Your Cinco de Mayo Guide
Just a short drive to the border, you don’t have to head to Mexico to celebrate Cinco de Mayo—though you certainly can! However, the celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces in 19th century Puebla is much bigger on this side of the border, especially in Los Angeles where the Mexican-American community is so rich and thriving.
Descanso Gardens in nearby Flintridge (1418 Descanso Drive) features a fiesta amidst the botanical gardens. Indulge in a Mexican buffet while a mariachi band winds through the walkways. Drunken beans, imported beer, chili, enchiladas, scratch-made tamales, and much more are on the menu. Admission is $50 for adults/$25 for children.
The biggest celebration in Los Angeles—and one of the biggest in the entire country—is Fiesta Broadway which takes place at North Broadway and West 1st Street in the heart of the city. Now in its 29th year, it takes over the city and is known as the “Super Bowl of Festivals.” Over 300,000 people flock to the celebration each year while famous Latinx artists perform and revelers enjoy local cuisines. A carnival is part of the free event, and you’ll want to ride share or take a taxi to this party.
A Party for the Record Books
The Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl of Santa Monica takes you on a whirlwind from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. Visit some of the best pubs, clubs and bars in town known for their margaritas, tequilas, and imported beer. Everything is kept top secret until the big day, and you’ll need to be 21+ and book early. Visit www.californianightlife.com to sign up.
Fiesta at FIG! is a party many wait for the entire year. Located at Figat7th, 735 S. Figueroa St., the party stretches from noon – 9 p.m. It’s free, open to the public, and includes live music, $5 margaritas, and more than a few tricks up its sleeve.
How will you be celebrating?