May 5th falls on a Friday this year, so watch for this 2023 Cinco de Mayo festivities to be a weekend celebration of Mexican food, drink, and music!
Planning your own Cinco de Mayo party? Check out great ideas for a fun fiesta celebrating all things Mexico - including invitation ideas, recipes and party games ....
DID YOU KNOW? Cinco de Mayo fun facts
A scene from the 2013 movie epic
"Cinco de Mayo: The Battle"
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo does not commemoratte Mexican Independence. That happens every year on September 16.
The real reason to remember Cinco de Mayo was a battle that happened on May 5, 1862.
That's when the Mexican army -- against all odds -- managed to defeat an invading hoard of Europeans during the French-Mexican War.
Needless to say, it was a great victory for Mexico, which showed the world that it could stand on its own as a sovereign nation since gaining independence in 1821.
Today, across the US, Cinco de Mayo is almost synonymous with celebrating Mexican culture, and a great excuse for a springtime fiesta.
In other words... ¡vamanos! -- Let's go party!
Fiesta! - Mexican Theme Party Tips
Having a Cinco de Mayo party is as easy as uno, dos, tres, quatro, CINCO ....
Invitation ideas - Do it yourself, by using Cinco de Mayo clip art and inviting everyone to the party with catchy headlines like: "No time for a Siesta, it's time to Fiesta!", or "It's Party Time, Amigos!"
Inside the invitation, be sure to put the date, location, time, phone, RSVP date, dress code or
costume suggestions.
Cinco de Mayo party decoration ideas - To kick off your own Mexican theme party decorate with the colors of the flag of Mexico - green white and red - then put on some Mexican salsa, mariachi or folk music, and have a blast.
Easy Cinco de Mayo Food & drink
- Corn chips with salsa & queso, tacos, chili, fajitas, mojitos, Margaritas, Daiquiris, cerveza, (Mexican beer)
Mexican wines, Tia Maria, and, of course, lots of tequila.
Cinco de Mayo party games - Keep party guests on their toes with a Cinco de Mayo scavenger hunt (include a small bag of tortilla chips, cactus plant, lime, mini Mexican flag, bottle of hot sauce, etc., that guests have to search for).
Or, you can adapt the jelly bean jar game by substituting jelly beans with colorful chili peppers. Then ask party-goers to guess how many chili peppers are in the jar. The one who comes the closest wins a prize!
And, what would a Mexican fiesta be without a piñata? Just up ahead, find out how to easily make your own do-it-yourself piñata along with additional party game ideas to keep it hoppin' ....
How to make a homemade piñata
You’ll need:
• Large, sturdy paper shopping bag
• Paint, construction paper, or markers for decorating
• Wrapped candy
• Newspaper
• Adhesive tape or stapler
• A big stick
Instructions:
1. Decorate the shopping bag as you please using paint, color markers or construction paper. Crinkle the newspaper and lightly fill the shopping bag.
2. Next, add wrapped candy or other treats and seal the shopping bag closed with tape or staples. Hang your piñata high enough that it is just out of reach.
3. Line up your guests and blindfold them one at a time, giving them the stick to aim at the piñata. As each participant takes a whack, warn other players to STAND CLEAR OF THE STICK!!
Have fun!
More Cinco de Mayo party games & activities ...
Pass the Sombrero
A bit like ‘musical chairs’ but instead party guests have to try on a
sombrero. Play Mexican mariachi music as the game begins. When the music stops, the guest wearing the sombrero is out of the
game. For extra laughs, give eliminated players the option to
perform a Mexican hat dance to get back into the game!
Nachos-Eating Competition
Have several bowls of nachos and party dip ready for guests to pair
up into teams. One team-member must stand behind the other, acting
as their ‘arms’, and must feed the nachos to their partner. The first
team to empty their bowl is the winner. Provide bibs and floor
covering and be prepared for a big MESS -- and lots of memorable photos!
Party Favor ideas - Say "adios, amigos!" with goody bags filled with mini cactus plants, toy maracas, small clay pots with candy "Red Hots", bouquets of red, green & white carnations or other plants that combine the colors of the Mexican flag.
More about Cinco de Mayo and Mexican fiestas around the Web:
Spice it up at some of the best sites offering up everything you need for a great Cinco de Mayo fiesta celebration - including
do it yourself party ideas, recipes, e-cards, decorations, classroom activities. clip art, pictures, facts,
and a bit of history about the 5th of May in Mexico:
Cinco
de Mayo Recipes, Margaritas, Fiesta Tips - Check out top celebration party ideas from the Food Network with
Cinco de Mayo facts, star chef recipes from Rachel Ray &
Bobby Flay, plus hot, hot, hot festive meals & how
to's plus cool Mexican cocktail recipes.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
- Find out how to make your own Cinco de Mayo decorations -- plus menu ideas, food & drink recipes, and party activities to make sure your celebration is a real down home fiesta.
Inside Mexico - Cinco de Mayo
- Find out what's going on in Mexico with descriptions of traditional fiestas & parades, including related feature stories, along with menu ideas and recipes for your party.