With Forbes magazine including Chicago’s historic Pilsen on its 2018 list of “The 12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World.” and digital media, Time Out compiling a list based on their 2019 survey of “The 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world” ranking Pilsen #10, and in 2024 18th Street was in the top 30 ‘Coolest Streets in the World’ according to Time Out.
The same goes for the Mole de Mayo Festival. From just a few food stands and local musicians performing in a little plazuelita, the concept of uniting people and communities through mole has become a Traditional celebration.
Join Economic Strategies Development Corporation (ESDC) for our annual Mole de Mayo Festival, the only outdoor mole cook-off event celebrating Latino culture and Mexican cuisine. Since 2009, we have kept up with time-honored tradition, local chefs and restaurants will face off and vie for the coveted title of “Best Mole” and “People’s Choice” award.
In 2024 the three-day fest will be located on 18th Street between Morgan and Halsted Street. The festival includes an open-air mercado that will be bustling with local merchants, crafters, and artisans. You will also find music, dancing, smells of savory mole dishes, and the excitement from the lucha libre wrestling that makes for an authentic recipe of a unique festival-style atmosphere.
