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Have you noticed there are a ton of really cool pop-ups “popping up” all around LA?
From delicious food, over-the-top drinks, unique handmade goods, and chill weekend vibes, each of these pop-ups are bringing something to the community that is positive and fun.
What’s especially cool is so many of them are BIPOC-led and showcase small businesses of color.
But with so many Pop-Up Markets, it can be hard to pick which one to try next. So we have made it our mission to put together a list of the best pop-ups around town, with descriptions, so you know which would be best for you and your crew. Keep reading to see which you’d like to attend next!
Did we miss any on this list? Let us know if there’s a favorite pop up we should know about!
1. This Girl Can Maker Market: @thisgirlcan.market
This Girl Can Market curates events based around creative businesses and entrepreneurs and host their pop-ups all around LA. They have monthly pop-ups with many vendors that you can shop in. Their latest pop-up was a sip and shop event in which you could sip mimosas while looking for your treasures. If you follow their Instagram you’ll see a beautiful grid with lots of lifestyle inspo and of course, updates on their next pop-up markets! The next event is a Fall Friday Night Market and falls on 10/11, you can check out their link tree on their Instagram for more details!
2. Mamacita Markets @la_mamacitas
The Mamacita Market is a curated pop-up market where women entrepreneurs can promote their local business, sell their unique products and connect in person with new and existing customers. Their markets also provide the opportunity for small business owners to explore new markets, demo their service or product, network, and build relationships with fellow Los Angeles and San Diego women entrepreneurs.
Check out the upcoming cosmetics themed markets at the Parkway Plaza in San Diego on 9/18 and the Plaza West Covina on 9/25
3. Passion Fruits LA: @passionfruitsla
Passion Fruits LA, hosts one to two pop-ups a month, and they’re always a hit. The main monthly event is called Synergy, a mini pop-up and workshop in which a couple of their vendors teach about business and their trades! There’s always great music, great food, and amazing vendors. Follow their Instagram to find out when and where their next event will be!
4. Our Piece of the Pie: @ourpieceofthepie
Our Piece of the Pie is an outdoor pop-up market in DTLA that supports BIPOC businesses and makers. Their events are sporadic, but when you go you go you know for sure that you will be supporting black and minority-owned businesses. Follow their Instagram for updates on their next pop-up!
5. Tiangis Farmers Market @Tiangis_Market
Tiangis market is based in Irvine, where the founder Nico works to create a safe place for self-made entrepreneurs to sell unique items, eat great food, and enjoy.
Nico wants to give everyone a chance to invest, and grow their business. During the pandemic, a lot of vendors were struggling, and he wanted to help. Check out Tiangis market every weekend.
6. Nothing But B.L.K Flea: @nothingbutblk
The Nothing But B.L.K. Market is a Black business supporting local Black culture. Formerly known as the Melanin Market LA, they have rebranded to bring you the same experience with even more intention. They have monthly markets all around LA, always with at least 20 Black-owned businesses. You can follow them on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter at their website to find out when/where their next event will be!
7. Black On the Block: @blackxtheblock
Black on the Block is based in Pasadena, and hold monthly events with over 90 Black vendors, music, food, and even a 360 photobooth! “It’s not just a market, but a curated experience..with the best energy!” While their goal is to provide space for Black-owned businesses to flourish, ALL are welcome at their events, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out! The next event is being held in Pasadena on September 26th, check out their Instagram or website for more info.
8. Molcajete Dominguero @molcajetedominguero
Molcajete Dominguero is an outdoor Latinx flea market with incredibly innovative vendors. It’s the largest Latinx Pop-up in the country, bringing you an experience and some fun events along the way.
9. Good Hands Market LA: @goodhandsmarket
The Good Hands LA Market has events throughout each month featuring local creatives, makers, and artisans! At each event you’ll find food and drinks, and unique treasures from LA natives. Their goal is to create a fun and accessible environment where their community can shop for handmade and hand-selected goods. Follow their Instagram for updates on their next events and a beautifully curated grid full of lifestyle inspo.
10. Sip Shop Eat: @sipshopeat
Sip Shop Eat is a pop-up market that takes place in Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and New York. They spotlight small businesses in each state and give consumers a space where they can shop small.
At their next event in DTLA Sept 18-19th, there will be complimentary drinks, and bouquets, as well as, a Nailbar, tarot card readings, and immersive photo installations. If you love pop-up markets like we do, this one is a must-see event! Check out their website for tickets, and follow their Instagram to get a sneak peek of what vendors will be attending.
