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The holiday season is fast approaching, but as we consider how and where we shop for presents this year, how about a promise? For 2023, let’s forgo the gift cards.
After all, Los Angeles is bursting with creative talent. There are countless local makers, artisans, crafters, and designers who provide one-of-kind, high quality goods that truly express the meaning of “it’s the thought that counts.” Sounds ideal, right? Like the person on the receiving end may really feel special when they open that gift wrap. But where to start?
Well, over the next seven weeks, seasonal markets and holiday gift bazaars will be popping all over the county, all with a highly local flavor. Our goal here is to give you a head start on planning which to attend so you can focus your energy on picking out that perfect gift. Plus, since you’re already going eco-friendly by shopping local, you can double down on that vibe by riding public transit to and from the city’s best pop-ups. Win-win, right?
To that end, all events we mention below have free admission (nice) and all are adjacent to a Metro bus or rail stop (even better). So let’s get into some options.
Pop-Up + Holiday Markets in Los Angeles
Ivy Station Night Market (November 11) -> The Ivy Station Night Market returns to help you holiday shopping at this autumnal edition of our monthly night market on the Ivy Station lawn in Culver City. Shop 25+ local vendors, food trucks, craft beer, games, and music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station
Creative Babe Market -> Creative Babe Market focuses on curating female-owned craft businesses, and on November 11 they’ll be bring a lineup of 100 vendors to the Original Famers Market, offering everything from jewelry and homegoods to clothing and apparel. Plus, the event also features a live DJ, face painting, and photo ops with animatronic dinosaurs and the Jeep from the Jurassic Park (because why not?!?). Runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. And if you the OG Farmers Market event, Creative Babe will be doing another pop-up at Long Beach Exchange featuring 50 vendors on November 19. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.
Jackalope Pasadena (November 18-19) – > Bi-annual, indie craft market Jackalope returns to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day pop-up marketplace featuring over 200 vendors offering an array. Free to attend as always. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.
Renegade Craft (November 18-19) – > Renegade Craft market pops up for a day-two affair at Los Angeles State Historic Park featuring over 200 craft designers, artists, and creative vendors. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.
Sun & Sea Collective Pop Up Market (November 25) -> El Segundo’s outdoor mall The Point celebrates Small Business Saturday with a pop-up event featuring 25 local vendors offering apparel, jewelry, plants and more. Plus: There will be live music, and Santa Claus will be there too. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 125 to Rosecrans / Sepulveda OR Line 232 to Sepulveda / Rosecrans.
Los Feliz Flea Holiday Market at The Autry (November 26 + December 3, 10 & 17) -> The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Expect a curated range of vendors offering artisan crafts, vintage finds, unique jewelry, and handcrafted decor. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all dates. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.
Museum Store Sunday at MOLAA (November 26) -> Did you know every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, museums around the country band together to host unique sales and discounts on merch as part of Museum Store Sunday? Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art is among those institutions celebrating with a special sale this year, and they’ll even have artist and jewelry designer Tita Lopez onsite to meet visitors and discuss her designs. Plus: MOLAA offers free admission to the museum every Sunday, so you can go check out some art before or after you shop. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station.
Mayumi Holiday Market (November 26) -> Common Space Brewing hosts a holiday edition of Mayumi Market, which highlights local Asian American and Pacific Islander creators. The November 26 pop-up will feature some 40 vendors offering baked goods, jewelry, candles, skincare, clothing, accessories, art prints, and more. Free to attend. Runs noon to 6 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo
Uptown Village Market (December 1) -> The Uptown Village Holiday Market puts the emphasis on handcrafted, offering everything from paper goods and clothing to jewelry, handbags, accessories, art, pottery, plushies, knit items, and more. This evening event takes place at the Expo Arts Center in Long Beach, and coincides with the Bixby Knolls First Fridays Art Walk. Runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 60 to Long Beach / San Antonio.
Conscious Market Holidays on Third Street Promenade (December 2) -> Conscious Market brings local, curated vendors to Santa Monica’s Third Street Market Promenade every first Saturday of the month, and come December they’ll be hosting a special holiday edition of the pop-up. PLUS: Remember the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market (arguably the best in the county) takes place on Saturday’s from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so maybe you’ll peruse some produce after you pick up a one-of-a-kind gift. Conscious Market runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.
Makeshift Muse Holiday Block Party (December 3) -> On the first Sunday of December, Makeshift Muse brings their brand of curated vendors to the Arts District for a block party holiday event, featuring food, music, and goods for purchase. Details are still light, but we know it’ll be centered around Angel City Brewery. Check their website or Instagram as the date approaches for more info. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo station.
Jackalope Burbank (December 9-10) -> If you can’t make the November edition of Jackalope in Pasadena, the indie artisan market swings over to Downtown Burbank in December, covering a stretch of San Fernando Blvd from Magnolia to Angeleno during the two-day event. Expect over 170 vendors offering hand-crafted artisan goods, visual art, photography, jewelry, paper goods, housewares, and more. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both dates. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.
Creative Communal Holiday Market at Runway Playa Vista (December 9 & 16) -> Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December, offering 40+ vendors offering jewelry, leather goods, men’s apparel, fine art, home goods, and more. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both dates. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.
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