Introduction to Mole De Mayo Festival
PILSEN — The popular Mole de Mayo street festival, a staple in the Pilsen neighborhood for 15 years, has been canceled ahead of its scheduled Memorial Day weekend festivities, according to reports.
Reasons for Cancellation
WGN reported Friday that festival organizers have not given a reason for the festival’s cancellation. Previous social media posts listed the event as being scheduled for Saturday-Monday on 18th Street between Halsted and Morgan streets.
Organizers’ Response
Calls to a number listed for the Eighteenth Street Development Corporation, a nonprofit that has organized the festival, could not be completed Friday. Its website was also no longer active and the last post on the group’s Facebook page was from September.
Marco Blancas, communications director for Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), told Block Club Friday that the group “has not been active in 2025 and has not returned our emails requesting an update about their 2025 festival plans.”
History of the Festival
The popular annual celebration of the traditional Mexican sauce — of which there are many varieties — has featured mole cook-offs, local food vendors, live music, a small business market and lucha libre Mexican wrestling.
The event moved to 18th Street between Halsted and Morgan streets last year after previously taking place between Ashland and Blue Island avenues on the same street, following concerns from neighbors who lived near the previous festival site.
Community Impact
Over the years, neighbors and Sigcho-Lopez called on the organization to move the festival to a side street over fatigue from street closures, parking headaches and noise. Alex Esparza, who had served as executive director of the Economic Strategies Development Corporation, told Block Club last year that it was important to keep Mole de Mayo on the bustling business corridor of 18th Street as an “emblem” of the neighborhood’s prevailing culture.
When reached by phone Friday, Esparza hung up. A PayPal link on the event’s Instagram page was no longer active.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Mole de Mayo festival has come as a surprise to many, and the reasons behind it remain unclear. The festival has been a beloved tradition in the Pilsen neighborhood for 15 years, and its absence will be felt by the community. Block Club reporter Madison Savedra contributed.
FAQs
- What is the Mole de Mayo festival?
The Mole de Mayo festival is an annual celebration of traditional Mexican sauce, featuring mole cook-offs, local food vendors, live music, a small business market, and lucha libre Mexican wrestling. - Why was the festival canceled?
The reason for the festival’s cancellation has not been given by the organizers. - Where was the festival supposed to take place?
The festival was scheduled to take place on 18th Street between Halsted and Morgan streets. - How long has the festival been running?
The festival has been running for 15 years. - What is the impact of the festival’s cancellation on the community?
The cancellation of the festival will be felt by the community, as it has been a beloved tradition in the Pilsen neighborhood for many years.
