GIANT FANTASY CREATURES HAVE TAKEN OVER DOWNTOWN GARLAND

A three-headed dragon, a tentacled seahorse and other larger-than-life creatures are now on display in Downtown Garland — and seeing them won’t cost you anything.

Downtown Garland Square has been transformed into a colorful outdoor art exhibit called “Alebrijes: A Dreamworld in Downtown Garland.”

The free exhibition features huge sculptures inspired by alebrijes, the brightly colored, fantastical creatures associated with Mexican folk art. Among the creations are a three-headed dragon and a tentacled seahorse, turning the downtown square into something that looks a little more like a dream world than a North Texas city center. 

The exhibition opened October 8 and is scheduled to remain in Downtown Garland through March 29, 2027, giving visitors several months to check it out. 

IF YOU GO

Alebrijes: A Dreamworld in Downtown Garland
Downtown Garland Square
Garland, Texas
Now through March 29, 2027
Admission: Freewhe

There is an extra reason to visit this week. Featured artists are working on-site through October 15, giving visitors a chance to see some of the artwork and creative process up close. 

Alebrijes are known for combining features from different animals into imaginative creatures covered in bold colors and intricate patterns. The art form traces back to Mexican artist Pedro Linares, who began creating the creatures in Mexico City in the 1930s using cartonería, a traditional papier-mâché technique. 

The creatures became even more recognizable to American audiences after similar spirit animals appeared in Disney and Pixar’s Coco.