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
An outdoor park festival with a food zone as its spine, an artisan market alongside it, and live music and folkloric sets on the Teatro del Pueblo stage through the afternoon. A seminar track runs in parallel: the posted program lists the history and origin of mole at 11 a.m., a mole poblano technique workshop at 12:30 p.m. and a mole-and-Mexican-drinks pairing at 2 p.m. There is a children's space and a guest-restaurant area, and a VIP section w
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.
Going? Keep it.
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Common questions
Does it cost anything to get in?
No. The operator lists free general admission with no ticket or reservation required. A $50 VIP ticket with preferred seating is the only paid tier.
Where exactly is it?
Gloria Molina Grand Park, 227 N Spring St in the Civic Center, Downtown Los Angeles.