It’s that time of year again, where Cinco de Mayo festivities fill the streets of Los Angeles with good cheer. From festivals to block parties to restaurant specials, Angelinos come together the first week of May to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture. What originally started in remembrance of the Battle of Puebla has evolved into a mishmash of festivities unique to the region. Check out some of the best Cinco de Mayo events the city has to offer.
Visit Los Angeles For Cinco De Mayo And Head To These 7 Fun Events
1. Fiesta Broadway Festival
Known as the largest Cinco de Mayo festival in the country, the Fiesta Broadway kicks off its 28th year in downtown Los Angeles. This year, the event is on Sunday, April 30, the weekend before the actual holiday. The massive street fair takes up about 12 blocks in downtown L.A., from Temple to 5th streets all along Broadway. The grand-scale block party will feature performances by Latin American artists, authentic Mexican food, games and carnival-style rides from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Produced annually by All Access Entertainment, the event is expected to attract at least 300,000 guests this year.
Address: 200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles
2. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Enjoy traditional music, exhibition booths, food, dancing and more at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Located in one of the oldest sections of Los Angeles, the historic plaza traces back to the city’s origins in 1781. The area has numerous museums, historic buildings and a traditional Mexican marketplace for shopping and dining. On the weekend before Cinco de Mayo, the historic district will kick off celebrations from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with special entertainment scheduled for May 5.
Address: 25 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles
3. Los Lobos Cinco de Mayo Festival
For the past few years, The Greek Theater has been the site of the Los Lobos Cinco de Mayo Festival on the weekend closest to May 5. Featuring a packed lineup of Mexican performers, the festival is a musical celebration of the holiday. Tickets range from around $25 to $69 depending on seats selected. Past performers include Los Super Seven, soul musician Robert Randolph, El Chicano and Willie G of the R&B group the Midnighters.
Address: 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles
4. Figat7th
The Figat7th courtyard in downtown Los Angeles turns into a massive fiesta with music, margaritas and Mexican food for Cinco de Mayo. Last year, art school Makers Mess hosted piñata-making classes, while City Cavern served Mexican-style beers throughout the day. The all-female mariachi band La Victoria also made an appearance. See what Figat7th has in store for this year’s celebrations.
Address: 735 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
5. Lucha VaVoom
This adults-only Cinco de Mayo event brings authentic Mexican masked wrestling, comedy and burlesque performers to the Mayan Theater on May 4 and 5. The event is a self-described “sexy fiesta” featuring “Aerial Daredevils! Mariachis! Tamales! Tequila!” and more. It’s a combination that has kept Lucha VaVoom an annual shindig since 2002.
Address: 1038 Hill Street, Los Angeles
6. Border Grill
The restaurant chain has multiple days of Cinco de Mayo festivities at its Las Vegas branches, and one big powwow on May 5th in Southern California. Border Grill features tacos, tequila and live entertainment in all of its locations, with a few surprises thrown into the mix. In its downtown L.A. location, the restaurant features mouth-watering fare such as al pastor tacos, chicharrones and churros, as well as Border margaritas and beers at a discounted price.
Address: Union Bank Plaza, 445 S Figueroa Street #100, Los Angeles
7. Museum of Latin American Art
Cinco de Mayo celebrations just outside Los Angeles may be worth checking out. The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach – about 25 miles south of Los Angeles – hosts a free event a few days before the 5th each year. Art workshops, Mexican music, dance performances and storytelling offer an educational, cultural experience for guests of all ages.
Address: 628 Alamitos Avenue, Los Angeles
This article was written by Hanna Choi.