Cinco de Mayo is approaching! The fifth of May is commonly mistaken as Mexican Independence Day, but it actually commemorates Mexico’s underdog victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Fast forward to the new millennium and the mostly American-celebrated holiday is unrecognizable from its original roots. However, Los Angeles is home to some incredible events that honor and celebrate Mexican history, and we’ve gathered all of our favorite ones below.
1. Watch the Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade
3. Party at Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
This historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, which is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, is lined with vendors selling everything from colorful piñatas to Mexican pottery, at Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles. This restored district honors the city’s Mexican heritage and is one of the best places to get delicious Mexican food and browse traditional crafts.
📍Location: Olvera St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
🗓️ When: Saturday, May 4th, 2024 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5. Rediscover the Museum of Latin American Art
Located in the LBC, the Museum Of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to featuring and highlighting both modern and contemporary Latin American art. While general admission is typically $15, the museum is totally free to the public on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., which makes it ideal to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
6. Explore LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a cultural space that aims to uplift, share, and preserve the stories and art of Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and all Latinx people in our community. It’s currently home to the exhibition Calle principal: mi México en Los Ángeles. This exhibition immerses visitors in the vibrant life of 1920s downtown Los Angeles, recreating Main Street’s essence and inviting exploration of Mexican, Mexican-American, and immigrant communities. Through interactive experiences, it bridges past and present, offering a multisensory journey for families to connect with history.
📍Location: 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
7. Visit the Avila Adobe house
The oldest house in the entire city is freely accessible every day of the week. But Cinco de Mayo is a more than special occasion to visit, as it’s the ideal time to honor Los Angeles’ roots by celebrating the strong bond with Mexican culture.
8. Enjoy some tacos at the oldest Mexican restaurant in LA
Crunchy and juicy tacos are perfect for any day and any time. But undoubtedly, there’s no better plan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles than visiting the mythical and legendary Mexican restaurant, El Cholo. This place is one of the city’s finest restaurants, serving delicious meals since 1923.
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.
Also published on Medium.