16 Amazing Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas for the Ultimate Fiesta

Anytime is a good time to meet up with your friends and celebrate, but if it’s May 5th, you know that any regular party will swiftly turn into a fiery fiesta. This day, commonly known as Cinco de Mayo, calls for a unique party.

Originally a celebration of a Mexican victory over French troops in the 19th century, now the day has evolved into celebrating and honoring Mexican culture. Surprisingly, you can observe more festivities in the US rather than in Mexico, but you can throw the party anywhere you want!

So if you’re up to hosting colorful fare, indulging in delicious Mexican food, and drinking lots of margaritas and horchatas, this article is for you. Our list of Cinco de Mayo party ideas will set you up for an amazing celebration with its suggestions for food, drink, games and even something extra special! So grab your sombreros, and let’s go!

The Food

In accordance with the Mexican proverb La panza es primero, which translates to The belly is first, we cannot start our list of Cinco de Mayo party ideas with anything other than menu suggestions. So let’s dig into what you can serve for your Cinco de Mayo party.

Holy Guacamole

Guacamole, a staple dish in Mexican cuisine, is a must-have at any Cinco de Mayo party. It is made from mashed avocado, lime juice, salt, and other optional ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.  The dish can also be easily customized to suit your guests’ preferences.

Taco Bar

Let’s taco about the Mexican food we all love, tacos! Tacos are a staple in Mexican cuisine, and they’re easy to make. You could prep the meats and toppings before your guests arrive or set up a taco bar so your guests to build their own tacos.

The Trembly Flan

Flan, the famous and beloved Mexican dessert, might be shaky in its structure, but it’s a solid dish that will satisfy any sweet tooth, so it should certainly be a featured dish on your Cinco de Mayo party table. Since flan takes some time to make, you can prepare it the day before, taking off a bit of stress away from the day of the party.

Deep-dive Dishes

If you want to go beyond the guac and tacos, set up your party guests with traditional dishes that are a bit more challenging to make such as pozole, mole poblano, chilaquiles, or tamales. If you’re up to the challenge, make them yourself, but you can also hire caterers or even throw the party in a Mexican restaurant, where the kitchen can provide everything you need leaving you free to focus on your guests.

The Drinks

Of course we haven’t forgotten about the beverages, so here are some Mexico-inspired drink options to accompany the delicious dishes. ¡Salud!

Tequila

No Mexican party can happen without the main party guest: tequila. You can opt for a classic Margarita drink or give it a fun twist. If you’re feeling like experimenting this Cinco de Mayo, try out some new tequila-based drinks that will surely leave your guests wanting more.

If you’re hosting a sober curious party, but don’t want to resign from this classic spirit, just switch it out for an alcohol-free version.

Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate may seem more fitting for a winter-wonderland party than a Cinco de Mayo one, but this beloved Mexican drink fits right into this kind of celebration. If you’re looking for something alcohol-free, or if there will be kids present at your party, thenhot chocolate might be the perfect drink solution.

Horchata

Another classic Mexican beverage that is alcohol and dairy free. Made from rice milk, cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes vanilla or other spices, it has a sweet, creamy flavor that pairs well with spicy or savory Mexican dishes, making it the perfect drink for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta.

Agua Fresca

This drink is perfect if you’re looking for something fast and easy to make. You just need water, fruit, lime and a bit of a sweetener (sugar or agave) that you blend all together! Make it in bulk and keep it cold in your refrigerator until it’s time to serve.

The Games

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

El burro, meaning ‘the donkey,’ is a symbol of Mexico’s rural heritage and hardworking spirit and is often represented in Mexican popular culture. Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a great way to get your guests moving while also celebrating the spirit of Cinco de Mayo. The idea behind the game, pinning the tail to a drawing of a donkey while blindfolded, is simple but it is a lot of fun and will leave your guests laughing.

Piñata

If you’re looking for an activity that can be enjoyed by all guests, no matter their age, add a piñata to your list of party necessities. This fun and lighthearted activity may also be used as an icebreaker among groups that may not know each other well. You can buy ready-made piñatas or create your own.

Hot Sauce Challenge

Mexico is known for its wide variety of chilis and hot sauces, and a fun way to incorporate them into your Cinco de Mayo party is by playing your rendition of the popular show Hot Ones. The show features participants answering trivia questions while eating hot wings. Who will become the Hot Master of your party?

Lotería

Lotería is a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo. It consists of a deck of cards with colorful images, each of which corresponds to a different word or phrase. Players mark off the image on their game board as the caller draws cards and calls out the corresponding word or phrase.

This fun and easy game can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so it will make a great addition to your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. You can purchase Lotería sets online or create your own version with blank game boards and markers.

The Elevation

Do you want your Cinco de Mayo party to go down in the history books? Or maybe you want to take the celebration a step further and give your guests something more to take home than just memories? Well, let’s see what you can add to your party to take it to the next level.

Decorations

Decorate your party space to make the event even more special. You can go with the colors of the Mexican flag, which are green, white and red, or with some brighter ones, such as teal, yellow, and purple.  These are also often seen during Cinco de Mayo celebrations. What other elements should you include in your decor?

🌵 Serape

Traditionally worn as a cloak, serapes can also be a decorative element. Use it as a tablecloth or hang it on the wall to add a colorful touch to your party.

🌵 Papel Picado

This popular decoration consists of intricately cut paper banners in bright colors. It’s easy to make, so you can even make it into a party activity for your guests to craft themselves.

🌵 Sombreros

You can use a sombrero as a centerpiece for your party table or buy small ones as bottle toppers.

🌵 Cacti

These are also typically associated with Mexico. Incorporate cacti in your decorations or into one of your games.

🌵 Maracas

This percussion instrument is often used in traditional Mexican music. They can be played easily, so your guests will surely enjoy having them around. You can also give them out as party favors.

Music

Since music is an important element of Mexican culture, the Cinco de Mayo party must be accompanied by some great tunes. You can go all out and hire a mariachi band, but setting up a good playlist to play in the background is surely enough to make the party more lively.

If you’re in doubt about what to play at your Cinco de Mayo party, here are some of our favorite Spotify playlists:

🌵 Clásicas del Mariachi – As the name suggests, this playlist will let you enjoy top mariachi songs.

🌵 Top 50 – Mexico – The most played songs in Mexico at the moment.

🌵 Los 90s México – The most played songs in Mexico from the 90s. A bit of nostalgia and good rhythms to help you get the party started.

Dance Class

If there’s music, there’s dancing, so why not take it a step further and actually learn one or a few traditional Mexican dances? The most famous one is probably Jarabe Tapatío, but you can also try your strength in Folklórico, which blends multiple traditional dances from Mexico. Don’t be afraid of the dances, though. To pull some of them off, like La Bamba, you simply need a bit of grace to dance your night away.

Cooking Class

If you want to not only honor the Mexican heritage but actively learn about it, taking a cooking class is a great way to do it. On top of that, taking a cooking class bonds the group together or could be an icebreaker for people who don’t know each other too well, so it might just be the thing your party needs.

A Final Adiós

So here it is, our 5-star (get it? 5 as in Cinco?) list of ideas for a Cinco de Mayo themed party. Whether you’re throwing one for your adult friends and can’t wait to try all those margarita recipes or are looking forward to piñata smashing and some mariachi music for a younger crowd, the ideas listed above will take any fiesta to the next level. Don’t be afraid you’ll overdo it – after all, we count it as a blessing to be un poco loco, right? 😉

If you need some more tips on how to throw the ultimate Cinco de Mayo party, make sure to check out our party planning checklist!

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