese, Korean and Chinese traditional and modern food and cultures amongst others along with games, festive decorations and music.

A variety of foods were featured at the festival including kebabs, k-dogs, noodle bowls, burgers, Korean BBQ sticks, boa buns, Italian ice, yakisoba bowls, skewers, egg rolls, hot dogs, pork belly and plenty more. For those interested in drinks, some vendors also featured slushies, smoothies, tea, lemonade and boba teas. Some vendors also featured items such as 3D printed dragons, dinosaurs and more from 3D Asian Dragons.

People browse stalls at an outdoor street market with colorful tents along a paved path in a park, on a sunny day.
Crowd of people at an outdoor festival with vendor tents and a colorful menu board along a grassy path.
Colorful dragon head sculptures arranged on a red table at a market stall, showcasing vibrant hues from pink to blue to green.
Colorful ice-cream truck with large signs offering Italian ice; banners advertise 100% natural, vegan-friendly flavors and smoothies.
Outdoor food market with Thai Street Food stalls and banners; people ordering and browsing menus under tents.
Outdoor food festival with colorful vendor tents and people browsing stalls along a paved walkway.
Line of people waiting at a row of colorful food stalls under banners, including Rick's Tea Club and Panda-themed menu.

Along with food, Friday evening had plenty to offer as the grass field across from the vendors featured cornhole for guests to enjoy and a live DJ who played music throughout the event. There were also decorations to reflect the theme of the festival with lights on trees, lanterns strung across light poles and a large inflatable with the host’s logo.

Outdoor string lights lie across a grassy lawn, with a colorful green floral bottle centerpiece and a dirt pile in the background.
Cornhole game on a grassy lawn with a painted board and a red bag near the hole, blue bags scattered to the side, and people in the background.
Decorative string lights with orange and pink lanterns hanging outdoors at dusk, with trees in the background.

Festivities on Friday saw a slowdown due the weather as rain took over a part of the day while lightning remained consistent throughout the day in the distance. Some vendors closed during the rain, and some unprotected booths had to clean the grills before continuing to serve guests. Although dark clouds loomed around the park as weather conditions slowed festivities, vendors continued to serve guests and crowds kept forming, persevering through the challenges for a vibrant evening.

People line up at a daytime outdoor market with tents and stalls in a park setting, tape barrier visible on the right edge, palm fronds overhead.
Outdoor festival scene with white tents, food stalls, and groups of people strolling and chatting on the grass.

Guests can still enjoy the festival from 3-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, experiencing Asian food and more festivities as the weekend continues. As guests enjoy the festival, children can explore the playground, families can walk a trail, and everyone can take a look at turtles and gators in the pond on site. It’s free to attend and open to the public.