Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Texas Style
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Widely observed throughout Mexico as well as North America, Cinco de Mayo is a day dedicated to the celebration of Mexican culture, heritage and cuisine. The holiday is marked each year on May 5th by a variety of festivities, including parades, mariachi music, folk dancing, and traditional Mexican fare. Events can be found nationwide throughout early May – in fact, some of the nation’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations can be found right here in Texas, in the city of Houston.
Despite its broad popularity, Cinco de Mayo’s historical roots are often confused with Mexico’s celebration of independence. Mexico’s true Independence Day, DĂa de la Indepencia, is commemorated on September 16th, marking the famous “Cry of Dolores” that triggered the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. Meanwhile, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, a fierce confrontation between Mexican civilians and invading French troops that took place just over 50 years later.
Led by Texas-native General Ignacio Zaragoza, a ragtag group of around 2,000 men fended off a fierce attack from 6,000 French soldiers on May 5th, 1862. Vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied, Zaragoza and his men defended the city of Puebla against an onslaught that lasted from daybreak to early evening, at which point the French troops were at last forced to retreat. They had lost nearly 500 soldiers in the fray, with the Mexican resistance emerging victorious and suffering fewer than 100 casualties. The Battle of Puebla was not seen as a major strategic victory against the French, but Zaragoza’s success bolstered morale among his people, carrying the resistance movement forward in the years to follow. It is in the city of Puebla that Cinco de Mayo is still most widely observed – however, celebrations became popularized in America largely as a result of the work of Chicano activists during the 1960s.
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Today, the city of Houston, Texas reigns supreme as one of America’s best destinations for annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Read on to discover five Cinco de Mayo events coming to Houston this May, 2022.
Cinco de Mayo Kickoff
When: 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Where: Market Square Park, located at 301 Milam Street, Houston
Admission: Free
Hosted by Downtown Houston, the Cinco de Mayo Kickoff will launch festivities with a swing at the world’s largest pinata “chiquito”. Browse the Cinco de Mayo mini market while enjoying live mariachi music and performances from an onsite DJ, before heading off to explore the nightlife available in Houston’s most historic neighborhood district.
H-Town Live!
When: 9 PM on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Where: House of Blues Foundation Room, located at 1204 Caroline Street, Houston
Admission: Free
H-Town Live gathers the nation’s best established artists for a musical celebration you won’t forget. The evening will feature performances from singers, hip-hop artists, poets, spoken word artists, DJs and more. Enjoy an evening at the House of Blues, celebrating Cinco de Mayo while supporting rising stars in the music and entertainment industries.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Texas Style: Spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with a Texas twist. Explore our guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Texas style, featuring festive recipes and traditions that add a Lone Star touch to this vibrant Mexican holiday.
Lake Houston Rotary’s Cinco de Mayo Golf Tournament
When: 8 AM on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Where: Tour 18 Golf Course, located at 3102 Farm to Market 1960 E, Humble Street, Houston
Admission: Registration begins at $125 per player, and $400 for a group of four
Have fun and help support a great cause at the 2022 Lake Houston Rotary Cinco de Mayo Golf Tournament. This year’s event will raise funds to support local community organizations, with activities including a raffle, virtual auction, and putting contest. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place tournament contestants. For more information, contact Danny Conteras on (832) 754-0702, or danielc12@gmail.com.
Official Houston Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl
When: 5 PM on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Where: The Dogwood, located at 2403 Bagby Street, Houston
Admission: Tickets begin at $10.99 per person
Hosted by PubCrawls.com, the Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl is an evening bar-hopping experience that highlights the best nightlife Houston has to offer. The event includes exclusive drink specials, a digital crawl map, live DJ performances at select venues, and more. Guests must be aged 21 or over to participate, and current state COVID regulations may apply.
Raquel Cepeda in Concert: 5 de Mayo & All That Jazz
When: 8 PM on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Where: The Heights Theater, located at 339 West 19th Street, Houston
Admission: Tickets begin at $22 per person
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with acclaimed singer Raquel Cepeda for “5 De Mayo & All That Jazz” – a celebration of Mexican and Latin American culture, blended with the refined tones of classic and modern jazz. Cepeda has performed at venues such as the Miller Outdoor Theater, the Aulga Magna and BOD Cultural Center in Caracas, and the Casa Julieta Da Derpa in Rio de Janeiro. In the Lone Star State, she has appeared as a guest at classic Houston festivals such as the Holiday Latin Jazz Fest and the Brazilian Food (What wine goes well with Brazilian food?) and Music Festival.
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