Things to Do

Cinco de Mayo in the Texas Hill Country: Celebrations of Heritage & History

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo (a.k.a. May 5th)! Commemorating the Mexican army’s unlikely “David vs. Goliath” victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla of 1862, in America, this day is most celebrated by experiencing and enjoying Mexican culture. Here are a number of ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the Texas Hill Country with both traditional and non-traditional festivities.

Celebrating in San Marcos

Cinco de Mayo in the Texas Hill Country: Celebrations of Heritage & History

Photo: Wikimedia

The Viva Cinco de Mayo & State Menudo Cookoff is presently being held at the San Marcos Plaza Park in San Marcos on Saturday, May 6. This festival includes great music and food, a beauty pageant, a parade, a state-wide cooking competition, carnival rides, and much more. It’s one of the state’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations and it’s happening this weekend!

Celebrating in San Antonio

Cinco de Mayo in the Texas Hill Country: Celebrations of Heritage & History

Photo: Wikimedia

Market Square at 514 W Commerce St. holds its annual vibrant Cinco de Mayo festival in San Antonio, attracting approximately 50,000 people every year! A fun, colorful, and charming place to visit at any time of year, at festival time they feature live music, entertaining performances, and phenomenal food. Arts, crafts, and memorabilia are also a featured highlight, and vendors will be on hand to help make this a wonderful place to celebrate for the whole family.

Celebrating in Austin

Cinco de Mayo in the Texas Hill Country: Celebrations of Heritage & History

Photo: Obama Whitehouse Archives

Austin holds a Cinco de Mayo Festival in the Hill Country which has become an annual 2-day outdoor fiesta taking place where else but the beautiful Fiesta Gardens. This well-attended and well-known event is being held May 6 and 7 this year and offers up a variety of Tejano music, coupled with authentic Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine. Visitors are welcomed to bring lawn chairs to this all-ages celebration and relax in between trying all of the great food as well as getting up to party like there’s no manyana!