How To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In Houston

Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day on September 16th, Cinco de Mayo celebrates General Ignacio Zaragoza’s unlikely victory over French forces in the Battle of the Puebla, 1862. In Mexico, the September holiday is a much bigger festivity, celebrating freedom from the Spanish Empire, but the May festival is more widely observed among expat communities in America as a celebration of Mexican-American culture.
One of the biggest annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations takes place in Houston, and Culture Trip has rounded up the best places to partake in the festivities. Little did General Zaragoza know that he would not only secure Mexican victory but also create one of our favorite reasons to drink tequila.

Historic Market Square Park

Friday, May 5, 2017, 6 p.m.

Grab a beer from Niko Niko’s and pack your picnic blanket for a free concert in the park. The lineup includes hometown favorite Gio Chamba, plus Blackbird, Bombón, and Chido Machine. Afterward, wander the neighborhood in search of festive drink specials from bars and restaurants such as Batanga, Bovine & Barley, and Little Dipper.

Market Square Park, 301 Milam St, Houston, TX, USA, +1 713 223 2003

El Big Bad

All weekend

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo all weekend with DJs, liquid nitrogen margaritas (self-advertised as the coldest on the planet), face painting, a flea market, and more at El Big Bad. Sample tequilas and be the first to try their new taco menu, launching on Friday. Purchase tickets here.

El Big Bad, 419 Travis St, Houston, TX, USA, +1 713 229 8181

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTZpfLYl0-1/?taken-by=elbigbad

The Nightingale Room

Friday, May 5, 2017, doors open at 5 p.m.

Enjoy a special drink menu and other fun surprises from The Nightingale Room, hosted by Marco Torres. Dance off the sugar rush from your margaritas with live DJ sets from Gio Chamba, Gracie Chaves, and Felipe Galvan of Los Sharnales.

The Nightingale Room, 308 Main St, Houston, TX, USA, +1 832 968 3370

The Pastry War

Named after a different conflict between Mexico and France, The Pastry War celebrates “the rich and vibrant drinking culture of Mexico with subtle French details throughout the bar”—there’s no better place to celebrate the Battle of the Puebla. The mezcaleria’s owners, Bobby Heugel and Alba Huerta, have personally visited the family-owned Mexican distilleries that produce their agave spirits, so this is the place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo all year. Stop by for Happy Hour from 4–6:30 p.m. on Friday for $5 house margaritas, $3 Mexican beers, and free games of pool.

The Pastry War, 310 Main St, Houston, TX, USA, +1 713 225 3310

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTpVqYLA62W/?taken-by=thepastrywar

Miller Outdoor Theater

Friday, May 5, 2017, 7:30 p.m.

Music lovers should flock to Houston’s favorite outdoor theater for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, where performances will start at 7:30 p.m. Tlen-Huicani will take the audience on a tour of regional music across Mexico, followed by the Villalobos Brothers—a leading contemporary Mexican ensemble playing a mix of Mexican folk music, jazz, and classical music.

Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX, USA, +1 832 487 7102

Piñata Fest Warehouse Pop-Up Party

Friday, May 5, 2017, 6–9 p.m.

Kick off the weekend with a free warehouse pop-up party in the East End Cultural District, featuring drinks, local food from El Burro and the Bull, a traditional mariachi band, and live performances from Ballet Folklorico Azteca. Wearing authentic costumes representative of customs and culture in the various regions of Mexico, Ballet Folklorico Azteca celebrates Mexican heritage through dance, music, and art. Stay later for a set from Boricua Soul Entertainment! RSVP here.

R.B. Everett Building, 3118 Harrisburg Boulevard, Suite 101, Houston, TX, USA

Piñatas on the Esplanade

Sunday, May 7, 2017, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

In conjunction with East End Street Market, the second largest street market in Houston, Navigation Esplanade will exhibit the Piñata-inspired sculptures of local Houston artists. Successful applicants received a small stipend to create their sculpture, and their works will be displayed all weekend. Anderson + Medrano, a power couple on the Houston art scene, will judge the works on Sunday, May 7, 2017, with an award ceremony in the afternoon to present the $1000 cash prize. For more information, check out the website.

Start at Moon Tower: 3004 Canal Street, Houston, TX, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTjiEnJAAgQ/?taken-by=eastendhou

Margarita Throwdown at Hotel Derek

Friday, May 5, 2017, 4:30 p.m.

Starting around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Hotel Derek hosts a margarita competition where teams will work to create the most delicious margarita possible. With proceeds donated to charity, spectators can sip on a selection of margaritas while cheering on competitors to victory.

Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop St, Houston, TX, USA, +1 713 961 3000

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTSDPUeFA-Z/?taken-by=thehotelderek

Cinco de Mile Block Party on Main

Friday & Saturday, May 5–6, 2017, 2 p.m.–5 a.m.

Back this year for its second installment, Cinco de Mile is co-hosted by four downtown favorites: Capital Bar, Traffic Premium Lounge, Rose Gold Cocktail Den, and Clé. The first 100 guests receive free tacos and Mexican beer, so head downtown early and get ready to party! Also on the scene will be a traveling mariachi band, live donkey, Lucha Libre wrestlers, food trucks, and more. Tickets range from $10–45.

Main Street, Houston, TX, USA

LULAC District VIII Cinco de Mayo Parade

Saturday, May 6, 2017, 10 a.m.

The festivities continue on Saturday; head downtown as LULAC District 8 and Telemundo Houston present a festive Cinco de Mayo parade, which begins at 10 a.m. on Texas at Hamilton. It then proceeds west on Texas, north on Caroline, east on Preston and concludes on Preston at Crawford.

Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX, USA

Traders Village 12th Annual Cinco de Mayo

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Now in its 12th year, this family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration actually takes place on Sunday, featuring food, drinks, live music, and fun for everyone. In partnership with Telemundo Houston, visitors can enjoy community service exhibits, kids games and activities, fresh fajitas and turkey legs on the grill, margaritas, beer, and more.

Traders Village, 7979 N Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, TX, USA

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