From fully-loaded fiestas filled with food, drinks, and mariachi music to a family-friendly fun run, Cinco de Mayo is a festive affair in Las Vegas.
Cinco de Mayo lands on a Tuesday this year, but Las Vegas is getting the fiesta started the weekend before. Partygoers can expect flowing booze, delicious Mexican food, and live Mariachi music at several Cinco de Mayo events, May 2 to 5.
While the annual celebration of Mexico’s 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla is a popular holiday for those of Mexican heritage, it has also worked its way into the American mainstream. Folks from all walks of life will flock to downtown Las Vegas and Henderson to drown themselves in tequila and tacos for Cinco de Mayo in Sin City. It’s like Spring Break, only spicier.
As for those seeking a milder way to mark the holiday, there are some family-friendly events, too.
From crawling between bars in Downtown Las Vegas to sprinting in a fun run at Sunset Park, here are five ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas and Henderson.
Note: Pretty much every Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas, on and off the Strip, and in Henderson will be offering food and drink specials for Cinco de Mayo, so keep a lookout as May 5 approaches.
1. Cinco de Mayo fiesta at Water Street Plaza
Where: Water Street Plaza, Downtown Henderson
When: May 5, 5-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
The City of Henderson is throwing a mariachi music-filled Cinco de Mayo celebration with performances by a trio of top-notch mariachi bands. The vibrant music, rooted in Mexican cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City, will add a historic and festive atmosphere to the free event, while bringing the traditional sounds of horns, violins, and vihuelas to a whole new generation.
The concert in the amphitheater kicks off at 5 p.m. with the award-winning Duane D. Keller Middle School Mariachi band, Mariachi Alas Doradas, which placed first at a national mariachi competition earlier this month. The award-winning CSN mariachi band, Mariachi Plata, follows at 5:45 p.m. At 7 p.m., the two-time Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México of Chicago takes the stage.
The Cinco de Mayo festivities also include authentic Mexican cuisine from local food trucks, including El Fuego Picante and Crazy Churro, drinks, and other local vendors. It will be a fun-filled evening event that the whole family can enjoy.
2. Cinco de Mayo Festival on Fremont Street Experience
Where: Fremont Street Experience, Downtown Las Vegas
When: TBA late April
Cost: Free entry
The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on Fremont Street Experience is a multi-day open-air block party beneath a ginormous Viva Vision Canopy, a 1,375-foot screen with vivid LED visuals. Partygoers, ages 21 and up, enjoy free concerts on three stages and drink specials at the outdoor bars along the hotel-casino-lined, five-block pedestrian mall.
You can expect live music to dance to all weekend long, but May 5 brings a full lineup of Latin and Mexican bands. On the Main Street Stage, located between Circa and the Golden Gate, you’ll see bands including KLi2 Cumbia, Latin Breeze, Volume-1, and LVADO. The First Street Stage, between Circa and Binion’s, will feature Banda Desierto, Mariachi Danel Franco, Variation 5, and Sonz. As for the Third Street Stage, between the D and Four Queens, dance the night away to Titico, Latin Fusion, Outlaw Mariachi, and Los Juniors.
3. Cinco de Drinko Party at the Plaza Hotel & Casino
Where: Plaza Hotel & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas
When: May 5, starting at 4 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Head to the top of Fremont Street on Cinco de Mayo for the annual Cinco de Drinko party. The Plaza Hotel & Casino is pulling out its oversized piñata for this high-energy Cinco de Mayo fiesta filled with live entertainment, drink specials, and tons of fun.
Along with specials on food and drinks like margaritas, micheladas, and tequila shots at Carousel Bar, the 21+ party will include a Mariachi band, Folklorico dancers, a photo booth, and a DJ spinning a mix of radio hits and Latin music.
Cinco de Mayo-themed doughnuts at Pinkbox Doughnuts, across from the bar, will make the night even sweeter.
4. Las Vegas Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl 2026
Where: The Griffin, Downtown Las Vegas
When: May 2, 6-11 p.m.
Cost: From $7.13
Why stick the night out at one venue when you can drink your way through a handful of Las Vegas bars during the Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl? A wristband grants you access to a group of participating bars, all offering food and drink specials for participants (ages 21 and up).
The booze-heavy evening begins with check-in between 6 and 8 p.m. at The Griffin, followed by a self-paced bar-hopping experience. Just follow the digital bar crawl map to find multiple tequila shots, margaritas, and plenty of other treats at pre-selected locations, then keep the night going at a free after-party.
5. Cinco de Mayo Run Against All Odds
Where: Sunset Park, East Sunset Road, Las Vegas
When: May 2, 7:30 a.m.
Cost: From $40
Kick off the weekend before Cinco de Mayo with a fun 5k, 10k, or family race through a beautiful Las Vegas park. The Cinco de Mayo Run Against All Odds is a great way to get out, get some fresh air, and burn lots of calories (to make room for extra tortilla chips on May 5).
Open to racers of all levels, you can walk, run, or attend virtually. The race is also open to all ages, though minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This is a low-stress race experience without timing chips. Racers may track their own time on a running app of choice. All participants receive a swag bag with a running T-shirt, towel, medal, and digital training pack. Race organizers will donate $1 to charity for every mile that’s run.
