NIGHT FEST, Newark’s evening makers festival, returns on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5–9 PM at Mulberry Commons Park. Presented in partnership with the Newark City Parks Foundation, the festival transforms the park into a vibrant nighttime gathering where art, food, music, and hands-on experiences come together.
RSVP Here: 2026nightfest.eventbrite.com
Artists, residents, and young people of all ages are invited to dive into a wide range of creative practices through hands-on demonstrations and participatory workshops. This year we’re thrilled to welcome a mix of new and returning collaborators, offering opportunities to try everything from mural painting and glassblowing to jewelry-making, darkroom photography, printmaking, instrument-building, zine-making, sewing, and more. Across the evening, these activities open up the creative process and make space for exploration, learning, and making together.
This year's festival features artist and co-host Eirini Linardaki and her interactive public sculpture, Constellation Bench. Designed as both a gathering space and a functional work of art, the star-shaped installation serves as a welcoming landmark inspired by Newark's multicultural communities.
Throughout the evening, Linardaki will share textiles that informed the creation of the artwork, inviting visitors to relax, picnic, and connect around the installation. Guests are encouraged to bring a favorite blanket, fabric, or textile of their own to help create a colorful communal gathering space. The first 100 attendees will also receive a free sticker book inspired by the project.
At 7 PM, a special performance curated by returning artist YEIMY and collaborators will activate the park through music, movement, and collective participation. Following the performance, the artists will open the space for a community jam session, inviting everyone into a shared musical experience. Bring your instrument—or make one on site—and join in as we create music together and carry the energy into the evening.
As the sun sets, around 8:30 PM, the installation will transform once again with an immersive digital animation created by Eirini. Inspired by the textile patterns, colors, and cultural stories woven throughout the project, the projection will envelop the sculpture in light, offering a finale to the night's festivities.
Food vendors will be on site throughout the evening, making it easy to settle in, enjoy a picnic, and experience the festival after dark. Families are also encouraged to bring their own food, snacks, and blankets to gather, share a meal, and spend time together around the sculpture.
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NIGHT FEST is part of Newark Grounds, a walkable cultural corridor connecting Newark Penn Station and Teachers Village. Home to almost 100 public artworks and cultural spaces, Newark Grounds offers accessible and immersive encounters with contemporary art throughout the city. During the festival, visitors are encouraged to explore nearby destinations, including Four Corners Public Arts, Project for Empty Space, and Gateways to Newark: Portraits, and Mulberry Commons.
This year's program is made possible by the City of Newark, Newark City Parks Foundation, Newark Grounds partnership, and the New Jersey Board of Utilities.