11. Creative Babe Market: @creativebabemarket
The Creative Babe Market is held in Orange County California, and usually at a local brewery, so you can drink your beer while you shop. There’s live music, and food, plus 60+ vendors at each event. Plus you can’t miss their signature balloon bouquet photo backdrops at each pop-up, perfect for photographing and sharing your pop-up market finds! Follow their Instagram for updates on featured vendors at each event and check out their website for tickets!
12. Boss Babe Market: @bossbabemarkettinc
The founder of Boss Babe Market, Angie, was inspired by her mother “and all of the boss babes she knows” to create a market where small businesses and the community can come together. She wanted to start a business that encouraged women to press into their dreams and inspire their creativity, and with the Boss Babe Market she has done just that.
These markets are fueled by camaraderie and the pride of being a woman entrepreneur. Follow her Instagram for more updates on the next Boss Babe Market!
13. Emerge Exchange: @emerge.exchange
Emerge Exchange was founded by mother and daughter, Loryna and Janelle. They are both business owners of their own brands @byloryna & @weekend.Rebel.threads & have done various forms of pop-ups for many years. They love supporting fellow entrepreneurs and are passionate about encouraging & supporting small businesses.
They created @emerge.exchange as a way to showcase other small businesses. They truly love the exchange of energy & ideas, then watching these small businesses emerge & evolve into their own.
Check out their Instagram to see their featured vendors, and get more info on their next pop-up!
14. Unique Markets: @uniquemarkets
Sonja Rasula founded Unique Markets in 2008 with a dream of helping small businesses and her community thrive. In 2008 during the worst economic crisis in generations, Sonja had the idea of “starting something BIG to help small, unknown brands and artists.” The rest is history as she has continued to do so for more than a decade.
At Unique Markets, you’ll find tons of vendors with beautiful treasures and finds. It’s an experience like no other, and definitely worth a trip! They have pop-up markets in Los Angeles, Playa Vista, and Portland, check out their Instagram and website to find the next pop-up near you!
15. For the People Market: @forthepplmarket
For the People hosts indoor and outdoor pop-up markets all around Los Angeles. Their mission is to help diverse small business owners and makers flourish and make them more accessible to the community! You can beat the heat by going to an indoor market or get some sun at an outdoor, whichever you prefer. Check out their Instagram for more info on their next pop-up!
16. Gente Market @gentenightmarket
A pop-up market for all Gente! Come enjoy this family and pet-friendly event. Filled with a variety of unique vendors and food, while enjoying local music and entertainment.
In 2019 the first-night market was launched which included local start-ups, artists, musicians, and community members showcasing their talents and products. Over the past year, despite the pandemic, Gente Market has been able to not only survive but THRIVE. Having worked with over hundreds of different vendors, artists, and community members the vision of Gente continues to grow.
17. Angel City Market @angelcitymarketla
Angel City market pays tribute to the diverse people of LA’s Inglewood and Lennox area. Visitors can shop at various business stands ranging from regional Mexican and Central American dishes, non-alcoholic drinks, desserts, homemade candy, accessories, and locally designed custom apparel.
The founder’s goals are to make the outdoor market as accessible to everyone as possible, from the vendors to the locals attending each weekend. She is also working hard to ensure that the event accurately reflects the neighborhood’s cultural diversity.
18. Mariposa Market @maryposamarket
Maryposa Market began from a need that the founder, Mary, saw not only in herself but in our community in the middle of the pandemic. There were so many families affected by the circumstances and most of them were women, mothers and caretakers. They had all either lost their jobs, lost childcare and in many cases both.
The stories she heard and the resiliency she saw in these women is pure courage. Even in the mists of a worldwide pandemic with so much uncertainty, they all rolled up their sleeves and found a way to provide.
Since Maryposa Market began in 2020, many of the businesses that started with her have grown which is incredible to see. It’s definitely worth mentioning that most of these are women-owned and operated, which speaks volumes. It’s true what they say; where there’s a will there’s a way.
As you can see there are a plethora of pop-up markets to try in and around Los Angeles, and this blog post is only dipping a toe in the sea of markets you can try. The beauty of living in a city like ours is the diversity of small businesses and makers, and the best way to start supporting them is to show up to a pop-up market! Let us know if you try any of these markets soon, and leave the name of your favorite in the comments!
