Cinco de Mayo is an occasion of ethnic pride celebrated throughout Mexico and the United States. Cinco de Mayo marks 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 holiday celebrated with food, fun, parades, and plenty of cerveza or tequila. Typically held during the first week of May, Cinco de Mayo springtime events include carnivals, street fairs, and multi-day festivals across the U.S.
The best and most authentic Cinco de Mayo celebrations occur in locations with the highest concentration of Mexican people. Similar to St. Patrick's Day and Columbus Day, Cinco de Mayo is one of those special times when everyone feels a little bit Mexican in their soul.
Since attending local Cinco de Mayo fairs and celebrations can make a romantic getaway even more fun, consider adding one of these Cinco de Mayo events to your spring travel itinerary:
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in the USA
- Denver, Colorado - lasting two days, the Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival attracts 400,000 people. Hear live Mexican regional, Spanish rock, Latin jazz, salsa, ranchero, Tex-Mex, and Chicano rock music outdoors.
- Chicago, Illinois - Douglas Park draws as many as 200,000 people to its colorful Cinco de Mayo celebration that includes a festival, musical events, food booths, games, kids area, and cultural displays.
- Omaha, Nebraska - A parade, festival, carnival, and crowning of a queen mark Cinco de Mayo celebrations here.
- Phoenix, Arizona - Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in multiple venues 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 Latino music and food booths.
- Kansas City, Kansas - celebrates Cinco de Mayo in the heartland.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota - Cinco de Mayo takes place in District del Sol on St. Paul's West Side with music, food and a salsa-tasting contest, a parade, sports zone, wellness village, crafts, children's section and history area.
- San Antonio, Texas - Cinco de Mayo festival with music and food, concerts and other commemorations takes place at historic Market Square.
- San Francisco, California - the Mission neighborhood goes all out in a joyous Cinco de Mayo celebration. Includes free all-day cultural entertainment, health screenings, Lucha Libre wrestlers, and a Mission Dolores tour.
- San Diego, California - there's live Cinco de Mayo entertainment at Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town and a maracas-and-margaritas Cinco de Mayo blow-out in Gaslamp.