This story was updated in 2026
This is not the Mexican Independence – that’s Sept. 16 – but Cinco de Mayo IS a huge and fun celebration.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates a surprising victory over Napoleon’s army at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.
Mainly it’s day for gringos close to the border to wear huge sombreros, drink cervezas, magaritas and rock to mariachi bands. Inn 2025 Cinco de Mayo is on a Monday.
The top party places for CInco de Mayo are alone the Mexican border: San Diego, Loa Angeles – and in particular the South Bay Beach Cities of Hermosa and Manhattan Beach – and Arizona.
If you don’t live in any of those places, and can’t justify jumping on a plane for a one-night party, then you can still celebrate. Of late, the party has been expanding across the USA and just about every Mexican restaurant and cantina in the country now has some kind of event with discounted margaritas and cervezas.
So put on your sombrero, your fake mustache and act like Pancho Villa on this celebration of a great Mexican triumph.
So any town near the border – San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, just about anywhere in Texas – celebrates May 5 as a true party day with a Mexican flair.Or, if you listen to a new tune by Jimmy Buffett, there’s:
“Cinco de May in Memphis,
Mariachies singing the blues,
Soul sisters dancing with senoritas,
All in blue suede shoes.”
Leave a Reply