Cinco de Mayo just seems to get bigger every year in Las Vegas. Yet the celebration is about more than margaritas — although there’s plenty of that too 🍹
🇲🇽 What is Cinco de Mayo?
Despite what some Americans assume, Cinco de Mayo doesn’t celebrate the founding or independence of Mexico as a nation. (That comes later in the year on September 16). May 5 marks the anniversary of Mexico’s military victory over France in the Battle of Puebla near Mexico City in 1862.
🎊 Cinco de Mayo in the U.S.
The Chicano social movement of the 1960s expressed solidarity with Cinco de Mayo, raising the profile of the holiday while identifying with Indigenous resistance to foreign oppression or influence. Over the years, Cinco de Mayo became a more generalized celebration of Mexican food, culture, and heritage as it grew in acceptance throughout the United States.
🌮 How to Celebrate?
Cinco de Mayo is usually a weekend celebration (especially this year with the holiday falling on a Monday) with festivals, parades, decorations, food, and drink. Las Vegas traditionally hosts a big boxing extravaganza too. This year, Naoya Inoue defends his junior featherweight championship against Ramon Cardenas on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena.
🎉 Las Vegas Festivals
- Clark County Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Bob Price Park | May 2 | Sunrise Manor
- Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at El Dorado Cantina | May 3 | Tivoli Village
- Cinco de Mayo Festival at the East Las Vegas Community Center | May 3 | Eastern & Stewart
- Cinco de Mayo Ultimate Fiesta at the Fremont Street Experience | May 3-4 | Downtown
- Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at the Water Street Plaza | May 5 | Henderson
- Cinco de Mayo Party at the Plaza | May 5 | Downtown
😋 Restaurant Celebrations
- Cabo Wabo de Mayo at Cabo Wabo Cantina | May 2-5 | Planet Hollywood
- Cinco de Mayo Weekend at The Cantina | May 3-5 | Southwest
- $21.95 Three-Course Menu at Baja Miguel’s | May 3-5 | South Point
- Cinco de Mayo — But Make It May 4 at La Madre Canyon Grill | May 4 | $25 | Southwest
- All Day Happy Hour at Más Por Favor | May 5 | Chinatown
- Five for $50 Fiesta at Slater’s 50/50 | May 5 | Silverado Ranch & Northwest
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Amaya | May 5 | Cosmopolitan
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