About
Free in Grand Park: 80-plus mole cooks, 50 artisans and a Teatro del Pueblo stage.
Mole is the whole point here, and this is the rare day when dozens of cooks, guest restaurants and traditional mayoras set up side by side in one park. The operator counts more than 80 food exhibitors, more than 50 artisans and ten-plus acts on the Teatro del Pueblo stage, and says about 40,000 people come through each year. It costs nothing to walk in, it runs eight hours in the middle of Downtown, and Metro's B and D Lines stop at Civic Center/Grand Park Station.
What to expect
Treat the food zone as your starting point, then use one seminar as the anchor for the rest of your visit. Arrive before 11am for the history-of-mole session, or come later for the mole poblano workshop or food-and-drink pairing, leaving time to browse the artisan area and guest restaurants. Families can break up the tasting with the children’s space, while music fans should finish at the Teatro del Pueblo. General admission requires no reservation, so a short visit can focus on tasting and one program, while a full day can cover all six festival zones.
Good to know
- General admission is free and the operator says no ticket or reservation is needed — the $50 VIP ticket is optional.
- Gloria Molina Grand Park is at 227 N Spring St; Metro B and D Lines stop at Civic Center/Grand Park Station.
- Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific; arriving early makes the food lines shorter.
- Cooking seminars are posted for 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., so time a visit around the one worth sitting for.
- Bring cash as well as cards — small food and craft vendors vary in what they take.
Also in Downtown LA & Arts District
Common questions
Is general admission free?
Yes. General admission is free and requires no ticket, registration, or reservation.
What are the festival hours?
The festival runs Sunday, October 11, from 10am to 6pm.
What does the VIP option cost?
VIP access costs $50 and includes benefits and preferred placement, according to the organizer.
Is there anything for children?
Yes. The official festival map includes a dedicated children’s space among its six activity zones.
When are the food seminars?
The history-of-mole session begins at 11am, the mole poblano workshop at 12:30pm, and the mole-and-Mexican-drinks pairing at 2pm.
What is there besides mole tasting?
The festival also has an artisan area, guest restaurants, a children’s space, and music and cultural performances at the Teatro del Pueblo.