SOLEDAD — A new community tradition took off with excitement on May 9, as the Soledad Chamber of Commerce launched its first-ever Night Market.
Held in the Grocery Outlet parking lot at 401 Nestles Road, the event brought together local businesses, food vendors, artists and families for an evening of celebration under the stars.
The Night Market, which marked the close of Small Business Week, drew a lively crowd between 5 and 8 p.m. Featuring live music, food trucks, artisan vendors and entertainment for all ages, the event highlighted Soledad’s vibrant culture and entrepreneurial energy. The bimonthly series will continue every second and fourth Friday of the month through September.
The next event is scheduled for this Friday, May 23.
“We’re excited to launch the Night Market as a way to bring our community together and showcase the best of what Soledad has to offer,” said Brett Reed, spokesperson for the Soledad Chamber of Commerce. “This is more than just a market — it’s a celebration of local talent, culture, supporting micro businesses and connection.”
Visitors can look forward to a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, with live performances, handcrafted goods from local artisans and a variety of food offerings from community vendors.
Admission is free and open to the public, and residents from across the Salinas Valley are encouraged to attend and support local entrepreneurs.
“The Soledad Chamber’s Night Market has already made a big impact,” said Maria Corralejo, founding executive director for the Soledad Chamber of Commerce. “We have assisted numerous entrepreneurs with obtaining their city business licenses and county permits for food vendors, businesses in the Soledad Market Place development project have reported notable sales increase and it has brought much-needed vibrancy to the area. This is only the beginning.”
For more information or to become a vendor, visit soledadchamber.com or follow @SoledadChamberofCommerce on social media.
