How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas

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, unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defends against undefeated two-division world champion David Benavidez on May 2 at the T-Mobile Arena.

🎉 Las Vegas Festivals

😋 Bar & Restaurant Celebrations

Why stop there? City Cast Las Vegas digs deeper into all the cool stuff happening in Las Vegas throughout May in today’s episode. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]