Los Angeles has one of the largest Mexican communities in the country, with Mexican Americans making up a major part of the city’s cultural fabric, with nearly half of L.A.’s population identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
This month, as L.A. kicks off one of its biggest seasons for Mexican cultural celebrations, La Feria de los Moles will mark the start of the city’s Día de los Muertos festivities with a delicious showcase of regional food, music, crafts, and traditions.
What to expect at La Feria de los Moles
The 19th annual La Feria de los Moles takes place on Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park, with free admission.
The main attraction is (you guessed it) the mole! The festival will bring together dozens of preparations representing different Mexican regions, including:
- 🌶️ Mole poblano
- 🖤 Oaxacan black mole
- 🧡 Coloradito
- 🌿 Chichilo
- 🍫 Manchamanteles
- 🌱 Green pipián
- 🥜 Huaxmole
- 🌰 Almond mole
- 🌿 Vegan mole
- 🍤 Shrimp mole
- 🤍 White mole
- 🍄 Mushroom mole
- 🧀 Cheese mole
- 🌶️ Adobo
This year’s featured state is Michoacán, with traditional cooks from Uruapan serving specialties including corundas de mole, beef mole, and agua de aguacate.
But of course, there’s a lot more than eating on the schedule… Attendees can watch the Voladores de Papantla, browse artisan booths, listen to live music and sonideros, and catch a special performance by Puebla cumbia group Los Cometas Azules.
Food-focused programming will include three hands-on seminars. Traditional mountain cook Margarita Villegas, from Mexico’s rugged Sierra Norte de Puebla region, will teach participants how to make mole. Historian Marina Ortiz will lead a session on preparing chiles en nogada, while Mexican bakers will demonstrate how to make puff pastry and pan de muerto (bread of the dead) associated with Día de los Muertos.
