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, with dedicated support from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through the Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program, the festival transforms the park into a vibrant nighttime gathering where art, food, music, and hands-on experiences come together.
🎨Artists, residents, & young people of all ages are invited to dive into a wide range of creative practices through hands-on demonstrations & 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, & more.
✨This year's festival features artist & co-host Eirini Linardaki (@linardakiandco) & her interactive public sculpture, Constellation Bench. Throughout the evening, Linardaki will share textiles that informed the creation of the artwork, inviting visitors to relax, picnic, & 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 (@yeiei.y) & collaborators will activate the park through music. 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.
📽️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, & 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, & experience the festival after dark. Families are also encouraged to bring their own food, snacks, & blankets to gather, share a meal, & spend time together around the sculpture.
🔗RSVP through the button above!