Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, which translates to fifth of may literally, is a holiday that originates in Puebla, Mexico to commemorate the defeat of France by the Mexican military in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

While Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Pueblo and some other parts of Mexico, it is not an official national holiday in Mexico. However, it has gained popularity around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage. It is often confused outside of Mexico with Mexican Independence Day, the biggest Mexican holiday, which is September 16 or Dieciseis de Septiembre.

There are Cinco de Mayo festivals in Mexican-American communities across the United States, but the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations are right here in Los Angeles.

Fiesta Broadway

Fiesta Broadway is a multi-block street fair with music, games, and vendor booths in Downtown Los Angeles. It used to be a mile long, but it’s now just the several blocks around Grand Park and takes place the last Sunday in April, which will be April 29, 2018. The festivities take place on Broadway from Temple to 4th Street, including Grand Park, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to attend.

Cinco de Mayo at Olvera Street

Masked Mexican dancers at Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Los Angeles California USA — •••

Friday night there will be live music and dancing in the Plaza Kiosko, followed by a traditional celebration over the weekend with mariachis, Folklorico dancers, piñatas, and other activities for the kids at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles. Festivities in 2018 take place at North Alameda Street at Olvera Street from Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6. El Pueblo also hosts a variety of celebrations throughout the year, and you can view a full list of happenings on their annual events calendar.

Hecho en LA: Taco Madness at LA Plaza

Originally started in 2017, the Hecho en LA: Taco Madness presented by L.A. Taco and I LOVE MICHELADAS returns in 2018 to the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes just in time for Cinco de Mayo. The 21-and-over event will feature some of the best micheladas (Mexican beer cocktails) and tacos from street food carts, stands, and trucks as well as from award-winning chefs and restaurants. There will also be DJs and live art throughout the duration of the event, from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

Cinco de Mayo in Santa Ana

Dancers Performing on Cinco de Mayo — •••

The largest Mexican-American community in Orange County is located in the city of Santa Ana, which celebrates Cinco de Mayo with two days of festivities including carnival rides, games, music, dance, and lots of food. Located on historic 4th Street (Calle Cuatro) in downtown Santa Ana, the event runs from Friday nights’ carnival through the full celebration over the weekend. Dates for 2018 run from May 4 through 6.

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Lucha VaVoom Psychadelic Cinco at the Mayan Theater

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A crazy Mexican combination of acrobatic masked wrestlers, burlesque, striptease, and comedy will return to the Mayan Theater on South Hill Street in Los Angeles. The touring show is stopping in Los Angeles for two nights on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5, 2018. Although prices are on-par with other big-name concerts and shows, you can check Goldstar for discount tickets, which must be purchased before the show.

“Cuatro de Mayo” Mariachi Night at Descanso Gardens

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An authentic Mexican meal will be served and accompanied by live mariachi music on the Main Lawn at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge on Friday, May 4, 2018, from 6 to 9 p.m. This annual event, which always falls on the Friday before Cinco de Mayo, features a four-course pop-up dinner from Maple Restaurant featuring barbacoa de mole, cerdo, and other traditional Mexican favorites. There will also be a cash bar on premise, but tickets must be purchased in advance to attend.

Cinco de Mayo Hollywood Club Crawl

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Hosted by LA Epic Club Crawls each year, the Cinco de Mayo Hollywood Club Crawl takes guests to a variety of different bars, clubs, and lounges to celebrate the Mexican holiday with drink specials, VIP express entry, and no cover fees with the purchase of a crawl ticket. In 2018, there will be two club crawls—on Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5—which both start at 6 p.m. at The Outpost in Hollywood.

Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl in Santa Monica

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If you’re on the west side of Los Angeles and looking for a great way to drink and socialize on Cinco de Mayo, you can attend VIP Nightlife’s own Santa Monica Pub Crawl on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The crawl will feature half-priced beers, tequila cocktails, and tequila shots, but you must register for the event at the Circle Bar on Main Street between 3 and 10 p.m. At registration, you will receive a map to bars, pubs, and clubs who are participating in the drink specials, which will last until 2 a.m.

Cinco de Mayo at Citadel Outlets

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The castle courtyard at Citadel Outlets will be decorated for the Cinco de Mayo celebration, a two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, 2018, from noon to 2 p.m. Each year, the Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring live ballet Folklorico and mariachi performances as well as sales at many of the Citadel’s shops and street tacos for purchase from the Center Court from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are not required to attend, and the event is free of charge.