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Every month, Los Angeles offers a vast assortment of market pop-ups and recurring fleas that can serve an activity unto themselves, or as a launching pad for a day spent exploring a new neighborhood. They can be a hub for hanging out with friends or a showroom to (maybe) find that hidden treasure you’ve been so desperately searching for. In short, they’re great! And even better when you don’t have to pay to get inside.
Below, five of favorites for the purposes listed above. And don’t worry, they’re all Metro accessible so that in addition to the free admission, you can forgo the parking headaches and pass on the weekend traffic jams (you’re welcome!).
Free Monthly Markets around Los Angeles
Pasadena City College Flea Market -> Our list starts with the biggest of the bunch, which is the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Typically held on the first Sunday of every month, the PCC Flea gathers some 400 vendors (honestly, it seems like more) that takeover multiple parking structures/lots spread over the campus. Here you’ll find a seemingly unending assortment of used/vintage clothing, art, records, comics, collectibles, and more. And there are food vendors too! It’s always free to attend. Runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go Metro: Take Lines 180 or 267 to Colorado / Hill.
Ivy Station Friday Night Market -> Ivy Station’s monthly Friday night market is a staple for free event seekers on the Westside. Here you can always expect 30+ local makers and artisan vendors along with tasty food trucks, but special activations change month to month based on the holiday calendar. For example, the May 9 edition pivots the market to celebrate Mother’s Day with adoptable dogs from A Purposeful Rescue and kids crafting with Fit4Mom Los Angeles. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
First Fridays in Chinatown -> Every first Friday of the month, L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and extended hours at neighborhood art galleries. Plus, the weekly Damnoen Saduak Night Market (a Thai street food and cultural market) runs concurrently over at Chinatown Central Plaza. In tandem, it’s all more than enough to fill up your Friday evening social calendar! The Chungking hub usually goes from 6 to 10 p.m., and the Central Plaza market runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.
Queer Mercado -> Every third Saturday of the month, the Queer Mercado pops up at the the East LA Civic Center with a day full of DJs, drag, and queer vendors. The Mercado presents as a hub for Latino LGBTQ community, but really it’s a great landing spot for anyone looking to spend a Saturday. Lately they’ve been theming out some of the live programing and for May they’re cooking up something called “The Sacred Gathering” which will feature live performances by local artists rooted in resistance and love and a special wellness workshop. The Mercado runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Always free to attend. Go Metro: Take the E Line to the East L.A. Civic Ctr Station.
The DTLA Flea Market -> Earlier this year, Patches and Pin Expo announced a partnership with Grand Central Market for a new monthly flea to take place every second Saturday inside the Market’s lower level. They call it the DTLA Flea Market. For the May 10 edition of the event, they’re theming it out as a “Labubu Market” (those Gremlin-esque charms you’re seeing attached to everyone’s purses. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Great option to start an adventure in downtown or an excuse to try one of the food vendors at GCM. Make a day of it! Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Pershing Square Station OR take A or E Line to Historic Broadway Station.
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