I always hear people say that LA has everything. And honestly, they’re not wrong. More specifically, LA has all the pop-ups, ranging from freebies to exclusive collaborations and themed experiences. There are even niche events that seem to appear out of nowhere. In almost any part of the city, something is always happening. One minute it’s quietly posted on social media, and the next thing you know, there’s a line long enough to take up your breakfast, lunch, or even turn into a last-minute “camping trip” on the sidewalk.
Pop-ups in LA don’t have a singular definition. They can be celebrity or influencer collaborations, skincare or beauty drops, food tastings or completely free events. Some offer exclusive merch, while others are all about the experience–photo ops, activities, or limited-time installations that are a one-time opportunity. Either way, we have definitely shifted from “that looks cute, let’s go” to “wake up to your alarms, pack snacks, and mentally prepare.”
What pop-ups consist of
Most LA pop-ups revolve around these things:
- Experience: themed rooms, photo-ops, activities and sometimes guest appearances
- Exclusivity: limited-time merch, drops or collaborations you can’t get anywhere
- Freebies: tons of goodies, full or sample-sized items, food and drinks
But one thing that you will always see will be a line.
How to prepare for pop-ups
Do your research
Before you commit, check what other people experienced. Within hours of a pop-up opening, people will post reviews, wait times and tips. TikTok, Instagram or Reddit are especially helpful, as someone has done the rundown for you. Knowing what to expect can save you time, energy and disappointment.
think about parking
LA is always busy, but it elevates to another level of chaos with pop-ups. Everyone is trying to get to the same place at the same time. So plan ahead by thinking about:
- Where the safest or cheapest parking might be
- Whether rideshare (Uber/Lyft/Waymo) will save you stress
- What time you realistically need to arrive
If you don’t plan, you’ll either circle the block for 20 minutes or end up walking way farther than you expected.
brace yourself for the lines
The line is where the real battle begins. Depending on when you get there, you might wait less than 30 minutes or more than 4 hours. Sometimes arriving early is the move, but be mentally prepared for the people who lined up the night before. Yes, that actually happens. And every time I see it, I briefly consider turning around and going home in defeat.
prepare for the weather
No one enjoys standing in line in the heat or getting caught in the rain. So it’s important to dress appropriately for rain or sun. Bring whatever you need to stay cool, warm or dry. It will make a huge difference when you’re waiting for hours.
Bring food and water
Once you’re stuck in line, hunger becomes your worst enemy. Bring snacks and water to keep yourself satiated enough to have the energy. Sometimes pop-ups do give out free food and drinks while you wait, but it’s not guaranteed.
kinds of pop-ups I’ve been to
I’ve been to all kinds of pop-ups–beauty drops, snack events, celebrity collabs and fully themed experiences. They’re always more fun when you go with friends, especially when you need someone to talk to while you melt in the sun or freeze at 7 a.m.
Some memorable ones include:
- Junbi x Miffy Collab at Westwood
- 2025 K-Beauty Hall of Fame in Hollywood
- Kylie Jenner King Kylie Pop Up Museum
- Makeup by Mario x Dialog Coffee
- Sabrina Carpenter’s Complex Pop Up
- 3 in 1 day at The Grove: TirTir, Biodance, Sezane
- Superman at Burbank Studios
- Ellicor’s Grand Opening at 99 Ranch
- Emma Chamberlain Coffee x Dove at UCLA
- It Ends With Us Immersive Experience at Century City
- Offline TV Comfy Cafe at Coffee MCO
- Van Leeuwen x Touchland Hand Sanitizer
- 4 in 1 day at The Grove: Gap x Summer Fridays, Spotify Premium, Baileys Treat Bar, Spectrum TV
- Sokit Beauty at Beverly Center
So if you ever hear about a new pop-up happening in LA, best believe I will definitely be there too!