Denver's Cinco de Mayo celebration is one of the largest in the country, drawing over 400,000 visitors to Santa Fe Drive each year. The two-day festival transforms Denver's historic Latino neighborhood into a massive street party celebrating Mexican heritage and culture.
The festival features multiple stages with live mariachi, Tejano, and Latin rock bands. Traditional folklorico dance troupes perform throughout the day. Lowrider cars cruise the streets, showing off custom paint and hydraulics. Food vendors serve authentic Mexican cuisine from tacos to elote.
The celebration commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, but in Denver it's grown into a broader celebration of Latino culture and community. The parade kicks off the festivities, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and community organizations.