A Guide To Celebrating Cinco De Mayo In New York City

We love a two-for-one margarita deal as much as anyone, but Cinco de Mayo is more than just a drinking holiday. Before gorging on guac, discover the history of the holiday along with the best places to spend it with our guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo in New York City.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla

Many mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s Independence Day, which is on September 16th. In fact, the holiday celebrates an 1862 event in which former President Benito Juárez led a ragtag group of 2,000 Mexican fighters to defeat an army of 6,000 French troops during the Franco-Mexican War. Fewer than 100 Mexicans were killed in the Battle of Puebla in Puebla de Los Angeles (compared to nearly 500 French soldiers).

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday

Although Cinco de Mayo was declared a holiday immediately following the Battle of Puebla, it has never achieved the same cultural significance in Mexico as events such as Mexican Independence Day. Mainly observed in the state of Puebla, the holiday is traditionally commemorated with military parades and reenactments. Since Cinco de Mayo is not considered a federal holiday, the country’s offices, stores, and banks conduct business as usual.

The largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations are actually held in cities in the United States

Cinco de Mayo first gained relevance in American culture during the 1960s when Chicano activists began promoting the holiday. It has since gained popularity in cities across the U.S., particularly those with large Mexican-American populations like Houston and Los Angeles.

116th Street Cinco de Mayo Festival

A beloved New York City tradition, the 116th Street Cinco de Mayo Festival is a free event that New Yorkers of all backgrounds attend to enjoy the live music, tacos and roasted corn, Mexican folklore, and more.

Five Days of Margaritas at Tijuana Picnic

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo all week long (and take pre-gaming to a whole new level) at the Lower East Side’s Tijuana Picnic, which offers artisan margaritas featuring jalapeño-infused tequila and beer ice cubes.

International Fiasco

Based in Bushwick, House of Yes welcomes guests to party it up at its Cinco de Mayo International Fiasco, which features a dance floor, DJs and “drums from everywhere.”

Hester Street Fair Cinco de Mayo

Hester Street Fair, your favorite Manhattan flea, will put a festive spin on its usual programming this Cinco de Mayo. In addition to its regular roster of food stands, the fair will be serving up homemade lamb chorizo, pork shoulder al pastor, mole poblano tamales, and much more. Walk off your meal by perusing Mexican-made artisan wares, including ceramics and handmade clothing.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.