Cinco de Mayo, or Fifth of May, is a celebration that commemorates the 1862 Mexican military victory over the French. The triumph is most recognized in Puebla, southeast of Mexico City, where the battle occurred, though in the U.S., the day has evolved into a time to celebrate Mexican-American culture.
Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, recognized on September 16, Cinco de Mayo is more than bar crawls and an excuse for a night on the town. Here are a few of the top Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S.
Each year, along historic Jefferson Boulevard, Cinco de Mayo Dallas celebrates the heritage and culture of Hispanic Americans with a lively parade and several festive block parties. While on the southwest side of town, keep sampling with a stop at Xamán Cafe for authentic, traditional Mexican food and drinks. Chilaquiles—crispy, corn tortillas mixed with pico de gallo, salsa, queso fresco, and a fried egg—plus tortas, tablas, Mezcal-spiked coffees, and more, round out the menu here.
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A green chili cookoff is one of the highlights of the Cinco de Mayo Denver weekend-long celebration in Colorado’s capital each year. Live music, a parade, hundreds of vendors, plus colorful, classic Mexican fare, and authentic food make this family-friendly event a go-to for locals and visitors alike.
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With about a 50 percent Hispanic makeup and a large Mexican-American population, Los Angeles lays claim to the country’s largest Cinco de Mayo festival, Fiesta Broadway. Vibrant Mexican colors, classic mariachi music and other entertainment, plus traditional foods fill the major thoroughfare annually.
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For 30 years, Phoenix has held the Cinco De Mayo Downtown Phoenix Festival, with big-name performers like Los Lonely Boys and lots of local talent planned for 2023. The popular street festival draws Phoenix’s top food trucks and features a kids’ zone, traditional Mexican folk dancing, lots of live entertainment, and more.
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Originally founded in 1891 as the Battle of Flowers, Fiesta San Antonio has grown into a huge, days-long celebration featuring fireworks, live music, folk dancing, and performances in downtown San Antonio’s historic Market Square.
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Dubbed the largest Latino event in Minnesota, the annual Cinco de Mayo festival in St. Paul honors the Mexican heritage of the city’s West Side community with a 5K race, a vibrant parade, a car show, activities that educate kids about Mexican culture, and a jalapeno eating contest.
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