What if Willy Wonka turned avant-garde performance artist? It might look like Paul McCarthy’s landmark Chocolate Factory. This holiday season, the provocative artist's evolving work is coming to Chinatown in Los Angeles.
From November 20 through December 26, 2026, the Performance Art Museum (PAM) is turning its industrial warehouse space into a fully operational, live-action chocolate factory. Before PAM officially opens its doors as a permanent home for performance art in January 2027, board member and art legend Paul McCarthy is giving Angelenos an early taste—literally—as a special benefit for the institution.
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Visitors stepping into the warehouse can watch as costumed workers cast roughly 400 chocolate sculptures each day. The sweet treats will stack up right inside the space, creating a living, breathing art installation that grows more delicious by the hour. The featured chocolate molds are, of course, McCarthy’s classic, satirical figures: "Santa with Tree Plug" and "Tree Plug," mixing holiday cheer, modern abstraction and a healthy dose of humor, plus a substantial coating of social commentary.
First staged in New York back in 2007 and later inside the historic Monnaie de Paris, Chocolate Factory examines themes like consumerism, physical labor and commercial value. The installation combines manufacturing, performance, retail and pop culture commentary that's also pretty tasty.
These chocolate works of art aren't just for viewing. PAM has partnered with local favorite andSons Chocolatiers to create 2,000 limited edition, gourmet, 62% dark chocolate sculptures. The edible collectibles are $200 each, with all proceeds directly funding PAM's upcoming grand opening and future programming. The chocolates will be available online for presale November 1 through 19, then both online and at the factory through December 26.
What: Paul McCarthy: Chocolate Factory, A Special Limited Engagement Benefiting the Performance Art Museum
When: November 20–December 26, 2026
Where: PAM, 109 W College St., Los Angeles
Reservations encouraged: pamuseum.org
