Cinco de Mayo in the United States is more than just a date on the calendar-it’s a coast-to-coast celebration of Mexican heritage, music, food, and, let’s be honest, an excuse to eat your weight in guacamole. While the holiday commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla, Americans have truly made it their own, with millions joining in the festivities each year.
From parades and mariachi bands to taco-eating contests and lowrider showcases, cities across the country compete to throw the most unforgettable fiestas. Whether you’re RVing through the Southwest or parked in the heart of the Midwest, there’s a Cinco de Mayo party waiting for you. Here are the nine most festive cities in the USA where you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style-don’t forget your stretchy pants!
1. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is home to Fiesta Broadway, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world, drawing over 500,000 attendees for a day-long street festival that takes over downtown.
The city’s Mexican-American community brings vibrant parades, live Latin pop and mariachi performances, and a “fun zone” just for kids, complete with piñata-breaking contests and crafts.
Beyond the main event, neighborhoods like Boyle Heights and Olvera Street offer authentic experiences, including mariachi concerts and traditional Mexican cuisine.
The Autry Museum also hosts cultural workshops, dance, and storytelling, blending history with modern festivities.
With so many events and enough tacos to feed a small country, LA’s Cinco de Mayo is a must for any fiesta-loving RVer.
If you can’t find a taco in LA on Cinco de Mayo, you might actually be lost in a parallel universe.
2. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s Cinco de Mayo “Celebrate Culture” Festival is one of the largest in the country, attracting over 400,000 people to Civic Center Park for two days of music, parades, and food.
Highlights include traditional Mexican dancing, a lowrider car show, and the ever-popular Chihuahua races and taco-eating contests.
The city’s Latinx community, which makes up about 30% of the population, ensures the celebration is both authentic and inclusive.
Local breweries join in with special margarita-inspired beers, and vendors offer everything from folk art to green chile, Denver’s signature stew.
Only in Denver can you eat a taco, cheer on a racing Chihuahua, and wash it all down with a margarita-flavored craft beer-talk about living the dream!
3. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio’s Cinco de Mayo festivities are legendary, centered around the Historic Market Square-El Mercado-where the city’s rich Mexican-American heritage comes alive.
The event features over 40 bands, Folklorico dance performances, and a marketplace filled with artisanal crafts and mouthwatering Mexican cuisine5. The River Walk transforms into a party zone, with restaurants and bars offering Cinco de Mayo specials and live music echoing along the water.
San Antonio’s population is about 64% Latinx, making the city’s celebration one of the most authentic in the country.
In San Antonio, the only thing more plentiful than margaritas on Cinco de Mayo is the number of people trying to dance the salsa after two of them.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo celebration is a tapestry of parades, music, and food, especially in neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village, which are cultural hubs for the city’s Mexican-American community.
The festivities include mariachi bands, traditional dancers, and a parade that draws thousands. Mexican restaurants across the city serve up everything from street tacos to gourmet mole, and the party often spills into the early hours. The city’s diverse population ensures that everyone, regardless of background, joins in the fun.
Chicago’s weather is so unpredictable, you might need a parka for the parade and sunscreen for the taco crawl-all in the same day.
5. St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul’s Cinco de Mayo festival in the District del Sol is a hidden gem, featuring live music, traditional dancers, and a parade with a mock battle reenactment.
The city’s strong Latino community brings authenticity to the event, with food vendors serving up tacos, churros, and other Mexican favorites2. The festival is a showcase of the city’s diversity and cultural pride, drawing visitors from across the Midwest.
Funny opinion: Who knew you could find such spicy salsa in a city famous for its winter chills? St. Paul proves Cinco de Mayo is a state of mind (and a state of salsa).
6. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is the largest multicultural festival in the Pacific Northwest, held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park1. The event features live music, dance performances, and a vibrant marketplace with Mexican crafts and food. Attendees can enjoy mariachi competitions, carnival rides, and even a fireworks show. The festival draws tens of thousands each year, making it a must-visit for RVers exploring the region.
Funny opinion: In Portland, you can eat a taco, ride a Ferris wheel, and buy a handmade poncho-all before your organic fair-trade coffee gets cold.
7. New York City, New York
New York City’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations are spread across all five boroughs, with the largest parade in East Harlem featuring colorful floats, dancers, and musicians.
Restaurants and bars citywide offer Cinco de Mayo specials, from margaritas to guacamole, and the Hester Street Fair is a hotspot for Mexican street food and artisanal goods.
The city’s diverse population ensures the party is as eclectic as it is energetic.
Funny opinion: In NYC, you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a mariachi band on the subway-just don’t expect them to accept MetroCards.
8. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque’s Cinco de Mayo celebration is a blend of traditional and modern, with events ranging from mariachi concerts to car shows and food festivals.
The city’s deep Mexican and Southwestern roots are on full display, with authentic cuisine and folkloric dance performances. Local breweries and distilleries often join the fun with themed drinks and specials.
Funny opinion: Albuquerque’s green chile is so good, you’ll forget you ever put salsa on your tacos-just don’t tell your abuela.
9. San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s Mission District hosts a vibrant Cinco de Mayo festival, featuring live music, Aztec dancers, and a street fair with Mexican food and crafts.
The city’s multicultural vibe adds a unique twist to the celebration, with fusion cuisine and performances that blend Mexican and Californian influences. The event draws thousands and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and creative costumes.
Funny opinion: Only in San Francisco will you see a mariachi band, a vegan taco truck, and a guy on roller skates dressed as a piñata-all on the same block.
