How to Find Pop-Up Shops in LA (Markets, Brand Pop-Ups & Sample Sales)

By Mereyah Smith · Updated October 20, 2026

Pop-ups in LA can be easy to miss. Some run for a weekend, and some are only announced on Instagram a few days ahead. They tend to cluster in predictable places, though, and you can track a few sources to catch most of them. Here's how.

1. Start with the weekly markets

Recurring markets are the most reliable places to find pop-up vendors. Small brands often test products there before opening a shop.

Smorgasburg LA runs Sundays from 10am to 4pm at ROW DTLA, 777 S Alameda St (ROW DTLA). Smorgasburg says the LA market has over 90 food and shopping vendors and draws 8,000 to 12,000 guests every Sunday, year round (Smorgasburg).
Melrose Trading Post runs every Sunday from 10am to 5pm at Fairfax High School, 7850 Melrose Ave. Admission is $6 and supports the school's arts programs. Its site has a searchable vendor map that shows who's selling (MTP).
Rose Bowl Flea Market is on the second Sunday of every month in Pasadena, and the Long Beach Antique Market is on the third Sunday (Event Synoptic). Both are great for vintage.

2. Know the pop-up hubs

Brands rent short-term space in a few areas over and over: ROW DTLA, The Grove, Platform in Culver City, and Westfield Century City all show up on pop-up venue lists like Popshop Zone. If you're nearby on a weekend, walk through.

3. Treat sample sales as pop-ups too

Many "pop-ups" are really temporary sample sales. Eclipse, 260 Sample Sale and Alternative Retail rotate a new brand in almost every week. The StealDrop SoCal calendar tracks them all, and you can filter it to "This weekend".

4. Follow the right sources

Brand newsletters and Instagram stories, which is where pop-ups get announced first.
Local roundups like Uncover LA and BargainsLA.
Eventbrite searches for "pop-up" and "sample sale" in Los Angeles. Many sales use free Eventbrite RSVPs.

5. Go early and bring cash

Markets like Melrose Trading Post sell tickets for cash at the gate, and some antique markets only take cash. Good stock at a pop-up goes in the first hour.