When the sun dips below the horizon in London, Ontario, the city’s downtown core transforms into a vibrant tapestry of light, sound, and scent. The Lucky Lion Night Market, now in its second year, has quickly become one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events, drawing thousands to experience a slice of Asian night market culture without leaving southwestern Ontario.
On a warm Friday evening in July, I weave through crowds gathered along Dundas Place. Children dash between vendor stalls with bubble tea in hand, their laughter blending with the rhythmic beats of K-pop music. The aroma of grilled satay, fresh dumplings, and sweet egg waffles creates an invisible current pulling visitors from one food stall to the next.
“We created this because we wanted to bring a piece of home to London,” explains Jennifer Siu, one of the market’s founders and a second-generation Chinese Canadian. “Night markets are the heart of community life across Asia. They’re where families gather, where young people date, where everyone connects over food and culture.”
The market stretches across four blocks of Dundas Place, London’s flexible street that converts to a pedestrian-only zone for special events. More than 80 vendors line the thoroughfare, offering everything from traditional street foods to handcrafted jewelry, art prints, and clothing that blend Eastern aesthetics with Western sensibilities.
Unlike typical farmers’ markets or craft fairs, the Lucky Lion pulses with energy well into the night. The organizers have transformed the urban landscape with thousands of string lights, red paper lanterns, and colorful decorations that cast a warm glow over the proceedings until 11 p.m.
For many attendees, the market offers more than just shopping and eating—it provides cultural connection. Mai Nguyen, a Vietnamese Canadian student at Western University, brought her non-Asian roommates to experience the market.
“They’ve heard me talk about night markets from when I visited family in Vietnam, but experiencing it is different,” she tells me as we wait in line for bánh mì from a local Vietnamese restaurant’s pop-up stall. “Even though this is a Canadian version, the feeling is similar—that community buzz, everyone sharing tables with strangers, trying each other’s food.”
The market’s growth reflects London’s changing demographics. According to Statistics Canada, the city’s Asian population has grown significantly over the past decade, with nearly 48,000 residents identifying as Asian Canadian in the 2021 census. Yet the Lucky Lion attracts a diverse cross-section of Londoners, suggesting its appeal transcends cultural boundaries.
City councillor Hadleigh McAlister, who helped facilitate the street closures needed for the event, sees the market as part of London’s evolution.
“London has sometimes struggled with its identity as a mid-sized city,” McAlister acknowledges as we speak near the market’s main stage. “Events like Lucky Lion show we’re becoming more cosmopolitan, more willing to embrace new cultural experiences. The economic impact is substantial too—downtown businesses report some of their best numbers during market weekends.”
Indeed, the market’s economic footprint extends beyond the event itself. Many vendors are small business owners testing concepts before committing to brick-and-mortar locations. Some past participants have already made that leap, crediting their market success for giving them the confidence and customer base to expand.
Kevin Zhang, whose “Bao Down” steamed bun stall consistently draws the longest lines at the market, recently signed a lease for a permanent restaurant location in downtown London.
“The market gave us a platform to connect with customers directly,” Zhang says, carefully crimping dough around a pork filling. “People kept asking where our restaurant was, and eventually we realized we needed one.”
The cultural programming extends beyond food and shopping. Throughout the evening, the central stage hosts performances ranging from traditional lion dances to contemporary Asian fusion music. A particularly moving moment comes when elderly members of the London Chinese Canadian Association perform tai chi in perfect unison, their graceful movements creating a moment of stillness amid the market’s energy.
For younger generations of Asian Canadians, the market represents something deeper—a space where their cultural identity is celebrated rather than marginalized.
“Growing up, I sometimes felt my Chinese heritage was something to downplay,” reflects David Chen, a 25-year-old graphic designer selling prints inspired by Chinese mythology. “Now I’m literally selling art that celebrates those cultural stories, and people of all backgrounds are buying it. That feels significant.”
The market hasn’t been without growing pains. In its first year, organizers underestimated attendance, leading to overcrowding and food vendors selling out too quickly. This year, they’ve expanded the footprint and carefully curated the vendor mix to ensure a better experience.
“We’re learning as we go,” admits Siu. “Night markets in Asia have evolved over generations. We’re trying to compress that learning curve while adapting the concept to Canadian context.”
As midnight approaches and vendors begin packing up, I notice something distinctive about the crowd dispersing into the summer night—they’re talking to each other. Strangers compare their food finds, exchange recommendations for next time, and make plans to return for the next market date.
In an era when many community gatherings have been replaced by digital interactions, the Lucky Lion Night Market offers something increasingly precious—authentic human connection through shared cultural experience. For a few nights each summer, a mid-sized Canadian city transforms into something magical, proving that the best aspects of globalization might be measured not in economic terms, but in moments of joy and understanding shared across cultural lines.
The Lucky Lion Night Market returns to London’s Dundas Place on the last Friday of each month through September.
