What is a ‘Pop Up’ ? - Handy Entertainment

Pop-Up

What is a Pop-Up?

(And why do you need to know?)

Pop-Up. We see it everywhere, but what is a Pop-Up, really? Pop-Up is a simple name for an event that is unexpected, of short duration, a surprise, uses an unusual space as a venue, or any combination of the above.

Immersive entertainment happens where guests experience something more than beverages coming out of spigots or sassy people smiling at them while offering snacks.

The difference between Pop-Ups and traditional events

In essence, a pop-up is your rowdy teenager (novel, fun, rule breaker) compared to a traditional event, for example, a Thanksgiving Dinner (you know more or less what to expect, when to expect it, and you have a good idea of who’ll be there and what they’ll be doing and wearing).

Why create a pop-up?

Is it novelty? Or better yet, surprise, intrigue, fun, or uniqueness? Show off your space, the activity, or even the exclusivity of the event. Looking to drive sales, donations, or build your client base quickly? Host a Pop-Up!

Pop-Up examples

Flash mobs, for example the Zombie Apocalypse Flash Mob by the Stayin Alive Crew at the 2025 Uncon Bridal Con), or temporary Halloween stores, and holiday markets are all versions of pop-ups.

Neiman Marcus used us for their Valentine’s Day Client Special Event, and nora fleming had us pop-up at the Atlanta Mart to treat their buyers to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.

Give your party legs

Spread your party out by doing pop-ups—instead of one big bash where everybody feels overwhelmed, break it up into several small segments, mixing and remixing guests and elements—switching them out.

A fabulous wedding idea came about during the pandemic. Instead of having large celebrations, some couples chose to have several small gatherings with their families and friends.

The smartest planners

The smartest planners I’ve met do something along those lines for VIPs conducting site visits. By curating an exclusive brand experience – we made their interactions all about their make-up and their brand, they let their clients take home a memento of the finest dining the city has to offer with a serving of a personalized experience.

Or use a pop-up to showcase a new space, product, equipment, or way of doing things. Better yet, turn your pop-up into a road trip with dedicated vehicles that transport attendees from one unexpected stop to the next. Want to take it a step further? Deck out each bus with it’s own ‘costume’—decor + entertainer!

What kind of entertainment do you want?

Interested in something off-the-wall (actually we even have some cool stuff for ON THE WALL!) quirky, and imaginative?

May I suggest our Concessional Booth, (based on our Zoltar Fortune Teller Booth). It is perfect for a) getting people to engage in your story; b) getting heartfelt advice; c) grabbing a little nosh on the side.

Holiday and Corporate Event Ideas

Reach out for spectacular ideas to turn your holiday party into the talk of the town. Want your Valentine’s Day extravaganza to be the most compelling event on this year’s social calendar?

If you want to host inspiring corporate events, or wedding receptions filled with love and new friends, joyous family reunions, successful outside-the-box retail events, scintillating new business launches, exciting openings, or a way to see your people while having a blast–reach out to us!

Reach out today and let’s get this party going!