Cinco de Mayo is an occasion of ethnic pride that is celebrated throughout the United States and in Mexico. The day commemorates a victorious battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico. There, 4,000 brave Mexican soldiers triumphed over twice as many French fighters on May 5, 1862.
Today Cinco de Mayo is a joyous party that is celebrated with food, fun, parades, and lots of beer or tequila. Typically during the first week of May, Cinco de Mayo spring events include carnivals, street fairs, and multi-day festivals in the United States.
The best and most authentic Cinco de Mayo celebrations occur in places with the highest concentration of Mexican people. Like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is one of those special times when everyone feels a little Mexican in their soul.
Since attending local Cinco de Mayo fairs and celebrations can make a getaway even more fun, consider adding one of these Cinco de Mayo events to your spring travel itinerary.
Celebrations in the United States
- Albuquerque, New Mexico – A celebration of Mexican art, culture, music, and even adoptable Chihuahuas.
- Denver, Colorado – Lasting two days, the Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival draws 400,000 people. Listen live regional Mexican music, Spanish rock, Latin jazz, salsa, ranchero, Tex-Mex and Chicano rock outdoors.
- Chicago, Illinois – This colorful Cinco de Mayo celebration in the Little Village neighborhood includes a festival, music events, food stalls, games, a children’s area, and cultural displays.
- Omaha, Nebraska – A parade, festival, carnival, and coronation of a queen commemorate Cinco de Mayo celebrations here.
- Phoenix, Arizona : Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in multiple locations throughout the desert area.
- Portland, Oregon : Mexican food and carnival enliven Tom McCall Waterfront Park during Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
- Reno, Nevada – More than 100,000 visitors attend this Cinco de Mayo celebration, which includes Latin music and food stands.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – Cinco de Mayo takes place in the Sunshine District on St. Paul’s West Side with music, food and a salsa tasting contest, parade, sports zone, wellness village, arts and crafts, children’s section and history area.
- San Antonio, Texas : The Cinco de Mayo festival with music and food, concerts and other commemorations takes place in the historic Plaza del Mercado.
- San Francisco, California – The Mission neighborhood does their best in a joyous Cinco de Mayo celebration. Includes free cultural entertainment throughout the day, health screenings, Lucha Libre wrestlers, and a tour of Mission Dolores.
- San Diego, California – There is live Cinco de Mayo entertainment at the World Bazaar in Old Town and more festivities throughout the city.
Where to celebrate in Mexico
When it comes to celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, according to Mexico travel expert Suzanne Barbezat, Cinco de Mayo is actually a more popular holiday in the United States than it is in our neighbor to the south. It is an optional holiday, and banks and government offices remain open. However, if you want to celebrate in the country where the battle took place, plan a trip to Puebla. There is a parade on Cinco de Mayo and a reenactment of the winning fight against the French.
