Is there a better way to spend a balmy summer evening than by heading to a night market? Bustling crowds, spicy street food and smooth music converge to create a heady atmosphere.

There are night markets all over Australia. Inspired by the hawker markets of South East Asia, these summertime events bring out the best of urban culture, with great food, local designers, artists and musicians livening up the city’s scene.

Melbourne

Melbourne’s original Wednesday Night Market has been running for 17 years now, and has become a fixture on the summer calendar. Every Wednesday night from early November until late March (excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day), the Queen Victoria Market lights up. At the hawker market, more than 60 foodies jostle for your attention with their street food from across the globe, from Spanish to Sri Lankan and everywhere in between. There are bars, music and plenty of shopping stalls -including local designer clothing, accessories and giftwares.

Darwin

As far as atmosphere goes, it doesn’t get any better than the Mindil Beach Sunset Market in Darwin. Every Thursday and Sunday evening, locals and tourists alike descend on Mindil Beach with their chairs, rugs and Eskies and settle in to watch the sun set over the Arafura Sea. The food on offer is fabulous – from Thai, Sri Lankan and Indian to Brazilian and Portuguese. There is plenty to look at and buy too – from homemade arts and crafts, to jewellery, fashion and herbal remedies. Kids will love the buskers and the fire show, while mum might fall asleep to a massage as Darwin kicks back and enjoys the laidback vibe and the balmy night air.

Sydney

Every Friday from 4pm until 11pm Chinatown comes alive. The Friday Night Markets are one of Sydney’s most popular hotspots, bringing together the vibrant Chinatown atmosphere with great food and shopping, inspired by the night markets of South East Asia. Taste your way through Asia with stalls offering delicious street food from cuisines stretching from Hanoi to Hong Kong – dumplings, pho, sushi and yum cha are all on offer. Don’t miss the stalls operated by students, young designers and local artists, all celebrating the culture and energy of Chinatown.

Adelaide

If you’re from Adelaide, be sure to head downtown on the last Sunday of every month from October to March. The Adelaide Night Market is a lively, vibrant market that brings together the best hawker-style food of the city with a fabulous collection of stalls featuring local fashion and jewellery designers, craft stalls and gourmet produce.

Located in the heart of the city on North Terrace, alongside Government House, the market is easily accessible, and there is plenty of live music entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Perth

The Twilight Hawkers Market brings the vibrant atmosphere of the night market to Perth every Friday night from October through to April. The biggest street food market in Perth is a great place to catch up with friends after work and a great opportunity to bring the family into the city – Friday night take away has never been this much fun. Kick back and enjoy the balmy summer evening, and let the vibrant atmosphere – including local artists, musicians, and amazing street food from all corners of the world – wash over you.

Brisbane

The Eat Streets Market is a bustling Asian-style night market set amongst the twinkling fairylit alleyways of the shipping containers at Hamilton Wharf. The seating is fun and low-key – grab a pallet under a festoon of fairylights and dig into delicious cheap eats that are prepared by invite-only chefs. From Indian curries, Singaporean dumplings, wood-fired pizza to New York Hot Dogs, the cuisine is global, on trend and lovingly prepared. There are a number of bars offering cocktails and craft beers, and to add to the pop-up atmosphere, there are quirky stalls selling cute collectibles, local arts and crafts and galleries full of up and coming artists.

From Chinese to Thai and Indian to Vietnamese, there are thousands of Asian restaurants listed in the Yellow Pages. If you can’t make it to a Night Market, why not enjoy a night out at your local restaurant instead?