Stanford Night Market is an annual event hosted by the Taiwanese Cultural Society to celebrate Asian culture and community. There will be food, performances, and games, reminiscent of Taiwan’s vibrant nightlife. Night Market is also an opportunity to bring together the entire community, both student groups and members of the Bay Area. The Stanford Night Market is one of the many successful student-run night markets through the United States via the Intercollegiate Taiwanese-American Student Association.
Largest free-admission Night Market event between Los Angeles and Seattle
Targeted toward students, young adults, and families in the Bay Area
Rapidly growing event with over 2000 attendees each year
Low cost of entry without long term leases or expensive licenses
Supports local businesses and entrepreneurs
Location: White Plaza, Stanford University — Stanford, California
Date and time: Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
Expected attendance: 1000-1500+ people
Details:
Includes the following:
10’ x 10’ canopy tent, 6’ table, 2 chairs
Temporary event health permit
Marketing in the South Bay and Peninsula
Two 11" x 17" posters for marketing (More available upon request.)
Requires free seller's permit registration
Recommended for:
Vendors with staff available to sell food directly at the Night Market
Vendors with large amounts of food available to bring to the event
Registration fees:
Registration fees will help cover the base costs of equipment rentals and health permits required for the event. All other profit that you make on the day of the event will belong to your business.
Please pay by cash or check. Payment instructions will be sent after online registration is completed.
Registration Fee - $200
Application materials and down payment of $50 due by April 8th. Remainder of registration fee due before or on May 18th.
Pay by Cash or Check
Please mail cash or checks to the following address. Checks should be addressed to Nash Young.
Nash Young - nashy
459 Lagunita Drive
c/o Tresidder Package Center
Stanford, CA 94305
Details:
Stanford student groups will directly purchase and pick up food in bulk at a discounted price from your restaurant; the amount of food will be determined by student groups
All food must be prepared and packaged according to health regulations outlined below
Student organizations are reserved the right to profits from reselling the food at the Night Market
Recommended for:
Vendors with fewer staff members and are unable to directly sell food at the Night Market
Vendors interested in selling bulk quantities of easily transportable food
Registration Fees:
No registration fees required
Step 1. For both Booth Registration AND Bulk Sales:
Go to the Vendor Registration Form.
Fill out each section of the form.
Read and sign the terms and conditions.
The following steps are for Booth Registration Only:
Step 2. Review Night Market Food & Health Permit Instructions
Download Night Market Health Permit Instructions.
Please read the rules and regulations for food processing and selling.
Step 3. Register for a Temporary Seller’s Permit (free).
Look under “Registration” and click on “Register a New Business Activity or Location (Seller's Permit, Temporary Seller's Permit, and all other accounts)”
Select “Selling items or goods in California (Seller’s Permit)”
Complete the questionnaire with your business information.
Step 4. Fill out “Application for a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit at a Temporary Event”
Once you have selected the food(s) which you wish to sell, download and fill out the Temporary Food Facility form.
Please refer to instructions in Step 2 for filling out the form.
Step 5. Fill out “Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC)” form for Risk 2 foods only.
Download and fill out the TPHC form.
Please refer to instructions in Step 2 for filling out the form.
Step 6. Submit your registration fee and forms.
Please send each of the following to Nash Young (nashy@stanford.edu):
A copy of your Temporary Seller’s Permit
A copy of your Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit
A copy of your Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) form
Please submit your $50 down payment by cash or check before the registration deadline.
What permits are needed?
All participating restaurants must fill out a Temporary Event Health Permit (we will cover the costs of submission). Additionally, please provide a copy of your restaurant facility permit and a temporary seller’s permit. California requires all vendors to apply for a temporary seller’s permit with the California Board of Equalization (a permit for sales of taxable items). Registration is free and can be done at https://efile.boe.ca.gov/ereg/index.boe.
What does the prepaid vendor package not include?
Vendors are responsible for their own chafing dishes and heating supplies, banners and signage, any additional tables.
Is there a certain way that food must be prepared?
All food preparation must be performed at a health department approved commercial kitchen. No cooking is allowed on site. Potentially hazardous foods (e.g. meat, dairy) need to be kept in cooling containers below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or heating elements at above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In accordance with health regulations of the state of California, food must be sold and consumed within four hours of cooking/preparation, even if the food is stored and reheated later. For more detailed food regulations, please see https://www.sccgov.org/sites/cpd/programs/TE/Documents/TE_Requirements.pdf.
Is there a certain way that food must be served?
All food must be individually packaged (in a sealed bag, box, or other container) prior to the event, in a certified facility (e.g. approved commercial kitchen). All packaged food must have a label for the time at which it was packaged, and must be sold and consumed within four hours of that timestamp. No food can be in open containers or exposed to air until after it has been sold to consumers.
Will there be a space for waste disposal?
Stanford Night Market provides general waste disposal. Dumping oil or other cooking materials onto grass or public spaces is strictly prohibited.
Are alcohol sales allowed?
Alcohol sales are not allowed at the Stanford Night Market.
How should items be priced?
Prices should reflect reasonable market rates. Night markets are known for having great bargains, and customers are price sensitive. We recommend selling in volume at lower prices. The Stanford Night Market reserves the right to set a maximum price as necessary.
Night Market (General):
Mason Chen, Co-Chair (masonchen@stanford.edu)
Nash Young, Co-Chair (nashy@stanford.edu)
Booth Registration and Health Permits:
Nash Young, Off-Campus Coordinator (nashy@stanford.edu)
Jude St. John, Off-Campus Coordinator (judestj@stanford.edu)
Marketing:
Emma Su, Marketing Coordinator (emma.y.su@stanford.edu)
We look forward to working with you!
—The Taiwanese Cultural Society at Stanford University