This Friday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, which has evolved into a massively popular celebration in the states as the country commemorates Mexican culture and heritage. The holiday honors Mexico’s victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The Second Franco-Mexican War didn’t end that day, but the battle became a symbol of resistance against foreign powers.
Columbus is always ready for a fiesta + this year we are bringing you 10 ways to join in.
- Cinco de Mayo Celebrations | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m. | Budd Dairy Food Hall, 1086 N. Fourth St., Italian Village | Free | Stop by from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for El Mercadito, a collection of Latino artists + small businesses.
- Cinco de Mayo In Style | Friday, May 5 | 4 p.m. | Park Street Cantina, 491 Park St., Downtown | $5 | The organizers are dubbing this the “biggest celebration in the city” with Mexican beers, margaritas, and top shelf tequilas.
Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo at Budd Dairy Food Hall for views like this. | Photo via @budddairyfodhall
- Cinco de Mayo | Friday, May 5 | 5 p.m. | TownHall, 792 N. High St., Short North | Free | Use a stationary bike to blend your own margarita + discounts on guacamole and taquitos.
- Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl | Friday, May 5 | 6 p.m. | Howl at the Moon, 504 Park St., Downtown | $9 | Throw on your best costume for a contest + use a digital map to discover the bars you have access to.
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Friday, May 5 | 6:30 p.m. | FOMO Columbus, 165 N. Fifth St., Downtown | Free | Enjoy a complimentary tequila shot with your first Modelo or Conora + karaoke starts at 8 p.m.
- Cinco de Mayo Music Fest | Friday, May 5 | 10 p.m. | Granero Lounge, 51 Vine St., Downtown | Free | Keep the celebrations going late into the night with DJ Roomulo at this dance party.
Find the closest El Vaquero via its website. | Photo via El Vaquero Hilliard
- ORANGE SODA: Cinco de Mayo Edition | Friday, May 5 | 10 p.m. | The Kee, 225 Neilston St., Downtown | $5-$50 | Listen to DJs spin hip-hop + R&B hits from the 2000s at one of the newest downtown event venues.
- Cinco de Mayo | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m. | Cazuela’s Mexican Cantina, all locations | Free | All three locations will offer pitchers of margaritas + buckets of beers for $20.
- Cinco Dias of Fiesta! | Friday, May 5-Tuesday, May 9 | Times vary | El Vaquero, all locations | The local Mexican restaurant will feature deals across multiple days, including discounts on its newest beer “El Vaquero Chingon.”
- Margarita & Mimosa Fest | Saturday, May 6 | 2 p.m. | Park Street Cantina, 491 Park St., Downtown | $26 | Bar hop through three bars in the area with specialty cocktails at each spot.