Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at these five festive parties
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Here are five fiestas—featuring everything from tequila tastings to taco-eating competitions—to help you celebrate the Mexican holiday in festive fashion.
Southside Park
May 1 For more than 40 years, Southside Park has hosted a lively Cinco de Mayo party, and this year you can bring your dancing shoes to groove along to acts like Latin R&B group Tierra, ska band Los de Abajo, and Sacramento band Sol Peligro. Dance groups like Kapulli Itzkuauhti Aztec Dancers, Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes, and Mistura Brasileira Samba Dance & Drum will show off their moves on stage while you sip on beer like Corona, Modelo Especial and Pacifico. Munch on tacos from Azteca Street Tacos, Cuban food from Elsa’s Paladar, and South American fare from Lupita’s Pupuseria. Festival-goers can also stroll through a classic motorcycle display or browse goods from local artists like Dia de los Muertos paintings by John S. Huerta. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Southside Park. 2115 6th St. 541-6302. fiestaenlacalle.com
Bottle & Barlow
May 5 What’s a fiesta without the mezcal? Head to Bottle & Barlow in the R Street Corridor for this bash that highlights the history of Cinco de Mayo with signature cocktails using Mezcal el Silencio, like the Orale Carnal with Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, pineapple syrup and Angostura bitters, or the La Chulada with mango syrup, lime and orange juice. Pop-up food cart Tacos del Santo will provide authentic Mexican fare, and partiers can test their luck—and appetites—at a taco-eating contest, during which 12 competitors will have eight minutes to eat their way to the championship title. 6 p.m.-midnight. Bottle & Barlow. 1120 R St. 379-7719. bottleandbarlow.com
Centro Cocina Mexicana
May 5 The streets of midtown will come alive during Centro Cocina Mexicana’s parking lot party. Munch on dinner specials like the trio of ceviche and a taco platter to share with your group, or the flavorful tacos al carbon with chips and salsa. Centro will also be serving up infused tequilas, like one with mango and kiwi juice or another with the pineapple and red Fresno chiles. The parking lot party will also include a lounge area with comfy seats and speakers set up to play Latin music. 5 p.m.-midnight. Centro Cocina Mexican Restaurant. 2730 J St. paragarys.com
Ernesto’s
May 5 & 7 Celebrate the holiday at Ernesto’s Mexican Food in midtown, not once but twice. On both Thursday and Saturday, the high-energy Mariachi Jalisco will rock the restaurant while you sip tequila and margaritas. Meanwhile, Ernesto’s patio will transform into a margarita and beer garden with Modelo and Corona on draft and Cadillac margaritas, as well as classic versions of the cocktail. Thursday: 4-10 p.m. Saturday: 4 p.m.-midnight. Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant. 1901 16th St. 441-5850. ernestosmexicanfood.com
Farm Fresh to You
May 7 Enjoy the family-friendly side of Cinco de Mayo among the orchards at Capay Organic’s 500-acre farm. Harvest your own strawberries or sweet pea flowers, sip on local coffee from Pachamama, and taste olive oil and honey from local purveyors like Henry’s Bullfrog Bees. Santa Cruz native Miss Lonely Hearts and Los Angeles reggae-rock band White Elephant will provide the tunes as you nosh on Mexican cuisine from Tacos 911 and sweets from Fairyella Ice Pops, made from the farm’s produce. Youngsters can take part in arts and crafts projects and try their hand at smashing a piñata. Finish off the night by lying under the stars and orchards, or extend your stay into an overnight camping trip. 4-10 p.m. $15 through May 6; $20 day of (free for kids 12 and under). $35 camping fee in advance ($40 day of event). Capay Organic. 23800 State Highway 16. Capay. 530-796-6009. farmfreshtoyou.com
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