No, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day. Before you plan your ways to celebrate, talk about Cinco de Mayo and its history with your family. Take this opportunity to learn about Cinco de Mayo and why it is celebrated. Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of the victory of México over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This holiday creates quite a splurge all over the city. Cinco de Mayo falls on Thursday this year, so why not start the weekend fiesta early. Here is a list of places you can Glide over to and get festive for Cinco de Mayo in El Paso.
Eat and Drink
ELEMI Restaurant
ELEMI is an open, woodsy eatery that offers typical Mexican dishes with varieties of native maíz from sustainable farming in Mexico. Their kitchen uses organic and local produce when available, quality meats and cheese, and a variety of fresh herbs, spices, chilies, insects, and chocolates with significance placed in the interior of Mexico, as well as agave-based spirits.
Location: 313 N Kansas St.
Hours: 3 - 9 pm
Ambar Restaurante
Ambar is a praised restaurant with an open kitchen that serves high-ranking Mexican signature dishes and more than 800 agave cocktails.
Location: Plaza Hotel
Hours: 7 am - 10 pm
Taft-Diaz
Named after American President William H. Taft and Mexican President Porfirio Diaz, because of their summit on the El Paso-Juarez border over a century ago. Taft hosted a traditional, conventional luncheon while President Diaz served a luxurious dinner, true to his character. Plans were made and the future of the land known as El Chamizal was set into motion.Taft-Diaz now serves as evidence that great things can happen when you welcome guests to your table, serving upscale cuisine at the crossroads of beloved classics and cutting-edge culture. Experience the mix of Mexican flavor, American influence and five-star service in an atmosphere inspired by history in the making.
Location: Stanton House
Hours: 7 am - 10 pm
Corralito Steak House
Corralito Steak House has become a family tradition in the border area of El Paso and Juarez. From a variety of food and drinks, Corralito provides good service and quality steaks.
Location: 2725 N. Mesa St.
Hours: 11 am - 10 pm
Special Events
Cinco de Mayo International Fest
On Wednesday, May 4th, you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Mexican Consulate. You can find traditional Mexican food, typical sweets, honeys and spices, as well as jewelry, rarámuri clothes and Mata Ortiz crafts.
There will also be a great musical collection and folkloric ballets, like Sonora Skandalo, the traditional Mariachi Cuauhtémoc and the prestigious performance of Romeyno Gutiérrez, proudly a rarámuri pianist. The Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso and the Ministry of Innovation and Economic Development of the State of Chihuahua aim to promote local producers, the main traditions and tourist places in the state of Chihuahua, creating a space for fun and family entertainment for the border community.
Hours: May 4th, 11 am - 10 pm
Location: 910 E. San Antonio Ave.
Hotel Paso del Norte
The hotel Paso del Norte will have a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Thursday with specials on margaritas and Patron cocktails in the Dome Bar and other hotel venues: Sabor, El Mirador and 1700° Steakhouse. Local musician Jessica Flores will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. The Hotel is rich in culture of the city, with different personalities passing through their doors for more than 100 years, adding their stories to the unique blend of Mexican, Texas and Native American cultures that make this hotel a true gem of the Southwest..
Location: 10 Henry Trost Court
Concerts
Reik- En Cambio USA Tour
Why not celebrate 5 de Mayo with one of México’s biggest pop groups, Reik. The concert starts at 8 pm and ticket prices begin at $50.00. The group was founded in Mexicali, Baja California in 2005 by band members Jesús Navarro, Julio Ramírez and Bibi Marín. They have gotten to the top of the charts with their ability to merge pop music with romantic ballads and have won awards like Latin Grammys and Billboard awards. They have collaborations with some of the biggest names in Latin Music like Maluma, J Balvin, Sebastián Yatra, Christian Nodal and Ozuna, among others. The tour repertoire consists of their recent hits like “Los Tragos” with Maria Becerra and “Loquita” with Rauw Alejandro as well as their classics hits like “Me Niego”, “Amigos con Derechos”, “Noviembre Sin Ti”, “Voy a Olvidarte”, “Un Año” and “Perfecta”.
Location: Plaza Theater