ONTARIO, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2026) — With city permits approved and artists already in town, O-Town Walls Mural Fest opens today in Downtown Ontario, where internationally recognized muralists will paint 15 new large-scale murals in public view through Saturday, Oct. 17.
Now in its second year, the festival brings artists from Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Korea and across the U.S. to the city's historic core. The lineup includes AchesDub of Dublin, Ireland, known for RGB portraiture; BUBLEGUM of Vigo, Spain, known for ornamental wildlife realism; Dutch artists Mr. June, known for 3D geometry and hexagons, and Tymon de Laat, known for portraiture and graphic pattern; Royyal Dog of Seoul and Los Angeles, a photorealist portrait painter in spray paint; New York's Tom Bob, known for playful public art and miniature characters; 3D anamorphic artist Naomi Haverland of Maitland, Fla.; Whitney Holbourn of Clearwater, Fla.; WingChow of Virginia Beach, Va.; Floyd Mendoza of Houston; Shane Grammer of Roseville, Calif.; Los Angeles artists Allison BamCat, Mister Toledo and Zoueh; Santa Ana's Zaoone; and the Inland Empire's own Q-vo.
One name is still under wraps: a special guest artist will be leaving surprise murals around town during the week.
The 2026 theme, “Butterfly Effect,” explores how one creative act can ripple outward to change a wall, a neighborhood and a city.
Artists arrived over the weekend and gathered Sunday for an opening dinner. Painting runs all week on walls along Euclid Avenue, Holt Boulevard and nearby streets, and visitors are welcome to watch. Thursday night, crews raise the stage and LED screen arch for the finale: a free block party from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, headlined by a breakdancing competition, with artists painting live on temporary walls, street skating, a beer garden, food trucks and music.
The momentum is building. KTLA 5 will film a story at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, set to air three times that day, and filmmaker Tim Deters is shooting a documentary throughout the week.
“Downtown revitalization is about more than improving buildings—it's about creating energy, identity and reasons for people to return. O-Town Walls helps transform Downtown Ontario into a place people are excited to experience and proud to call their own.”— Mia Sophia Melle, President & Creative Director, O-Town Walls
The inaugural festival in 2025 produced 17 murals by 16 artists, and this year's additions will push the downtown collection past 30. “I've done a lot of mural festivals. These guys rank among the top, which is pretty impressive, considering it's their first,” muralist Taylor White told Inland Wire last year.
“Every mural becomes a permanent invitation to visit Downtown Ontario. Together, these works of art create a destination that attracts foot traffic, supports local businesses and contributes to the long-term revitalization of the district.” Melle said.
The City of Ontario is a festival partner, and the City's eighth annual Ontario Arts Festival also takes place Saturday, Oct. 17.
Media tours
Available throughout festival week, with Wednesday, Oct. 14, recommended: enough paint is on the walls to feel the excitement, but the murals are still in progress. Schedule through Mia Melle, 909-851-2462, mia@holtxpalm.com.
Visitor information
Free and open to the public. Follow the route at otownwalls.org/2026/walls and live daily coverage on Instagram at @otownwalls_dto. Block party: otownwalls.org/pages/block-party.html.