Cinco de Mayo Events in San Diego

By Night&Day Staff
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	Cinco is a colorful affair in Vista. Photo: Crissy Pascual / Union-Tribune

Cinco de Mayo, as celebrated in los Estados Unidos, is like St. Patrick’s Day — Americans don’t really know the reason for the season, but they’ll wear a cultural cliché and a drunken smile anyway.

We’ve rooted out the best San Diego County Cinco de Mayo festivals, a bunch of local concerts and arts events and Mexican bars and restaurants where you can eat the gusano at the bottom of the tequila bottle — ’cause you need your protein.

And in case you get cast on Univision’s “Sábado Gigante,” say, during the thong-and-question portion of the show, the holiday does not mark Mexico’s independence from Spain. The fifth of May commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when a ragtag Mexican army with a dream beat the bullying French.

From Chula Vista to Oceanside, there’s a Cinco de Mayo 2010 celebration in San Diego for you.

	¡Viva la música! Photo: Crissy Pascual / Union-Tribune

Mocktail drinkers, we understand if you just want to drink in Mexican culture. Here are some family-friendly celebrations and events.

Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo
Old Town will offer performances on five different stages, food from local restaurants, and cultural and historical exhibits (5/1-2).

Festival Cinco de Mayo & Quinceañera Extravaganza
Chula Vista celebrates the Battle of Puebla during this family event, including a fashion show (5/2).

Solana Beach Cinco de Mayo
La Colonia Park sets the scene for live mariachi serenades, ballet folklorico, piñatas, games, eats and more at this free community fiesta (5/2).

Oceanside Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the northwest coast of San Diego County with live entertainment, games and food booths (5/2).

Fiesta Poblana
Enjoy indigenous dances and performances from Puebla, Mexico, the region where Mexican forces stood up and defeated French armies on Cinco de Mayo (5/8).

Cinco de Mayo Trail Run
The run now features a 10K distance as well as multiple 5K heats, and offers views of Lake Poway (5/8)

You’ll find concerts, performing arts events and more happening on Cinco de Mayo in our Music & Arts section.