Cinco de Mayo brings a festive spirit to Philadelphia every year as residents celebrate Mexican culture and heritage. Bars, restaurants, and public spaces come alive with decorations, music, and revelry on this popular holiday. This year promises another exuberant Cinco de Mayo celebration across Philly’s vibrant neighborhoods. In this article we talk about Philadelphia Residents Celebrate in Style, Cinco de Mayo Festivities Light Up Bars and Restaurants!
Festive Decor Transforms Philadelphia’s Food and Drink Spots
Walk into any bar or restaurant in Philadelphia in early May, and you’ll be transported to a Mexican fiesta. From Center City to Fishtown, establishments adorn interiors with strings of lights, papel picado banners, multicolored tablecloths, and more. It’s a sight to behold and puts visitors in a celebratory mood.
Restaurateurs and bar owners spare no effort or expense to deck out their businesses for the holiday. “We bring in flowers, potted cacti and palms, ceramic skulls and brightly painted wood cutouts to liven up the place,” says Damien Watel, owner of Los Caballitos in Fishtown. “Our customers love it. Last year, many people posed for photos with our life-sized donkey cutout!”
Other places hosting elaborate decorations and themed events include Lolita, Las Cazuelas, El Vez, Tequilas, and Cantina Los Caballitos, among many others across the city.
Festive Drinks and Dishes Draw in the Crowds
Beyond the visual feast of decorations, Philadelphia residents are drawn in by the tempting array of food and drink specials restaurants offer.
“Philadelphia has excellent Mexican fare all year round, but the menus expand even further for Cinco de Mayo,” says food blogger Maria Diaz. “You’ll find all sorts of authentic dishes like mole poblano, carnitas, chiles rellenos, tamales, pozole, and so much more. And the drinks menus really go all out with diverse margaritas, Mexican beers, tequila and mezcal cocktails.”
Among the most popular places for indulgent eats and drinks are South Philly Barbacoa, Distrito, El Rey, Cantina Los Caballitos, Lolita, and Tequilas. Many restaurants also set up street food stalls to meet the high demand.
Festive Music Sets the Mood
No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without festive music. Philadelphia’s bars, plazas and parks echo with the upbeat tunes of mariachi bands during the holiday. Restaurants usually have live music or DJs playing all day to accompany the food and drinks.
“We hire two alternating mariachi groups to perform in our courtyard so guests always have a lively atmosphere,” says Pedro Hernandez, manager of Distrito in West Philadelphia. “People get up to dance and sing along while enjoying the nice weather and drinks on our patio. It really enhances the festive mood.”
Other places hosting special musical performances include Juntos, Las Cazuelas, Lolita, Pistola’s del Sur, and Cantina Dos Segundos. The plazas and parks also draw crowds to listen and dance to roving mariachi bands during the Cinco de Mayo week.
Citywide Celebrations Bring Communities Together
Beyond the bar and restaurant scene, Cinco de Mayo is commemorated with larger music concerts, dance performances, food bazaars, and more across various Philadelphia neighborhoods. Some of the biggest citywide celebrations span over multiple days and attract thousands of attendees.
The El Carnaval de Puebla is a huge festival held at the Penns Landing waterfront over two days. It features authentic Mexican food vendors, artisans, lucha libre wrestling matches, a jalapeno eating contest, chihuahua race and show, and multiple stages for bands, DJs, and folkloric dance troupes.
Similarly vibrant public celebrations are held at Penn Treaty Park Fiesta on Delaware Avenue, the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, and Feria del Barrio Latin American festival in North Philly. These events bring Philly’s diverse communities together to enjoy Mexican culture through food, music, dance, and family-friendly activities.
Get Into the Festive Cinco de Mayo Spirit!
As Philadelphia gears up to commemorate Cinco de Mayo this year, the festive spirit is inevitable. To experience the holiday’s vibrance, check out the decorations and events at your favorite bar or restaurant. Or better yet, make a day of it by exploring the public celebrations across the city’s neighborhoods. Wherever you go, you’ll find joyful music, tempting food and drinks, and proud cultural displays that honor Mexican heritage. I sincerely hope you like reading this “Philadelphia Residents Celebrate in Style, Cinco de Mayo Festivities Light Up Bars and Restaurants!” article
Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.
