Smorgasburg LA, one of the largest open-air weekly food markets in the U.S., will host several summer events in Downtown Los Angeles, including its 10th anniversary celebration and the return of its seasonal Ice Cream Alley.
The market, which opened in Los Angeles in June 2016, operates every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features more than 50 food vendors and small businesses representing different cultures across the city.
“It really makes it sort of an amazing place to come on Sundays and experience everything that LA has to offer,” Zach Brooks, general manager of Smorgasburg, said.
The market launched in Los Angeles after starting in New York, where the Smorgasburg name originated. Since then, it has grown into a weekly outdoor food hub centered on local vendors and small businesses.
This summer marks the market’s 10th anniversary in Los Angeles, which will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21. The event will also coincide with Father’s Day and will bring back former vendors from Smorgasburg’s early years, including pop-ups and businesses that have since expanded into brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Brooks said the anniversary event will also highlight the market’s role in helping small businesses grow over the past decade.
“We’re really proud to be an incubator for small businesses here in LA,” he said. “A lot of our vendors have gone on to become sort of famous in their own right.”
Following the anniversary event, Smorgasburg will bring back Ice Cream Alley beginning the Fourth of July weekend and running through Labor Day weekend.
The activation expands the market’s dessert offerings by adding rotating ice cream vendors alongside its regular ice cream lineup. The area is set up as a dedicated section of the market featuring multiple dessert-focused spaces and summer-themed activities.
Current Ice Cream Alley vendors include Moom Maam, Bernie’s Shaved Ice, Sad Girl Creamery and Churros El Bochito, with additional pop-up vendors expected to be announced in June.
Moom Maam specializes in Thai-inspired gelato flavors, while Bernie’s Shaved Ice offers fruit-based frozen treats and shaved ice desserts. Sad Girl Creamery serves ice cream with a Mexican-inspired twist, including items such as choco tacos and nostalgic-style frozen desserts. Churros El Bochito focuses on churros and warm fried dough desserts, often paired with frozen or sweet toppings.
Brooks said Ice Cream Alley originally began as a one-day National Ice Cream Day activation before growing into a full summer series because of its popularity.
In addition to Ice Cream Alley and the anniversary celebration, Smorgasburg will continue its regular Sunday programming throughout the summer, including themed activations such as its “World Grub” series, held in honor of World Cup games taking place in Los Angeles. Visitors will be able to customize Smorgasburg jerseys with heat-pressed patches representing their teams.
Brooks explained that the market’s programming evolves each year based on vendors, community input and seasonal trends.
“A lot of what we do just happens organically,” he said. “It can be suggested by some of our vendors, or if we’re looking for new vendors to join the market.”
He said that ultimately, the goal of Smorgasburg is to create a space where visitors can explore different foods in one place.
“We just hope that people will find us, and then just keep coming back,” Brooks said. “Once you do come, you realize there’s too much good food to attack it all in one day.”
Smorgasburg LA is located at ROW DTLA. For more information about activities and specific vendors, visit la.smorgasburg.com.